Keto diet: my switch from high-carbs to high-fat diet
My relationship with food: my path from a high-carb to a high-fat keto diet
Switching from high carb to high fat with a keto diet was an interesting journey. My relationship with food is very complicated. From the age of fifteen up until my early thirties, I struggled with bulimia and viewed all food as the enemy.
I was totally obsessed with my weight and, although I was naturally slim when I looked in the mirror all I could see was an ugly, fat person looking back – I hated myself. I’d also religiously count every calorie, which was, frankly, quite pathetic and tiring.
My more than a decade-long eating disorder damaged my digestive system
Years of suffering from this eating disorder took its toll on my body and did some serious damage to my digestive system, stomach and gut. I have so many regrets from that dark period of my life, but I can’t turn back time, all I can do is focus on the present and make the best of now and the future.
Developed other illnesses like hypothyroidism, adrenal and chronic fatigue
Soon after recovering from my eating disorder I developed other illnesses like hypothyroidism, adrenal fatigue, chronic fatigue and later also Lyme disease. I constantly felt super tired and sick and doctors offered little or no solution.
Learning about anti-inflammation diets
That’s when I started reading more and more about anti-inflammation diets, which favoured eating more meat, vegetables, healthy fats and bone broth and highlighted the emphasis on cutting out certain foods. I live a primal-inspired life and eat a diet made of only real food ingredients 95% of the time. Thanks to the books and websites of many international integrative doctors and therapists I gathered extensive information and along the way made many modifications to my lifestyle and diet, to get me well and where I am today.
I learnt to adapt the knowledge I gained to suit my own body’s needs. For example, I need a lot of proteins, bone broth, healthy fats and organic vegetables to stay healthy. In the past, I tried almost every diet; fruit diets, plant diets, vegetarianism, juicing, extreme diets – you name it, I’ve tried it! For years, I deprived myself of eating meat, and it caused me to have so many shortages of essential nutrients and vitamins in my body.
With the AIP Keto diet, my weight has never been better and more stable
In the last few years, my calorie intake has been more stable. I generally try to eat around 2000 calories a day and my weight has never been better. The composition of my body is also much better than when I was eating crap, vomiting and counting every single calorie. During those days, I tried not to exceed 1000 calories a day, but with what I know now, I’d never recommend this. My current body with the AIP keto diet is SO much better – I’m 41, I have no cellulite and have the body of a young girl in her twenties.
I now try to buy organic and local produce as often as I can and tend to stick to food that is free-range and cruelty-free. I also prefer to buy meat from farms I trust, so that I know the animals have been treated with respect.
If your budget doesn’t quite stretch to organic options, try to be creative – grow your own fruit and vegetables and go for the cheaper cuts of meat. You could even buy some chickens and eat the eggs that they hatch! The options are endless so there’s no excuse.
At first, the transition to clean eating was not easy
Although my diet is rich in protein, healthy fats and fresh vegetables, I don’t eat too much fruit because of its high sugar content, andsugar is a sweet killer. I also steer clear of anything that contains gluten, grains, artificial sugars, sugar substitutes (except the occasional coconut sugar) dairy, or soy. As crazy as it may sound, these foods can trigger me to feel severely tired, depressed and sometimes even suicidal. Crazy, isn’t it?
At first, this transition into clean eating was very difficult as I really love cheese, pasta and bread. But after suffering from such severe reactions, I felt that it wasn’t worth it for my mental and physical well-being. After years of trial and error and experimenting, I’ve learnt what type of food is right for me and adapted to this so that I have enough options to whip up a tasty variety of meals.
Although I’m super-strict about what I eat, I also try not to deprive myself completely. Occasionally, if I get an overwhelming craving for bread, I’ll buy a gluten and dairy free loaf, or I bake Paleo bread when I have time and have all the ingredients on hand.
Don’t be too hard on yourself. From time to time allow yourself something (unless it is giving you life-threatening reactions of course) without punishing yourself. When you’re stronger, you can afford more glitches, but still, I need to be careful.
Travelling and clean eating is not always easy.. the wrong foods can make me feel down and depressed for days
Although my energy has improved a lot, when I’m travelling, or I have guests in my house, and we eat out a lot, this can affect my energy. Even if I pick the healthiest items on the menu, there’s a chance it’s been cross-contaminated with gluten or dairy, which means I’m left feeling down and angry for days. Crazy, isn’t it?!
I feel happiest with clean homemade food and the AIP keto diet protocol
This is the effect that food can have on you too! Why do you think there are so many depressed people in the world? In many cases, our diet plays a role. I feel the happiest and most energetic when I eat clean, homemade food.
As you move forward and change your diet from crappy to nutritious foods that keep your blood-sugar levels stable, you will discover how powerful nutrition really is. Explore how these supercharged power foods such as with an AIP keto diet transform your body at a cellular level. I promise you that after this transition, you will notice how it feels like to feel healthy, happy, fresh, alert, sexy, young and energetic. Now, what are you waiting for?
Dr Amen has authored or co-authored 70 professional articles and more than 30 books, including New York Times mega-bestseller Change Your Brain, Change Your Life. He has appeared on numerous television shows including Dr. Phil, Larry King, Dr. Oz, The Doctors, and The View.
You can read and learn more from his educational books, his website or follow one of his programs to help you get well.
One last note: one of my true inspirational health influencers is Dr Terry L. Wahls who is an academic general internal medicine physician who overcame secondary progressive multiple sclerosis through integrative nutrition and electrical therapy to strengthen her muscles. She was in a wheelchair and now commutes to work on her bicycle. Dr Terry L Wahls is the author of several amazing books.
In conclusion, I want to stress that diet and lifestyle choices really matter to help you get well. I can proudly say I am the living proof of what nutrition can do to your health and brain. (in both directions, good and bad)
Empowering others via my anti-ageing wellness platform and holistic health books
I hope you liked this article about my switch to a keto diet. If you would like to learn more about my tips and tricks on how I saved my life from being chronically ill and tired to the lively person I am today, ensure to check out other pages of this anti-ageing wellness platform.
Or if you want to discover my no BS guides on how to regain your health, hair and life, ensure to check out my holistic wellness books on this link.
After a frustrating decade of battling several chronic illnesses, I became disillusioned with the medical system and decided to take my health into my own hands.
Now, through my books and wellness platform, I want to empower people around the world do the same and regain their health, hair, life and beauty!
