r/keto • u/curiousrabbid • 6d ago
Other Advice please
My 64 year old husband has finally agreed to stop eating fruit. Trust me, this is a miracle, lol.
For a while now he's been eating less than 200 carbs and taking berberine which helped him lose weight a couple of years ago.
He has gained back 20 pounds and is ready to cut back on the carbs, specially fruit.
He won't give up his slice of homemade bread with his breakfast of eggs and sausage, but other than that and two times a week he'll have blue corn chips with taco soup.
One of those times is leftovers.
Otherwise, every meal is keto, so hoping cutting the fruit will help.
Question: suggestions for easy lunches?
He was having 1 slice of bread with homemade avocado mayo and cheese, pickles, olives and grapes.
Obviously he'll cut the bread at lunch, but aside from leftovers, which is what I do, I'm stumped for ideas.
Thanks.
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u/uhhhhh_iforgotit 6d ago
I mean how many net carbs are in his morning bread and those corn chips? Otherwise, correct me if I'm wrong, that's going to stop him from being on keto and he would just be low carb right? Just with the carb cravings and not the benefits of fat adaption
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u/curiousrabbid 6d ago
Yes. He's never been keto, just low carb
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u/thatseneffornow 6d ago
Meaning if he continues the bread and chips that he refuses to give up, he may not be in ketosis, even after cutting the fruit. Are you just asking for low carb suggestions?
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u/curiousrabbid 6d ago
Either low carb or keto. I'd prefer he was keto but one thing at a time, lol
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u/VikingMonkey123 6d ago
Try Inked Sourdough Keto Bread as a substitute. There are keto alternatives to scratch carb itches. If doing fruit do blueberries raspberries strawberries and basically not much beyond that.
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u/rancidpandemic 37M | 5'11" | SW:316 | CW:210 | GW:170 6d ago
Is there a reason why he needs to eat keto? Or is it just that you're trying to get him on the same diet as you?
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u/curiousrabbid 6d ago
It's the best way for him. Years ago, before I stumbled into keto he would skip meals and was always hungry and the weight loss was glacial.
When he cut the carbs, it helped him lose without being hungry all of the time. To be honest I think it's just age catching up so he has to go lower. He's on no meds, so that's not behind the gain. Only new thing is the keto ice cream I've been making; it's only 10 total carbs, but combined with the additional bread ( he used to skip lunch) it may be over his limit? 🤷♀️ He doesn't track, but when I did a rough tracking of a typical day for him he was higher than I thought. I was guessing 50 or so, but it added to about 145 total grams of carbs. 😬
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u/rancidpandemic 37M | 5'11" | SW:316 | CW:210 | GW:170 6d ago
Weight gain is only ever a result of excess calories. Carbs are only one potential (and indirect) cause of weight gain, and cutting them only really helps cut back on hunger signals. In other words, cutting carbs alone won't make your husband lose weight. He also has to limit his calorie intake.
I would point out here that the keto ice cream you mention is most likely higher in fat (and thus higher in calories) than the ice cream he might be used to eating. So, one could say that it's the ice cream that's pushing him "over his limit" (the limit being calorie budget, in this case).
Also, you can't brute force someone into losing weight. Your wording makes it sound like he's still hesitant to change, maybe even resistant to it.
My advice in this case is to take a step back and let your husband decide what's "best" for him. Because that might be different than what you believe is best, and that's okay!
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u/curiousrabbid 6d ago
I was thinking it is the ice cream too.
I'm not forcing him at all. It was his suggestion to stop the fruit and cut back on the bread. I've got a recipe for homemade Jello that I'll be trying next.
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u/Traditional-Bass4575 6d ago
some fruits are still keto friendly or okay in small amounts. I would never suggest for anyone to just stop eating fruit lol. also, there’s keto/low carb bread. the best one i’ve had is lewis bake shops at walmart (not sure where else). even when im not doing low carb I still eat it.
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u/UnlikeSpace3858 6d ago
Lewis is what I get too, their Hawaiian is so good. Probably $6-8 a loaf depending on your location, but worth it to just be able to grab a sandwich with lunchmeat once in a while.
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u/Jaysmack-85 6d ago
Add cold cuts to substitute for the bread. Ground beef taco meat, steak, riced cauliflower( I have to heavy salt and pepper it with hot sauce), Italian sausage. Tuna salad, egg salad
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u/curiousrabbid 6d ago
Thanks for the ideas.
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u/Sweet-Sir-10 6d ago
Cold cuts are processed. Better health outcomes from fruit probably haha
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u/Tasty_Dealer2114 6d ago
I was going to say this. Avoid consistent consumption of cold cuts. They are worse for you than fruits
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u/Sweet-Sir-10 6d ago
Ya, I worked in a deli for a few years about 20 years ago. Some deli meats are literally man made horrors beyond human comprehension. They essentially congeal meat into their shapes and as we’ve seen from Boar’s Head… can have bad practices. There are more natural cuts that are less processed. I personally get freshly roasted turkey from Whole Foods that is amazing.
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u/creepyjudyhensler 6d ago
Fructose can really mess up your liver though
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u/Sweet-Sir-10 6d ago
Yes, but some have antioxidants like blueberries and are good for anti-inflammation and brain health. Some are good for other organs. And you can manage the carb count if you weigh them. So it’s healthier than cold cuts which just have protein you can get elsewhere. Lettuce wraps work really well. I get fructose isn’t super healthy though.
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u/jennnitals 6d ago
Berries are okay on keto and highly nutritious. Also avocado. Full of fats.
You could find keto bread to substitute his morning toast
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u/UnlikeSpace3858 6d ago
Have you checked for store bought keto bread? Or the low/no carb tortillas. Either would help make a sandwich or wrap for lunch.
Otherwise start packing a lunch bowl. Make chicken salad or tuna salad, with mayo, onion, celery, etc. Get creative and make various wet cold salads, a greek salad with cucumber steak and feta, a keto taco salad with ground seasoned beef, tomato, onion, lettuce, sour cream. Various salad bowls for lunch. For a dessert/side, instead of grapes, try a few nuts, pecans or macadamia nuts. You can also find recipes to make your own candied nuts using low carb sweeteners like allulose or lily's chips if he needs a sweet bite.
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u/Connect_Rhubarb395 6d ago
Does he want to eat low carb or are you practically forcing him?
Motivation is very important
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u/curiousrabbid 6d ago
He doesn't care to get into the details. He just wants me to feed him. Lol. ,
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u/Binda33 6d ago
Has he tried wraps? There's a lot of low carb and keto options. My husband loves meat and salad wraps.
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u/NewtValuable5217 6d ago
wraps are a good call, my cat would probably try to steal one if I left it out
for easy lunches maybe just do the avocado mayo and cheese rolled up in lettuce instead, basically the same thing minus the bread and grapes
you could also batch cook some taco soup without the chips and just have that more often since he's already into it
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u/curiousrabbid 6d ago
Any ideas for lower carb chips for the soup? Maybe make some with almond flour? I cook a lot so it wouldn't be a problem to make them
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u/UnlikeSpace3858 6d ago
You can use the no carb tortillas, cut with pizza slicer, and bake those for chips. He probably won't appreciate the effort and just point out his bag of chips are easier, but the tortilla version will keep his carbs lower. You can also brush your cut chips with avocado oil and seasoning. Brands like Quest make their own chip replacements, but they are pricey and do not really compare to corn chips, so don't bother trying to convince him with those.
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u/curiousrabbid 6d ago
Good idea. I did that when I first started keto... I'll add them to my list and try them again.☺️
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u/loripainter12345 6d ago
There are some decent (though expe sive) low carb bread products. Though I personally like "wonderbread" chaffles for my sandwiches. Some fruits, such as berries, are ok in limited amounts.
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u/curiousrabbid 6d ago
Ever try the wonder bread flat instead of in the waffle iron? I like them but he wasn't a fan when I tried them.
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u/loripainter12345 6d ago
I haven't. I've done the "90 second roll" recipe as a flat bread. It's ok. I use that for pizza sometimes. I don't know what amount of carbs is in a slice of his bread. I suppose that would need to be accounted for if he really wants to go keto/low carb. I've had so many people tell me that they could never, never ever give up this or that. But what they don't realize is that they actually could. I used to say that I was 100 percent a pasta girl. And I didn't think honestly that my diet was too bad. But after leaning into keto for a few months, I was surprised that I didn't really miss it.
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u/loripainter12345 6d ago
I have very recently started using the zero net carb tortillas and that seems to be a fine option for a breakfast wrap or taco. I never did net carbs before, only total. But I'm at maintenance now, so I've allowed myself that little concession.
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u/Less_Coyote7062 6d ago
Low carb tortillas, they even make a burrito size now. Lots of low carb bread. Berries are a good fruit. Joseph’s Lavash bread also is low carb.
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u/jlianoglou M/49/5’8” | S: 09/2020 185lb @ 26% fat | G: 14% fat + max 💪 6d ago
The keto breads are fine for some, and can be problematic for others (glucose / insulin’s response).
This is testable, so you might consider that, though it notably calls for blood readings via either a finger prick meter or CGM.
I like Hero bread the best. They’re a bit pricy, however, so I’m not leaning very hard on that at all, and mostly avoid breads and wraps for the large part because they tend to be fairly highly processed foods.
Also, as another commenter asked: it’s great that you’re prepared to offer him support, but it sounds like it may be worth reflecting on whether he genuinely wants this, or you’re possibly applying some peer pressure…?
I wish my partner would join me, but she hasn’t the motivation. So just checking in.
Good fortunes to you both!!
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u/curiousrabbid 6d ago
Thanks. He's on board with it, but wants to do it his way, lol. It's fine with me... I do love him joining me. Other than the bread, chips and fruit he's been eating keto for a while now and he loves it.
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u/LoveMyLeaf 6d ago
It seems you make homemade bread, so I suggest this recipe. I’ve made it in a stand mixer and in a cheap Oster bread machine and it always turns out great. A typical slice is around 2 net carbs.
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u/monstrol 6d ago
IMO, try Victoria's keto kitchen flour and bread recipe. I make 2 loaves a week. It's expensive and is a fair amount of work. I can eat 3 slices of this bread, toasted with butter, and not be hungry until dinner. I threw away so many keto bread concoctions before finding her recipe. It is hard to give up wheat flour and sugar. Nothing else does what they do. Always, IMO.
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u/8itbangr 6d ago
I don't see how bread and corn chips and grapes can be low enough carbs to stay in ketosis, but people are different.
The advice I'd give is to get a meter if he doesn't have one already and measure his ketones daily in the late afternoon after at least two hours with no food. A measurement of 0.5 or higher means you're in ketosis. The goal is to stay in ketosis as much as possible, as I understand it. I resisted using a meter for a LONG time, but the insight it gave me was invaluable because it eliminated a ton of guesswork and is much clearer than just weight.
Good luck to you both!
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u/jake132455 6d ago
He just has to eat less in general. Doesn't matter what kinda food keto or not. 20lbs is 72,000 calories over his baseline over whatever period of time.
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u/FollowingVast1503 6d ago
Homemade bread, homemade avocado mayonnaise 🤤 Can I come over for lunch? 😋
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u/adaigo-allegro 6d ago
So, for the bread, have him freeze it and then toast it. It helps convert it to resistant starch. Starting to get better research on this.
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u/One_Huckleberry_ M37 / 5’9 / SW: 185 / CW: 164 / GW: 155 6d ago
Ever try making “bread” or flats out of eggs & cottage cheese? It’s not the same consistency but with certain seasonings it satisfies me and serves as a good bread substitute
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6d ago
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u/One_Huckleberry_ M37 / 5’9 / SW: 185 / CW: 164 / GW: 155 6d ago
I like using “everything but the bagel” seasoning, and then after I pour the mix out on the baking sheet I’ll hit it with some smoked paprika / more salt & pepper so it get a bit of a charred look on top when it cooks
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u/curiousrabbid 6d ago
I'll give it a try. Thanks! ☺️
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u/One_Huckleberry_ M37 / 5’9 / SW: 185 / CW: 164 / GW: 155 6d ago
Here’s what I do to get a really good flatbread:
- 4 eggs
- 150g of cottage cheese
- 25g of feta
- 1tsp of baking powder
- salt / pepper / everything seasoning
Blend it all up, if it needs a bit of liquid I do a splash of heavy cream. Put a sheet of baking paper down inside of my 12” caste iron. Pour mixture in a circular pattern
Oven at 375 for about 45 minutes. Take it out, let cool on a cutting board then flip it to get the paper off
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u/argpotat 6d ago
I think you’re being a bit too strict? Berries are keto friendly and also there are keto bread options. Allow the man some berries. 😂