A Keto Diet You Can Live With

Strict Keto dieters give up everything fun. Artificial sweeteners like Splenda are frowned upon by the keto police, as are fat bombs and a cold, low-carb beer. Even a scoop of low-carb ice cream is out of the question (who invited THAT guy to the party?). I couldn’t understand how anyone could give up Diet Coke or tortillas. Let’s keep it real. My limited family budget didn’t include 100 percent organic vegetables, line-caught fish, or grass-fed butter. Call me crass, but at the time, most of my meals came from the microwave or a drive-thru.

 

According to the diet books I read, that meant I was doomed to fail. But what if “they” were wrong? There had to be another way. The secret to my success was tossing out the established “rules” for weight loss and essentially learning to play dirty. I learned to listen to my own physical and emotional needs, rebelling against the traditional beliefs of what healthy eating is supposed to look like.

 

I discovered, by accident, that by eating somewhat of a higher-fat, moderate-protein, lower-carbohydrate diet, but without restrictive rules, I could finally solve my weight loss riddle. I bucked the system by proving I could lose a significant amount of weight—140 pounds!—and keep it off for years. The only catch? I had to do it my way.

 

The result was a kinder, more inclusive version of keto. DIRTY, LAZY, KETO is not obsessive like other keto diets, where folks count carbs from their toothpaste or multivitamin. DIRTY, LAZY, KETO allows sugar substitutes, grain alternatives, and a more flexible method of counting macronutrients. You can have your sugar-free cake, and eat it too. Hallelujah!

 

In order to keep my blood sugar stable and prevent overeating, I operate by an unspoken rule: 10 grams of net carbs or less. If a serving of food has more than 10g net carbs per serving, pass! This simple strategy helped me to lose eleven sizes in clothes.

 

 

You don’t have to be perfect to be successful! I’m living proof that sustainable weight loss is possible without following constrictive rules. If I can lose 140 pounds by enjoying a “dirty” and “lazy” form of keto, then I’m betting you can too!

 

Try this recipe for the perfect snack when you need something sweet:

 

Serves 24 (3g net carbs)

 

2 cups no-sugar-added peanut butter

1/2 cup 0g net carb sweetener

3/4 cup coconut flour

1 teaspoon water

24 sugar-free chocolate chips