I have followed the Keto diet for four years now. My main reasons are its anti-inflammatory benefits and low acidity, among other perks. One of the best developments I’ve noticed over these years is how local retailers are stocking more low-carb and keto-friendly products. It makes sticking to a keto lifestyle much more affordable and practical. For instance, I can find about six different types of keto bread at various shops nearby. There are also pasta alternatives, keto-specific bakeries, cereal, waffles, and plenty of other new items. Despite this, there’s a lot of hostility from those who insist on a strictly ‘clean eating’ approach. It’s as if the goal of keto isn’t already to improve your internal health. While it’s fine to eat however you want, it’s not okay to look down on others who have found a way to make Keto work for them. Many newcomers get attacked by elitists who think anything processed isn’t truly keto. I believe this attitude is damaging to the community. Personally, I find the distinction between clean and dirty keto to be nonsense. Some people use these labels to help with self-control, but ultimately, nutritional ketosis is just that—ketosis. How you achieve it doesn’t matter as long as it’s effective and healthy for your situation. Edit: I’m really happy so many of you relate to this! Keep doing keto in whatever way suits your life and keeps you well!
I’m with you. A major problem is the lack of a precise definition for the ‘keto diet.’ Keto is just an abbreviation for ketogenic. It wasn’t originally designed for weight loss or blood sugar management; it was created for epilepsy treatment. To me, keto simply means keeping carbs low enough that my body relies on ketones for fuel through ketosis.
Every group has its share of jerks—whether it’s cycling, wine, or literature—there are always people who feel the need to act superior. They want to claim they have more authority over the lifestyle. One perk of getting older (I’m in my 50s) is realizing you can just ignore them and live however works best for you. Keep going, everyone—do keto your way and don’t mind the elitists; they aren’t worth your time.
Demanding perfection from people is a surefire way to make them quit entirely. We should make it reachable and sustainable, balancing health with enjoyment. I’d rather have some convenience or treats occasionally than give up. Also, people who obsess over food chemicals often ignore how much pollution we encounter daily. You can’t avoid everything.
I started my mom on keto, and we’ve seen results over the last month. We’ve been trying various ‘keto-branded’ items like bread and recipes to see what fits. She felt discouraged after reading forum reviews calling people lazy for buying pre-made keto meals. She’s a busy nurse and I’m a full-time student and caregiver; we don’t have time for constant meal prepping. Easy meals help her stay on track. As long as you hit your macros and watch out for poor ingredients, you should do what works for you. There’s no such thing as ‘dirty’ or ‘clean.’ If you’re seeing results, that’s all that matters because it might help someone else too.
I’ve noticed this exact problem on this subreddit since I arrived. There’s way too much elitism over a diet. It’s frustrating. I really hope people take your message to heart and relax a bit.