Sweet Peace #43: Results of Low Carb Trial and Another Possibility

I want all of these.

NOTE: This series about finding peace with food and body ... as well as life and spirit ... is moving. This will be the last post here on this blog ... next week it will post to my newsletter on Substack. It will still be free and you can subscribe at https://gratitudemojo.substack.com/about.

    The Wisdom School of Facebook counsels us this morning in words from Joseph Campbell:

“Nietzsche was the one who did the job for me. 

At a certain moment in his life, the idea came to him of what he called 'the love of your fate.' Whatever your fate is, whatever the hell happens, you say, 'This is what I need.' 

It may look like a wreck, but go at it as though it were an opportunity, a challenge. If you bring love to that moment - not discouragement - you will find strength is there. Any disaster you can survive is an improvement in your character, your stature, and your life. 

What a privilege! This is when the spontaneity of your own nature will have a chance to flow.” 

    Seems like wise advice. If my genetics had not put me on this path of trying to resist the tendency toward diabetes, I would not have learned as much about health as I have. I've  monitored my blood sugar for almost 30 years and it has been a far from perfect path, however, it has been a path and I am healthier for it.

The results of the 30 days of Low Carb Challenge are in. 

    While my adherence was not perfect, it was as perfect as I’ll ever get. I tracked net carbs every day and five days were over 22 grams, with the high being one day of 36, still pretty reasonable. However, the results weren’t worth the effort involved.

    Testing showed I was in mild ketosis after the first five days and yet I still had 13 days with blood glucose above 110. The last week's trend showed some promise with 4 days under 100 indicating that continuing might have some benefits. Weight bounced around but wound up exactly where I started.

    The problem was the food. I primarily prefer plant-based foods and protein was an issue. Normally, beans are a significant protein source for me; however, on low-carb, beans are ruled out. Keto is interesting because it leans heavily on eggs and cheese, two foods I enjoy; however, with veggies in such limited quantities, those foods lost their appeal. (The day that I found out a yellow pepper was 8 carbs (over a third on my daily allotment), was a dark day food wise.)

    I was trying to decide whether to continue for another 30 days when another possibility appeared: a combined focus on fiber and intermittent fasting, which, reportedly, also creates ketones. So, I’m off to contemplate another challenge or opportunity, as Joseph Campbell calls it. 

    More next week.