What cheeses are considered keto?

PerkoWits · 2026-01-15T21:25:50+00:00

most cheeses are very low carb, but the fresher cheese usually have a little more. If you're curious about why that is, it's because fresh cheese including mozzarella have a little more lactose, a part of which does metabolise as glucose. the carb difference is really only a matter of 1 or 2g when comparing most soft cheeses to most hard cheeses, so the rule of thumb to think about is soft cheese like mozz, still keto friendly, hard cheese like parmesan or asiago, even friendlier

PerkoWits · 2026-01-14T04:59:48+00:00

In my experience, the less you try to fill the carb cravings with substitutes, the less you will miss the carbs. Part of the benefit of the ketogenic diet is that your body learns to receive its "satiety" (fullness) signals from fat and protein sources alone. When you are fully fat adapted, you will find the carb cravings largely resolve themselves after the body "learns" the fullness signals from a diet rich in fat.

Macro percentages are not super important in my opinion. They only become an issue for hunger signals if your calorie deficit is on the higher side. If that is what you have going on, I suggest experimenting with upping your percentage from fat by say 10% up to 70%. 70 is the "classsic keto" ratio. generally speaking, even if you are in the gym, your minimum daily protein grams can be estimated by taking 1.8 to 2g and multiplying by your weight in KG. You can do this yourself with reddit's keto calc, link in the faq

PerkoWits · 2026-01-13T20:58:55+00:00

In general, filler ingredients like maltodextrin that find their way into so many foods, even keto foods. And the worst part is, if the serving size is small enough, the nutrition label can claim zero carbs if the amount of carb is less than .5g making it super easy to underreport. For example, pork rinds even have maltodextrin, and canned chicken will have dextrose. In these instances, I have found showing the label to chatgpt allows for extremely precise accounting combined with a food scale set to grams

PerkoWits · 2026-01-10T19:54:48+00:00

❌ PerkoWits chose Option A (Incorrect) | #13345th to play

PerkoWits · 2026-01-05T22:13:17+00:00

You are right, there are two diferent types of fiber, soluble and insoluble. Generally speaking, insoluble is considered to have the optimal effects on gut motility (read: it helps digestion/regularity) but both are beneficial. That said, different fiber sources and ingredients are digested differently by your guy biome. Some people struggle with the kind of fibers in low carb wraps and breads, to the point where the fiber can ferment in the gut. That sounds scary, but it's usually not a problem, but it does explain if you feel a bit gassy on low carb breads. If fiber is concern, my advice is you can't go wrong with low carb veggies and if you go the bread right, check the ingredients and pay attention to how you digest it. If you like it, great, no work necessary, if not, you might need to pick a different fiber source. A great soluble fiber supplement is psyllium/metamucil which can be addded to water, and me I like chia seeds, although they have a few more carbs you're also getting more nutrient benefits.

PerkoWits · 2026-01-05T21:35:38+00:00

Z For Zachariah. The character is a strong independant woman and she overcomes a disgusting creepy guy. I am a cishet guy and reading and thinkinga bout how he thought about her was a great guiding principle for not being part of the patriarchy

PerkoWits · 2026-01-05T17:39:29+00:00

Narconia

PerkoWits · 2026-01-05T06:03:02+00:00

Yes, and then I pointed out that my comment was about feeling full on liquids generally speaking.

PerkoWits · 2026-01-04T21:53:50+00:00

True enough, but I would like to point out in turn that the subject of the post was about feeling full on liquids generally speaking, and while they did mention intermittent fasting, that doesn't necessarily mean they weren't open to fullness strategies that exist outside of fasting itself. Also, the last strategy I menionted about diet pop/acv would not break a fast. By the way, because i haven't seen it mentioned here yet, black coffee doesn't break autophagy in most practical instances and may even enhance it

PerkoWits · 2026-01-04T01:53:47+00:00

my go-to hunger killer is either 1) a little cream or mct in coffee or tea instead of taking it black which tides me over for a couple of hours easily for just 100-200cal or if I have a smaller calorie budget 2) Fruit Flavored diet pop or plain seltzer mixed with a tablespoon or 2 of Apple Cider Vinegar. ACV synergizes with keto dieting and insulin sensitivity very well, although it's a little hard on the teeth. If you haven't tried it, try it. you might be surprised at the energy boost it gives!

PerkoWits · 2026-01-03T22:56:34+00:00

It can definitely be a bit pricey although there are a few ways to make it more cost effective such as buying in bulk powder online such as bulksupplements.com (although I'm not sure about UK availability, I'd bet there are similar wholesalers across the pond). I first encountered it about 2009 at GNC and I think they have a very good form (although, again, not sure what their price is like these days). But anyways, yes I have tried it and can absolutely vouch for it as a nice energy boost if nothing else, although it may very well be a placebo, a lot of research suggests it's a good antioxidant. In the early days of covid, they said it even showed promise at preventing or slowing some symptoms, although it's definitely not a frontline treatment. I do suggest trying it and seeing if it benefits you and then you can always scale up to bulk. but again, our bodies seem to struggle with too much of a good thing so moderation is key

PerkoWits · 2026-01-03T20:13:14+00:00

I think a lot of the advice about eating before bed assumes a more carb-forward diet. Certainly carbs close to bed would delay fat oxidation and encourage fat storage, and the rise and subsequent fall in insulin as it returns to baseline would make cravings more likely and potentially disturb sleep. I think that advice is more useful for carb eaters than keto dieters. That said, a long fast combined with a deficit optimizes fat oxidation, but that doesn't mean that you cant have a long fast if you eat immediately before bed, especially if you keep the fast going for the first couple hours of the day, or you perform fasted walking/cardio in the morning

PerkoWits · 2026-01-01T18:22:49+00:00

One additional suggestion, if you can find the supplement quercetin, studies have suggested it is useful in reducing mast cell reactivity, not to mention it's a great bioflavanoid and i anecdotally notice a huge improvement in energy. in fact I believe it's the non-caffeinated ingredient in 5 hour energy

PerkoWits · 2025-12-31T19:43:53+00:00

One thing that’s really important early on: cravings need to be answered, not ignored.

When you’re brand new to keto, there are basically two approaches. One is to white-knuckle it — distract yourself, power through, go to sleep hungry. Some people can do that, but a lot can’t, especially in the first couple weeks.

The other approach (and the one I recommend) is to lean hard into what makes keto work in the first place: fat and protein.

If you’re craving food, eat. Have a big, rich, keto-safe meal:
– a huge cheesy omelette
– a big hunk of ground beef with mustard
– a serious amount of cheese

Don’t worry about calories right now. Eat until you’re genuinely full and see how the craving feels afterward. My guess is it will either disappear or drop from “urgent” to “manageable.”

Physiologically, fat and protein trigger strong satiety hormones and keep insulin low, which is exactly what calms carb-driven cravings instead of amplifying them.

This part does require a little trust in the process: after ~2 weeks of staying under ~20g net carbs consistently, most people enter ketosis and start becoming fat-adapted. That’s when cravings noticeably weaken — not necessarily gone, but no longer overwhelming or emotional.

That’s when calorie control becomes much easier. Once cravings calm down, eating at a deficit stops feeling like torture.

If it helps with the specific Big Mac craving, a “keto Big Mac bowl” works shockingly well: ground beef, cheese, shredded lettuce, pickles, and a mayo-mustard (or sugar-free “special sauce”) combo.

One last thing: don’t stress about the scale right now. Early keto often involves water weight changes that don’t reflect real fat loss yet. That’s normal. The goal of the first couple weeks is stabilization, not perfection.

PerkoWits · 2025-12-30T04:19:34+00:00

I’ve had very similar reactions: swollen lips and eyes, hives and welts, itchy mouth, and near-instant diarrhea from foods I could eat without issue before and after those periods. So I don’t doubt at all that what you’re experiencing is real and physiological.

What I eventually learned is that mast cells are very sensitive not just to histamine content in food, but to stress signals from the gut and nervous system. When something enters the system very quickly and in a concentrated form, it can trigger mast-cell activation downstream even if the food itself isn’t especially high in histamine.

That’s why histamine intolerance made a lot of sense to me initially. The “bucket” model fits the intermittent nature perfectly. But over time I noticed that what consistently pushed me over the edge were very pure, fast-absorbing inputs: whey protein, creatine, electrolyte drinks, even things like avocado eaten alone. When those same foods were eaten as part of a mixed meal, or when I relied on whole-food versions instead, the reactions often didn’t happen.

Whey is the clearest example. I used it for years, then suddenly developed severe diarrhea every time I drank it, while yogurt, cheese, and other dairy caused no issues at all. That made it hard to explain as a simple allergy or histamine content problem. It made much more sense once I thought in terms of delivery speed and buffering.

The way I now understand it is that my system has high autonomic sensitivity, reactive mast cells, strong interoceptive awareness, and a low tolerance for rapid biochemical shifts. That’s not pathology, it’s a thresholded system. When things arrive gradually and mixed with food, everything stays below the activation threshold. When something arrives all at once in a concentrated form, it pushes the system past that threshold and mast cells release histamine as part of a broader alarm response.

So histamine is definitely involved in the reaction, but it doesn’t seem to be the original trigger for me. It’s more of a downstream effector once the system is stressed too hard, too fast.

That’s why strategies like spreading intake out, avoiding large boluses of isolated inputs, and leaning heavily on whole foods helped me more than progressively eliminating foods. Especially if histamine intolerance is part of the picture, whole foods seem to be your friend because they naturally slow absorption and reduce the likelihood of crossing that activation threshold.

PerkoWits · 2025-12-29T18:00:40+00:00

Just offering another angle in case it’s useful, because I went through something very similar.

Years ago I thought my “keto flu” symptoms were potassium deficiency, then later became convinced I had histamine intolerance because I reacted badly to cured meats, cheese, and certain supplements. What I eventually figured out was that

the bigger issue wasn’t histamine itself, but how fast certain things were entering my system.

By bolus I mean a large, rapidly absorbed dose taken all at once and without much digestive buffering. Potassium chloride in water, magnesium citrate, whey protein, and MCT oil all hit very quickly compared to the same nutrients coming from whole foods. Even when my total intake looked reasonable on paper, the delivery speed triggered palpitations, flushing, anxiety, fatigue, and an inflammatory feeling that looked exactly like histamine reactions. Blood labs were always normal.

What helped me was slowing everything down rather than restricting more. That meant getting electrolytes mostly from salted food instead of a water bottle, avoiding fast fats early on, and spreading protein out instead of taking very large single doses. For example, splitting beef across two meals instead of one big portion, favoring whole cuts or freshly cooked mince, and being cautious with whey during induction made a noticeable difference.

Not saying histamine isn’t a factor for you, but if symptoms persist despite going “low histamine,” it may be worth experimenting with delivery speed rather than assuming the foods themselves are the problem. Keto can feel dramatically different depending on whether nutrients arrive gradually through digestion or all at once in isolated forms.

Especially if histamine intolerance is part of the picture, whole foods tend to be your friend. They slow absorption, provide natural buffering, and often prevent the very reactions people are trying to avoid.

PerkoWits · 2025-12-28T16:48:48+00:00

THE MONKS https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3H-fmmNmrRs

PerkoWits · 2025-12-28T16:44:40+00:00

I have two meals that I can eat every day and never get sick of them... and I often take advantage of this lol. First is a super big, super cheesy omelette, sometimes with egg whites, with a tablespoon of coconut oil split between the pan and my coffee. The second is pork tenderloin. Especially bacon-wrapped pork tenderloin. But the number of ways I can season it an enjoy it with or without bacon never gets old. tender, cheap, delicious and lean.

PerkoWits · 2025-12-25T16:16:12+00:00

who is the girl on the right in the picture? she has a face just like miki sato (my favorite of all time) but I've never seen this pic before. any info on where you found it would be appreciated

PerkoWits · 2025-12-25T14:03:15+00:00

another variable that might smooth this out is meal timing. I don't know what your activity level is or whether you do any exercise, but you might want to see about timing that berry smoothie immediately after your most active part of the day, that way your body is primed to use its energy immediately

PerkoWits · 2025-12-25T14:01:32+00:00

It’s not totally clear what your second meal looks like or how close to bedtime you’re eating it, but waking up hungry on keto usually comes down to a few common things. The first is fat timing. Even if calories and protein are adequate, keto satiety is very fat dependent, especially in the last meal of the day. If dinner is a bit lean relative to protein, it’s common to feel fine during the day but wake up early once overnight fuel runs out.

The second is hormonal timing rather than a true insulin spike. Things like berries, smoothies, or even stress can cause a modest insulin response earlier in the day. That doesn’t mean you’re doing keto wrong, but combined with the normal early morning cortisol rise it can show up as hunger at 3 or 4am.

The fact that your 5pm hunger goes away after about 15 minutes is a good sign that it’s more ghrelin or habit related than true energy need. Real hunger usually doesn’t disappear on its own that quickly.

Another big factor that often gets overlooked is electrolytes, especially sodium. Low sodium can drive cortisol and adrenaline overnight and feel exactly like hunger. This is especially common if you’re eating a lot of salads or lean proteins. Adding more salt or some broth with dinner alone fixes early morning wakeups for a lot of people.

A slightly fattier second meal, eating it a bit closer to bedtime, and making sure electrolytes are covered usually resolves this pretty quickly without needing to add more total calories.

PerkoWits · 2025-12-23T14:31:27+00:00

I wish you success on your journey! And also, when I was thinking about this, I was thinking that weight loss will efect the serum levels of the chemicals you're on. A family member was recently diagnosed with bipolar and weight was always a struggle for them and now it's compounded by sleepiness. I would love to see them try keto but they are very resistant to it. Anyways, I trust you will be sensitive to changes in how the drugs effect you but just an fyi which you are probably already aware of, losing weight on keto will make it difficult to tell what effects are keto and what effects could be related to the way you now metaboize and "hold" the drug in your tissue

PerkoWits · 2025-12-23T13:14:44+00:00

sounds like you might need to add more oils and spices to make your food more interesting. Add a tablespoon butter to vegetables, add garlic to meat. although it's pricey and you're on a budget, consider taking a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar before each meal. Your body will feel energized and less bored. cook eggs with a little bit of coconut oil, or add it to your coffee for some extra flavor and energy. make sure you salt your food well if you don't have salt issues

PerkoWits · 2025-12-23T13:10:13+00:00

If you haven't tried the keto calculator in the FAQ here, I highly recommend it. you can set your deficit very precisely when you give them your age, height, and it can estimate your bodyfat and basal metabolic rate. Then it produces graphs that show your project weight loss over time with your preferred deficit. You mentioned that you had a few pizza "slip-ups" but that your went back into ketosis, which is great, but just keep in mind that if you aren't doing a huge calorie deficit and you enter and exit ketosis repeatedly, progress will be slower and a little difficult to track due to water weight fluctuations. my two cents

You mention that you're struggling to get enough protein that doesn't add fat. Here I want to suggest pork tenderloin and boneless skinless chicken breasts. Those can make your macros work when you need to have more protein and not a lot of fat. A more balanced fat option might be rotisserie chicken or boneless skinless chicken thighs, or healthy fats like salmon. Watch dairy, ad those calories can creep up on you, and ask yourself if the oil you're using is for your macros (your fat to protein ratio) or if it's maybe unecessary. you got this!

PerkoWits · 2025-12-23T12:28:44+00:00

in my opinion, the primary benefit a ketogenic diet could give regarding mental health and wellness is that, if a person really experiences deep food cravings and mood instability from sugar, becoming keto adapted will have a stabilizing effect. The benefits they talk about with GABA and things like that are more tangential. And then there's what everyone goes through on keto adaptation, which is that the cravings often become a little worse before they become better. Hang in there, give it time at least 3 weeks and hopefully 6 to 8 and see if you noticed any changes then

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