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Every day we are learning about how a ketogenic diet is helping more and more people with a wider variety of weight-related issues. This includes women having trouble losing weight during menopause (Menopausal Weight Loss). Do you or someone you know have this problem?
In an article for BetterAfter50.com titled The Fat Fast For Menopausal Weight Loss, Judy Tsafrir, M.D., an adult and child psychiatrist and psychoanalyst with a private practice dedicated to healing through the integration of heart, mind, body and soul, describes her ability to maintain a healthy body weight pre-menopause but how she stopped being successful during menopause:
From The Fat Fast For Menopausal Weight Loss by Judy Tsafrir, M.D.:
In the past, when my weight crept up, I would eat more protein and fewer carbs, and the excess pounds would disappear. After menopause, this method was no longer effective. My metabolism had changed, and eating more protein and restricting carbohydrates did not result in weight loss as it had in the past. I needed to restrict my intake of protein as well. I have altered the composition of my diet so that the majority of my calories now come from healthy fats, along with moderate protein and very low carbohydrate intake. This translates into approximately 70% of my calories from fat, 20% from protein and 10% from carbs. This is the prescription for a ketogenic diet, and at 56, it is the only way I can eat without gaining weight. I feel well when I eat this way, with steady energy, no fluid retention and sound sleep.
So Dr. Tsafrir is using a ketogenic diet in the proportions of 70% of calories from fat, 20% from protein and 10% from carbs to maintain a healthy weight during menopause and using the Fat Fast as a way to jump-start her ketogenic diet.
Dr. Tsafrir has even adapted one of Dana Carpender’s recipes to create her own high fat, low carb Chia Seed Custard listed at BetterAfter50.com. Because of the use of chia seeds, the recipe takes a little longer to make but wow it sounds awesome!
To learn more about Dr. Tsafrir, visit her web site at http://www.judytsafrirmd.com/. Her original version of the article appeared at her web site titled Fat Fast and Menopause.
Listen to an interview of Dr. Tsafrir by Jimmy Moore from The Livin’ La Vida Low Carb Show.
Further Reading About Fat Fasting
- Find over 35 free Fat Fast Diet Recipes.
- Atkins Fat Fast – Breaking A Low Carb Weight Loss Stall
- Can You Do The HCG Diet and Atkins Fat Fast At The Same Time? by Dana Carpender
- Update: Slow Burn Workout Goes Well On My Fat Fast by Dana Carpender
- The Fat Fast Is It For You? by Jacqueline Eberstein, RN
I am a 48 year old, post menopausal, woman. I have found it to be impossible to loose weight in spite of reducing my caloric and carb intake, as well as exercising every day (it seemed to be increasing by the day around my middle). I discovered the ketogenic diet and decided to give it a try. I did the fat fast for 2 days, and have been doing the ketogenic diet since. It’s been a total of 3 weeks now, and I haven’t lost any weight. Can you tell me what I might be doing wrong or what I might be able do to to get weight loss results?
Your carb intake should be less than 30g daily…protein at 60% and fats at 30%…lean proteins and healthy fats like nuts, nut butters, fish, olives, and avocados… lean meats, not fried, remove skin, no breading… finally figured it out myself…
Wait a sec, carb intake should 20g or less and, not 30g, protein 15%, and fat 70%, especially if she’s having difficulty losing. Proteins should HAVE the fat on and eaten, as well as leaving the skin on the chicken. This is a high fat program.
And one big thing: Portion control. Being of a certain age, 59, I exercise portion control just like I do with my old meals. Meats and fish will be 3-4 oz servings, and vegetables with be a 1/4 cup, and if I want “pasta”, I use Miracle Noodles angelhair pasta, fettucini, or their rice. My pastas and rices are all calorie and carb free. I can have a good serving of those and come to think of it, they keep you feeling full without the guilt.
Linda you nailed it, and I think that’s where so many people mess up when it comes to keto – they eat too much protein and not enough fat. Don’t get me wrong, protein is important, but when you’re doing keto, fat is your energy source. Additionally if you’re eating too much protein, you might not ever actually enter ketosis, which would obviously be a problem since the whole point is to eventually be in ketosis!
this diet may work for some but those of us with gallbladder issues can’t eat all that fat, even with taking digestive enzymes and fiber supplements, I would spend most of my day on the loo with liquid foamy bile poo…and who wants to limit healthy veggies? I switched to eating 7 to 10 cups of veggies, plus protein and fats. I would say I eat 50 or so carbs, about 100 grams protein and no more than 60 grams fat, spread out over 5 meals. you can’t be getting enough vitamins and minerals on 1/4 cup of veg Linda! not to mention youre gonna be way low on potassium which is vital for health. you can eat lots and lots of veggies, just stick to leafy greens and only eat root veggies occasionally.
Then you aren’t on the Keto food program. The fats have to be higher than your protein, period. You also supplement with magnesium and potassium. I eat brussel sprouts, cauliflower, broccoli etc. Fibrous veggies and you would be amazed at what energy this way of eating gives you, it’s incredible. I would say I agree that 60%, 30 and 30% makes sense to me but it is to be noted that everyone’s body goes into Ketosis differently. We can’t generalize. I stick to 12-1300 calories a day. I am in midst weight loss mode. It will not work if you don’t follow it properly. Eating high sugar veggies and fruits means your body isn’t relying on itself for fuel..it’s taking it from those sources. I am menopausal and 50. I put weight on, couldn’t get rid of it, tried low carb, low fats and I failed, 39 days in I had already lost 26 pounds. I felt amazing, so much energy! I am now almost 60 days in, I haven’t weighed myself. I am not doing what I did before and let the scale run/ruin my life. I drink a ton of water, no garbage foods, never cheated once. This works!
Greta I believe they are talking about the keto program 70-80% fat lower 17 protein lower carbs 5-12 this works where non other in menopause has. Mind you good fats such as coconut oil, avocado oil, grass fed butter etc. am on it right now with IF….will have to see as I am 56 and now it takes 4 months for my body to accept the change.