What Is Keto? (And Why So Many People Talk About It)
The keto diet (short for ketogenic) is a low-carb, high-fat way of eating that puts your body into a state called ketosis – where it burns fat for fuel instead of carbs. It usually involves eating very few carbohydrates, moderate protein, and lots of healthy fats.
Some studies have shown that the keto diet may help people with Type 2 diabetes by improving blood sugar levels and even making diabetes partly reversible in some cases. But every single person is different. What works amazingly well for one, might not be suitable for someone else.
👉 I’m not a doctor, and I’m not recommending anything here. I’m just sharing my honest experience with keto and how it affected my own health, weight, and blood sugar.
My Honest Experience With Keto (The Good and the Struggles)
Yes – I did lose weight while following keto. And my blood sugar improved during that time, especially when I was strict about it. But it definitely wasn’t always easy.
To follow keto properly, you really need to:
- Count your carbs carefully (usually aiming for under 20-30g net carbs a day)
- Eat more fat (like olive oil, avocados, eggs, butter, nuts)
- Focus on protein (chicken, fish, tofu, eggs)
But the truth? It’s honestly a lot of work. I found it hard to count everything every day. And eating high-fat meals all the time wasn’t always enjoyable for me – especially because I had my gallbladder removed a while back.
After that surgery, I noticed my body just couldn’t handle too much fat anymore. I would get stomach and bowel issues if I ate meals that were too heavy or greasy. My digestion felt off, and it just made keto harder to stick to long-term.
That’s one of the main reasons I switched to a keto-inspired, low-carb approach. It’s a bit more flexible, and it works better for me and my body.
What I Eat Now (My Keto-Inspired Low-Carb Routine)
These days I don’t really eat a traditional breakfast anymore. I’ve naturally fallen into a kind of brunch and dinner routine, which works really well for my energy, blood sugar, and digestion.
🕓 Brunch (around 12 PM)
I don’t like eating the exact same thing every day, so I try to rotate what I eat, but usually includes eggs, some veggies, and a source of fat or protein.
- On some days, I make boiled or poached eggs (usually 3), and I’ll have them with a bit of cheese and a generous serving of vegetables – like one medium tomato with cucumber slices, or 5 radishes with half a bell pepper.
- On other days, I’ll fry my eggs instead – but only 2 eggs in 1 teaspoon of olive oil (since olive oil is high in calories – about 119 kcal per teaspoon). Or if I want to keep 3 eggs, I’ll skip the cheese to balance the calories.
- I always make sure I’m getting enough vegetables, not just a few slices. Veggies help with digestion and keep me full.
Occasionally if I have more time, I’ll enjoy one of my homemade low-carb breakfast rolls – made with bamboo fiber flour and psyllium husk. I freeze them and just take one out when I need it. A quick toast, and it’s ready.
🍽️ Dinner ( Around 6 PM)
Dinner is almost always built around chicken – either a breast or a chicken leg with the skin (I love the skin – it already has plenty of fat, so I don’t need fatty side dishes).
Some typical meals:
Grilled chicken breast with
- Mashed cauliflower
- Or homemade low-carb coleslaw
Baked chicken leg with
- Greek salad
- Or grilled veggies (zucchini, onion, bell pepper)
When the chicken lower in fat, I like to pair it with a side dish that includes some healthy fat – for example, I might add a little butter to mashed cauliflower to balance it out.
But when the chicken is already fatty, like a baked chicken leg with the skin, I try to keep the side dish fat-free or lighter, like grilled vegetables or salad.
What I Learned From Trying Keto (And Why Flexibility Matters)
Trying keto taught me a lot – not just about food, but about how my body works and what is actually needs. In the beginning, I thought I had to follow everything perfectly to see results. But the more I learned, the more I realised that being too strict wasn’t realistic for me in the long run.
Here’s what I discovered:
🔄 1. You Have to Listen to Your Own Body
Keto can work for some people, but not for everyone. I found that eating a lot of fat was really hard on my digestion – probably because I had my gallbladder removed. Without it, breaking down fatty meals become a struggle. I would feel uncomfortable, bloated, or have stomach issues after eating too much fat.
That’s when I realised: just because something is labelled “keto-friendly” doesn’t mean it’s body-friendly for me.
⚖️ 2. Flexibility Helps Me Stay Consistent
Being too strict made me feel stressed and guilty if I ate something slightly off-plan. But when I allowed myself a bit of flexibility – like mixing low-carb with keto principles – actually became easier to stick with it long-term.
I still avoid sugar, white carbs, and processed junk. But now, I build meals that feel balanced for my body: enough protein, lower carbs, and not too much fat.
📉 3. Sustainable > Perfect
You don’t need to follow a perfect keto plan to see progress. I’ve had good blood sugar results and weight loss just by eating more mindfully, cutting out high-carb foods, and choosing real, simple ingredients.
Should You Try Keto for Type 2 Diabetes?
Honestly? That’s something only you can decide.
As I mentioned earlier – every single body is different. Some people can eat a little rice or fruit and be fine. I can’t even handle three spoonfuls of rice without blood sugar spike. What works for one person might not work for another, and that’s okay.
If you’re curious about keto or low carb, I’d say: yes, give it a try – but read about it first, and try it with awareness. For some people, very low-carb diets can even lead to hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) – especially if you’re on insulin or certain medications.
It has happened to me before, so I know exactly how it feels. Now, when I feel it coming on, I know it’s time to act – and that’s why I always keep glucose tablets with me, just in case.
You can find them on Amazon here (affiliate link) – they’re small, easy to carry, and work quickly.
I also use the FreeStyle Libre 2 Plus sensor, which shows my glucose levels directly on my phone. It helps me spot blood sugar changes after meals or snacks, and I can catch a drop before it turns into a problem.
You can find the one I use on Amazon here (affiliate link).
Of course, speak to your GP or diabetes nurse if you’re unsure – even if you end up finding your own way like I did.
I’m not perfect either. I don’t eat 100% clean all the time. When I was in Italy, yes – I had pizza and gelato. But we walked at least 10 km every day, and I knew it would help keep my blood sugar stable. When I eat something higher in carbs, I either walk more, or I adjust my insulin. It’s all about balance, not being perfect.
Final Thoughts
Just take your time. There’s no rush to figure everything out at once. Finding the right way of eating takes patience, trial and error, and a lot of self-kindness.
Don’t feel guilty if you’re not perfect. Don’t expect to lose all the weight in one month. Just take small steps, day by day – and celebrate every little win.
We’re all dealing with this in our own way. You’re not alone.
Roni 💚
Lower Your Sugar - Simple Tips for a Healthier Life 
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