Why do I drink Ketones when my body can make them?

“Why would you want to drink exogenous ketones if the body can make its own ketones on a keto diet?”

I get this question so often that I think I can dedicate a post to answer this question!

I am not gonna comment on any science on it but more of what I feel and why I prefer to drink ketones instead! Take this like personal preference and why I do it kinda post

So what do I feel about the whole keto diet? I LOVE THE KETO DIET! That’s if I can keep to it! Avocados and lard, what’s there not to love? But there are a few things I don’t like about it and why I failed the last time I tried strict keto,

1. Carb counting,
2. Macros counting
3. Social life disruptions
4. Time and money to meal prep
5. I want to have my waffle and eat it too!

Carb counting

I am a really lazy person. And I have problems even counting how much money I spend daily. Have I tried to carb count before? YES and obviously I did well for the first 2 days and gave up after. And on a keto diet and for my body to get into ketogenesis, I need to keep my carb intake to less than 20g. HOW ON EARTH DO I KNOW HOW MUCH IS 20g?! two spoons of rice? one mouth of bubble tea? Woah?

I know of people who bring a scale around, but that is not what I want to do. My bag is very heavy already.

Macros counting

So according to my “intensive research” (I know how to google a lot), I know there’s a tipping point and a very delicate balance to get your body into the state of ketogenesis. It is not just low carb but also high fat and moderate protein. So same reason as to why I don’t carb count, I don’t count how much macros I am taking in either. And the percentage is not even in weight!!!! it is in caloric intake! Means, 1500 calories of fat is 80 to 90grams. As a very lazy person, how on earth do I keep track!?

Social life

I am a social pleaser. Means I will eat anything my friends want to eat and that includes high tea and cakes or pasta. Now I do try for a keto-friendly option when I eat out but since I don’t know how these dishes are prepared, I don’t know how keto they are. And I can’t turn down friend’s and family’s birthday cakes just cos it is not keto. In strict keto, there are no cheat days. Unfortunately. Plus I can’t pass up on golden mile char kway tiao or cereal prawns!

Time and money to meal prep

So how to make sure that every thing you eat is keto compliant? I know people who meal prep. But I personally don’t have the luxury or the money to do that. Let’s be honest, going strict keto is not cheap. How on earth can I afford grass-finished meats? (yes there is a diff between grass-fed and grass-finished) also I NEED my vegetables

(yes some strict keto diet people will scold you if you eat veg.. I kana before and I feel really bad so I gave up on the diet. Errr now thinking back… I think they might need to do stricter keto cos they might not have reached deep enough ketosis to reap the benefits of good mood, plus I don’t wanna get gout or smell bad. )

Have I tried meal prep before? YES! I tried to meal prep for the week, and to save cost, I made the same meal for the week. First 2 days I was proud of myself and the food looks awesome! Then I needed to meet clients over lunch, and it was rude to reject lunch. So that meal prep for that day ended up sitting in the fridge. Then I got sick of eating the same thing over and over again and I threw a good 3 meals away cos it wilted in the fridge or started to look.. erm gross.

Friends who know me know that I don’t even have time to sleep, let alone meal prep for the week all the time. Also, most of our meetings with clients are over lunch or dinner, places where “no outside food allowed” so that habit died at a week old.

Yes, you might wanna compromise on not meeting clients over food but hey. That’s how I work and it’s my USP. And I need the money you know.. lol even though I drink my ketones for free!

I want to have my waffle and eat it too

There are some days I just want to eat my regular auntie bakery waffle drowned in peanut butter. Maybe once every 2 weeks? It is my “good job Sam now keep sane” waffle. But knowing the keto flu I need to go through again (yes my keto flu and grumpiness has the potential to wreck my marriage) every time I eat my waffles, hmmm… how about no?

So these are the reasons why I’d rather open a packet, shake it up and drink to get into a state of ketosis. Sustainability and convenience. And I don’t mind spending money so that I have more time to do things I love and be with people I love. But that’s just how I want to spend my money and time! If I can use money to get more time and feel better, I think 10 bucks a day is WELL worth it.

So many people start keto to lose weight. Not knocking that but there is so many more benefit to getting your body into a deeper state of therapeutic ketosis by simply drinking ketones. And just having ketones in your body does not unlock all the mind-blowing benefits of ketosis! That’s the reason why I have been on ketones for the last 15 months and why I have enjoyed every single day doing what I love!

We can all agree that being in a state of ketosis is AWESOME!!! But there are many ways to get there! I have chosen mine that suits my lifestyle and gained a lot of friends back on this journey!

I still ask for tips from keto dieters cos I feel there is so much to learn plus I really respect their determination and discipline! But for someone as lazy as me, but still want the benefits of ketones even for the 4 or 6 hours on my mega cheat days, drinking ketones seem to fit. LOL

One can always use a sundial but I prefer my watch. One can always walk to KL but I prefer to fly there. If there is ready technology and makes my life easier, I don’t mind trying it out! My latest muse is on infrared light technology! More on that another time!

Remember, it is about progression and not perfection. So stay calm and KETO ON!!!! Whichever way you wanna keto on!

Love and blessings

Samantha