Mechanistic Claims
Cuisine-Specific Ordering Tips Mexican Restaurants Best choices: Fajitas (eat the protein and vegetables, skip tortillas or limit to one) Ceviche (if available) Grilled fish tacos in lettuce wraps Chicken or steak salad (skip the shell) Avoid: Queso, sour cream in excess, fried items, large flour tortillas, rice and beans in large portions Modifications: "Extra vegetables instead of rice" | "Can I get that in a bowl instead of a burrito?" Italian Restaurants Best choices: Grilled chicken or veal piccata Branzino or salmon (request grilled) Caesar salad with grilled chicken (dressing light) Chicken or shrimp skewers Avoid: Pasta dishes, cream sauces, lasagna, pizza, bread basket Modifications: "Can I substitute vegetables for the pasta?" | "Light sauce, please" Chinese Restaurants Best choices: Steamed chicken and vegetables (sauce on side) Moo goo gai pan Steamed fish Hot and sour soup (small portion) Buddha's delight (vegetable dish) Avoid: Fried rice, lo mein, General Tso's, sweet and sour anything, egg rolls, fried wontons Modifications: "Steamed, not fried" | "Light sauce" | "No cornstarch coating" Japanese Restaurants Best choices: Sashimi (pure protein, no rice) Edamame Miso soup Seaweed salad Nigiri sushi (small amounts of rice) Grilled teriyaki salmon or chicken (light sauce) Avoid: Tempura, tonkatsu (fried), heavy rolls with mayo/cream cheese, too much rice Strategy: Order mostly sashimi with a few pieces of nigiri for variety Thai Restaurants Best choices: Tom yum soup (clear broth) Larb (meat salad) Grilled chicken or shrimp dishes Stir-fried vegetables with protein Avoid: Pad Thai, curry dishes (very high fat), fried appetizers, coconut milk-based soups Modifications: "Can I get that without the coconut milk?" | "Light oil, please" American (Casual Dining) Best choices: Grilled chicken breast with steamed vegetables Sirloin steak (6 oz) with side salad Blackened fish with vegetables Grilled salmon Cobb salad (light cheese, dressing on side) Avoid: Burgers, sandwiches, fried appetizers, loaded potatoes, heavy sides Modifications: "Vegetables instead of fries" | "Grilled, not blackened" (if blackened is too spicy) Breakfast Restaurants Best choices: Egg white omelet with vegetables Scrambled eggs with turkey sausage Greek yogurt with berries (if available) Smoked salmon with eggs Avoid: Pancakes, waffles, French toast, biscuits and gravy, hash browns Modifications: "Egg whites only" | "Dry toast on the side" | "Fresh fruit instead of hash browns" Social Eating Strategies Restaurant meals are often social events
Keto Flu One of the most talked-about side effects is the keto flu. This isnt a flu in the traditional sense but a collection of symptoms that occur as your body transitions into ketosis
Over time, reduced appetite may also lead to lower intake of protein and key nutrients if the diet is not managed intentionally
The problem is that zero clinical trials have tested whether this translates to fewer side effects or equivalent weight loss
It is therefore important to realize what a powerful tool fasting can be, given that many patients with type 2 diabetes need to reduce their medication dosage
