[omgwtf1000]

I so want to do this, but I have such a sweet tooth I don’t think I can succeed. I can go a few days without sweets but then the urge is just overwhelming. I want to try weaning, by just eating fruit instead of processed treats. Will that have any effect at all, make it harder overall, or is the only way to just cut sugar completely?

[bityard]

As a long-term keto dieter (10+ years), my advice is never be afraid to experiment with your diet. Every time you try something new and the results were not what you were hoping for, treat it as a learning experience, not a failure. What constitutes a healthy diet (both mentally and physically) is different for everyone.

As an example, cutting out candy and donuts for apples and pears isn't keto, but is objectively a step in the right direction. If you want to give it a try, just go for it and see what happens!

[maxk42]

Merely tasting sweetness causes an anticipatory rise in insulin which shuts down fat metabolism. Best to go cold turkey, unfortunately. You can control cravings, however, by raising your fat intake to the point where you're too full to find eating more appetizing. You will still lose weight like this on a ketogenic diet.

[djmips]

It makes you wonder if artificial sweeteners can also do this. Has that been studied?

[asciimov]

They can and do. On the keto boards, there are numerous people that have a hard time with artificial sweeteners, often it causes a weight loss stall or gain while the rest of their numbers seem good.

[socialismisok]

It's a bit inconclusive, I believe.

[asciimov]

Think of it this way, if a drug addict said they wanted to stop, would you tell them they would be going good if they only used every 3rd day?

To get the benefits of keto, you have to get the body adapted to burning fat. Depending on the body, this can take a week or so. All those cravings are the body crying out for a fix of easy sugar, because it really doesn't want to have to switch over and burn fat for fuel as its harder for it to do.

If you just had sugar every 3rd day, you're body would never adjust.