I know we donโt always agree on everything, or every way of โdoing keto,โ but our little community here on the world wide web is very accepting and open minded compared to what you might experience elsewhere on the internet.
It tends to be the extremist of extremes when it comes to food shaming and food purists, and negativity in general.
I had an exchange with a woman on Twitter yesterday actually, which wasnโt pretty โ but it brought up some points I think we should discuss.
Several points actually.
To give you some history, this woman has harassed me incessantly.
Sheโs โan ingredient snob on a missionโ that apparently makes it her lifeโs work to โfood shameโ people on Twitter.
I admit she caught me on a crap day this time, so my response was a little more crude than usual. I generally reply with a smiley and just go on about my day.
I could easily block her of course, and ultimately I may, but itโs really just the whole state of Twitter.
Thatโs been my experience there, and also what I hear from pretty much everyone else โ most of which gave up and closed their Twitter accounts altogether.
Itโs turned into a network of food bullies and ingredient snobs with a serious superiority complex. And half the time theyโre spewing misinformation, and even contradicting themselves left and right (if you play close enough attention).
If thereโs anyone that agrees with or likes what I share on Twitter, they donโt respond. I assume out of fear of the wrath of the hateful food tribe, since pretty much the ONLY feedback I get there is negative.
Which is sad. Truly, Sad.
It frustrates me to no end to see people shamed and bullied, especially when I remember all too well what it feels like to JUST start out trying to lose weight and get healthier โ and how EASY it is to give up and just throw in the towel when you keep getting put down left and right for TRYING to improve your life.
Which begs the question: Why do I post or share anything on Twitter?
First, because Iโm not going to be bullied off Twitter. Iโve been posting there since 2011. While I donโt share everything there, or near as much there as I do on Facebook or Instagram, I share whatever I please.
Second because I feel like there are others reading along (quietly) that need some relief and validation โ and another point of view.
There are people there that need to feel safe, that need to feel like theyโre doing okay even if theyโre not PERFECT, or that need encouragement and options โ outside of being told theyโre doing it ALL WRONG every time they post or reply.
This guy was replying to a woman that uses a pump of sugar free syrup in her coffee for example:
Itโs ridiculous to tell ANYONE how โyour bodyโ will react, or what your body does and doesnโt know. ๐ You can only speak for YOUR OWN body, period.
EXAMPLE: Keto Myths, Starbucks Syrups & Maltodextrin: HYPE vs TRUTH
We all probably DO agree you should never โfeed the trollsโ.
It does NO good.
But at the same time, someone DOES need to stand up to them โ or stand up for what they believe in strongly, and stand up for everyone else that may or may not know what to believe (yet).
That woman deserves to enjoy her sugar free coffee, guilt free in my personal opinion.
If I didnโt say anything, who would?!
Some people drink their coffee black, or only drink water. Not everyone wants or needs a keto brownie, or a keto brownie recipe, or white chocolate peppermint at the holidays โ that wonโt knock them out of ketosis.
If you choose not to ever eat anything other than grass fed beef, thatโs totally fine. Itโs your choice! I actually applaud the discipline and strictness that some people maintain long term. (As long as it doesnโt turn you into a Twitter jerk ๐ lol)
I eat so simple 99% of the time that it literally bores people to tears.
I had cheesy eggs on Thanksgiving even, and I had scrambled eggs for lunch today. Sometimes I just eat 60 grams of raw pecans for breakfast, or nuts & cheese for a meal.
But if I want something sweet, Iโm definitely going to grab one of those Russel Stover sugar free peanut butter cups thatโs stashed away in my cabinet โ before I let that craving throw me off track and into an all-out bingefest.
Weโre all different, just like I mentioned in my last post about my keto story. We all have different motivations for losing weight or for eating low carb. And we all have different issues or hurdles to overcome.
For me, one of those hurdles was a binge eating disorder.
Another person might find โketo sweetsโ to be a trigger for their binge eating problems. I personally donโt (and canโt) โbingeโ on keto friendly foods. Iโm totally satisfied with a single serving (or less) of something sugar freeโฆ and it stops me from going off the rails.
I can eat a single serving of keto ice cream and be totally satisfied. I can eat an entire half gallon of โrealโ ice cream and want a cheeseburger afterward. Go figure. ๐คทโโ๏ธ
Like I said, weโre all different.
(And thatโs okay!)
What Iโm doing is obviously working for me. Iโve lost around 70 pounds, gotten out of chronic pain, and am consistently working toward being my happiest healthiest self.
This twitter conversation I referred to all started because I shared my excitement over the new ChocZero White Chocolate Peppermint Baking Chips that were just released for the holidays (not for long!).
My discount code is TravelingLowCarb at ChocoZero, btw.
Two things need to be clarified about what she said and what I saidโฆ
First, โliquid vegetable fiberโ is not listed in the ingredients for the White Chocolate Peppermint Baking Chips at ChocZero. You can go there and see the ingredients for yourself. I think that might be an ingredient in the ChocZero syrups maybe. ๐ค
The reason I said, โI donโt care that much about ingredients. I think weโve already established that.โ โ is because she responds with something similar REPEATEDLY, so that was sarcasm on my part.
Also because of the fact that Iโm not overly concerned with a little of this or a little of that here and there, whether it be a seed oil or an artificial sweetener or whatever, considering what a SMALL percentage that is in my overall diet of mostly eggs & pecans & plain meat. ๐
And because, for my body, in MY situation, ANY ingredient is better than sugar โ considering how harshly sugar (and being out of ketosis) affects my health & quality of life.
I am actually much more ingredient conscious and particular about what I eat than I used to be, but Iโm also realistic โ and know that feeling deprived, or going off on a carb/sugar binge, are both worse for me than indulging in a single serving of low carb chocolate (that keeps me in ketosis and on track, both physically and mentally).
And thenโฆ
This ^ brings up a good point we should discuss too.
She is constantly accusing me of โhawking productsโ because I am VERY specific about what I eat and where I got it.
The Carbmaster yogurt I bought at Kroger, for example โ she had a fit over that share. She was SURE they were paying me to eat it. (NOT the case, I got the only low carb yogurt I could find in my town per my doctorโs suggestion for my gut health issues.)
The reason Iโm so specific is because, if Iโm not, I have to answer the question over and over (and over) again for days: what brand is it, how much did you use, where did you get it? etc. So I try to include all the details I can on everything I post โ to make it easy.
I do work with some companies, and some I donโt. If you EVER have any questions about that, donโt hesitate at all to ask. Iโm very open about it.
Iโm also VERY selective and turn down A LOT of money because they arenโt products I would use myself OR recommend to anyone else.
But just because there isnโt money involved, doesnโt mean Iโm not going to tell you about a great find, or about something I personally use.
Iโve never worked with Coffee-Mate (the sugar free hazelnut powdered creamer Iโve turned TONS of people on to), or Green Giant (the cauliflower rice combos I cook with all the time), or Kroger, or Loganโs Roadhouse (but I share their printable 20% off coupons anytime I catch them because itโs a great discount).
Iโve never worked with the Palmetto / Pimento Cheese company either, but you see me eating that and posting about it all the time. They actually emailed me last week and said THANK YOU for spreading the word, and asked if they could gift me with some of their pimento cheese โ which I otherwise have always bought myself at Kroger.
I graciously accepted their gift, of course โ it was very nice of them!
Those posts and managing ALL of my social profiles, and running my challenge and writing the posts here on the blog, answering messages and emails, etc take A LOT of time. I enjoy it though, and I love helping others make this lifestyle easier any way I can. (And I donโt charge for ANY of that.)
Iโm going to tell you how great the ribeye is at Chiliโs (seriously, I was surprised too!) even when there is ZERO money involved.
Iโm going to tell you how to order at IHOP (in great detail) โ for free.
Iโm going to make sure you know when Sherry has a sale on her Lolliโs cookie clusters so you can make sure youโre getting the best deal (even though I work on commission with her), etc.
I do work with ChocZero, I do work with Perfect Keto too, as just two obvious examples. Iโve also placed orders with them and paid for their products myself in the last month, because I love them and use them.
One of the PERKS to what I do is that I can negotiate special deals and deeper discounts for you. The deal to get a free box of FBOMB oils is one example, thatโs an exclusive offer I negotiated just for us.
I recently got us an exclusive weekend special on Perfect Keto products (that was awhile back, before Black Friday) so people could stock upon collagen and/or bars cheaper. It was a special offer I negotiated with them, for you, that you couldnโt get anywhere else.
I have never forced you to order anything, or tell you that you MUST use mct oil or collagen. But if you do, I tell you which ones NOT to buy, and I get you a better deal on the things you DO want to order anyway.
Most people who have messaged me about using MCT Oil, I tell them itโs not necessary, and am honest about the reason I started using it after NOT using it my first 8 years of eating keto. It has itโs place and itโs perks, but I donโt push it.
If anything, I tell more people NOT to buy it!
All of this is just to make sure that YOU AND I are clear on all of that, and that youโre comfortable with the way I do things, and know that I always have you in mind โ first and foremost.
And finally, this response ^ from me was rude, but true. ๐
I was annoyed, lol.
But if you look at my Twitter profile youโll see that itโs different than my Facebook Page or our Challenge Group or even Instagram. I simply share my meals & finds as it says in my profile description there.
Itโs the one place I do NOT offer any type of service or help or advice โ at all.
Food Shaming Needs To Stop
Iโm sure weโve all experienced condescending remarks, straight up food shaming, holier than thou food purists, etc.
I cannot EVER imagine putting someone down for trying to improve their lifeโฆ when I was eating poptarts and frozen mac & cheese 9 years ago myself.
Itโs a process of learning and improving, of becoming more aware of nutrition when you actually start reading labels for the first time (ever, for most of us), of gradually craving healthier options and having LESS cravings for other things.
And as Iโve always said, if it takes low carb replacements to help you transition into a sugar free lifestyle, or stay on track long term, by all means โ use what you can to make this sustainable for you. โค๏ธ
I would much rather grab an Atkins bar than a Twix bar, any day of the week. I feel good about choices like that, especially in the heat of the moment.
If you canโt feel good about eating ANY bar, thatโs okay too!
We are all at a different place in our journey, we all come from different places TO our journey, and we all have our own stuff to deal with โ in our own way.
Respecting each other for taking action, making the effort, pushing forward, taking baby steps, for just being human evenโฆ thatโs what I love about US as a community.
Oh โ and back last summer when I was suffering terribly with gut health issues and using super clean but portable collagen, mct oil and all-natural nut butter packets to survive a trip (where I was literally sick if I ate, and sick if I didnโt)โฆ
I posted this โ and got nothing but snide and condescending remarks about it (only on Twitter of course).
What are your favorite keto staples on the go? On my last trip I packed single serve packets of collagen, mct oil & nut butter & a few keto bars.โฃ Sometimes I take keto shake packs, almonds, string cheese & meat sticks but this trip I kept it simple. What do you take on the go? pic.twitter.com/cutfogG6pq
โ Lynn Terry (@lowcarbtraveler) July 7, 2019
I was literally in my room sick 20 hours out of every day on that trip.
I was in Austin for KetoCon, and made appearances when I could, maybe 4 hours tops out of every day I was there.
I otherwise ate plain meat and avocado when I could stomach food, these four meals (ONLY) in five full days:
All super clean meals of plain meats & avocado. ๐คทโโ๏ธ
The comments on that post were ridiculous, all SO superior and purist.
Iโll just say: I hope none of them ever have their hair fall out and break off due to a virus that attacks their gut, or ever have their intestines so inflamed they canโt walk, and have to use mct oil as a natural anti-inflammatory on the digestive system just to be able to show up to work. ๐คจ
Ironically the lady that commented she would just fast (I couldnโt at the time due to the viral attack on my stomach and intestines) and that โpre-packaged โketoโ products are ridiculously overpricedโ (in such a matter-of-fact way)โฆ yeah, sheโs on her 3rd order of KetoChow Shakes according to a recent tweet. ๐
I wouldnโt even drink those shakes. But I also wouldnโt comment on her tweet about it (as tempted as I am to reply with a link to her comment on mine, lol).
Anyway, after Deb said Iโm โencouraging newbies, telling them they can have their cake and eat it tooโ โ why yes, YES I AM! โ that was my next tweet which includes a full body current photo of me if you click on it, proving exactly that point:
You CAN have your cake and eat it too. There's no reason to ever feel deprived or eat off plan. I'm grateful for options bc I've been eating low carb for 9 years & keto friendly options helped me overcome binge eating disorders.โค #lowcarb #keto #atkins #lchf #ketodiet #ketolife pic.twitter.com/lE5qrLjMvB
โ Lynn Terry (@lowcarbtraveler) December 12, 2019
Donโt let anyone bully you, or tell you โthatโs not ketoโ (unless itโs really not, you know, like a Twix bar or a box of donuts, lol โ but you know what I mean!).
You donโt owe anyone any explanations about whatโs on your plate, or whatโs not.
You are only responsible for and accountable to yourself.
I donโt owe any explanations either, exceptโฆ Iโve taken it upon myself to TAKE A STAND for what I believe in, and to take a stand AGAINST what I feel is WRONG.
Which has a lot less to do with any certain food, and a lot more to do with basic human respect and simple kindness & acceptance.
I would love to see the โfood warsโ stop, but I doubt thatโs going to happen anytime soon.
In the meantime, block the bullies, ignore the haters, and donโt let ANYONE shame you into making changes that donโt make sense for YOU.
Always be learning and improving โ on your own terms.
I hope something in this post proved helpful for you today, or made you feel better about your own keto choices.
Iโm going to continue to help as many people as I can live the SIMPLE, EASY and sustainable keto lifestyle everywhere around the web, for as long as I can.
Because I want EVERYONE to experience the amazing results I have myself!
Best,
Lynn Terry,
aka @LowCarbTraveler
p.s. I ended up buying 5 bags of those peppermint white chocolate chips. ๐คฃ
Donโt worry, Iโm not going to binge out on them, lol. They were just SO cheap, and theyโre also only here for a few weeks, so I knew I should stock up while I could and added 4 bags to my cart.
But after my discount, I had two choices: add a 5th bag or pay that same amount in shipping. I opted for adding the extra bag of peppermint white chocolate chips of course! ๐ฅฐ
Our discount code at ChocZero is TRAVELINGLOWCARB ๐
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Discount Code: LOWCARBTRAVELER

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Some days you just have to be a smart ass! I loved reading your replies. Not on twitter. I wished everyone didnโt think they are the top authority on my body! I feel ya. Stand up to those trolls girl!
GM
Lynn
I am so sorry that the lady was so ride to you!! But u handled it very well. We appreciate what you do for us!! I appreciate you your IG and Twitter and emails rock!! Bullying is a horrible thing.
TY for all u do!!! Keep up the good work
Lynn, it really upsets me when people feel they have the right to blast you about ANYTHING on your own account. Iโm not even eating keto right now and I read every post of yours. Just like TV and Radio we have the ability to watch/listen to what we want. I say people who want to be so disagreeable can do the same. I appreciate all the sharing you do and tips about this way of eating. AND I do block negative people from my accountsโฆ. I donโt need it. Keep on Lady, keep on.
Hey Lynn!
Iโm sooooo sorry you have to go thru this. As Iโve said before, one of the things I love about this community is that you never โhawkโ keto products. I belong to other LCHF blogs and am constantly getting emails that are promoting/trying to sell me something. When you talk about keto products, I feel like you have done the research and are letting us know what you find to be the best. I also like that you let us know when we can get good deal on these products.
Yes โฆ I am โlazyโ and โdirtyโ keto. But I do try to get most of my carbs from veggies. It keeps me off the sugar. I donโt have any health issues but I do know that a little sugar leads to more sugar and โฆ. more sugar.
Seems to me that those who feel the need to bully have other problems that being โketoโ just wonโt solve. Kudos to you for creating a warm and loving community that encourages us!
Twitter is such a hostile place (even way beyond the keto community) that I donโt stay on there long most days. I couldnโt agree more with your post today. The amount of bullying and shaming is ridiculous. We each have to do whatโs best for US, and no one has the right to tell anyone what they should or should not be eating or doing with their own bodies. I have begun unfollowing and/or blocking anyone with that attitude these days. I just donโt have the time or desire to deal with constant negativity. I do the same thing with negative political posts. You donโt have the right to tell me who to vote for. I followed you because I like your books or your movies or your whatever but if youโve got some other agenda to push, bye! LOL Anyway, I support you, Lynn, and I always appreciate your insights and information, whether itโs about something yummy youโve made yourself or a product you enjoy or something youโve learned. Even if I disagreed with something you said, I have the emotional maturity to not need to force my own opinions on you. Thatโs really the attitude I see pretty much everywhere these days. โMy way is the only RIGHT way and all of you are WRONG!โ :rolling eyes: Keep doing you, Lynn! A lot of us appreciate you more than you know. Iโm off to find you on Twitter. LOL!
Okay, I seriously couldnโt make this stuff up. I found you on Twitter and followed you. Twitter instantly came back with some recommendations for other accounts I might want to follow. The very first one at the top was this Deborah woman that was arguing with you! Not kidding. LOL (No, I didnโt follow. ha)
good for you!!!! Great responses! Keep doing what you are doing! If people need to know what an ingredient isโฆ.then they should be responsible and look it up.
You have helped so many people. By the way I love the keto bread recipe. I have used different kinds of nut butter and so excited I can make my own bread!!
I just want to thank you for all the info I have learned from you! I canโt believe the way some people think they know everything. I am 64 and have been keto for 3 yrs. I have been on diets since I was a little girl. I always lost the weight but within a couple of yrs it was all back. Highest know weight is 297. This is the first time in my life I have been able to keep the weight off. This is a WOL now for me so, if I eat a few things like store bought Ranch dressing or extra keto sweets, that is what works for me. I donโt understand why so many people think they know everything. I think maybe they have no control of their own lives that, they think they can control others. I think they are very unhappy people! Thank you again for all your hard work to help the ones that want it! Merry Christmas
Wow it looks like her name may say it wrong or I misunderstood it
Donโt it sayLCHF detective,
I donโt have a Twitter account but it seems like the keyboard warrior are getting way out of hand attacking people more and more.
Iโm not on twitter and now I know why!! You have been a wealth of information and Iโve never, ever felt that youโve pushed any products! Youโre always forthcoming about the companies that you work with. I dmโd you and benefited from your discount code on my keto mojo meter! Iโve read your insights on mct oil and Iโve used your recipes (sometimes without the product that you are highlighting). Keep doing what youโre doing Lynn, we all appreciate you!! โฅ๏ธ
I so appreciate what you do. I have lost 50 pounds and my husbandโs blood sugar is almost normal. We use many do the products you recommend and it has helped us. I have seen this lady on another FB keto group I am on. We call her โketo copโ. I agree, people are adults and can make their own personal decisions. Please do not stop what you are doing as it has helped many, including us. I am glad you responded to her as many do on the FB group. Sometimes I think it will not make any difference, but I also think bullies need to be confronted. It is like in real life, if no one stands up to them, they continue to bully and get worse. I, for one, know how this has helped me (I have been trying to lose weight for years), and this time have been successful. Thank you for what you do!
I can certainly relate, Lynn and I really enjoyed reading your blog post. I know you see and comment on my posts on the LC FB group. Most times I bite my tongue to the LC Nazis but catch me on a bad day and Iโll lash out. It literally starts a war of words. Keep doing what youโre doing
I love your posts and your blog. Iโve been following you for about 2 1/2 years now and LC for 15 months. Iโve learned so much from you! Never have felt pressured to buy any products. Like someone said, I feel like youโve done so much research for us! Also, all of our bodies are different. What works for me doesnโt necessarily work for someone else! When someone doesnโt understand that it just baffles me. Please keep up the good work spreading your message of great health and happiness! Hope to see you again at KetoCon 2020! And in better health! I bought my ticket soon as they went up for sale!
I donโt really do twitter or Iโd have your back! ๐ But Iโve had similar experiences on Facebook Keto groups. Itโs so ridiculous that these bullies think they need to tell others how to live their life. You are a great role model and provide such a great service to all of us. Thanks for not bowing to the bullies!!
I have come across her in the past, and she is very vocal and passionate. And I encourage and support what you are doing ๐
There are a lot of miserable people in the world and itโs sad that theyโre so negative. Iโm like you I donโt go back and forth with ignorant people but they can catch you on a bad day. Envious and jealous people can be full of hate. Keep doing what you do best and thatโs helping and encouraging people.
I appreciate all you do for so many. You are a beautiful human and have never, ever pushed or solicited anyone to buy anything. The only thing you have EVER done is share your journey and try to help others on their low-carb journey too! Keep on keeping on friend! Your message is reaching the people that need it most. People just like me!
You have been a huge help to me as I navigate this NWOE~ I appreciate all your tidbits, shares, discount codes and advice~
This is an excellent post. Iโm part of a weight loss/healthy life style account and donโt share 3/4 of what I want to because 1. Someone ALWAYS has something to say about the ingredients. Even though everything I eat is within the guidelines they want to call people out every time I use something that goes against what they have decided is best for themselves. Someone will seriously call you out for too many veggies (too much fiber) too much fruit (sugar), too high calorie, fat, salt, processed, etc etc. Iโm like what do you people expect me to eat?!? . 2. Because people repeatedly ask where you got it.. how much it wasโฆ if itโs good etc etc even if every detail is in the post. (Just like you said).
And people ARE lurking and reading without posting. โโ๏ธ
Your responses were all appropriate, all of them! That person needs to get a life. I certainly wouldnโt take advice from someone that toxic and negative. You are always so positive and we appreciate you!
Twitter is so negative! not just with food shaming but with practically every issue i have seen, hope it has gotten better for you.