Episode Details

Is it possible to follow a diet that’s both vegan and keto? And can a diet like that be used as part of a care plan for bipolar disorder? In this episode of Metabolic Mind, Dr. Bret Scher speaks with author and advocate Dyane Harwood about how she uses a vegan ketogenic diet as part of her treatment for postpartum bipolar disorder.

Dyane shares how she first discovered vegan keto, why she started tracking ketones and net carbs, and what she eats in a typical day, from her vegan keto smoothie to tofu, avocado, nut butter, and carefully chosen supplements. She also discusses the practical challenges of vegan keto, including protein intake, B12, omega-3s, magnesium, vitamin D3, eating out, social pressure, and finding a clinical team that understands metabolic psychiatry.

They cover:

• How Dyane discovered vegan keto for bipolar disorder
• Why ketosis became more important to her than dietary labels
• What a typical vegan keto day looks like
• How changing her protein intake affected her ketone levels
• Why tracking net carbs, glucose, and ketones helped her personalize the diet
• The supplements she uses, including B12, DHA/EPA, magnesium, vitamin D3, and acetyl-L-carnitine
• What Dyane reports about changes in her energy, activity level, cravings, and mood
• Why support, resources, and mentorship can make the process easier
• How she thinks about progress, flexibility, and improving over time

Dyane’s experience offers a personal example of how a vegan ketogenic diet can fit within a broader treatment plan. Her approach is practical and grounded in the idea that progress can start before everything feels perfect.

👉 Learn more about vegan and vegetarian ketogenic approaches on our blog: Is Vegetarian or Vegan Ketogenic Therapy Possible?

🔎 Have questions about how to apply metabolic therapies effectively? Submit them at metabolicmind.org/questions to be featured in a future Metabolic Mailbag episode.

#VeganKeto #BipolarDisorder #MetabolicPsychiatry #MetabolicMind

Expert Featured:

Dyane Harwood

• https://dyane92.wixsite.com/dyaneharwood
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/dyane-harwood-b41a741b8/
• https://www.instagram.com/dyaneharwood/

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