From Keto Advocate to Critic: The Start of a New Path
Janelle Rohner’s public fitness and diet journey began after the birth of her second child, finding initial success and a large following through the ketogenic diet. The keto approach, which focuses on high fat and very low carbohydrate intake, initially seemed to work for her. She enjoyed the accessible nature of keto, noting how easy it was to find keto-friendly options while eating out, such as a bunless burger. For a time, it felt both fun and effective, and she openly promoted the diet to her followers.
However, what started as a successful weight loss method gradually turned into a source of immense pressure and psychological distress. Rohner's eventual departure from the diet was not a sudden decision but the culmination of mounting challenges, both personal and public. She reflected on being influenced by the pervasive "diet culture" that surrounded her, and how her strict adherence created an unhealthy and unsustainable relationship with food.
The Mental and Emotional Toll of Public Scrutiny
The most significant factor in Rohner’s decision to leave keto was the profound impact on her mental health. As her platform grew, so did the online scrutiny and hate. She experienced harsh criticism not only from followers but also from nutritionists and dietitians, who publicly attacked her for her dieting practices and advice. This constant negativity reached a breaking point, making her feel as though she “couldn’t do anything right”.
- Online bullying: She was called a “keto dummy” and an “idiot” for trying to manage her weight loss journey.
- Feeling trapped: When she deviated from keto, she was labeled a “quitter” or a “yo-yo dieter,” creating a no-win situation.
- Needing a mental break: The endless cycle of judgment and pressure led her to realize she needed a significant mental and emotional break from the entire weight loss conversation.
Recognizing Keto's Unsustainability
Beyond the mental stress, Rohner also came to terms with the physical and practical limitations of the keto diet. She admitted that she was drastically undereating, sometimes consuming fewer than 1,200 calories per day, which is an unhealthy and unsustainable practice often driven by toxic diet culture. This extreme calorie restriction, she found, was not only harmful but also led to her weight loss stalling, which further contributed to her distress. She also realized that the restrictive nature of keto made enjoying food a challenge, something she had previously valued. She expressed regret that she spent so much time following a diet that prevented her from enjoying a wider variety of foods in moderation. The rigid rules were mentally draining, and she longed for a more balanced approach to food that didn't require such intense focus and denial.
The Shift to a Balanced "Food Freedom" Philosophy
After quitting keto in 2021, Rohner made a significant pivot towards a more balanced and sustainable lifestyle, which she describes as an "80/20 lifestyle". Her new approach is guided by a macro coach, who helped her learn to track macronutrients (proteins, fats, and carbohydrates). This allows her to eat foods she loves in moderation without restriction, a concept she calls "food freedom". She has since incorporated a wide array of foods back into her diet, including fruits, rice, and even dessert, which she now plans into her daily meals.
A typical day on Janelle's new diet:
- Breakfast: High-protein overnight oats
- Lunch: Chicken breast with rice and vegetables
- Snack: Yogurt topped with fruit or pie
- Dinner: Balanced meal like chicken alfredo with broccoli
- Dessert: A planned sweet treat to satisfy cravings
This new approach not only improved her relationship with food but also helped curb her cravings for overly sweet or unhealthy items, a surprising but welcome change that she initially didn't believe would happen.
Comparing Keto and Macro-Tracking
| Feature | Keto (Janelle's Former Approach) | Macro-Tracking (Janelle's Current Approach) |
|---|---|---|
| Carb Intake | Severely restricted to around 20 net carbs per day. | Flexible, with all macronutrients tracked for balance. |
| Dietary Flexibility | Extremely restrictive, limiting many food groups like grains, fruit, and starchy vegetables. | High flexibility, allowing all foods in moderation. Focus is on portion control and nutrient goals. |
| Sustainability | Considered unsustainable long-term due to the restrictive nature and mental strain. | Promotes a sustainable, long-term lifestyle by teaching food freedom and balance. |
| Online Pressure | Faced significant hate and criticism for being on a trendy, restrictive diet. | Has faced backlash over transparency issues (related to GLP-1 use, not macro tracking), but the diet itself is less controversial. |
| Psychological Effect | Resulted in significant mental health struggles, disordered eating patterns, and increased cravings. | Led to "food freedom" and a healthier relationship with eating, reducing cravings. |
More Than Just a Diet Change: The GLP-1 Revelation
In April 2025, Janelle Rohner revealed another layer to her weight loss story: the use of a GLP-1 medication as a tool to aid her journey. This admission came years after she publicly quit keto, and it sparked further online controversy and accusations of deception. However, Rohner has consistently stated that her decision to quit keto was an independent, and crucial, step in her overall health evolution. She maintains that the medication was a tool, not a magic fix, and that her belief in the macro-tracking principles she now teaches remains strong. The GLP-1 use was a separate, later development from her initial decision to abandon the restrictive and mentally taxing keto lifestyle. Her journey highlights the complex interplay of diet, mental health, and public pressure, underscoring that a single diet is rarely the complete answer.
Conclusion: More Than a Diet Change
Ultimately, Janelle Rohner quit keto not because it failed to produce results initially, but because it was failing her mentally and emotionally. The unrelenting pressure from diet culture and public criticism, combined with the unsustainability of the restrictive approach, created a toxic environment that jeopardized her well-being. Her journey is a powerful testament to the fact that true health and wellness go beyond what is measured on a scale or in terms of carbs. By transitioning to a balanced macro-tracking lifestyle, she found a more sustainable and fulfilling path, prioritizing her mental health and embracing food freedom in the process. Her story serves as a reminder for many that the best diet is often the one that promotes balance and happiness, not just weight loss.
