Protein vs Calories

fit_kay
fit_kay Posts: 4 Member
edited November 18 in Food and Nutrition
I'm on a protein diet, very low carb... the only carbs I have are oatmeal, quinoa, and sweet potatoes. It seems like protein is very high in calorie, so how does this calorie counting thing work for me? I'm a bit confused :/

Replies

  • peachyfuzzle
    peachyfuzzle Posts: 1,122 Member
    Protein, and Carbs have the same amount of calories per gram. Fat has a little over double the calories than either protein, or fat.

    The issue with high protein diets is that high proteins foods are usually associated with high fat foods, so a large part of the calories from high protein foods actually come from their fat content.

    You could get low/no fat stuff, or you could opt for lean cuts of meat, or something like 90/10 ground beef, etc.
  • lemurcat12
    lemurcat12 Posts: 30,886 Member
    Protein is 4 calories per gram, same as carbs. Some sources of protein come packaged with fat, which has more calories (9) per gram, but that's just a matter of portion control and finding some leaner protein options.

    That said, I hope you eat non-starchy veggies, which are carbs, and a super high protein diet isn't necessarily a good idea. Are you doing a specific plan?
  • Michael190lbs
    Michael190lbs Posts: 1,510 Member
    look at my diary lots of protein low carb
  • arditarose
    arditarose Posts: 15,573 Member
    I've never thought about it that way, even quite the opposite though I know there are the same amount of calories per gram. Protein keeps me fuller longer.
  • QuilterInVA
    QuilterInVA Posts: 672 Member
    lemurcat12 wrote: »
    Protein is 4 calories per gram, same as carbs. Some sources of protein come packaged with fat, which has more calories (9) per gram, but that's just a matter of portion control and finding some leaner protein options.

    That said, I hope you eat non-starchy veggies, which are carbs, and a super high protein diet isn't necessarily a good idea. Are you doing a specific plan?

    A low carb diet is less than 100 carbs a day or less. It is not a high protein diet. It is a high fat diet. Before you tell me how terrible that is, would you please explain why the American Diabetes Association now supports low carb diets, they are prescribed for epilepsy, PCOS and other ailments and the list continues to grow. Contrary to popular opinion, CBC are better on low carb diets.
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