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Are there dangers to not fitting into your macros? (Like low carb, low fat)

AlyssaPetsDogs
AlyssaPetsDogs Posts: 421 Member
edited December 2024 in Food and Nutrition
I wouldn't consider myself "officially" low carb, but I am conscious of my carb intake and tend to do a lot of swaps to avoid excess carbs (for example, forgoing the tortilla/shell when I have tacos and really just having the shredded meat and cheese and sauce). I know that sounds primitive, but it has been working for me.

I guess I started to get concerned because I read a lot about low carb high fat and how you need to have high fats if you're doing low carb. I tend to buy some reduced fat or low fat stuff just because I'm playing the calorie "game" and I don't mind doing fat free half n half or 2% milk cheese because they are less calories and I can allocate the extra calories elsewhere.

My question is, are there any potential negative effects from having few carbs and few fats? The only macros I really pay attention to are carbs, but I'm inadvertently not meeting my fat goal many days either. Still losing weight because of my calorie deficit, but wondering if I need to be concerned.

Thanks in advance!

Replies

  • Cahgetsfit
    Cahgetsfit Posts: 1,912 Member
    well... I've had many different people telling me a bunch of different things. I think the overall concensus is that you should raise fats if going low carb.
  • kommodevaran
    kommodevaran Posts: 17,890 Member
    I wouldn't consider myself "officially" low carb, but I am conscious of my carb intake and tend to do a lot of swaps to avoid excess carbs (for example, forgoing the tortilla/shell when I have tacos and really just having the shredded meat and cheese and sauce). I know that sounds primitive, but it has been working for me.

    I guess I started to get concerned because I read a lot about low carb high fat and how you need to have high fats if you're doing low carb. I tend to buy some reduced fat or low fat stuff just because I'm playing the calorie "game" and I don't mind doing fat free half n half or 2% milk cheese because they are less calories and I can allocate the extra calories elsewhere.

    My question is, are there any potential negative effects from having few carbs and few fats? The only macros I really pay attention to are carbs, but I'm inadvertently not meeting my fat goal many days either. Still losing weight because of my calorie deficit, but wondering if I need to be concerned.

    Calories come in the form of fat, protein and carbs. You need a certain amount of calories every day, and a certain amount of fat, protein and carbs. When one of them goes down, one or two have to go up, in order to keep the total the same. "Low" doesn't mean much without context (numbers), but you can't generally have low fat and low carb at the same time - this would mean high protein and not good for kidneys, taste buds, or wallet.

    You are probably making yourself a lot of unnecessary eating rules. Just eat food you like in appropriate amounts.
  • Francl27
    Francl27 Posts: 26,368 Member
    It's not possible to have low fat and low carb. Unless you're only eating protein, and your kidneys will not thank you (and my guess is you'll feel like crap too).
  • AlyssaPetsDogs
    AlyssaPetsDogs Posts: 421 Member
    Thanks, everyone! I was a little concerned! I feel great! I'm probably not as low on micros as I think :)
This discussion has been closed.