Newbie Keto

I was wondering how I figure my macros and then how do I put it into the nutrition part on fitness pal for my goals in carb protein and fat?
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Replies

  • LyndaBSS
    LyndaBSS Posts: 6,964 Member
    I just let mfp automatically set my macros, along with my calorie allotment.
  • lillypade
    lillypade Posts: 77 Member
    Thank you
  • LyndaBSS
    LyndaBSS Posts: 6,964 Member
    kshama2001 wrote: »
    LyndaBSS wrote: »
    I just let mfp automatically set my macros, along with my calorie allotment.

    Yes, but you're not keto ;)

    Keto macros would be along the lines of 5% carbs, 20% or so protein, and the rest fat, depending on the protein goal selected.

    Yeah, I forgot keto was in the title. Thanks.
  • samhennings
    samhennings Posts: 441 Member
    Why Keto?
  • lillypade
    lillypade Posts: 77 Member
    I eat way to much carbs and my stomach feels bloated. Trying to lose about 15 lbs. I’m on day 5. And feeling and doing great.
  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,427 MFP Moderator
    lillypade wrote: »
    I eat way to much carbs and my stomach feels bloated. Trying to lose about 15 lbs. I’m on day 5. And feeling and doing great.

    Than keep going. At some point you can always evaluate if you want to do Keto long term. Just keep carbs below 50g.
  • lillypade
    lillypade Posts: 77 Member
    I’ve been on keto for 2 weeks today. I lost 4 lbs the first week and only 2 the second week. I’m not eating all of my calories I get full but I hit my carb and protein and a little under my fats. What can I do to eat the calories recommend but not go over my carbs fat and protein? Plz help
  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,427 MFP Moderator
    Well there is nothing wrong with eating more protein. So just eat a fat and protein source .
  • lillypade
    lillypade Posts: 77 Member
    I thought too much protein is not good?
  • kshama2001
    kshama2001 Posts: 28,052 Member
    lillypade wrote: »
    I thought too much protein is not good?

    What percent is your protein currently set to and do you meet or exceed it regularly?

    It's common here to read about people having trouble meeting their protein goal, rather than exceeding it.
  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,427 MFP Moderator
    I should note the fear is that protein can inhibit ketone production. The question is does it matter? If you limit carbs to 25-50g, you are likely to be in ketosis. Also keep in mind that its possible to go in and out of ketosis (like post meal), but that doesn't detract from your bodies ability to get back in ketosis.
  • lillypade
    lillypade Posts: 77 Member
    25% protein
  • lemurcat2
    lemurcat2 Posts: 7,885 Member
    edited September 2019
    kshama2001 wrote: »
    LyndaBSS wrote: »
    I just let mfp automatically set my macros, along with my calorie allotment.

    Yes, but you're not keto ;)

    Keto macros would be along the lines of 5% carbs, 20% or so protein, and the rest fat, depending on the protein goal selected.

    You actually don't need carbs so low to do keto.

    Warning: lemurcat pontificates about keto!

    One issue is that the 5% is based on maintenance cals, or should be, so is generally lower than makes sense for people dieting.

    My maintenance is, roughly, 2000, so 5% for me would be about 25 g carbs, which is a reasonable NET carb number for keto (from other reading I think even higher can be okay too, especially if one is active). When I was actually doing keto I was usually at around 35 net carbs (60 total), since that's what I ended up at with a reasonable amount (IMO) of veg, plus a serving of nuts and occasional greek yogurt.

    But even using the 25 g net, that's around 45 g total if you are trying to get most of the carbs from veg, so more like 10% for MFP settings at a deficit. (1500 cal has 10% at 38 g carbs -- if at only 1200, I'd say more like 15%)

    Then protein, I'd stick with the usual around 0.8 g per lb of goal weight, which brings me to, say, 100 g for someone aiming to be 125 or about 25% of the 1500 goal or even 30% if closer to 1200.

    That leaves about 65% fat at 1500, and more like 55% fat at 1200.

    I think these are more reasonable numbers and allow for more vegetables and protein (and protein is extra important at very low carb levels for muscle preservation) when doing keto. The 20% protein number is often based on an unwarranted fear that the protein will kick one out of keto.

    Overall, I'd pay far less attention to macros and more to hitting calories (some find it too easy to undereat on keto, especially at the beginning), hitting or exceeding protein, and sticking to (or a little under) the net carb number (and getting the carbs from nutrient-dense sources).
  • earlnabby
    earlnabby Posts: 8,171 Member
    lillypade wrote: »
    I eat way to much carbs and my stomach feels bloated. Trying to lose about 15 lbs. I’m on day 5. And feeling and doing great.

    When I switched to lower carb/higher fat my digestion issues cleared up, including the pronounced bloating I always had :) I had gone into low carb as a month long experiment and haven't looked back since, it's been a great fit for me!

    I was just the opposite. That much fat caused all kinds of digestive issues. My happy place is moderate carb, moderate fat, and slightly higher protein (35% carb, 35% protein, 30% fat). Good thing weight loss is not a "one size fits all" proposition.
  • Emmapatterson1729
    Emmapatterson1729 Posts: 1,296 Member
    edited September 2019
    @lillypade

    I had to cut carbs due to extreme carb sensitivities that caused bloat, pain, and discomfort.

    I highly recommend joining The Keto group and The Low Carber Daily Forum group on here.

    There's a lot of links and discussions about macros.

    This is straight out of my physiology book: The liver converts excess protein to either ketones or glucose. There are links in Groups to a researcher and his findings on glucose vs ketones ... Basically you can eat as much protein as desired and still remain in ketosis, as long as carbs are kept low enough.

    The reason I find this difficult is proteins are expensive and filling. It's cheaper and easier to add a couple of tbls of olive oil, butter, or a serving or two of high fat cheeses to up calorie intake.

    Good luck to all
  • Chris_2013
    Chris_2013 Posts: 107 Member
    I've lost 29.5 lbs since August 13th on keto and have never felt better while losing weight. Had my annual physical yesterday (did the blood work last week) and doc was VERY happy with my blood work. Biggest benefit for me on keto is I am NEVER HUNGRY and doing OMAD (one nice big meal a day around 5pm). Google Jason Fung and do some reading. And no I am not eating pounds of bacon and sticks of butter. My favourite dinner is a huge greek salad with ground beef that I cook up with different spices and mix right into the salad. Typical daily carbs I am 4-5% a day. Also love a grilled steak with homemade pesto on the side, some avocado, mini bocconcini.
  • lillypade
    lillypade Posts: 77 Member
    I am 42 yrs old, weight 133, lightly active, want to loss a little weight I’m 5’5 and the macro calculator is telling me 5g carbs, 70 protein, 105 fat. Calories 1246- which I haven’t meet the calorie count in a few days. Does that sound right??
  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,427 MFP Moderator
    Hi lillypade. The protein goal you have is low for someone dieting, your age and not sedentary, IMO. 90g-120g (1.5g/kg - 2g/kg) of protein would be a better protein goal for you -- more if you like.

    After that, the rest is up to you and your preferences. As long as you keep your carbs under around the 50g mark you'll be fine. Some people feel better with a lower carb limit around 25g but others want to eat as many carbs as they can so prefer the higher end of the carb limit.

    Totally up to you - the only thing you need for ketosis is carb restriction. The only marco you don't want to restrict is protein. :)

    Couldn't agree more.
  • lemurcat2
    lemurcat2 Posts: 7,885 Member
    lillypade wrote: »
    I am 42 yrs old, weight 133, lightly active, want to loss a little weight I’m 5’5 and the macro calculator is telling me 5g carbs, 70 protein, 105 fat. Calories 1246- which I haven’t meet the calorie count in a few days. Does that sound right??

    I also agree with AlabasterVerve.

    Your maintenance cals (depending on activity) are likely between 1850 and 2050, so I'd point out again that 5% of cals makes more sense if maintenance cals, so you'd be aiming for more like 25 g, and that's net. Total carbs could be more like 40-50, depending on food choices. 5 g of carbs is really crazy low and would make it hard to even eat a pretty small amount of veg -- I'd distrust wherever that calculation came from.

    Protein I'd aim for 0.8 of goal (or even current weight, as you are a healthy weight) so maybe about 100 g (I agree with the range mentioned above). So that leaves whatever is left for fat.

    The cal goal is perhaps aggressive given your weight too.
  • valerierackly74
    valerierackly74 Posts: 59 Member
    I could do with some keto buddies. I'm 19 days in but find myfitnesspal to be more accurate/harsher with the counting of carbs. Adds please.
  • sandhillsmom
    sandhillsmom Posts: 319 Member
    I set my goals to 10% carbs, 70% fat and 20% protein. It isn;t perfect, as the settings are done in intervals of 5's. But it has helped me to get to moderate levels of ketosis. the struggle came to having enough fats. then I rediscovered unsalted butter and the richness of flavor it adds to vegetables and sauces. Now I get very close to my needs.
  • lillypade
    lillypade Posts: 77 Member
    Thanks for all the info. I have been on keto since September 10. And have lose 8 lbs. I’m feeling great. I got the keto rash a few days ago on my back and a little where my bra lays. It’s not itchy. Thank goodness. I’ve been putting tea tree oil on.
  • lillypade
    lillypade Posts: 77 Member
    @anubis609 not sure if u can answer this. today my carbs were around 30 g that is the highest they have been. Usually stay around 15 will that throw me out of Ketosis?