Weight loss macros not conventional

kwolfe1185

I am a late 30s woman who struggled with losing weight using the traditional advice of limiting carbs, getting enough protein, etc. I kept a food journal for years and noticed that I lose weight only when I limit animal protein. I start my morning with overnight oats (with a serving of mixed seeds and nuts, a banana, coffee with milk) and I eat normally throughout the days except I keep my protein source vegetable based. I eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, try to maintain a high intake of healthy fats, and eat a lot of carbohydrates (mostly complex) from a dieters perspective (I admit to eating 2-3 squares of very dark chocolate almost every day). I hike for an hour every day. My question is this: why is this working for me? It goes against pretty much every guideline. My husband thinks it's calorie restriction in disguise.

yirara

So how many calories are you eating, and how do you measure these?

AnnPT77

In what way is it "going against pretty much every guideline" if you eat enough protein, but it comes from plant sources? (I'm asking this as someone who's been vegetarian for 47+ years, BTW.) The idea that its universally essential to limit carbs is trendy nonsense. As long as carbs don't drive out needed protein/fats or put a person over sensible calorie levels (whether counting them or not), there's nothing wrong with eating carbs.

If you get good nutrition, and your eating style is sating for you so that you're at calories consistent with healthy weight goals, I don't see how that's wrong or "against guidelines".

Heck, I'm maintaining around BMI 20-21 as a a vegetarian, getting 100g minimum protein, 225g+ carbs most days, and 50g+ fats, at age 66 now. Personally, I think that's a win. 🤷‍♀️