High protein/low carbs - anyone do this?

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  • LFDBabs
    LFDBabs Posts: 297 Member
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    High Protein/Low Carb is the only way the scale moves for me. I struggle with a degenerative thyroid disorder which makes weight loss even more difficult...but not impossible! I've adjusted my settings on here a few times, trying to hit the magical combination of numbers. Not easy. No carbs is not realistic, nor is it healthy as per my doctor. It's all about conscious, healthy choices. I sometimes have difficulty getting in all my protein, so I am protein powder shopping this weekend. That being said, I also have days that I go way over (the days I really think and plan what I eat). Weight loss is different for everyone, just keep tweaking until it feels right for you.
  • jonski1968
    jonski1968 Posts: 4,498 Member
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    Me too...its the only way..
  • vjrose
    vjrose Posts: 809 Member
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    Ok, well I'm going to get shouted over by all the omg you need less than 100g of carbs. Lol, just read several studies, around 200g of healthy carbs ( almost entirely veggie and some fruit) is shown to be very effective for weight loss. MFP is low on protein, mine is set to 40C/30F/30P and it is working just fine thank you. Workouts at the level most folks here do them requires some carbs fo fuel so 60g a day and extreme workouts isn't really helpful, lol. I am GF so avoiding most of the carb pitfalls are pretty simple. Sweet treats are usually a square or two of dark chocolate with some cookies thrown in now and then :). Results 10 lbs a month for the last 4 months, passed the 40lb mark a few days ago, I lost a bunch before starting on MFP, hit a plateau, found MFP and it's been going down since. Weigh less now than I have in 30+ years, so no fad diets or shakes or any of that stuff for me, just old fashioned healthy, clean eating I can do for the next 30 years :)
  • athensguy
    athensguy Posts: 550
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    If your carb grams minus your fiber grams stays under 100 for the day, you WILL lose weight, even if your calories are over the limit that mfp gives you. This works like a charm for me when I can stick to it.

    That is not good advice.

    ---

    However, upping your protein in general may help you feel more sated and make it a little easier to stick with your calorie goals. If you up your fat along with your protein intake, it becomes very difficult to keep your sodium intake to a proper level (below 2300 for not hypertensive, 1500 for hypertensive).

    The recommended levels are:
    10-35% of daily calories from protein.
    <30% daily calories from fat
    no recommendation for total carbs

    I have mine set to 55% carb, 25% protein, 20% fat, though I usually don't quite make it to 25% protein. I do add in 1 or 2 servings of alcohol every day (it's another macronutrient that is important for cardiovascular health).

    My personal suggestions therefore are: Exercise, eat a lot of protein and fiber, watch your sodium, and drink a moderate amount of alcohol daily.
  • Mcctin65
    Mcctin65 Posts: 507 Member
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    I knew it! I JUST KNEW alcohol was important to a proper diet!

    I recently just changed my parameters to 50% protein, 20% carbs (carbs are my biggest issue!) and 30% fat. Not sure how well I will do at this but I'm going to attempt to learn by watching the numbers and seeing how my body responds.
  • kvissy
    kvissy Posts: 205 Member
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    I'm currently on a paleo type diet (no starchy carbs) but the last time I had a large weight loss I kept my diet low carb and tried to keep all starches (wheat! NO WHITE!!) before 3pm. Use the veggies and fruit (sparingly) anytime afterwards.
  • EuroDriver12
    EuroDriver12 Posts: 805 Member
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    low carbing and carb cycling are key to low BF%
  • persian_star
    persian_star Posts: 197 Member
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    My two pence worth - I've read a number of sources over the past few months (apologies I can't tell you what they are - memory like a sieve!) that quote studies which have shown the best mix of macronutrients is about level, i.e. 1/3 carbs, 1/3 fat, 1/3 protein to optimise weight loss. I've met quite a few people on here who recommend that too, so what I did was go under Goals, and customised my macros to 40% carbs, 30% fats and 30% proteins. Although some people seem to be able to cope with less of a food group, in general we really need all 3 to function properly! This, alongside upping my calories to between my BMR and TDEE, has made quite a difference in my weight loss journey.

    The one thing I would say, is try to limit your sugar from processed sources - as a carb it's probably the strongest temptation/pitfall we all have and can be a strong contributor to weight gain. My hubby cut out drinks with sugar (i.e. everything but water, coffee and tea) and has lost 20lb in 4 months - he hasn't changed his diet in any other way.
  • jbakerak
    jbakerak Posts: 76
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    Everyone I know that has cut down on carbs and upped their protein has lost weight. Quite a bit slower without added exercise, but still have weight loss. Of course, you still want carbs, just the good ones. You might be eating the right amount of protein already. :wink:
  • WorkInProgress33
    WorkInProgress33 Posts: 7
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    I'm currently doing a high protein, low carb diet as well. Mine is medically supervised so I was able to drop down to about 1000 calories/day. No fruits, starches, pastas, etc... It's tough and I'm kind of at a stand still, but I'll work through it. Good luck with your weight loss goals!!

    *Also recommend you consulting your doctor!
  • Articeluvsmemphis
    Articeluvsmemphis Posts: 1,987 Member
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    It's not that the carbs are bad, it's just that when you start eating better foods, they tend to be of the protein variety and without realizing, you're doing low carb. with this being said

    EGGS
    NUTS
    MILK
    YOGURT
    CHEESE
    NUT BUTTERS
    SOY PRODUCTS
    BEANS
    VEGGIES (BIT CARBY TOO)
    LEAN MEATS

    - nothing extreme about including those things in your diet, I eat these things and bread as well, drink plenty water.
  • jodee_donavan
    jodee_donavan Posts: 51 Member
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    Yep- works like a charm- and to be honest- once you "detox" yourself from them they will lose their control over you and wont taste as enticing! CRAZY- how this has changed my "Need" for them. and when I say detox- the first 3or so days you may feel like you are going through it- getting it out of your body- but then you will feel so much better!!!!

    on your MFP daily info- just make sure you get no more than 30 net carbs- which is your total carbs minus fiber. also try to keep your sugar carbs to around 10- too much sugar will spike your insuline and make you hungry.
  • susanofscottsdale
    susanofscottsdale Posts: 114
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    Yes, absolutely, I have tried this, and have found that it's the only way I can lose weight.

    I don't adhere to any extremes either, but when I do choose to eat this way, I drastically cut back on all bread, rice, pasta, potatoes, and avoid all junk foods (chocolate, chips, cakes, cookies, etc). I focus on the "good" carbs, and I eat lots of veggies, some fruit, as well as 1 or 2 servings of plain yogurt per day. Then I consciously make decisions on what other carbs I choose to eat, and try to limit to no more than 1 serving per day. For example, if I have oatmeal for breakfast, then I won't have any rice with dinner (just meat and veggies), or if I am planning to have a small baked potato with my dinner, then I won't eat other carbs at breadfast or lunch - I'll have eggs and fruit at breakfast, and a salad with chicken or tuna at lunch, and yogurt for snack. I have gotten ideas from all sorts of diet books (Zone, Atkins, Dukan, 17-Day, South Beach, etc), but do not follow any one particular plan. I guess I just live my life.

    Good luck, and let me know what you decide to do, and how it works out for you...

    Ditto - I can lose if I keep my carbs=protein and calories low. I do not lose any other way ... and I have tried and tried. Lean meat & veggies. Very limited, carefully selected grains and fruits.
  • Dietexpert
    Dietexpert Posts: 34
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    I'm low carbing at the moment and it is recommended for bariatric surgery patients like myself. Protein will fill you up more and take longer to digest but as someone else said you have to be careful not to put strain on your kidneys. I get quite bad withdrawals when I first start but after a few days you do feel a renewed energy. It's the carbs in refined products such as white bread, pasta, rice, etc. that you need to take in moderation. We are told to eat the protein off our plate first and then the vegetables and starchy stuff last. Sugars and saturated fats speak for themselves.
  • Athijade
    Athijade Posts: 3,272 Member
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    It works for some but doesn't work for others. You have to find what works for you because who knows how your specific body will react. I personally can NOT do too low carb and lose weight. I currently have MFP set to 40%C, 30%P, and 30%F and this has been working quite well. But... that is what works for ME due to my medical history.

    I would, personally, not suggest dropping your carbs very low to start. Drop it a bit and see how it goes. It can take an adjustment.
  • tigersword
    tigersword Posts: 8,059 Member
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    It depends why you're doing it. If you have a metabolic problem, like diabetes, then cutting carbs and raising protein can be helpful. Otherwise, you might drop a bit of water weight from reducing carbs, but you won't lose fat any faster, and as soon as you add the carbs back in, the water weight will come back.

    So, again, it depends on your reasoning to do it. It won't help you lose fat any faster than any other form of calorie deficit, barring a medical problem.
  • SueInAz
    SueInAz Posts: 6,592 Member
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    Ok, well I'm going to get shouted over by all the omg you need less than 100g of carbs. Lol, just read several studies, around 200g of healthy carbs ( almost entirely veggie and some fruit) is shown to be very effective for weight loss.
    Problem is, 200 grams for whom? 200 grams of carbs x 4 calories per gram = 800 calories. For someone on a 1400 calorie diet, that only leaves 600 calories for protein and fat. It's even more out of whack for someone eating 1200 calories. General statements like that always irritate me because people spread them around like they are gospel when the simple fact is everyone is different. Even just reading this thread, you can see that different things work well for different people.

    And while I'm getting peeves off my chest, there's no such thing as a NO carb diet unless you're eating only meat and fat which is dangerous and impossible to follow for any length of time. All vegetables and fruits have carbs. Therefore diet plans, like Atkins, are not no carb diets since you eat lots of veggies while following it. Even the major carb restrictions of Atkins that people always point at are only for two weeks and only to get you weaned off of the white, processed carbs and jump start weight loss.

    I'm another who really needs to limit carbs to lose weight. Eating 1250 calories, plus my exercise calories, I need to limit carbs to around 100 grams per day to lose weight. Since I've lost the weight I needed to, and am now in maintenance, I still eat like that one or two days per week to counterbalance the days I eat more carbs. 100 grams still allows me plenty of veggies, some fruit, and even a small serving of bread or a treat. It's simply a matter of making small changes to what and how you eat.
  • Cindym82
    Cindym82 Posts: 1,245 Member
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    Increasing protein is extremely hard on your kidneys and liver. If you want to lose weight, increase your fiber. By fiber, I'm not talking about eating more cereal, I'm talking about eating TONS of veggies and fruit. Eat huge volumes of veggies. If you saw how huge my salad is at night, you'd think it was a freaking miracle that I could eat so much! But veggies have hardly any calories at all. Your body wants to feel full, so stuff it full of veggies. It takes more calories to burn them and the weight will come off of you much quicker. You still have to eat protein, but I actually eat a fairly low protein diet, with a huge fiber content. Good luck. I've lost 66 pounds doing this, I feel qualified to give this advice... ;-) The reason my ticker says 4 pounds lost, is because now I"m trying to get down to a racing weight. I'm a triathlete.

    If you are working out you should be consuming around 1g of protein per pound of weight you would like to be, so if you would like to weigh 120lbs you should consume about 120g of protein. Your liver and kidneys will not have a problem with this. Before stating medical stuff please have a reference. Or unless you're a doctor
  • Wrigleymom
    Wrigleymom Posts: 28
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    I am working on this now (I have actually lost 47 lbs, but only started MFP during the last 3). I have lowered my carbs and upped my fiber and sticking with lean meats.

    Wishing you the best

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  • TriedEverything
    TriedEverything Posts: 173 Member
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    Wow, thanks for all the replies! It's a lot to take in, and I will need to read through all the posts again in more detail. But it seems that eating this way has worked for a lot of you.

    I also take on board what has been said about the importance of fruit & veg, and about "good" carbs (I wasn't planning to cut out carbs completely).

    I think I'll try to make some adjustments to my diet on the basis of what you have all said (I may not start this till after the weekend - well, we are going to be socialising with friends tomorrow, so that wouldn't be a good day to start! :ohwell:)

    Anyway, thanks again for taking the trouble to answer me - you are a helpful bunch of people, & I really appreciate it :flowerforyou:

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