Calories on paleo, primal & low carb diets?

AlabasterVerve · July 2012

Let me preface this by saying I eat when I'm hungry and I have no problems going over my recommended calories for the day up to maintenance -- as long as the scale is headed in the right direction, I'm good. I don't have an eating disorder.

What I do have is an appetite that seems to be getting smaller the longer I'm eating a low carb diet and I'm struggling to eat my meals this week. I've been eating them because I know how many calories they have even though if I'd listen to my body I'd probably stop eating before I finished. But tonight I physically could not finish a delicious NY strip and salad -- I was only able to eat half -- which seems ridiculous to me. I'm wondering if I somehow managed to go into ketosis even though I thought my carbs were too high for that and this is normal?

Has anyone else experienced this? Do you just disregard the calories, eat nutritious food and trust your body?

ipag · July 2012

Ketosis should only occur when you are under 50 carbs for several days. It's more important to have your macros correct then to worry about calories. I'm also never hungry either, I just don't have an appetite anymore and I know when to eat when I start to feel sluggish. I however, never have heard of being physically unable to finish dinner. Hopefully someone more knowledgeable will come along to provide some insight.

AlabasterVerve · July 2012

Thanks, ipag.

I don't have a problem getting hungry it's just that it takes about 5 or 6 hours between meals before I'm hungry again. But I didn't realize carbs under 50 would put you into ketosis, I thought it was carbs under 20 like the Atkins induction phase. I've been toying around with the idea of lowering my carbs enough to go into ketosis but didn't really want to cut out the fruit or cut down on my vegetables in order to do so. But carbs under 50 is easy, my carbs were around 35 all week.

If I am in ketosis, I guess that would explain the higher than normal weight loss and my decreasing appetite this week. I'm definitely not experiencing a loss of energy -- I have energy to spare and my house is getting really clean. :laugh: I actually feel a bit like I'm on speed.

I'm going to assume this is normal and that my body is just finally "seeing" all of my excess body fat and using that for energy. Thanks again.

CWatermelon · July 2012

I am trying to teach myself to know when I am hungry and I am honestly not hungry all that often since increasing my protein. I started drinking a bottle of water before I eat a meal so I could determine if I was going for food out of boredom, emotions, or if I was really hungry. After 6 dedicated weeks, I can tell when I am hungry hungry and when I am not. There are times that I am famished and I eat more than I normally would. Like this morning I woke up and had a ravenous appetite, and I attributed it to my nine mile walk yesterday afternoon. I love NY strips and I often can't finish a steak previously I would have downed and wanted more. I love learning to listen to my body and enjoying the weight loss that has been coming regularly and easily (about 4 pounds a week). I have a lot to lose.

I too have been reprimanded for not eating enough calories, but I am eating mini meals throughout the day, and I am honestly not hungry. I do concentrate on my macros as well. Interestingly I historically have been a meal skipper....rarely eating breakfast or lunch and overeating at dinner due to an incredibly busy lifestyle. I eat more calories now and am losing weight. I eat tons more fish and meat. I spend more since I am buying grain fed meets and fresh fish, and organic produce as much as possible. But it is worth it. It is a process and I know one thing for sure, the support I get on MFP in worth all of it and more. Feel free to add me a friend if you want mutually support each other.

llstacy · July 2012

If you're not hungry and have plenty of energy I don't think it matters if you eat under 1200 calories. I don't think you should try for it but from what I can see you're already eating nuts, butter and full fat everything so I'm not sure what else you could do. Besides eating some bread or sugar so you can pig out. LOL It's probably why all of these diets say you don't need to count calories. Keep up the good work!

ipag · July 2012

If you really want to know if you are in ketosis, you can usually pick up a pee test from your local drug store which measures the level of ketones in your urine. It can be found in the diabetes supplies usually.

That speed feeling is normal on a low carb diet. It really sounds like you are in the zone for great weight loss. Keep up the great work

mmapags · July 2012

If you really want to know if you are in ketosis, you can usually pick up a pee test from your local drug store which measures the level of ketones in your urine. It can be found in the diabetes supplies usually.

That speed feeling is normal on a low carb diet. It really sounds like you are in the zone for great weight loss. Keep up the great work

Most people (depending on body weight) begin to be mildly ketogenic at between 80 and 100 grams of carbohydrate. Below 50 and you are well in to ketosis. Below 20 and you are highly ketogenic and is only meant for a 14 day induction phase. If you have no problems with energy level or recovery from exercise a place between 50 and 80 will assist your weight loss. Some do well and feel great with carbs at this level. Some don't. Adequate protein is key to prevent catabolism.

cadency · July 2012

I can feel bad at around 80g of carbs a day. I can get pretty nauseated too on it... but my carbs are mostly fruits and vegetables so I get annoyed with MFP for making my macros look out of control when it's healthy carbs!

I've never felt better than when on primal/paleo. I just started incorporating some cheese and yogurt to up my fat intake. Finding that I'm struggling to eat enough fat.

good luck with the changes!

hyphenbobbit · July 2012

Hi,

I too am struggling to reach 1200 calories on a low carb diet. I'm only eating carbs from veggies but am having dairy. Been doing this for 6 days now but starting logging calories the last few days as was worried that calories may be too high but have found quite the opposite.

Any advice from long term successful low carbers?

onikonor · July 2012

Hi,

I too am struggling to reach 1200 calories on a low carb diet. I'm only eating carbs from veggies but am having dairy. Been doing this for 6 days now but starting logging calories the last few days as was worried that calories may be too high but have found quite the opposite.

Any advice from long term successful low carbers?

The more lean protein the protein the better. It keeps you full. Make sure you eat A LOT of veggies a well. at least 2 cups for every meal.

MaraDiaz · July 2012

I'm having this issue right now on low carb. I'm so sick of steak and eggs, but I don't think anyone ever starved to death from being tired of what's on the menu. What I want is a juicy burger and fries, maybe a soda and a blueberry pastry. What I've got today is eggs. Boiled, fried, scrambled, whatever.

I'm craving the bad stuff, can't stand to choke down another egg. I swear, I won't die. There is no way anyone ever died of starvation from having a healthy, boring menu. Right?

I hope, cause I'm going to feel really stupid if I'm wrong. That is, assuming an afterlife exists to feel stupid in.

sarahrbraun · July 2012

I'm having this issue right now on low carb. I'm so sick of steak and eggs, but I don't think anyone ever starved to death from being tired of what's on the menu. What I want is a juicy burger and fries, maybe a soda and a blueberry pastry. What I've got today is eggs. Boiled, fried, scrambled, whatever.

I'm craving the bad stuff, can't stand to choke down another egg. I swear, I won't die. There is no way anyone ever died of starvation from having a healthy, boring menu. Right?

I hope, cause I'm going to feel really stupid if I'm wrong. That is, assuming an afterlife exists to feel stupid in.

why can't you HAVE that big juicy burger? Either take off the top part of the bun and just eat the bottom, or wrap it in a low carb/high fiber tortilla. Say NO to the fries.

I have been doing lower carb ( under 100g net) for going on 3 months now, and I am just now starting to find things like Dreamfields pasta ( 5g digestable carbs) so I can eat a little bit more *normal*. I eat kiwi and berries...

ETA: I am 5'2" tall, and my starting calories are 1490 (sedentary). The last week, I have eaten anywhere from 1600-2000 calories depending on activity level.

toysbigkid · July 2012

I find it hard to eat beef, I'd love to do low carb but do you really have to give up fruit and cheese?

MaraDiaz · July 2012

I'm having this issue right now on low carb. I'm so sick of steak and eggs, but I don't think anyone ever starved to death from being tired of what's on the menu. What I want is a juicy burger and fries, maybe a soda and a blueberry pastry. What I've got today is eggs. Boiled, fried, scrambled, whatever.

I'm craving the bad stuff, can't stand to choke down another egg. I swear, I won't die. There is no way anyone ever died of starvation from having a healthy, boring menu. Right?

I hope, cause I'm going to feel really stupid if I'm wrong. That is, assuming an afterlife exists to feel stupid in.

why can't you HAVE that big juicy burger? Either take off the top part of the bun and just eat the bottom, or wrap it in a low carb/high fiber tortilla. Say NO to the fries.

I have been doing lower carb ( under 100g net) for going on 3 months now, and I am just now starting to find things like Dreamfields pasta ( 5g digestable carbs) so I can eat a little bit more *normal*. I eat kiwi and berries...

ETA: I am 5'2" tall, and my starting calories are 1490 (sedentary). The last week, I have eaten anywhere from 1600-2000 calories depending on activity level.

Normally a great suggestion, but I'm craving a McDonald's burger with a bun, fries, soda, and a blueberry pastry from the gas station for dessert. I don't want a slab of meat with cheese on it, I want what I'm not going to let myself have. If my body gets hungry enough, it can have more eggs. Tomorrow it can have steak. Until then, it can get over it, I'm not giving in to this craving.

MaraDiaz · July 2012

I find it hard to eat beef, I'd love to do low carb but do you really have to give up fruit and cheese?

Not cheese, you can eat lots of different kinds of cheese, at least on Atkins. And a lot of people on low carb eat some fruit, they just keep total carbs under a certain number. Depends on which low carb diet what that number is.

AlabasterVerve · July 2012

Thanks for the replies, all. I've been doing better with getting my calories in by trying to add more fat and not waiting so long in between meals even if I'm not really hungry. I was also eating an enormous amount of vegetables before I cut out the bread, pasta and rice because I was constantly hungry so eating normal portions of vegetables instead of bulking up my food with them is helping too.

@ipag "If you really want to know if you are in ketosis, you can usually pick up a pee test from your local drug store which measures the level of ketones in your urine. It can be found in the diabetes supplies usually."

I read about them but that isn't something I'm interested in doing. I'm trying really hard to make sure all the changes I'm making are things I can live with long term -- peeing on a stick daily isn't one of those. :laugh:

That's why I was putting off trying to get into ketosis, under 20 grams of carbs wouldn't really be sustainable for me or something I'd feel comfortable feeding my family. So it's awesome that carbs under 50 will do the trick because that is something that works with the way I cook, the foods we like and turned out to be extremely satisfying.

@MaraDiaz "I'm so sick of steak and eggs, but I don't think anyone ever starved to death from being tired of what's on the menu."

How about a delicious alfredo sauce over sauteed broccoli and cut up chicken breasts? I use this recipe. It's quick, easy and tastes nothing like steak or eggs!

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/alfredo-sauce-2/

Kaylee_Loren · July 2012

I feel the same way, a few days a week I just have to force myself to eat. My advice-stop counting calories, stop being completely concerned with how much you eat and just listen to your body. It of course knows best!

Good luck!

yarwell · July 2012

I find it hard to eat beef, I'd love to do low carb but do you really have to give up fruit and cheese?

Cheese is fine - most hard cheeses are very low carb. Berries are ok, they are at the lower end of the carb scale compared to other fruits. I eat raspberries, strawberries, blueberries a lot.

PaleoPath4Lyfe · July 2012

Let me preface this by saying I eat when I'm hungry and I have no problems going over my recommended calories for the day up to maintenance -- as long as the scale is headed in the right direction, I'm good. I don't have an eating disorder.

What I do have is an appetite that seems to be getting smaller the longer I'm eating a low carb diet and I'm struggling to eat my meals this week. I've been eating them because I know how many calories they have even though if I'd listen to my body I'd probably stop eating before I finished. But tonight I physically could not finish a delicious NY strip and salad -- I was only able to eat half -- which seems ridiculous to me. I'm wondering if I somehow managed to go into ketosis even though I thought my carbs were too high for that and this is normal?

Has anyone else experienced this? Do you just disregard the calories, eat nutritious food and trust your body?

Yes, I disregard calories and eat nutrient dense foods. Your body knows best on what to do.

Calories on paleo, primal & low carb diets?

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