Well... Are YOU???
One of the lessons that we heard from every presenter on the Low Carb Cruise was one that we have been sharing with you repeatedly… and we’re going to share it again today because it is important regardless of what form of a low carb or healthy way of eating you are pursuing. Namely…
Protein is important!
We know that fat and protein are essential micronutrients and something that can often happen when someone adjusts to a ketogenic diet is that they get swept up in the fear of protein. Too many “influencers” will screech about how eating to much protein is akin to eating chocolate cake! They learn the basics of the process by which your body will convert protein into glucose, aka gluconeogenesis, and miss the fact that this is a demand driven process. It is not something that happens when your body just eats a certain amount of protein. Read more about it here!
So how do you know if you are eating enough protein and how do you determine how much you SHOULD be eating? Let’s start with the signs you are not eating enough protein:
- Weakness and fatigue including poor workout recovery
- Mood changes and swings
- Hair, skin and nail problems
- Issues with your sleep
- Increased hunger
- Getting sick more often
- You’re working out consistently and not getting stronger
Are any of these things shocking? Protein and the amino acids it provides play a much bigger role in your body and it’s health than just “building muscle.” If you are seeing these symptoms it could be important to look at how much protein you are eating.
The question of how much protein to eat is one that can often seem confusing and complex when you are approaching a ketogenic diet. During a recent presentation our own Coach Jon shared his simple but effective approaches to finding a great starting place for your protein macro and we wanted to share it here.
Simple ideas right? Pick one, and get it started. Give yourself 30 days at that level to see how you are feeling and performing. If you start to experience any of the effects mentioned above, bump up your protein, 20g increments are perfectly fine here.
We often tell you that your path is YOUR path and that applies here. You need to be willing to do some experimenting to find the right sweet spot for your body and your goals. If you are struggling to hit your protein target, here are some of our recipes that we think can be helpful:
I’m reviving a keto oldie but goodie in a recipe I just shared on our website, with a simple twist that brought unexpected results. A few years ago egg loaf was all the rage in the keto space with everyone claiming it was just like French toast when you fried the slices. I was skeptical… and had good reasons. It is great, tastes great… but the texture is that of a custard, not heartier like a French toast. This week I got inspired to rework it a little with the addition of Keto Chow and removing the butter, and honestly it is next level good. It has the texture of a well soaked French toast now! Don’t believe me? Oh and 29g of protein a serving! Give it a try for yourself by clicking this picture below!
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