Calories and metabolic rate

(Kay) #1

Hello, I have a question about calorie intake and basal metabolic rate. Before starting keto my diet was a lot of junk prob in excess of 3000 cal/day. Now on keto although I don’t count calories I do track my carbs so have an idea of my intake now and it’s much lower (around 1700/1900 a day) will this be doing damage to my metabolic rate? I’ve read that your not supposed to reduce calories or it’ll slow down? Any insight would be great. Thank you

(Allie) #2

That’s still a decent amount of calories so don’t worry, it’s when calories are limited that problems occur so as long as you’re eating to your appetite you’re good.

(You've tried everything else; why not try bacon?) #3

Intentionally limiting your calories is not a good thing, because it usually ends up causing the body to reduce the metabolic rate. Eating to satiety, which is what you are doing, is different, because you are letting your body tell you how much is enough. If it needs more, you’ll be hungry. Once you’ve stopped being hungry, you can stop eating, and your metabolic rate will not fall. All this applies when dietary carbohydrate is sufficiently limited, of course.

On the other hand, when we eat carbohydrate in excess, the resulting high insulin blocks the hormonal signal from the fat tissue to the brain that says we have enough energy on board, so the hunger never stops. That’s why I could eat to the point where “just one more waffer-theen mint” would make me explode and still want more food. Nowadays, on keto, I am well-satisfied long before reaching that point. There’s room for more, but I’ve had enough and don’t want more—weird, I know! :bacon::bacon:

(Kay) #4

Thank you so much. That’s great to hear. I appreciate you taking the time to reply. Thanks

(You've tried everything else; why not try bacon?) #5

You are doing great. Just keep calm, and keto on! :bacon::bacon: