Macros - Carbs


(Felicity ) #1

Hi again helpers :blush:
I am 2 weeks keto today, some of you may remember I was panicking in the beginning because I gained 2kg, well I followed all your wonderful advice and 1kg has already run away. I have learnt to eat more not less, oh and to lay off the nut butter until I get fat adapted.
I am however confused about carbs.
I am 42, 173cm tall, 79kg, insulin resistant and I have PCOS. I exercise 4 times a week HIIT resistance training. My goal is to lose 9kg and heal my body along the way as it has been starved then overfed sugar and high carb binge sessions it’s whole life. (Sorry body, I really do love you.)
I use MFP to keep track of my macros. I eat 75% fat, 20% protien and 5% carbs. I always hit my fit number, but sometimes I’'m low on the carbs and protein, is that ok? I eat somewhere between 1350 and 1500 cals a day (not that I’m counting anymore, the app just automatically lets me know) and feel satiated, if I get snacky, I have a tea with a tablespoon of cream and I’m fine.
My question is, should I be subtracting the fibre from my carb number or not? I get confused here, I feel like if I do subtract it, I will be eating way too many carbs.
Are my macros good?
Any and all advice appreciated greatly :wink:


(Ron) #2

Here is the thing. Macro’s are just a suggested amount. Keto touts 20g carbs but that is not a limit that you have to strive to hit, it is a suggested level to not exceed as this is a safe number that will get most everyone starting the Keto WOE into ketosis. You CAN go under or even eliminate the carbs you consume without running any risks to ketosis. Protein macro’s are the same thing and just a recommended amount to get into or stay in ketosis however there is a little more wiggle room (so to speak) with if you go over, your not as likely to kick yourself out of ketosis but will delay the adaptation process and after adaption can slow weight loss. Fat macro’s are open ended. You want to eat enough fat to reach the suggested macro levels simply to keep you metabolism up and this will also help the fat adaptation process along. After adapted it isn’t as critical and probably won’t be relevant as you probably won’t be that hungry anymore anyways. Hope this helps. :smile:


(Felicity ) #3

Ok, makes sense, thanks. Do I subtract the fibre?


(Bunny) #4


(Felicity ) #5

:rofl: just the carbs!


(Ron) #6

I do, some don’t but occasionally it gives me a little bigger salad or more broccoli than with totals. For the most part your body doesn’t absorb fiber and it goes directly through the digestive system without being stored anywhere, so it’s safe to not count them should you choose.


(Felicity ) #7

Thanks. I usually don’t subtract. I feel I need to be as low in carbs as possible. I feel like I may be super sensitive to them if that’s a thing?


(Allan L) #8

When I first started out on Keto I had to restrict TOTAL carbs to 20g or below and not Net carbs (carbs minus fibre)

After a few months of eating 20g total carbs I could move over to Net carbs but even after 11 months on this way of eating if things slow down or stall I move back to total carbs. Some of us are more sensitive to carbs than others.

There is no harm in getting carbs as close to zero as possible and watching the results.


(Felicity ) #9

Great, thanks for your help.