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>It's not so simple. What you eat and your hormones determine the fat storage on your body. It is, for the most part, but you're right; insulin spikes are a pr
by EpicEng 8y ago
>It's not so simple. What you eat and your hormones determine the fat storage on your body.
It is, for the most part, but you're right; insulin spikes are a problem and you should not be gorging yourself on simple carbohydrates when on a diet. Of course, protein and fats can also contribute (ask any keto fan), so you have to eat in moderation and be mindful of your macros.
>Counting calories doesn't really work
Utter and complete nonsense. I have been actively monitoring and modifying my weight via calorie counting for more than two decades. I started boxing at 10, playing football and wrestling at 13, and to this day I still count calories and strength train at an intermediate competitive level ('competitive' in terms of what I lift in the big three at my weight, not to imply that I actually compete.)
I have helped many other people lose weight via calorie counting. It works, and to claim otherwise is simply ignorant. Of course quality of food is the next subject you broach with anyone trying to lose weight. No one should expect to lose weight and be healthy by eating 1200 calories of cake and another 500 in potato chips each day.
When you eat good food (increase your fat and protein as a % of your macros, stay away from processed sugars/carbs, increase your intake of vegetables, etc.) and limit calorie intake you lose weight. Speaking to most people in terms of insulin is a waste of time. They have no simple way to measure that, but if they eat under maintenance and eat generally good food they _will_ lose fat, and that's the goal.
- dalore 8y agoWell we agree that eating the right food makes the biggest difference. If you eat the right food you don't need to count calories though. The thinking that counting calories matter might help you, but ultimately it's wrong. But just like thinking the earth was flat, maps still worked.
- EpicEng 8y agoIt works though. I don't think we disagree much on the principles, but the two concepts are intertwined. If you sit down and stuff your face with e.g. sausage and cheese you will still get an insulin response and you will absolutely gain weight. If you eat well beyond your daily maintenance, I don't care what you're eating, you're going to gain weight. It's simply a lot easier to tell someone to watch their calorie count and eat good food than it is to tell them to monitor their insulin levels. They get the second bit right if they do the first.
- tom_mellior 8y agoSorry, out of my depth here. Why would you get an insulin spike from sausages and cheese?
- EpicEng 8y agoPerhaps "spike" was a poor choice due to connotation, but proteins and, to a lesser degree, fats, do in fact provoke an insulin response (certainly less so than carbohydrates) via gluconeogenesis[1]. I'm not an expert, but my understanding is that this is why it is important to not exceed a certain % daily intake of protein when on keto and to keep fats high (aside from fats being your primary energy source.) [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gluconeogenesis https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gluconeogenesis
- bonesss 8y agoAFAIK, the primary issue with too much protein on keto (gluconeogenisis) isn't the change in blood glucose, but rather that GNG blocks ketosis. That's the opposite of the diets goals, is an easy issue for people to incur while thinking they're on track, and keto can make you more susceptible to GNG :) Sausage and cheese is totally kosher: in moderation, ideally beside some leafy greens.
- virtuallynathan 8y agoI've tested eating 3lbs of meat and cheese, and had no change in blood sugar or ketones. I don't have the ability to check my insulin, but blood sugar is a good proxy.
- EpicEng 8y agohttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glycogenesis https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glycogenesis That is why it is important to keep protein under a certain threshold when on keto.
- magic_beans 8y agoA glucose monitor and strips are $12-30 dollars on Amazon.