Higher protein keto involves prioritizing protein at every meal and with snacks. Higher protein keto is not low fat. It’s still keto. The ratios tend to be something like 5% calories from carbs, 35% calories from protein, and 60% calories from fat. In practical terms, if you’re eating 115 grams of protein per day, then fat intake would be about 90 grams, and carbs fewer than 20 grams per day. Those are my macros and only an example. What should yours be? You can use this guide from Diet Doctor to see the ranges of protein you should target. https://www.dietdoctor.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Target-protein-ranges-High-Nutrition-UPDATE.pdf
Another general (and simple) rule of thumb is to eat 100 grams of protein for the first 5 feet of height and add 5 grams per inch. Someone who is 5’ 2” would then need to target 110 grams of protein per day or an average of about 35 grams per meal eating three meals per day. This simple formula has protein at the higher end of the Diet Doctor range for many of us.
You may need to begin with one target for macros and then adjust. Some people find they feel best at lower amounts of protein than the highest range while others, especially those who are active, thrive at higher levels. If you’ve been eating a lot of fat, then you may want to gradually decrease the amount of fat you consume until your fat grams are less than or equal to protein.
Remember, higher protein keto does not mean low fat. You don’t have to fear that, but you want to be mindful of how much you consume. Once fat adapted, you don’t necessarily need to add extra fat just for the sake of adding fat.
This may feel like a huge mindshift for some people and it doesn’t mean that fat is bad. In fact, I’d argue that some people need higher fat when just beginning keto. I am convinced that it helps people to transition to burning fat instead of carbs. I’ve seen literally tens of thousands of people increase fat and lose weight, particularly in the beginning, but I’m also beginning to see folks who need to shift to lower fat to continue to reach their goals. Neither is wrong, so please remember that high fat keto also serves a role.
Read Part III: How should I start eating higher protein keto.
Categories: Cooking Keto with Kristie
Thank you Kristie, I was just about giving up hope. Your help, encouragement and inspiration is greatly appreciated.
I found this out myself. After I had lost all my weight I found I was hungry a lot and that only the increase in protein could satiate me.
makes sense. Just got your Day to Day book. Helping me to understand. Is there also a fat and carb chart ?
I don’t understand your question. The macros for each recipe are included
So I’m confused I guess. With the shift to higher protein, so many of your recipes in the books I’ve purchased are geared to higher fat than protein, especially your baked goods. I have no idea how to make adjustments in these! Any help?
For the baked goods, be sure to pair them with a leaner protein. Many of the main dishes already have plenty of protein. You can reduce any added fat, use learner meat such as choosing chicken breasts over thighs and removing the chicken skin. You can also simply increase the amount of protein.