Keto Means
Photo by Krisztina Papp Pexels Logo Photo: Krisztina Papp

Is 30% too much protein on keto?

As we touched on earlier, the side effects of consuming too little protein can be serious, so it's important to ensure you're getting enough. The macros of a typical Keto diet can be broken down as follows: Protein: 20-25% Fat: 65-80%

Is cucumber A inflammatory food?
Is cucumber A inflammatory food?

Cucumbers are anti-inflammatory 'When it comes to the anti-inflammatory properties of cucumbers, most of these come from the phytonutrients that...

Read More »
Will one piece of candy kick me out of ketosis?
Will one piece of candy kick me out of ketosis?

What's more, it doesn't matter if you eat half a piece of pie or just take a few bites. “It's anything that pushes you over your net carbs,” she...

Read More »

How much protein you should eat on Keto for optimum results is widely contested... Some believe that too much protein may be detrimental and could throw you out of ketosis. Others argue that too little can hamper recovery, decrease lean muscle mass, and make it harder to lose weight. In this article, we’ll take a deep dive into all things protein and Keto to help clear up any confusion.

Why is Protein Important?

Protein is an essential macronutrient, needed for a whole host of important bodily processes. These include: People who don't get enough protein may run into various issues that are less than ideal: [*][*][*]

Thyroid issues

Decreased muscle mass

Hormonal imbalances

Fatty liver

Increased cortisol

Struggles with weight

Can I Eat Too Much Protein on a Keto Diet?

A widespread fear surrounding Keto is that consuming too much protein may lead to the upregulation of a process called gluconeogenesis (GNG) and throw you out of ketosis, undoing all your hard work. The truth is, GNG is essential for our overall health, and actually allows us to remain in ketosis. GNG may sound complicated, but it’s simply the metabolic process whereby your liver and kidneys make glucose from non-carb sources such as amino acids (the building blocks of protein). It’s completely natural and happens in Ketosis regardless of your protein intake. In fact, studies suggest that extra protein availability does not lead to an increase in GNG production [*]. Although we restrict dietary carbohydrate and glucose intake on a Keto diet, the truth is that the body still requires small amounts of glucose to support important bodily processes, including:

Fueling tissues that can’t run on ketones [*,*]

Preventing hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) [*]

Converting lactate to replenish glycogen stores in active individuals [*]

GNG allows the above to continue on while the rest of your body is fueled up on clean-burning Ketones. Bottom line: Your body needs some glucose to survive, but it doesn’t need to come from a high carbohydrate diet. Instead, maintaining adequate protein intake on Keto will give your body just enough glucose to fuel your body while still benefiting from running off ketones (fats) for everything else.

How Much Protein Should I Eat On a Ketogenic Diet?

As we touched on earlier, the side effects of consuming too little protein can be serious, so it’s important to ensure you're getting enough. The macros of a typical Keto diet can be broken down as follows:

Protein: 20-25%

20-25% Fat: 65-80%

65-80% Carbs: 3-10%

To get your personalized numbers, we recommend calculating your protein as a first priority. From there, keep carbs at a minimum and fill the rest with healthy fat sources. If you don't feel like doing a bunch of math, there’s good news: In the Carb Manager app, we have a handy calculator that determines your personal macro breakdown and how many grams of each to consume per day for your goals. Just plug in your metrics and activity levels, and we do the rest!

Is honey a keto?
Is honey a keto?

The short answer: no. The long answer: still no, but that doesn't mean honey is bad for you or can't be part of a healthy diet. Honey just happens...

Read More »
How long can the human body go without food?
How long can the human body go without food?

As a result of discontinuing eating, patients can die in as early as a few days. For most people, this period without food usually lasts about 10...

Read More »

Does drinking ice water speed up your metabolism?

According to the University of Washington, drinking cold water will increase metabolism — but only slightly. When you drink a cup of ice water, you burn about 8 more calories than when you drink room temperature water.

Water helps our bodies in many ways, including regulating temperature, lubricating and cushioning joints, protecting our spinal cord and other sensitive tissues, and getting rid of waste. How much water you need depends on your age and gender. Women need about 11.5 cups per day while men need about 15.5 cups per day — though that number increases if you exercise regularly. These estimates include the fluids you take in from food and beverages; you get 20% of the water your body needs from foods high in fluid content, like fruits and vegetables, while 80% of the water you need comes from actual fluids. It’s recommended to drink water as it is calorie-free.

What's better than bread for weight loss?
What's better than bread for weight loss?

Bread can certainly be part of a well-rounded diet. For better nutrition, choose whole-grain or fermented options with minimal ingredients. If you...

Read More »
Which fruit is richest?
Which fruit is richest?

1. Apples. One of the most popular fruits, apples are chock-full of nutrition. They're rich in both soluble and insoluble fiber, such as pectin,...

Read More »
Are there cheat days on keto?
Are there cheat days on keto?

Can You Have a Cheat Day on Keto? Having a cheat day while you're on the keto diet will take you out of the state of ketosis, Fears says. “It can...

Read More »
Why should I drink lots of water on keto?
Why should I drink lots of water on keto?

For the human body to turn fat into ketones, it needs plenty of water, as this process doesn't just occur in the digestive tract—the body's stores...

Read More »