So, we’re back to square one: counting calories! :) Turns out, even the best ‘real food’ diets can lead to weight gain without it—as Dr. H so gracefully proved.
First we must get into the correct hormonal metabolic state. My belief is this is some form of lower carbohydrate diet that keeps insulin low, gut health good, and overall inflammation levels down.
Once a good low carbohydrate diet with good hormonal balance has been achieved, meaning insulin sensitivity and balanced thyroid and sex/adrenal hormones, then it is possible to keep excess weight on if we eat too much fat. So in those cases, which essentially is what I presented, swapping some of the EXCESS fat and replacing with small amounts of slow carbs in the form of resistance starch, can alter the balance to losing excess fat mass WITHOUT messing up the healthy insulin sensitivity.
So yes, amount of food does count, but there are definite nuances, especially with hormones.
Excellent article. I believe I eat with a balance of all 3 but how can we be sure without be a slave to counting macros? How do we know how much we should eat in any given day without counting calories.
So, we’re back to square one: counting calories! :) Turns out, even the best ‘real food’ diets can lead to weight gain without it—as Dr. H so gracefully proved.
Hi Andy
Thanks for all your comments.
It’s not necessarily about counting calories.
First we must get into the correct hormonal metabolic state. My belief is this is some form of lower carbohydrate diet that keeps insulin low, gut health good, and overall inflammation levels down.
Once a good low carbohydrate diet with good hormonal balance has been achieved, meaning insulin sensitivity and balanced thyroid and sex/adrenal hormones, then it is possible to keep excess weight on if we eat too much fat. So in those cases, which essentially is what I presented, swapping some of the EXCESS fat and replacing with small amounts of slow carbs in the form of resistance starch, can alter the balance to losing excess fat mass WITHOUT messing up the healthy insulin sensitivity.
So yes, amount of food does count, but there are definite nuances, especially with hormones.
Hope that helps.
DrH
Excellent article. I believe I eat with a balance of all 3 but how can we be sure without be a slave to counting macros? How do we know how much we should eat in any given day without counting calories.
Go with your hunger, but first make sure you have low insulin levels, I.e. insulin sensitivity.
I don’t want people counting macros, I just used this as a thought experiment for everyone.
Maybe I should have said:
Caution, do not try this at home.