So, y’all know I have been formerly strict KETO and that is what helped me finally bust out of a long plateau where I could NOT lose weight no matter what- and I lost 36 inches and 30LBS. I was strictly keto for about 1 year and 4-5 months until my doctor and I started working together end of last year to begin adding carbs back into my diet. I didn’t do this strategically enough, and I think frankly I was too confident in my weight loss and having had kept it off so successfully for so long— but let’s summarize and say that the experience of shifting to a much heavier carb diet ended up with me experiencing major stomach and digestive issues and gaining some weight back. MASSIVE BUMMER. I decided about 10-12 weeks ago to get back to keto and then start working out like I used to — with a strong weight training focus. It was mid-way into getting back to my keto focus that I started following a lot of great women on social who taught me a lot about the need for more protein– then my functional medicine doctor agreed. So I currently still do low/carb-keto but I do high protein.

A high protein, low carb diet can be an effective approach for women who are looking to lose weight and build muscle. Here are some ways that this type of diet can be beneficial:

Increased satiety: One of the main benefits of a high protein, low carb diet is that it can help to increase feelings of fullness and satiety. This is because protein takes longer to digest than carbohydrates or fats, which can help to keep us feeling full for longer. By consuming more protein and fewer carbs, we may be able to reduce overall calorie intake and support weight loss.

Muscle preservation: When we consume a low carb diet, our body begins to shift from using carbohydrates for energy to using fat. This process is known as ketosis, and it can be beneficial for weight loss. However, when our body is in a calorie deficit (i.e. consuming fewer calories than it burns), it may also start to break down muscle tissue for energy. By consuming enough protein, we can help to preserve muscle mass and ensure that our body is burning fat rather than muscle for energy.

Improved insulin sensitivity: Insulin is a hormone that helps to regulate blood sugar levels. When we consume a lot of carbohydrates, our body produces more insulin to help process the glucose in our blood. Over time, this can lead to insulin resistance, which is a risk factor for a variety of health conditions. By consuming a low carb diet, we can reduce the amount of insulin that our body produces and improve insulin sensitivity, which can be beneficial for overall health and wellness.

Increased muscle protein synthesis: a high protein diet can also stimulate muscle protein synthesis, which is essential for muscle growth and recovery. By consuming enough protein and regularly strength training, women can support the growth and maintenance of lean muscle mass, leading to stronger, healthier muscles over time.

In summary, a high protein, low carb diet can be a beneficial approach for women who are interested in losing weight and building muscle. By increasing satiety, preserving muscle mass, improving insulin sensitivity, and supporting muscle protein synthesis, this type of diet can help women achieve their fitness goals and improve their overall health and wellness. It is important to work with a healthcare professional to determine if this approach is appropriate for your individual needs and goals.