Act 11

Feb 24, 2025

Low Calorie vs Low Carb High Fat

General Understanding

  • Obesity is often associated with insulin resistance.
  • Excessive calories are considered unhealthy, leading to low-calorie diet trends.
  • However, low-calorie does not necessarily provide lasting satisfaction or satiety.

Hormonal Response

  • Metabolism is controlled by hormones: leptin (satiety hormone), ghrelin (hunger hormone), and insulin (storage).
  • Hormonal response is crucial in determining body behavior and metabolism.

Food Categories Based on Calories

  • Green Vegetables: 60-200 calories per half-kilogram.
  • Fruits: 150-425 calories per half-kilogram.
  • Rice, Corn, Sweet Potatoes: 325-625 calories.
  • Legumes (Beans): 300-800 calories.
  • Meat & Eggs: 500-1000 calories.
  • Flour, Bread, Noodles: 900-1450 calories.
  • Sugar & Honey: Very high calories.
  • Cereals & Crackers: 1500-1800 calories.
  • Cheese & Cream: 1600-1800 calories.
  • Nuts: 2400-3200 calories.
  • Butter and Oil: 3200-4000 calories.

Satisfaction and Satiety

  • Vegetables and fruits generally do not provide a feeling of fullness.
  • Starches like rice and sweet potatoes offer some satiety.
  • Protein and fat from meat and eggs provide better satiety.
  • High-calorie but low-carb foods, such as cheese and butter, can offer longer-lasting satiety.

Balance Principle

  • Feast and Famine: The principle of balancing eating a lot when food is available and not eating when it's not.
  • Metabolism is influenced by eating habits and physical activity.

Obesity and Insulin Resistance

  • Obesity is a result of insulin resistance, not the cause.
  • Low-calorie diet strategies are hard to sustain since insulin resistance prevents the body from using fat as energy.
  • Consequently, metabolism slows down and muscle can be lost while fat remains.

Recommended Diet Approach

  1. Low-Carbs High Fat Diet: Reduce carbs, consume more good fats.
  2. Intermittent Fasting: Fast to regulate insulin.
  3. Low Calorie: Can be done but is more challenging.

Insulin Response Based on Food Types

  • Green vegetables have a good insulin response.
  • Fruits can significantly increase insulin.
  • Rice and starchy foods raise insulin and the potential for fat storage.
  • Meat, eggs, and other carb-free products do not cause blood sugar spikes.

Conclusion

  • Focus on controlling insulin hormones for more effective health and weight management.
  • Understanding the role and effects of calories and hormones can aid in making healthier dietary decisions.

I hope this information is useful and can add to your knowledge as well as assist in managing a healthier diet.