Too much fat?

[nawlinsgal]

Good Morning,

I'm a bit confused about my fat intake. My diet for yesterday was: Breakfast: Egg Salad with mayonnaise, relish, salt, pepper, onion powder and garlic powder; Lunch: 2 cups of salad with 1 cup of grilled chicken and 2 tablespoons of regular Ranch dressing; and Dinner: 1 large hamburger patty (5 oz. before cooking), and 2 gherkin dill pickles.

My question is: using the FitDay tool, my total percentage of fat for the day came to 72% - - isn't that a bit extreme? Shouldn't I keep my fat intake to under 65%? If so, what could I have done without on the above menu????

Thanks, and I invite any advice offered!!!

Ellen

[kate58]

What were the rest of the percentages? What was your total calories? If you eat only a little, so that your calories are generally low, then it is easy for the % fat to seem higher than it might be.

For example, say you ate 84 grams of fat.

If your total calories was around 1100, that would mean you got around 70% from fat. However if your total calories were 1700 84g of fat would be around 45%.

But I would not really worry about going over, as long as you are eating enough. Your menu does seem VERY low in carbs - where are the veggies? You should be aiming at about 5% carbs, most of them from veg.

[nawlinsgal]

Hey Kate,

Thanks so much for responding. My other percentages look like this:

Calories Eaten Today

Fat: 108 gms & 975 cals - 72%
Carbs: 20gms & 74 cals - 5%
Fiber: 2 gms & 0 cals - 0%
Protein: 74 gms & 298 cals - 22%
My total calories for the day were as follows:

Cals: 1356
Fat: 108
Carbs: 20
Protein: 75

Regarding veggies, I would have thought that the 2 cups of salad, the pickle, and the relish in my egg salad would be enough. My total carbs came out to 20, and my percentage came out to 5%. Do I need to eat MORE?? I guess I could add a couple of tomato slices to my breakfast, or to my burger patty.

Whatcha think?

[liv]

I have not been doing this long (only since November) and am not an expert but looking on my own fitday I do eat a lot of fat. Sometimes more than you list there. I do not worry that much about the relations as long as my carbs stay within the level I am gunning for and I am losing weight. (And feel darn good)

As for carbs you do not want over 20 (net) while on induction - so your carb looks good. (Just make sure there is no sugar in the relish, pickle and dressing)

[Elizellen]

Did you notice what the net carbs (after deducting fiber) came to, Ellen?

[nawlinsgal]

Well, the fiber is listed as 2 gms, so the net carbs would be 18, right? How low can the carbs be without being dangerous?

Also, thanks for the info, Liv.

[LCer09]

Originally Posted by nawlinsgal

My question is: using the FitDay tool, my total percentage of fat for the day came to 72% - - isn't that a bit extreme? Shouldn't I keep my fat intake to under 65%? If so, what could I have done without on the above menu????

Why would it be extreme? Keep your carbs in line and throw away the "fat is bad" mentality that has been drilled into us for the past 30 years. What do you think the extra fat will do? Clog your arteries? Make you fat? You know that's all a bunch of hogwash, so relax. Dr. Atkins never, ever said to keep your fat intake under 65% or at any percent for that matter. Find what works for you, and keep doing it. If some extra fat in your diet makes you feel full, happy and well fed, that's EXACTLY the result the good doctor was looking for. Weight loss and improved health while eating foods you love!

[LCer09]

Originally Posted by nawlinsgal

How low can the carbs be without being dangerous?

As there are no carbohydrates essential for human survival, I'd say pretty low. But it would get icky and boring after a while.

[Evermind]

I tend to lose better when my fat percentage is higher. I sort of hover in the 80-85% area most of the time. I tend not to eat much meat, so I have a lot of eggs and cheese, etc., which raises the fat amount.

You just shouldn't go BELOW 70% or so.

[nawlinsgal]

Oh, okay, I get it now. LCer, I think you're right - - I've had the "fat is bad" mentality for so long, I need to realize that it isn't true. So, shoot for the fewest carbs and don't worrry about the amount of fat - got it. Thanks everyone for your input. Knowing this will truly help this new way of life easier to maintain.

Have a fabulous day!!!