Need help with more food but less fat/carbs

[monk]

So currently I'm trying an eat more to lose weight challenge and I'm having difficulty in doing so without having too much fat and carbs.

I'm previously ketogenic and don't want to go above 60 carbs as carbs are very very bad for me. However because I have issues with my kidneys I can't go too high in fat either so I'm having problems trying to meet 1900, keep carbs low and fat not too high.

Currently my diet looks like this:

1900 calories

10% carbs

40% fat

60% protein

Breakfast

2 large eggs

3 strip uncured bacon

2 oz sausage

Lunch:

2 cups spinach leaves

2 tbsp bacon chopped up

1 egg

3 oz chicken chopped up

4 tbsp Balsamic vinaigrette

Dinner ranges from home made stir fry, paleo chili, turkey, chicken or ham (crock pot cooked) or salmon. I usually have them with celery, onions, broccoli, asparagus or carrots. I try to stay away from carrots due to the carb count.

This is my usual go to but I'm either not meeting 1900 calories or I'm over carb. I can't seem to get the ratio to work. Today I'll be having paleo chili (http://m.allrecipes.com/recipe/235014/paleo-chili/) which has 15g carbs, 22.3g protein, 13.3g fat in it per cup but it ends up being too much fat and not enough protein. I'll end up having 30 carbs just in this if I have 2 cups of it. And at the end of the day today I'll have 1681 calories (need 1900), 48g carbs, 108g fat (need 87) and 120 protein (need 244).

I was thinking about adding veggies but I'm afraid of the carb count. Any ideas anyone?

[Machete]

If you have kidney issues and can't have fat, won't the protein put equal or even more strain on it?

 

Also, any particular reason for the carb phobia?

[monk]

I can have some fat I just can't have a lot. When I was in ketosis for 2 years I must have done something because I get a lot of pain if I eat too much of it. Like if I keep my diet the exact same but add a lot of olive oil, bam! kidney pain almost immediately after. Protein I haven't had a lot of problems with as I can eat a big steak and feel fine.

And the carb phobia is because I was very into keto for a few years and I went from 260 to 245 while on it and keeping carbs below 25 where I was stuck on a plateau. Soon as I added more carbs (in the way of carrots and paleo treats) I went back up to 255 where I got stuck. Decided to try to be paleo again, I added in more vegetables and fruits (aka carbs) and got to 267. So carbs = bad to me.

[Barfly]

Protein shakes with whey protein (25-30g pro, 2-3g each of fat and carbs). just mix into water or tea. It's about 140-50 cal per scoop.

[Machete]

I can have some fat I just can't have a lot. When I was in ketosis for 2 years I must have done something because I get a lot of pain if I eat too much of it. Like if I keep my diet the exact same but add a lot of olive oil, bam! kidney pain almost immediately after. Protein I haven't had a lot of problems with as I can eat a big steak and feel fine.

And the carb phobia is because I was very into keto for a few years and I went from 260 to 245 while on it and keeping carbs below 25 where I was stuck on a plateau. Soon as I added more carbs (in the way of carrots and paleo treats) I went back up to 255 where I got stuck. Decided to try to be paleo again, I added in more vegetables and fruits (aka carbs) and got to 267. So carbs = bad to me.

 

Might want to check with a doctor or an RD with that. Steaks aren't exactly pure protein meals either. I think a sirloin has almost as much fat as it does protein. Also eggs. Bacon definitely has more fat. Eating 60% protein sounds like a boiled skinless chicken breast, egg whites, and protein powder diet. How are you tracking your calories?

 

I could be wrong, but it may be a bit of a case of correlation = causation there. Weight fluctuations happen for many reasons, and weight gain isn't necessarily a bad thing by itself. Some people freak out about a 2-pound weight gain (understandably, because we've been so preoccupied with weight as a society for so long) but after girth measurements they find that they have actually gone down 10 inches, which is more in line with the whole losing fat goal in the first place.

 

If you are indeed unable to tolerate fat, you might have to suck it up and make carbs work for you.

 

If you insist though, here's an idea:

[Raincloak]

I'm not a doc but I don't think eating fat should make your kidneys hurt. As Machete says, you might wanna discuss that with a doctor. Based on your comments about ketosis for years and gaining any time you add vegetables (?!) I get the impression your metabolism is out of whack and perhaps should be evaluated. (40% fat is not low, btw.)

I suggest more veggies and less fussing over carbs. It is very hard to get "fat" eating veggies because their caloric density is so low. If you gained weight eating them before, it could have been water or who knows what. Maybe try sticking to a "low carb" paleo (no sweet potatoes or starchy veggies, limited fruit) for a bit and see if that helps? Don't panic and slash your veggie intake at the first sign of a weight change. Your body loves and needs its precious greens (and its yummy reds and yellows and purples). You are in this for the long haul (right?) so I say more nutrients NOW are better than losing weight NOW. When you are properly nourished and getting stronger, then you can fuss about macros and cutting, yes?

I see that you are walking more and lifting some, which is just splendid, so keep that up. And if you feel like letting out a primal scream and breaking into a sprint up the hill, that is also allowed, though optional. (Ignore the stares. The gawkers are merely jealous of your kinetic awesome.)

[monk]

Ok I'll try adding in more vegetables and seeing if that will help any. Thanks all