That may surprise some since much of the discussion around weight loss focuses on reducing carbs or fat. Protein may be the most critical macronutrient for weight loss. But adding them to calorie-containing foods, like desserts or snacks, can lead to overeating.

If you are adding noncaloric sweeteners to coffee or tea, that is likely less concerning. 5Īlso, don’t forget noncaloric sweeteners. 4īut they can also be ultra-processed fats, such as oils or cream, or carbs by themselves, and of course anything with added sugar or high fructose corn syrup like sugar-sweetened beverages. Most of these foods are ultra-processed and combine fat, starches, and sugar. You want to avoid high calorie, low-nutrient foods - especially those that stimulate you to want to eat more. And when we say “easy,” we mean easy to say, but often times, harder to do. While each individual might find a different answer, many people will succeed with a high protein, low carb diet.Īs stated above, that would mean a range of 5-15% carbs, 25-35% protein, and 45-65% fat (For an 1,800-calorie diet, that equates to around 20 to 70 g carbs, 110 to 160 g protein, and 90 to 130 grams fat).īefore we dig into what you should eat, let’s start with the easy part - what you shouldn’t eat. It also means preserving your resting metabolic rate, improving your metabolic health, and eating in a way you enjoy and can sustain long term.īut what are the best percentages of carbohydrate, fat, and protein - often called macronutrients or “macros” - to achieve healthy weight loss? High protein? Low carb? Low fat? High fat? This means mainly losing fat mass without losing much muscle mass. When you lose weight, you want to make sure to do it in a healthy way. However, for healthy weight loss, you want to be sure to eat the right amount. Read moreĭespite what you may have heard, eating fat does not by default make you fat.

Learn moreĪccording to many studies, limiting carbs leads to better weight loss - and naturally reduces your appetite and calorie intake. Upping your protein is scientifically proven to aid weight loss, improve body composition, and increase satiety. That would mean eating a range of 5 to 15% carbs, 25 to 35% protein, and 45 to 65% fat. 2īut doing both together may be the most effective approach for many people. 1 The same goes for lowering carbohydrates. The temptation is often too much to ask anyone to resist.Ĭouple hyper-palatable food with your body’s need to get adequate protein and nutrition, and you have the perfect set-up for overeating.įortunately, scientific research shows that increasing protein improves weight loss. This is because the most easily accessible foods are often high in calories, low in nutrition and – when loaded with carbs, fat, and sugar – somewhat addictive. For most people, losing weight isn’t as simple as “trying harder” or having more willpower. While it sounds straightforward, it isn’t always easy. What is the key to long-term weight loss? It is maintaining a calorie deficit (burning more calories than you take in) in a sustainable way that leads to improvements in health and well-being. Regarding fats, most will also likely benefit from minimizing those that are highly processed, while freely eating the natural fat that comes along with whole-food proteins. SummaryMost experts agree that the average modern diet contains too many processed carbs, too much processed fat, and insufficient protein.Īt Diet Doctor, we believe most people will benefit from lowering carbs and increasing protein.

Macro calculator for women to lose fat