The Science of Fasting

Expatriate said

I've heard of macronutrients, but just in passing. I suppose that could refer to carb/prot/fat intake. That would make the most sense, but I heard a good nutritionist podcast from the art of manliness where he blew up the whole low carb argument. He said the body doesn't process fat better or worse if you have carbs. You lose weight because cutting the carbs cuts calories. Getting and staying in ketosis is simply the result from having less overall calories to burn.

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Yes, macros is short for macronutrients. Every gram of protein, fat and carb you take in counts towards your total caloric intake for the day. Protein and carbs are multiplied by 4 to get calories. Fat by 9.

As far as low carb vs standard diet goes, if you're doing any sort of fasting, intermittent or extended, you'd probably do much better and have an easier time of it by going low carb. Depending on your body fat percentage, you could have 10s of thousands of calories stored on you as fat. By going low carb, getting into ketosis and becoming fat adapted, your body will turn those fat stores into ketones that it can use as fuel. Once fat adapted, it's much easier to not eat. I've lost 100 lbs by doing low carb and lifting weights, with a little intermittent fasting here and there.

I agree with Gump on the macro issue. You're not losing weight b/c you're not in a caloric deficit. It's also possible that you need to eat at maintenance calories for a week or two before going back to a deficit.

Also, protein is king for optimal body composition. Anywhere from .8 to 1.2g per pound of lean body mass is recommended.