Protein on the Keto Diet - Is too much bad for keto? (2024)

FAQs

Protein on the Keto Diet - Is too much bad for keto? ›

#1: Eating too much protein.

The body can convert the amino acids from excess protein into glucose, potentially sabotaging your weight loss efforts and keeping your body out of ketosis. For a 2,000-calorie diet, this translates to about 75g of protein at about 10-20% protein.

#1: Eating too much protein.

The body can convert the amino acids from excess protein into glucose, potentially sabotaging your weight loss efforts and keeping your body out of ketosis. For a 2,000-calorie diet, this translates to about 75g of protein at about 10-20% protein.

If possible stay between 1.2-2.0 grams of protein per day, per kg of body weight (about 0.7 grams per pound). So about 85-140 grams of protein per day if you weigh 70 kilos (154 pounds). The most common mistake that stops people from reaching ketosis is not too much protein. It is too many carbs.

Make sure you're getting enough protein. Too little protein can compromise your lean tissue mass (Hoffer 1984). When daily protein intake is inadequate, the body turns to lean tissue to meet its protein needs. This happens more rapidly when fasting for a prolonged period (greater than 24 hours) (Owen 1969).

Conclusion. Good news for folks who are eating keto: You can have whey protein on a keto diet. Whey protein concentrate, isolate, and hydrolysate are high-quality protein sources that are low in carbs.

Dietary protein is used to replace proteins which were previously broken down and used by the body. Extra protein does not get stored. Instead, excess amino acids get converted to carbohydrate or fat.

A prolonged intake of high amounts of protein at the expense of carbs has been associated with bone loss and potential kidney damage in those with existing renal issues; however, in otherwise healthy individuals, there is little evidence to this effect.

We have performed a number of studies indicating that most healthy humans maintain lean body mass and function during a ketogenic diet providing between 1.5 and 1.75 grams of protein per kg of 'reference body weight'* (Phinney 1983, Davis 1990).

If you're embarking on a ketogenic lifestyle, you should know that you actually can't eat a ton of meat on the keto diet. In fact, eating too much protein can kick you out of ketosis, so while meats are definitely okay in moderation on a keto diet, they shouldn't be its number one staple.

The average recommended daily protein intake for a person assigned female at birth following a keto dietary plan is 46 g, and for a person assigned male at birth, it is 56 g. In addition to low carbs, the keto diet involves moderate amounts of protein, as excess protein can prevent ketosis.

What happens if you just eat protein and no carbs? ›

Some high-protein diets limit carbs so much that you might not get enough nutrients or fiber. This can cause problems such as bad breath, headache and constipation. Some high-protein diets allow red meats, processed meats and other foods high in saturated fat. These foods may increase your risk of heart disease.

"With a keto diet, the breakdown is approximately 75 percent fat, 20 percent protein and 5 percent carbohydrates." For example, a woman who weighs 150 pounds and is moderately active is recommended to eat 25 grams of carbs (think one medium sized apple!), 86 grams of protein (a little over three 3 oz chicken breasts) ...

This will depend on the type of keto diet you're on. Generally, you can consume one to two pieces of steak a week, but your protein and fat intake should be supplemented with other meats like fish and chicken.

Protein consumption will typically cause both insulin and glucagon to increase. As a result, insulin levels may elevate to the point that you are “kicked” out of ketosis. The likelihood of this happening, however, depends on specific aspects of your health and how much protein you consume.

Peanut butter can definitely be part of a keto diet, but it's best to stick to plain options that are free of extra flavors and sweeteners. Almond butter is a good choice, too, and it's slightly lower in carbs. Additionally, you should be mindful of your portion size if you're trying to lose weight.

Meat and poultry

Meat and poultry are considered staple foods on the keto diet. Fresh meat and poultry contain no carbs and are rich in B vitamins and several important minerals. They're also a great source of high quality protein, which may help preserve muscle mass during a very low carb diet ( 18 , 19 , 20).

If you consume too much of any type of protein in one day or one sitting, not just whey protein, it can kick you out of ketosis. However, this is no different to consuming too many carbs or not enough fats. Generally speaking, whey protein is keto-friendly because it's low carb and contains 25g of protein per serving.

Eating solid food may cause excess weight to return if you don't make smart food choices. And if you rely too much on protein shakes to replace daily meals, you'll miss out on the healthy benefits of whole foods. Since protein has calories, consuming too much can make it harder to lose weight.

Consuming more protein than the body needs can cause symptoms such as intestinal discomfort, dehydration, nausea, fatigue, headaches, and more. Chronic protein overconsumption can also increase the risk of conditions such as cardiovascular disease, blood vessel disorders, liver and kidney issues, and seizures.

For most common proteins, 50–80 g of glucose can be derived from 100 g of ingested protein.