My question is: If I were to reduce carbs from my diet and replace the carbs with protein and healthy fat, but still consume the same amount of calories per day, would my body composition change for the better? In other words, if maintenance for me is 3000 cals per day and I go from 300 grams of carbs to 150-175 and make up for the loss with extra protein and fat, will I see a difference? Even if the carbs were good clean carbs (oatmeal, fruit, leafy green veggies, etc.)?
I’d like to hear this as well.
No, manipulating macros is important for a variety of reasons, but won’t magically lead to major changes. For cutting purposes, your plan would work great if you keep your activity level the same and just cut the carbs without replacing them with fat and protein.
If you’re like most of the population you will see some positive body comp changes from this protocol. Beverly International, Dr. Eric Serrano, Dr. Mauro Dipasquale, and Charles Poliquin all use diets much like you describe and the results for most people are excellent. Most people can typically eat more calories following a 50% pro 30% fat and 20% carb diet without gaining fat so in effect if 3000 calories is your maintenance level when consuming a high carb diet you will likely find 3000 calories at this macro profile will lead to fat loss.
Kelly, thanks for you quite informative reply. I think I’ll give it a try and just cut carbs lightly, but nowhere near totally, out of my diet and replace them with protein and healthy fat, while keeping my activity level the same, and see what happens.
Yes. When I tried the T-Dawg diet, I actually ate more calories, with MUCH less coming from carbs and MUCH MORE coming from FAT. I lost 20lbs in 8 weeks (5lbs in the first week was most likely water) without losing any strength or size (except in my belly area).
By cutting carbs and increasing protein I lost a signficant amount of body fat and increased strength without cutting my calories at all, actually I even increased my daily caloric intake by about 300 cals, but kept my carbs at 30 to 50 grams a day.
Yes I believe this would lead to fat loss. Although calories are the same, I believe you will lose fat from the increased thermic response from more protein and fat. Plus the addition of fiber will not only pull out extra water, it will remove excess estrogen from your digestive tract. And as you know, this is a no-no for a T-stud.