[sph]

Fats are easy to overeat? I can easily eat 4000 kcal in carbs in one sitting, I’d be nauseous reaching the same amount with either proteins or fats or a combination of both.

In fact, since going low carb I have a new mental awareness when I’ve eaten enough: I eat until a switch flicks in my head mid chew and says “that is enough”. It’s mental, not that physical feeling of the stomach being full.

This is completely new to me.

[dnhz]

Anything calorie dense (and therefore hyperpalatable) is easy to over eat. Fat is twice as energy dense as carbs or protein, so it adds a lot of calories. Put a tablespoon of olive oil into the skillet, and you're adding an empty 120 calories.

Typical foods you could eat 4000 calories of combine fat and carbs into a delicious combination: french fries, pizza, cookies, milkshakes. I don't look at those foods and think individually carbs or fat is at fault. But on the other hand, carbs are what the body uses for energy, so to avoid them doesn't make sense to me. I'd rather skip out on fat.

[1_player]

Carbs is not the only fuel. Fats can be used as well. Proteins too, in case of emergency.

The rule of thumb is proteins and fats are essential, carbs are not. How much of each is still up for debate.

[dnhz]

I'd just say that what's essential to eat (>50-60 g protein/day and a few grams of omega-3s) is different from what's optimal (what ratio of fat/carbs/protein).