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Hi Jeff,

I spent most of my life as a vegetarian, but about 5 years ago, I got on the low carb bandwagon, even though I didn't have much weight to lose. Over all, I came away with about a 5-10 pd net gain on low carb.

While attepting to figure out why, I tracked my protein, fat and carb intake for awhile and discovered that when I lowered my protein, I began to lose again.

That brought me back to sanity, as I immediately cut out all meat, and fortunately, I discovered this WOE, which I'm very happy with.

But I still seem to have an issue with protein stalling me, even a small amount of beans.

My amateur theory - which may be ridiculous - is that all the excess protein that I ate while low-carbing may have begun to be stored as body fat, and now, my body must use those reserves first.

Does that make sense? I've heard various opinions on whether protein can be stored as fat. And if it does, will that eventually be reversed as the stores are used up?

The body does not have a storage system for protein the way it does for fat but the body can store extra calories from protein as fat.

This may help

viewtopic.php?f=22&t=14103

In Health
Jeff

Thanks. I would assume from this then that beans might be too calorie dense? But the odd thing is that I've been switching between the MWL and the regular plan, and I have no problem eating bread, brown rice pasta, lots of grains, and still losing (as long as I avoid any protein). For the past few days, I've steadily lost weight following the regular plan with avoidance of protein (namely beans), yet eating what seems like more calories overall.

I guess I shouldn't worry as long as I'm losing, but I just hope I won't have to avoid beans/tofu forever. It does seem more protein related than calorie related, and I'm just curious what could be going on.

Perhaps my question should've been: Is it possible for protein consumption to interfere with fat burning?

Not really. They are only about 600 cal/lb.



All of the above foods have protein and some of the ones you mention can have a fairly high percentage of calories from protein.

If you are not used to consuming beans, they may be causing some bloating, gas, etc

It is extremely difficult in a home experiment to really understand exactly what is going on as there are so many more variable happening each and every day that you are not (and can not) account for. Even for just food intake, unless you are carefully weighing and measuring every single morsel that you consume, your estimates can be weight off.

To accurately do the experiment you are attempting, you would have to be in a metabolic chamber, with every thing going in (and out) weighed and measured and then see how these minor changes would impact these numbers over time.



If all other things are kept constant, then increasing protein would increase calories and yes, additional calories could interfere with weight and fat loss.

However, on an equal calorie basis as part of a healthy diet? No.

Relax, don't weight yourself more than once a week, and enjoy the food

In Health
Jeff