moonlights
Gold Member
I think few people say calories aren't important at all - I know one low carb guru who says that but his diet is a version of a fat fast as its true that when your fat levels are around 80 percent you can eat a ton. At the 60 percent level you need to keep an eye on calories but not as stringently as calorie counters. I had trouble losing at 1200 calories when calorie counting - and was constantly hungry - but can eat 1500 a day, sometimes higher, sometimes lower, on low carb and lose 2lb in a week, which by strict calorie counting rules shouldn't be possible. It's metabolizing fat that changes the calories in - calories out formula.
It also is important not to overeat protein - Atkins is a moderate protein diet and fat should at least double the protein intake. Too much protein can also be converted to glucose. Fat is really the satiety element.
In the end though it's important to do what's right for you. Paleo looks a great place to maintain to me - technically stricter than Atkins maintenance. Eventually, should I get there, I'll probably maintain on a version of paleo myself.
It also is important not to overeat protein - Atkins is a moderate protein diet and fat should at least double the protein intake. Too much protein can also be converted to glucose. Fat is really the satiety element.
In the end though it's important to do what's right for you. Paleo looks a great place to maintain to me - technically stricter than Atkins maintenance. Eventually, should I get there, I'll probably maintain on a version of paleo myself.