Comment by Sheeny96
2 months ago
Whilst it is 95% calories in calories out, keto (not low carb, as low carb doesn't include high fat) can be good for muscle retention whilst in a defecit - as more foods that you consume naturally have higher protein (I utilise keto when looking to drop body fat, consuming a lot of slightly higher fat cuts of meat as a replacement for the carb calories, so chicken thighs instead of breast, 10% ground beef,etc). The higher fat content correlates to higher testosterone count, and higher protein means greater muscle retention.
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Carbs are harder to control for many people, and less forgiving. A side effect of keto is decreased appetite. A side effect of carbs is overeating.
Adherence may be a concern for lots of types of carbs, but that doesn't change the conclusion that keto (i.e., very little to no carbs) is worse for muscle retention when keeping caloric content equal. Also, as others have pointed out, not all carbs lead to overeating necessarily. Likewise, not all keto diets are going to lead to decreased appetite.
Only when "carbs" is a euphemism for junk food. Which probably exists because Americans don't eat carbs like beans and broccoli. And instead of eating them, they get told online that they should avoid all carbs.
It's a devious euphemism that screws the people over the most that should be eating more beans and broccoli (et al).
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