The 50% protein 50% carb meal plan is a balanced approach to nutrition for losing weight or maintaining a balanced diet. Instead of pursuing diet plans that are too extreme, this approach optimizes how you feel. After experiencing the body always feeling good, it is easy to see why this plan is a superior lifestyle plan than the trendy ones.
First, determine your maintenance calories per day. I use this calculator:
Then, you can orient the diet based on your lifestyle. The only real rule to follow is to keep the ratio of protein and carbs 1:1 on every meal. This will maximize your energy levels while also making you feel full, and you will experience the feeling of zero cravings, as your body will get sufficient levels of nutrients.
My personal meal plan is as follows:
Maintenance calories: 2700
8AM – protein bar and vitamins (250 calories)
11 AM – 50% protein 50% carb balanced meal (400-500 calories)
3 PM – 50% protein 50% carb balanced meal (400-500 calories)
7 PM – protein bar (250 calories)
9 PM – 50% protein 50% carb balanced meal (400-500 calories)
11 PM – 50% protein 50% carb balanced meal (400-500 calories)
Grand total: 2100 to 2500 calories.
As you can imagine, I never feel hungry or low energy as I eat quite often.
The best part is you can lose weight by eating some surprising foods. For example:
McDonald’s Chicken Nuggets – 410 calories with 26g carbs and 26g protein.
Three Corn Tortilla tacos at Chipotle with steak, cheese, and lettuce - 465 calories with 32g carbs and 30g protein.
Banquet Mega Meats Friend Chicken and Mashed Potatoes Frozen Meal – 510 calories with 33g carbs and 31g protein.
Buffalo chicken pizza with double chicken on thin crust – check the nutrition but can get a balance between carbs and protein quite easily at your favorite pizza place.
Of course it would be more optimal to measure and cook your own food, but most of us don't live lifestyles that make that possible all the time. If you can stick to the diet, you will lose weight, it is as simple as that. I recommend reading through my philosophy article on keeping food in its place in your life, and controlling your hedonic impulses.
When determining the times you eat, be honest with yourself. Are you feeling hungry before bed? Consider eating later in the day as I do. Do you workout in the morning? You will likely need more food earlier.
Lastly, be careful with estimating calories. It is extremely difficult to do with high accuracy, so it will leave you feeling unsure on how you are doing.
Comments