Effective low carbohydrate diets are not high protein diets, because if most of your calories come from protein, excess protein can be metabolized to glucose, and you can crave carbohydrates. Most of your calories on an effective low carbohydrate diet should come from fat. The ideal balance is about 75% fat calories and 25% protein calories. The problem is that as fat has 9 calories per gram, and protein has 4 calories per gram, it’s easy to take your calories to stupid and not lose weight. The calorie guidelines for weight loss are simple. In general, start all diets by going as long as you can without eating. Most patients can fast for several days in perfect health, as long as fluid intake is where it should be – at least 128 ounce of water or non-caloric fluid a day. 500 calories of protein and fat is hard to follow for more than a day or two for most patients. It’s just not much food. 1000 calories of protein and fat a day is easier. 1500 calories of protein and fat a day is simple and do-able for almost everyone. Cut your calories as much as you can, limit your carbohydrate intake to 5-10 grams per feeding, and expect to drop 3-5 pounds a week.