Health Coach | Speaker | Writer | Welcome to my digital diary! I'm here to help you blend life & fitness to find your health & happy! Thank you for being part of my family & allowing me to add value to your journey!
Included the “meat your macros” with #MeatBars examples if you like 2 meals/d.
These are basic af & utilize 2 lbs of ground meat to keep them as easy as possible. You don’t necessarily have to cook these in the air fryer, you can cook them anyway you want.
You can eat 2-3 meals/d or even 4 of you need to. You guys can do things however you want, there is no right or wrong way. Protein requirements will vary for different individuals, your goals, food & training preferences, health history, digestibility, etc… I recommend weighing out your meat raw, which is the information available on the label. Meat shrinks down 20-30% in weight after cooking. I find most people are either weighing & logging meat incorrectly &/or are inefficient at eyeballing. Hitting protein goals is a non-negotiable. Starting out hitting your maintenance macros is also highly recommended when adjusting to this way of eating (WOE). Use the tdeecalculator.net to find yours. Our need for protein becomes even more important if we’re avid exercisers, in a muscle-gaining phase, a fat loss phase, &/or as we age. My typical range is .8-1.2g/lb of bodyweight for most active individuals. The leaner the individual, the higher protein most can tolerate or require. I’ve had some even prefer up to 1.5g/lb of bw especially if they’re carnivore & in a fat loss phase. Those with more body fat, I’d likely have aim closer towards that ~0.8 recommendation. Some examples I’ve used with clients: 21-40 y/o, 105 lb, 5’0-5’2 lean individual = ~105-158g protein (~1.0-1.5) 30 y/o, 120 lb, 5’2-5’3 lean individual = ~120-135g protein (~1.0–1.1) 30 y/o, 160 lb, 5’3-5’5 individual = ~130g protein (~0.8) 45 y/o+, 130 lb, 5’3 individual = ~130-145g protein (~1.0-1.1)
Hailing from Fishers, Indiana, Katie is an aficionado of health, mindset, human connection, & entrepreneurship. Motivational writer, speaker, doer of many things, she grew up on her family’s beef cattle & crop farm where agriculture was her first love. She is a Purdue University graduate well known for her storytelling of life lessons & personal transformation through her own relationships, financial struggles, Crohn’s Disease, disordered eating, body transformation, & adapting to a carnivore diet lifestyle.
Katie also has over 17 years experience as a Registered Radiologic Technologist, Nutritionist, Brand Growth & Sales Consultant. She works with people of all walks of life as a nutritionist & life coach to help them authentically optimize their lives to find health, wealth, & happy!
You can catch her via Instagram @lil_bit_of_fit & blog, Lilbitoffit.com
The biggest question I get, “What is your secret to body transformation change and being consistent on the Carnivore Diet, especially at work?
I’ve worked in radiology for 17 years! I’ve been Carnivore for 3 years and counting! It helped me heal my disordered eating & put my Crohn’s in remission.
A: 👉🏻self awareness. A woman who knows herself & what she brings to the table is not afraid to eat alone. Remember that. Go your own way.
They’re not really secrets, it comes down to self-awareness & success habits.
I’ve lost 55lbs in my 40 years. My body has been all different shapes and sizes! I’ve learned so much throughout my journey!
One BIG success habit that changed the game for me, I bring an airfryer to work. I like my meat cooked fresh. I’m more satisfied with my meals & I have control over what I put in my body.
I also make sure I have a variety of meat for my 12hr shifts in radiology. If I need groceries & to optimize my time, I use @Instacart & have them delivered to work.
If you’re new around here, I talk about my story, gut issues, triggers, transitions & experiences on my first year on Carnivore here in this blog interview. It’ll answer the majority of your questions!
**I’m speaking from my experience here, remember, we are all beautifully unique & different human beings. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to anything in life. You have to find your special blend. That’s what I help my clients do!
🥩For ME, I prefer 2 meals/d on avg. The largest after my workout for recovery, the 2nd late afternoon around 2-3pm. My digestion is slow & not as efficient in the evening, therefore I keep my largest meals early in the day & fast anywhere from 16-20 hrs naturally overnight depending on my work & workout schedule. I DO NOT do extended fasting & do not force my fasts. I eat when I’m hungry, fast when I’m not. Fasting is not a dirty word. It is simply a tool & strategy to optimize fueling your body. Just like macros.
🥩I set realistic expectations as far as aesthetic goals & know I don’t always have to have an aesthetic goal. Right now I’m just chillin in maintenance. Some days I eat leaner low fat days, other days I cycle in high fat days because I’m craving fat. After about 2-3 lean days I need a high fat day. Favorite lean meats are shrimp, 90% ground beef & chicken. Higher fat meats I enjoy ground waygu beef, 80-85% ground beef, eggs, ribeye, & salmon.
🥩I realize a certain level of leanness is going to require sacrifices. You will be hungry. If you’re eating leaner meat, you’re cutting calories, so yes, it will suck. If you want shredded abs, stop complaining & put in the work. That work requires mindset shifts as well. If you’re not willing to do what it takes to look that way, set another realistic, attainable & SUSTAINABLE goal. As a coach, my job is to tell you what you need to hear, not what you want to hear. Sometimes that means setting a new goal, eating more food, committing to a healing process, resting, & learning to love yourself first.
🥩Balancing blood sugar is the key to fat loss, feeling satisfied, & minimizing cravings. Keep meals protein & fat focused. You should not be snacking in between meals. If you feel the need to snack, your meal either didn’t contain enough protein &/or fat or was not large enough.
🥩Protein is the most satiating. General range: 1g/lb of body weight or goal weight for most. Avid exercisers, athletes, people lifting weights, & older people require more. Most do well spreading out around 30-50g/meal, 2-3 meals/d without digestive distress. Take a digestive enzyme prior to eating, it will help increase stomach acid. I use Utilyze by Nuethix Formulations. Discount Code: lilbitoffit
🥩For carbs, most people do well controlling blood sugar regulation with meals under 40g of carbohydrates. The less active you are the less carbohydrates you typically require. The body optimizes carbohydrates most efficiently post workout & in the evening before bed because it reduces your cortisol (stress) level & can help you sleep better. Nail your protein first & then determine what fuel source is most appropriate for your health needs, digestion, training & fitness goals. Your fuel sources are carbohydrates & fats. So if you’re lacking energy, & you’re “carnivore,” try upping your fats.
🥩I work out fasted at 5 AM most mornings. I feel best working out 5 days/week. A mix of cardio & strength training like CrossFit, walking, & bodybuilding. Do sh*t you LOVE that keeps you active & in the gym. TAKE REST days. I prefer 1 active recovery day & 1 full rest day. You do not need to be working out 7d/wk.
🥩Manage stress. Schedule self care & rest days. Sleep 7-8 hrs/night. If you’re sleeping less than 6 you did not earn your workout. My favorite selfcare is walking, coloring, saunas, hiking, fishing, nature, writing, & creating graphics for y’all.
🥩I don’t ‘treat myself’ or ‘cheat.’ Food is not a reward/something to earn. I also dislike saying cheat because it implies it’s going to benefit you in some way. Cheaters cheat to win. You’re not winning by cheating yourself. I also stay away from sugar and carbohydrates that are physical & mental triggers for me. I am an abstainer, not a moderator.
🥩I eat 2 meals/d on avg as I said before. My days off or if I can sleep in, I can eat 1 larger meal post workout as OMAD. (One meal a day). You must experiment. Your experience/needs will be different than mine. It takes TIME. It took me an entire year to fully adapt to a meat- based lifestyle, & yes, I gained 15lbs initially. I’ve now lost around 20. Have patience.
🥩The majority of meals are my Airfryer Crispy meat bars. 85% ground beef & ground chicken. I avg 2-2.5lbs of meat/d. If you have a problem with feeling if you’re full, cook 1lb of meat & eat it. Wait 20 minutes. And if you’re still hungry cook a little more. That will keep you from over eating &/or eating too fast. I removed most pork & dairy, I don’t digest them well. I don’t add extra fat. Choose meats that are higher in fat. No, I don’t like organ meat & I don’t worry if my meat is grain fed vs grass fed. It doesn’t affect me.
🥩I stick to beef bc it’s satisfying & delicious but not SO delicious I want to binge. Food addicts tend to have issues controlling carbs, sugar, sugar free substitutes, keto treats, dairy, butter, cheese, bacon, pork rinds, hyperpalatable & processed meats.
🥩There are 50 freaking shades of the carnivore diet. We all have different tolerations & needs. I have MANY sensitivities so I typically only season with salt. The majority of my food is meat & eggs. Rice cakes on occasion pre/post workout if I have an evening workout & feel I need them. I’m rarely above 50g of Carbs/d. I do fine on white rice, rice cakes, & rice Chex cereal as far as carbs. I do not digest fruits, vegetables, lectins, oxalates, high fodmap foods, nuts & seed well at all due to my Crohn’s. I feel better not eating them.
🥩Yes, I drink coffee. Preworkout & morning drink I enjoy @strongcoffeecompany in my coffee. It’s kind of like a creamer for me. It does have caffeine. I blend about 4oz coffee, 5-6oz hot water, & 1/4 scoop of the strong coffee company latte. Use a packet of stevia if you want yours sweeter. Link in bio on Instagram. Discount code: KatieKelly
🥩As far as macros **these numbers are for ME**
I hesitate to give any specific numbers but I want to show you guys how much food you can actually eat & enjoy when you commit to healing & eating foods that work for you!
I’m 5’1, around 105-107lbs, crossFit & bodybuild 5d/wk, average 15,000 steps/d, active job in radiology. Macros vary, I leave room for flexibility. These are my avg ratios: 0-10% Carb, around 30-40% Protein, & 50-70% Fat. I do cycle lean, lower fat days with higher fat days because that’s what my body likes. I avg ~1800-2100+ cal/d. The lowest my calories get on a lean day may be around 1550. Protein I avg 160-200g. Yes, I realize that’s a 💩ton but I thrive on higher protein & moderate fat. I don’t have a gallbladder so my threshold is lower than most keto, low carb, & carnivore enthusiasts.
🥩I hit 15k steps/day, even on rest days. When I’m at work I walk around my CT machine or I take laps around the building when we are not busy. I drink a ton of water (around 100-120oz/d) + electrolytes. I like Ultima Replenisher Electrolytes in grape, raspberry, watermelon, & cherry pomegranate flavor. Link in my IG bio too!
🥩I do drink coffee daily. Have Zevia & cocktails socially. Stick to vodka, bourbon, & seltzer’s mainly. I don’t typically eat & have cocktails, I choose 1 or the other. Set a 2-3 drink max limit & I order a shot & typically a Diet Coke & mix my drinks myself when I go out so I can moderate how much alcohol is in it. Some months I won’t drink at all, others, I’ll pick 1 or 2 days & go out on the weekend. I’m an adult it’s my choice. I don’t deny or beat myself up if I choose to be a human & drink & make memories with friends & family. You shouldn’t either. I do feel better not drinking, duh, as most of us will. Alcohol also increases estrogen & messes with your sleep. So if you’re one who drinks that glass (or 2 or bottle) of wine a night, you may want to change some habits, especially if you’re having trouble sleeping, with gut issues, hormonal imbalances, etc. Lack of sleep, stress, & consuming food triggers cause more issues with any gut or Crohn’s flare‘s for me. Alcohol on occasion, I’m OK with.
Hailing from Fishers, Indiana, Katie is an aficionado of health, mindset, human connection, & entrepreneurship. Writer, speaker, doer of many things, she grew up on her family’s beef cattle & crop farm where agriculture was her first love. She is a Purdue University graduate well known for her storytelling of life lessons & personal transformation through her own relationships, Crohn’s Disease, disordered eating, CrossFit, & adapting a carnivore diet lifestyle. Katie also has over 16 years experience as a Registered Radiologic Technologist, Nutritionist, & Sales Consultant. You can catch her via Instagram @lil_bit_of_fit & blog, Lilbitoffit.com
I prefer a variety of meat, simply giving my body what it’s craving. Don’t care if it’s grass fed or grain fed. I prefer grain fed as far as taste, simply season with salt due to my sensitivities & Crohn’s. Season to taste however you’d like. I sprinkle the salt AFTER it’s cooked.
LOOSELY break up meat into 4-5 sections or “bars” & place in airfryer basket
Airfry, 12 minutes, 380, though the preheat. Every airfryer will be different.
Sprinkle salt to taste
TIPS & FAQ
You MUST use an airfryer for the crispy texture. Baking will not give you the same product. It will be dryer and not as crispy.
Do not pack tightly into patties, again the crispy texture is created from NOT packing the meat tightly.
You can melt 1 tbsp of bacon grease or beef tallow & drizzle on top of cooked meat or put slices of bacon on top of meat pieces in air fryer before you air fry for extra flavor & fat.
You can use the fat in the bottom of the basket as a “dip” or “sauce” &/or for added flavor & fat.
You can season with your favorite seasonings & use your favorite sauces. Go your own way, you don’t have to do it the way that I do.
The majority of your questions today revolved around: macros, daily routine, changes that made the biggest impact on fat loss & my transformation, & workouts.
Y’all I simply consistently eat meat & lift things. I’ve shifted my focus however completely from fitness & aesthetic goals to my career & longevity the past couple years.
Some things that haven’t changed are the facts I still have Crohn’s (although in remission & med free), & life still takes consistency & intention.
I know many of you are struggling right now…with all kinds of stuff like life, health & fitness, maybe relationships too.
One of the best question asked today was, “How do YOU stay committed & consistent?
I replied, “Commitment is defined as a willingness to give your time & energy into something you believe in, a promise or firm decision to do something.”
What more worthy thing to believe in, commit to, & invest in than yourself & your health?
The process…
1. Truly look at yourself & current state. What are your goals/desires? What do you need to improve to move the needle forward?
If you’re clearly not where you want to be, you need to own that. It is not anyone else’s fault but yours. You control your reality.
Picture your future self & condition. What thoughts & reality do you want to grow? How would you feel? Really visualize this as luscious & vibrant as possible. This is massively impactful, because it’s going to create possibility & self belief.
A practice that helps me visualize & shift my energy to a positive place: I pull up Pinterest & consume positive quotes, images, videos, anything that shifts my state to a happy empowered place.
How bout we start our week off with a laugh? (& #MeatBars of course) Then somethin I wanna remind y’all, especially our newbie “carnivores” out there.
Saw a meme this mornin that said somethin like:
How to be an adult:
pay your bills
Don’t do meth
Eat bacon (I’ll add beef 🥩😉)
😂
Seriously tho…
I’d also like to add “- Go your own way” to this list.
Had some people flip their sh*t that I included rice cakes on my list of how to build a meat-based meal on last nights post.
“Well won’t that spike your insulin???? We’re not supposed to eat those!!!” They said.
Y’ALL…it all comes down to what you metabolize & absorb properly, what you digest efficiently, the quantity, your emotional relationship with that food, what food combos you pair that food with, the application of why you’re choosing to consume that food & when – I could go on & on.
A lotttttta stuff right?!
Numerous factors come into play when it comes to what kind of food, diet, & workouts are right for you.
The same thing with trying to figure out your career path or love life or purpose, etc – we are all going to be different!
Also, if you’re not digesting fat properly you’re also going to have a hard time controlling & stabilizing your blood sugar most likely. Carbs are not the enemy here. It comes down to body function & your relationship with foods.
ANY food or substance you put into your mouth (let’s keep it clean here 😆) are going to stimulate some kind of body function reaction & response. Protein & fat both raise blood glucose to varying degrees.
If you can’t break down food to absorb & utilize the nutrients like fats, proteins, vitamins, minerals, etc. you will experience sub optimal health & struggle with body goals.
Food preferences will be different for all of us. Life is way too short to be dogmatic about anything in life especially love, food & fitness.
So let’s not over complicate things, be overly sensitive, & take everything so personally that we allow the silliest things to cut like a knife & make a wound that doesn’t need to be there.
Trust the journey of your life & you will gradually outgrow what you thought you should do. You’ll outgrow what you thought you couldn’t live without & fall in love with what you truly needed & what was meant to be❤️
Meal prep cheat sheets to help give y’all visuals on examples of how to break down meals.
Had tons of questions about how to hit 50g of protein. The biggest tip is TRACK YOUR FOOD!
I like MyFitnessPal.
Educate yourself on what it is you’re consuming in meals. You don’t have to track forever, but self awareness is an investment that will serve you for a lifetime.
Here are cheat sheets of a variety of meats & animal based foods to make this as easy & basic af as possible!
You can eat 2-3 meals/d or even 4 of you need to. You guys can do things however you want, there is no right or wrong way.
Protein requirements will vary for different individuals, your goals, food & training preferences, health history, digestibility, etc…
I still recommend weighing out your meat raw, which is the information available on the label. Meat shrinks down 20-30% in weight after cooking. I find most people are either weighing & logging meat incorrectly &/or are inefficient at eyeballing.
Also included the “meat your macros” with #MeatBars examples if you like 2 meals/d.
Hitting protein goals is a non-negotiable. Starting out hitting your maintenance macros is also highly recommended when adjusting to this way of eating (WOE). Use the tdeecalculator.net to find yours.
Our need for protein becomes even more important if we’re avid exercisers, in a muscle-gaining phase, a fat loss phase, &/or as we age.
My typical range is .8-1.2g/lb of bodyweight for most active individuals. The leaner the individual, the higher protein most can tolerate or require. I’ve had some even prefer up to 1.5g/lb of bw especially if they’re carnivore & in a fat loss phase. Those with more body fat, I’d likely have aim closer towards that ~0.8 recommendation.
1lb ground @perduechicken (yes the brand matters 👋 chicken snob. It tastes best)
2oz cream cheese
1 egg
Dash of salt (I rarely measure 👀)
Pork Rinds for the coating (I prefer Epic brand baked pork rinds but use what you want. I find it takes about 2-3 bags of the small Epic packages & about 3/4-1 bag of the regular sized pork rind bags)
DIRECTIONS
Mix ground chicken, egg, cream cheese, & salt in a large bowl
Crush pork rinds up
Roll chicken into a “meatball” or use a spoon or scooper to scoop & coat the meatball with the crushed pork rinds (warning, it’s sticky af. That’s chicken for ya)
Place meatball or nugget (however you wanna shape your chicken) in the air fryer. Space evenly. Spray your basket if you need to.
Airfry for 10 mins at 400°
Flip your nuggs & cook for another 5-10 minutes at 400°, depending on your desired crispiness or texture. I like mine CRISPYYYY so I do 10.
