New to MFP, thoughts on my diet?

Packfan92

Im new here and have just recently started tracking calories and macros for the first time. I am 5’8 and 200 lbs, however i have a fair amount of muscle but would still like to shed some fat and get back to around 175 lbs. I am currently not real active due to an injury, but when that heals up i will resume my Starting Strength program which is heavy resistance training. My current calorie goals are around 1800 with anywhere from 30-40% protein coming from a mix of animal and plant sources (eggs, meat, legumes and lentils, and protein powder) My fat and carbs fall where they may but they are usually pretty balanced. I try to get about 2 cups of legumes or lentils a day, 1 cup of frozen berries a day, 4 cups of frozen spinach or kale a day, and 4-8 cups of steamed broccoli a day. When i resume my lifting program i will up my calories back to around 2300 a day while keeping similar ratios. I may adjust my total calorie intake at that time as i monitor progress on my body recomposition. How does this sound? Am i on the right track?

kommodevaran

I think that's a lot of protein, not too much by itself, but taking up calories from other foods. I would try to eat more varied - different vegetables and fruits, dairy, nuts, grains, fats, and fish. If you're counting calories, you'd want to weigh your food, not cup it, for accuracy.

Packfan92

Ok thanks for the tip on weighing food. I do weigh some things like meat portions im not sure of, but get confused about some of the other things like beans, fruits and veggies. Question: will a cup of steamed broccoli weigh the same as raw or frozen?

kommodevaran

Depending of their nature, foods will expand (absorb water) or shrink (shed water) during cooking. An amount of food will have the same calories after it's cooked, if you don't remove any juices or fats. Just weigh, don't use cups.

Packfan92

Ok thanks!

RodaRose

You can get a food scale to weigh foods in grams for 25 dollars or even less at Target or Walmart. Some people like fancier ones.