Are carb and fat important to hit ?

HaneenKB

Hello people

So there is a problem I’m facing I’m currently going through my weight loss journey and always his my protein but sometimes surplus fat and never reach carb (although by the end of the day I finish my calorie intake )

Is it important to also reach carb and fat goal ?


And if i reached my protein intake and not calories is it more important to finish my calorie goal or stop when I reach my protein goal ?

Thank you all

lesdarts180

Hi @HaneenKB - well done for making a start on a weight loss journey.

First, for weight loss you must keep calories within your suggested limit, all the other figures are there for information and to help you eat in an overall healthy way.

Secondly, none of these figures have to be adhered to each and every day - they can be averaged over a period of time. In the web version use the "reports" function and in the app version you can select "weekly" when you click on the nutrition pie chart.
It is quite a good idea to average your calories over a week - then a couple of days under your limit will let you eat just over on another day when you are hungrier (or fancy a treat)


Personally, I see protein as a "goal" ie I try to reach or exceed it most days, but I see fat as a "maximum" - ie I try not to exceed it. You should experiment to see what suits you.
It is of no consequence if you do not reach the carbs figure - that is more of a "maximum - do not exceed" for most people.

Good luck and please do ask more questions - there are plenty of people here with years of experience who will be happy to help

AnnPT77

We need a certain minimum of protein and fats for health, because they have essential nutrients our bodies can't manufacture themselves out of other nutrients. Close to goal, on average over a few days: That should be fine.

Carbs are flexible. As long as your appetite and energy level are as you wish, no need to worry about them.

It's calories that directly affect weight (fat) loss. Nutrition can have an indirect effect via energy level or appetite, but calories are still the direct mechanism. Keep calorie intake below calories burned, and you'll lose fat.

csplatt

Paying close attention to macros comes into play if:
1. you are struggling to meet your calorie deficit goals because you are so hungry
2. you have a condition like diabetes that requires specific food choices
3. you are working on those final vanity pounds or are body building, etc

otherwise, i would say don’t complicate the process. watch the calories specifically.

Retroguy2000

+1 to everything Ann and csplatt said, except I'd add to csplatt's post to aim for a good amount of protein in grams.

I've only ever paid attention to calories and protein (grams). It keeps things simple.