MACRO PREFERENCES

SophiaCameron8013

macros= tracking stuff like protein and sodium
snd which one do yall do? im more of a low cal low macros kinda gall

Corina1143

Protein and carbohydrates have approximately 4 calories per gram. Fat has approximately 9 calories per gram. (alcohol has approximately 7 calories per gram). As grams of macronutrients go up, calories go up.
I personally aim for ar least 1 gram of protein for each kilo I weigh. I often go over. Some people consider that a good goal. Other people think that's low. I set my fat goal for 40 grams a day, knowing I will go over it every day, but still trying to lower it--gall bladder. I think most people might consider that low, but im not sure. I don't pay attention to carbs because most of my carbs is vegetables, and I personally just don't think I'll ever overeat celery, broccoli, kale, etc.

AnnPT77

I'm sorry, but the way the question is phrased doesn't exactly gel for me.

Calories and macros march hand in hand. For example, if we're high on one macro and moderate on others, or low on one and high on others, we can still be high on calories, because of the arithmetic Corina mentions.

Calories are the direct issue, for weight loss. Macros are about nutrition for health, energy level, possibly appetite management, and that sort of thing. They can indirectly affect bodyweight through energy level or appetite, of course.

Some people whose key goal is weight loss just pay attention to calories.

I think nutrition is important, so I pay attention to macros (and micros), not to be exactly exact, but just aiming for pretty good, on average.

There are different eating styles some advocate, like low carb/high fat (LCHF), low fat (so higher protein and/or carbs), etc. But a person can't really be high on all the macros, or low on all the macros, without creating a problem of some kind.

If the calories don't balance out where we need them, bodyweight goes haywire. Low on all macros is inherently low calories, so risky for health. Etc.

I eat what would generally be considered balanced macros, fairly close to the MFP percents for each, when at appropriate calories.

I set protein based on lean bodyweight and some lifestyle considerations. (I'm active athletically, and vegetarian, so I need relatively more protein than some.) In maintenance, I get at minimum 1g protein daily per pound of estimated lean body mass (LBM). LBM estimate is just under 100 pounds, so I shoot for minimum 100g protein, and usually exceed it. It was admittedly less on reduced calories during weight loss, 80s to 90s grams daily, which is still reasonably healthy at my size.

Personally, I think women should aim at around 0.35-0.45g of fat daily per pound of bodyweight, minimum. I think it's OK to use healthy goal weight to estimate that. Men might get away with a bit less, maybe 0.3g/pound/day.

Then I let carbs (or occasionally moderate alcohol) balance out calories. Most of the carbs are fruits, veggies, no-sugar-added dairy, but not all.

I eat every single calorie I'm entitled to, while still achieving my body weight goals. (I'm currently in year 8 of maintaining a healthy weight at 5'5", 130s pounds, age 68 . . . after just under a year of losing from class 1 obese to a healthy weight, and around 30 years before that of overweight/obesity.)

I think of that as "balanced macros", very mainstream in terms of what national/international nutritional experts usually suggest. This past week, I've been at 44% C, 32% F, 24% P. It varies, because I don't care if fats or protein are higher, as long as calories are reasonable. But it's usually around that. I believe the MFP default percents (just as info, not that I aim for them) are 50% C, 30% F, 20% P.

I have no idea which of your poll options I should pick, for that scenario.

P.S. Sodium is a micronutrient, not a macronutrient. Micronutrients in MFP may not be accurate, because the database is crowd-sourced, so not all entries are complete/correct. Macros can be wrong, too, but higher odds that those are correct, or close.

Alatariel75

As others have said, you can't be low calorie, high macros (or vice versa) because fat, carbs and protein have consistent calories.