If a calorie is a calorie...
hkristine1
Posts: 950 Member
Why pay attention to the macros? I ask because I currently have about 500 calories left to eat tonight, but am over in fat and sodium, under on everything else. So, basically, I'm left with the option of drinking a bunch of fat free chocolate milk to make my macros work (that is clearly my only choice at this point. Heh).. Frankly, I'd prefer some popcorn with a bit of butter and salt (do you see a theme here? Fat and sodium...). If a calorie is a calorie, can't I just go for the popcorn?
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Replies
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What is your grams of fat, or % fat, target for one day?0
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40 is my base, but with my exercise, it bumped up to 61 today. I just go with whatever MFP tells me I should be doing.0
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Well, I think it depends on your goals. If you're just looking to lose weight, a calorie is a calorie. I eat foods right now that are not at all balanced, but my calories are such that I've lost twenty pounds so far and am still losing. If you're looking to be healthier overall and have good body composition, it probably pays off big time to pay attention to macros. That's what I intend to do once I get down to a certain weight. Sure, it's probably great to pay attention to all of it at once, but I know myself well enough to know that I'll get overwhelmed and give up that way.0
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why not popcorn without butter???
calories are calories but carbohydrates are the bodys prime source for energy so if you hit protein and fat goals for the day all the cals should be ideally from carbohydrates (also best for metabolism and performance) but eat whatever you want for caloric goals but the body is better off eating carbs0 -
If you want popcorn eat it. You have thousands of days to make it up. Don't dwell on popcorn.0
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For me, the original MFP setting for fat is too low, and the carb setting is too high. Protein is ok. So, I went in and adjusted the fat and carb setting. I stayed within same calorie target. This had also helped me reduce my hunger, as fat satiates me, while carbs makes me more hungry. This is what worked for me. I hope you find what works for you.0
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why not popcorn without butter???
calories are calories but carbohydrates are the bodys prime source for energy so if you hit protein and fat goals for the day all the cals should be ideally from carbohydrates (also best for metabolism and performance) but eat whatever you want for caloric goals but the body is better off eating carbs
Not for me, I use the fat in my diet as primary fuel too. It doesn't have to only come from carbs.0 -
A calorie is a calorie, but the body still needs essential macros for proper function and efficiency. Muscle only is rebuilt with protein, so eating only carbs and fat wouldn't supply it.Why pay attention to the macros? I ask because I currently have about 500 calories left to eat tonight, but am over in fat and sodium, under on everything else. So, basically, I'm left with the option of drinking a bunch of fat free chocolate milk to make my macros work (that is clearly my only choice at this point. Heh).. Frankly, I'd prefer some popcorn with a bit of butter and salt (do you see a theme here? Fat and sodium...). If a calorie is a calorie, can't I just go for the popcorn?
Sodium doesn't really matter unless one has high BP issues (or family history of it) and you can have fat even if you're over. Fat isn't "bad", it's just that too many people over consume it.
A.C.E. Certified Personal/Group FitnessTrainer
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Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition0 -
I've heard that the protein setting on here is too low for most people, and the sugar one is ridiculously low (one piece of fruit and you are over, pretty much). I've changed my settings, and still rarely meet my protein and carb macros, I'm always over on fat, but hey, I'm still losing!0
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it costs your body different amounts of energy to digest different foods. So fats need only two or three per cent of their inherent energy to digest them; while carbohydrates need five to 10 per cent; and proteins need a massive 25 per cent to unravel the tightly wound amino acids that make them up.
So if you eat 100 calories of fat or 100 calories of protein, your body will have access to 98 calories for the fat, but only 75 calories for the proteins.
http://www.abc.net.au/science/articles/2013/11/12/3889049.htm0 -
Popcorn it is then! Woot! Maybe a smaller portion and a bit of protein on the side...0
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I like Joe's advice, and he's given me something to think about with my own macros0
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why not popcorn without butter???
calories are calories but carbohydrates are the bodys prime source for energy so if you hit protein and fat goals for the day all the cals should be ideally from carbohydrates (also best for metabolism and performance) but eat whatever you want for caloric goals but the body is better off eating carbs
Not for me, I use the fat in my diet as primary fuel too. It doesn't have to only come from carbs.
DUHHHHH im talking about performance in the gym and metabolic effects0 -
Macros are Macros0
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Calories = Gain or lose weight
Macros = Help you body do what it needs to do to use those calories effectively and help keep you healthy.
You CAN lose weight on nothing but chocolate, as long as you eat a deficit or calories.
But you're going to be tired and hungry and sick and probably have trouble going to the bathroom, because you're losing out on SO many nutrients.
ETA: It's okay to go over anything once in a blue moon, macros or calories. One day of too much isn't going to make you any less healthy, just like one day of just enough isn't going to make you healthy
ETA part 2: Unless there's a medical reason that too much would make you sick0 -
why not popcorn without butter???
Because without butter.... What's the point? Ha!
I'm not super overweight and eat pretty balanced (I'm really only over infant and sodium today because I made a once in a while dinner of bangers and mash tonight)... But every night, I crave either something super sweet or something buttery and salty, and have a difficult time going to bed if I don't satisfy the craving.... Tonight it was a butter and salt night. I try to save up my calories so that I have sufficient to cover the craving. Why I have these cravings is another story all together, and probably beyond my capacity for change at this particular moment in time. Maybe down the road I will try to kick that habit out of my life, but right now, I think it would be enough to push me over the edge into the land of failure.0 -
Calories are really just calories
A study published a few years back (Sacks et al, 2009, NEJM v360) showed that the macro amounts did not really affect weight loss but the reduction in calories did. They compared the following ratios and all groups (>100 people per group) successfully lost weight over a 2 year period. The amount of calories varied based on height / weight / BMI etc.
ratios -
a) 20% fat / 15% protein / 65% carb
b) 20% fat / 25% protein / 55% carb
c) 40% fat / 15% protein / 45% carb
d) 40% fat / 25% protein / 35% carb
The other good thing to note was all groups reported they felt sated (well fed) regardless of the amount of carb vs protein.
As a biochemist, I believe each individual needs to find the ratio of macronutrients that work for them (i.e. what allows you to lose or maintain weight) and if you plateau, drop the calories or increase your activity.
Eat the popcorn ... as another person said, you can make up for it later by doing a little more exercise :-)0 -
Calories are really just calories
A study published a few years back (Sacks et al, 2009, NEJM v360) showed that the macro amounts did not really affect weight loss but the reduction in calories did. They compared the following ratios and all groups (>100 people per group) successfully lost weight over a 2 year period. The amount of calories varied based on height / weight / BMI etc.
ratios -
a) 20% fat / 15% protein / 65% carb
b) 20% fat / 25% protein / 55% carb
c) 40% fat / 15% protein / 45% carb
d) 40% fat / 25% protein / 35% carb
The other good thing to note was all groups reported they felt sated (well fed) regardless of the amount of carb vs protein.
As a biochemist, I believe each individual needs to find the ratio of macronutrients that work for them (i.e. what allows you to lose or maintain weight) and if you plateau, drop the calories or increase your activity.
Eat the popcorn ... as another person said, you can make up for it later by doing a little more exercise :-)
She has 500 call left. If she ate the popcorn and a calorie is a calorie why would she need to "make up for it" exercise more later?
This is why people in here get confused!!0 -
She has nothing to make up for.
Protein is the macro I try my hardest to hit. I'd go for some scrambled eggs or a protein shake.0 -
ok yes, I should not have used the phrase "make up for it" ... the popcorn is not going to put her over her total calorie intake but she was hesitant to eat the popcorn because of the higher intake of daily fat. Psychologically, hkristine was feeling guilty for wanting the popcorn ... exercise would counter that feeling of guilt, while having other benefits.
Basic rule - if calories used is greater then calories eaten = you'll lose fat and become more healthy0 -
based on my understanding MFP sets the macros at the lowest recommended daily intake.
Unless you have manually entered your macros based on calculations that is what they are.
If you have 500 calories left over eat them....low fat/low carb etc doesn't matter.
Most people I know who do manually set their macros make Fat/Protien and Carb the main focal point not worrying about sugar...as well when those marcros are set it is for the protien and Fat which are the important ones and they are the "min" amount for the day.
Eat the popcorn with butter and don't worry about it.0 -
Yes, you can just eat the popcorn and butter.
If you want to optimise certain goals then macros come more into play.
It is important however that you get sufficient protein (although you don't need to go crazy on even that) and a number of essential fatty acids from diet but once those have been covered off you will be good.0 -
i don't believe all calories are equal
or that calorie in is calorie out
I'm currently eating over my TDEE and doing like no exercise and losing a good pound a week0 -
i don't believe all calories are equal
or that calorie in is calorie out
I'm currently eating over my TDEE and doing like no exercise and losing a good pound a week
Is it possible that what you think is your TDEE, isn't?0 -
i don't believe all calories are equal
or that calorie in is calorie out
I'm currently eating over my TDEE and doing like no exercise and losing a good pound a week
Your calculations are off. You should use your OWN data to calculate your TDEE, now that you have some. Calculating it using an online equation that uses averages across a large population are only meant to give you a ballpark estimate to start with. Then you adjust according to your results. Which it sounds like you have already done. But it is still calories in, calories out. And a calorie is a unit of measure, so yes, 1 calorie is equal to 1 calorie.0 -
Instead of counting calories I count carbs, mainly because when I was calorie counting I became obsessed, I liked seeing tiny numbers and would eat as little as possible. With carbs, if you go to 0 carbs you're still eating. So for me its manageable.
Macros are there because your body needs energy, and needs certain types of energy, I have 5% carbs, 65% fat and the rest protein, not everyone likes those macros but it works well for me, I feel full with lots of energy, and I don't get cravings for carby food anymore0 -
When sodium is too high, you can substitute butter with canola oil. Tastes pretty good!
I make air popped popcorn (bag of Jolly Time kernels) and drizzle a tablespoon or two of canola oil on it. It will add to fats, but it won't add to sodium.0 -
Fixed it for you.i don't believe all calories are equal
or that calorie in is calorie out
I'm currently eating over my ESTIMATED TDEE and doing like no exercise and losing a good pound a week
You could be an outlier making the TDEE estimate wrong for you or your food logging could be inaccurate.
Well done on finding your sweet spot though.0 -
i don't believe all calories are equal
or that calorie in is calorie out
I'm currently eating over my TDEE and doing like no exercise and losing a good pound a week
umm that is pretty much physically impossible unless you somehow defy the laws of math …
more than likely you are underestimating your calories and actually eating less…
you can't eat more than you burn and lose weight….thats like saying when you drive your car the gas tank fills up, instead of empties….0 -
Must be the unicorn meat you're eating then. It's given you magical powers to defy the laws of physics. You share this with all the people who are in the same boat and gaining weight from doing it. That would be 70% of the US population.i don't believe all calories are equal
or that calorie in is calorie out
I'm currently eating over my TDEE and doing like no exercise and losing a good pound a week
A.C.E. Certified Personal/Group FitnessTrainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition0
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