We are pleased to announce that as of March 4, 2025, an updated Rich Text Editor has been introduced in the MyFitnessPal Community. To learn more about the changes, please click here. We look forward to sharing this new feature with you!

Most important nutrients to track?

enelson96
enelson96 Posts: 14 Member
edited September 2024 in Food and Nutrition
I was wondering because it only lets you pick five out of like 15 or so, so which ones are the most important to know about in a diet?

Replies

  • Ral263
    Ral263 Posts: 318 Member
    Personally-- I think Calories, Fat, Protein, and Fiber.
  • Kelleinna
    Kelleinna Posts: 160
    Me, I say watch the sodium. Most people are getting WAAAAAY more than they actually need, and it's not good for you to have too much. Makes you retain water like you wouldn't believe too.
  • denise980
    denise980 Posts: 296
    I do calories, carbs, fat, protein, sugar, and sodium
  • AUPerry
    AUPerry Posts: 166
    I track: Calories, Carbs, Fat, Protein, Sodium and Cholesterol
  • shreyaj
    shreyaj Posts: 196
    Personally-- I think Calories, Fat, Protein, and Fiber.

    I agree & sodium if you eat too much sodium it slows down your weight loss progress and it's bad for your health. Carb's are very important I've read in a few sources more than 200 + grams of carbs can lead to weight gain.
  • CassieLEO
    CassieLEO Posts: 757 Member
    Personally-- I think Calories, Fat, Protein, and Fiber.

    I agree with these ones AND the sodium comment. All of them are the ones we really need to watch!
  • cmriverside
    cmriverside Posts: 34,469 Member
    Go to the Printable Version (at the bottom on the Food Diary there is a button) and you will see the Default nutrients tracked on the second page. Pick some other ones that mean something to you for the first page.

    Calories appear on both pages, you can't change that category. I change them occasionally but right now I'm tracking calcium and potassium on my first page in addition to Protein, Carbs, Fat. Depends on your individual health needs.
  • anubis609
    anubis609 Posts: 3,966 Member
    The most common three are carbs, protein, and fat. The rest are based on whatever nutrients you feel you may need to track. Sodium seems to be common since it can lead to high blood pressure and a variety of other heart conditions. It's up to you.
  • smitchell37
    smitchell37 Posts: 121 Member
    I track calories, fat, carbs, protein and sodium. Im thinking about getting rid of protein bc I always go over
  • AUPerry
    AUPerry Posts: 166
    I track calories, fat, carbs, protein and sodium. Im thinking about getting rid of protein bc I always go over


    Change your goals. Try 40/40/20
  • RaeannePemberton
    RaeannePemberton Posts: 382 Member
    carbs, protein and fat are the three "pillars" but fiber and sodium are also important. MFP has default settings that are kinda "wack" IMHO. i think the protein is too low and also the fiber is too low... and i also think the default sugar is too low. but just my opinion. :-) and as a runner i like to keep my carbs around 65%.
  • taiyola
    taiyola Posts: 964 Member
    I do cals, protein, carbs, sodium, sugar & fiber.
  • NitaCB
    NitaCB Posts: 532 Member
    I personally think that there is way too much hype about sodium. If you're eating lots of whole natural foods instead of prepackaged and processed foods then it shouldn't be much of an issue. This is what I do, plus as an endurance runner I know that I need a certain amount of sodium to make up for what I sweat out.
    I keep a track of protein, carbs and fat. I also keep an eye on calcium.
    I don't know about anyone else, but I never even seem to get above 50% of the recommended iron intake. Guess it's a good thing I'm on iron supplements now, having found I'm low.
  • jillybeanruns
    jillybeanruns Posts: 1,420 Member
    Calories/Protein/Fat/Sodium/Fiber and then I rotate the 6th one. Currently it's Iron and Nita, I'm seeing that I also rarely get above 50%. I don't track carbs but do keep an eye on them via the BB app.
  • Ral263
    Ral263 Posts: 318 Member
    I personally think that there is way too much hype about sodium. If you're eating lots of whole natural foods instead of prepackaged and processed foods then it shouldn't be much of an issue. This is what I do, plus as an endurance runner I know that I need a certain amount of sodium to make up for what I sweat out.
    I keep a track of protein, carbs and fat. I also keep an eye on calcium.
    I don't know about anyone else, but I never even seem to get above 50% of the recommended iron intake. Guess it's a good thing I'm on iron supplements now, having found I'm low.

    My reasoning exactly-- I eat 95% pure, unprocessed whole foods, so I know I'm never on my sodium-- and, as someone who logs about 12 miles a day, I know I need a little! I also don't really track carbs since I know I need a decent amount to fuel my exercises, and I eat a ton of fruit which will always make carbs on the high side. Carbs are essential, and as long as they are from whole unprocessed sources, no real need to track them excessively, IMO.
This discussion has been closed.

Categories