Fat Macro

stephabef

I've been under the impression that it's best to hit/exceed the protein and fat macros, but not the carb one (because MFP makes it higher than necessary?). Granted, it depends on what kind of fat you're eating... but I primarily get mine from nut butter and consistently hit or go over my macro by 5-10. Is that okay? I always thought it was, but I see so many folks who are constantly under. My diary is open if you'd like to check it out.

UponThisRock

As long as your calories are ok, it doesn't matter.

stephabef

I figured as much. Thanks!

fteale

I assume the same. I am usually slightly over on fat and about 100 under on carbs. It hasn't made any difference to my losing weight.

learningtolove

Doesn't matter that much. The biggest part of weight loss is a calorie deficit. I once read an article about a professor that lost a ton of weight by eating only snack cakes for a month. He lost weight-but felt like crap and put it back on. Your body only knows that fat is fat,but choosing healthier fats helps to train your brain.

CakeFit21

I don't care much if I'm over on fat or protein either.

Bentley2718

It's probably okay, although you might want to talk to your doctor about fat consumption--in case that might be a problem for you personally.

0RESET0

You can change your macro goals. I set mine to 40, 40, 20% of my total calories. If you know what works for you, you can change your goals to match that so that you aren't going "over" all the time.

SheehyCFC

Number of calories will determine your weight loss/gain. Macros (carbs/fat/protein) or the composition of those calories help determine your health. They are two different things. It all depends on the types of food you are eating, but you do need to have a balance of all of them. I personally altered MFP's goals to custom ones because I thought the protein was too low, and carbs to high, so I switched to a 40/30/30% approach.

So i guess it really depends on what you are trying to do currently. If you are just trying to lose weight - calories are the only thing that matter. If you are trying to do that and be "healthy", I would recommend watching the macros.
PS: To answer your original question: going over on protein isn't usually too bad, especially if it is at MFP's default. It only becomes harmful at a much higher %.

heybales

Number of calories will determine your weight loss/gain. Macros (carbs/fat/protein) or the composition of those calories help determine your health. They are two different things.
If you are just trying to lose weight - calories are the only thing that matter. If you are trying to do that and be "healthy", I would recommend watching the macros.

For many people, and usually those that have weight problems, this is not practically true, even if technically true. Low cal but high carb becomes impossible to follow, because their body over-responds to carbs and they suffer and fail.

Whereas many of those with these problems can eat lower carb, higher protein/fat (and your 40/30/30 is classic example, and tagged as low carb for some odd reason) and find that without even watching calories, but just hunger, they loose weight. Obviously cals are low enough to do so, but satiety is just fine and overeating not a problem anymore.

SheehyCFC

For many people, and usually those that have weight problems, this is not practically true, even if technically true. Low cal but high carb becomes impossible to follow, because their body over-responds to carbs and they suffer and fail.

That is why I suggested the alteration of composition (%'s)... it is usually not practical for someone just starting on their journey.

OP - sorry for cluttering your post. To make it simpler - going over 5-10 on your macros is NOT a big deal.