Calories (vs) Macros: Whats more important?

skywa

What do you think is more important? Hitting all your macros or hitting your calorie goal?

I usually focus on my macros over my calories. I figure if I'm getting enough protein/carbs/fat, then it doesn't really matter how many calories i've eaten.

What do you aim for when it comes to your intake?

plushkitten

For me a high protein intake matters. I always shoot to go in the red numbers.
I'm watching my iron now too but it's hard to get it up.

edit: meh actually I don't really care about carbs because I never have gone over my daily limit. >.<

pandasand

I aim for macros because I'm not really worried about weight gain/loss.

runnercheryl

I just focus on my calories. I'm not in this to be strict, and my body will let me know if I'm ever really deficient in anything.

BreakingOath

Macros are important to me. As long as you get in those nutrients you're all good!

CMmrsfloyd

I try to be within about 100 of my calorie goal (sometimes it's a little higher, sometimes a little lower) and I try to have at least 100g protein. I don't stress too much over fat or carbs. I do *try* to be close to my calorie goal since MFP set it where it is for a reason (I'm set for 1/2 lb per week).

Fubar_Bill

Isn't that a little like saying, "Oil vs Gas, what's more important for my car?"

Keep an eye on both and you will do great!

UponThisRock

calories, by far

AlsDonkBoxSquat

my protein macro is the most important to me first, than calories.

Zichu

I aim for a high protein diet. So macros. I try to get more protein and fat than carbs throughout the day, even though I do enjoy carbs lol.

butterfly10398

Isn't that a little like saying, "Oil vs Gas, what's more important for my car?"

Keep an eye on both and you will do great!

THIS!!

cmriverside

If you only care about weight loss, calories.

If you want it to be sustainable, and you want to feel good and be healthy, macros (and micros, for that matter.)

nilesbollinger

Isn't that a little like saying, "Oil vs Gas, what's more important for my car?"

Keep an eye on both and you will do great!

Agreed!

LuckyAng

Isn't that a little like saying, "Oil vs Gas, what's more important for my car?"

Keep an eye on both and you will do great!

This.

tinamina78

Isn't that a little like saying, "Oil vs Gas, what's more important for my car?"

Keep an eye on both and you will do great!

^^ this

Canadien

my protein macro is the most important to me first, than calories.

Me too

k8lyn_235

i try to pay attention to the macros and be under/near my calories. it has been very difficult for me to balance foods and be under carbs/fat but at or over protein. i look more at protein really, but i'm almost always under i don't really like meat that much so it's difficult for me.

MinnesotaManimal

to over generalize this issue

Overall calorie intake = weight gain or loss

Macro nutrient split = body composition

micro nutrient = Health

mangozulu

Isn't that a little like saying, "Oil vs Gas, what's more important for my car?"

Keep an eye on both and you will do great!

THIS!!

therealangd

It depends on what your goals are.

But I also agree with "Both are important"

mangozulu

Isn't that a little like saying, "Oil vs Gas, what's more important for my car?"

Keep an eye on both and you will do great!

THIS!!

Except you'll run out of gas (calories) much sooner than you'll need to top up the oil (macros)

For weight loss calories are most important. Accuracy in tracking them is also important. Macros are secondary and useful for appetite control and reducing the loss of lean body mass that can happen on a low protein, weight loss diet.

skinnieminniemouse

I watch my calories but I'm really trying to get my protein in the red every day, I focus on that a lot.

PositivelyFlawed

I was just looking at calories, but now that i've been able to stay under calorie goals i'm moving into balancing macros while still staying under my calories.

Both are important. I mean u can eat 4 frozen dinners for 1600 calories or a days worth of veggies, lean meats, healthy fats and whole grains and the day will look far better and will have you feeling far better too!

HelloDan

Surely if you get all your macros bang on, the calories will have taken care of themselves?

reztib

If you are trying to lose weight I would give the edge to calories. For you long term health you want to keep an eye on you macros.

myak623

to over generalize this issue

Overall calorie intake = weight gain or loss

Macro nutrient split = body composition

micro nutrient = Health

^^This!

skywa

thanks for sharing your insight.

i see a lot of ppl in there calorie goal with really high carbs, barely any protein, and over in there fat goal and can't help but think that isn't healthy.

but what do i know?

I just wanted a little outward insight.

my self understanding was that calories are just a unit of energy. and macros represent the nutrients you actually take in. so i just assumed macros would be more important. i honestly don't know though.

runnercheryl

thanks for sharing your insight.

i see a lot of ppl in there calorie goal with really high carbs, barely any protein, and over in there fat goal and can't help but think that isn't healthy.

but what do i know?

I just wanted a little outward insight.

my self understanding was that calories are just a unit of energy. and macros represent the nutrients you actually take in. so i just assumed macros would be more important. i honestly don't know though.

The two are quite linked, though. Most on here will take the macro approach, and as Dan has said - if you're getting your macros right, the calories will fit in quite nicely.

For me, that's too much effort to be sustainable, but at the same time for the most part my macros are at a good level. That's because filling a whole day with foods that aren't nutrient-rich would lead to hunger. I focus on the calories, but in order to enjoy nice big meals and have a few snacks I naturally limit the 'junk' and include vegetables.

NeedANewFocus

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