CALORIES? CARBS? FAT? SUGAR? SODIUM? WHATS YOUR FOCUS?

vikdexkaykai

Hi all,
I was just wondering what you pay more attention to, calories, carbs, fat, sodium or sugar.

The reason I ask is because I'm finding it impossible to keep under all the categories. I may be under in the calorie department but over in other areas. Sometimes I think that it's only calories that really count, but I know that isn't the case. I just get frustrated sometimes when I'm under in cals and see that stupid "red" writing telling me that I'm actually over! (haha)

What do you think/do?
Any suggestions?

MrsScheidt

I stay within my calories but I try to focus on carbs and sugars.... one category that I find it almost impossible to stay in the green is sodium.... however, I try to watch that too. Another thing, sugars may be elevated if you're eating a lot of fruit. I don't think I've been in the green under all of my categories once.

ChrisRS87

PROTEINNNN!

melb2003

I really tend to track calories, fat and sodium. I eat a lot of fruit and I always tend to be over on sugar, and carbs, with my diet now, I tend to not eat as many as I did before anyways.

Miche11e5

I am ALWAYS over on sugar and over on sodium about half of the time (mainly when I eat out) - the red drives me crazy too. I focus on calories, protein, carbs and fat - trying to keep those in line - and let the rest be what it'll be.

rainbowbow

Calories, and making sure I hit my protein.

timmymon

Calories... Give me more of them nomnomnomnom

lucyricky2

i try to keep sugar,carbs,calories and sodium under control. sugar is the biggie to keep under control but since i have been doing that i have lost. Also get some exercise in too.

smnassise

If your goal is weight loss, CALORIES. That being said, intake too much sodium and you can definitely hold onto a few ounces a day/week that you might not otherwise.
I've been pretty successful so far, and I noticed my best weeks are when I'm under my calories, slightly under on my carbs, and slightly over on my protein.
Lather rinse repeat...
And good luck...8 pounds in a couple months is terrific!

ShellyKay67

Calories, and making sure I hit my protein.

^^ Ditto

lizziebeth1028

Calories and protein!

Chief_Rocka

Calories: a target that a hit within 10
Protein and fat: I don't go by mfp numbers, I try to hit minimums that I have in my head
Carbs: whatever is left over
Sugar/sodium: don't care

clarkeje1

My main problems are calories and sodium. Anything else I rarely go over and I'm not too concerned about. I used to worry about sugar but since I've stopped eating a lot of refined sugar and sweets and get most of my sugar from fruits I don't count it anymore because even if I have just fruit I'm always over on my sugar.

AwesomelyAmber

Calories.

UpEarly

Mostly I just focus on calories. I also sort of watch my macros (55 carbs/30 fat/15 protein). I also try to eat plenty of fiber.

davepavone

low carb high protein

californiagirl2012

Hi all,
I was just wondering what you pay more attention to, calories, carbs, fat, sodium or sugar.

The reason I ask is because I'm finding it impossible to keep under all the categories. I may be under in the calorie department but over in other areas. Sometimes I think that it's only calories that really count, but I know that isn't the case. I just get frustrated sometimes when I'm under in cals and see that stupid "red" writing telling me that I'm actually over! (haha)

What do you think/do?
Any suggestions?

I don't worry about any of it except getting enough protein. A calorie deficit or budget is all that matters.

Seriously, all that matters is a calorie deficit to lose weight. Making it too complicated is setting yourself up for failure. Just eat what you like, mostly healthy, enough protein (not extra), it does not have to be perfect. Fat cells don't care about clean, but you feel better and perform better the cleaner you eat.

Exercise is only to make your lean body mass pretty for when the fat is gone. You will lose fat faster than you will build muscle so exercise asap and keep it up. Especially weight training. Weight training gives you the best bang for your buck when it comes to shaping a nice body.

Other than that only if you have specific health issues, some people need to watch sodium, I have to watch sugar and carbs because of low thyroid, adrenal fatigue, and diabetes risk. Some people have gluten intolerance. I'm allergic to chicken eggs, etc.

WendyTerry420

Calories and protein are the only things I really look at each day. On the weekends though, I will look at the report for the week, and then each month, I do a "MFP Month End" report. (:laugh:) I enter it all in a spreadsheet and compare to previous months to make sure my averages are on track and make any adjustments.

mcrowe1016

In order of importance: Calories, Protein, Fat, Carbs, Cholest., Sodium, Sugar

hunter624

My family , the diet comes second.

sburde2

At first all I focused on was calories but now that I've gotten used to eating better and working out I focus on the other stuff too. I always try to stay under on sodium (though when I eat out it doesn't always happen). I try to eat all of my protein (have been going over lately b/c I'm trying to cut out grains). I've also been trying to not eat so much sugar which has been really hard b/c I love my fruit and yogurt.

Sailatsorf

Calories first and foremost. Fat and Saturated Fat are second. Carbs third, sodium fourth. Everything else I don't tend to struggle too badly with, so I largely ignore them. My diet is consistently very low in cholesterol and stuff like that, so I just watch those to make sure I'm not going to gain weight or give myself a heart attack.

VanessaGS

I try to balance everything out.

jvdx

calories, protein

bsuew

calories and carbs!

alie001

I tend to watch the caloric intake most, but try to be good on the other ones. The sugar one is a tricky one for me dues to a natural sugar in fruit with great fibre, like an apple versus a fake sugar like the white stuff in a green tea. I try not to be to hard on myself though..this is a process and I want to be the turtle rather than the hare.

mmapags

The priority of focus should be 1) calories goal 2) protein target depending on exercise goals, 3) fats at .35 to .4 grams per lb of body weight 4) Carbs for the balance. I see no value to to tracking sugar as it is a carb and you are tracking carbs overall and I can't imagine why you might need to track sodium unless you habitually use too much. The only other thing I track is fiber.

RenewedRunner

I focus on calories. My protein always says it is over, I really dont care as this is agood thing in my opinion.

I do look at my iron as well, since I am severly anemic and have had to have treatments for that. (And sadly, I am almost always under where I need to be, but working on that).

The rest-carbs, sugar, fat- I hardly ever exceed and very rarely worry about it. I am a salty food addict so I double my water intake and pee like a racehorse. Figure it somewhat balances in there.

hendinerik

For me I was diagnosed as prediabetic so sugar became a huge consideration for me... that and doing lots of cardio -- then gradually I switched my focus to getting more protein and fiber. And I have other considerations, like acid reflux so this is a personal thing to each person's needs.

My take is once you get a handle on getting within your target and generally eating healthier, then you can look at the details/fine tuning...

karensoxfan

I watch calories, protein, fat & carbs. I try for 40-30-30% (carbs-protein-fat), and the phone app has an awesome little pie chart that tells me how close I'm getting to those goals. I'm actually happy when I see my protein go in the red though, but everything else, I don't sweat it.

HMToomey

In order of importance for me it is: calories, potassium and iron.