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!

MyFitnessPal goals for Carbs/Fats/Protein are strange

slicko
slicko Posts: 9
edited December 2024 in Food and Nutrition
Hello everyone,

So, MyFitnessPal currently calculated my daily goal calories at 2100 for a projected loss of 0.5 pounds a week (yes, I know, glacier speeds here :smile: It's a long story!).

However, I looked at the daily targets for Carbs/Fats/Protein that MyFitnessPal has calculated for me, and they are interesting :huh: .

Here it is:

Carbs: 290
Fat: 70
Protein: 79


When I add up these numbers, and then calculate the percentage that each represents, it looks like MyFitnessPal is setting the following percentages as my daily goals:

Carbs: 66%
Fat: 16%
Protein: 18%

I was surprised to see this since I've never heard of such proportions before (in reality though, it seems my normal "healthy" eating gives me roughly 50% / 18% / 32% instead).

So, can anyone explain how MyFitnessPal comes up with these daily goals and why and any other thoughts.

Thanks in advance!

Replies

  • seekingstrengthX2
    seekingstrengthX2 Posts: 771
    Go to GOALS, CHANGE, CUSTOM: You can see what it is set at, percentage wise, and you can change it. MFP sets ignorant macros when you sign up, not sure why.
  • Lina4Lina
    Lina4Lina Posts: 712 Member
    I've read that they set it to the US dietary recommendations.

    I set my own to 60/20/20 (c/f/p)
  • slicko
    slicko Posts: 9
    Weird. I just posted a reply and it didn't come up.. am I doing this wrong??

    This is my first forum.
  • slicko
    slicko Posts: 9
    I checked that page that Dontletmeeat mentioned, and it shows the following percentages instead:

    Carbs: 55%
    Fat: 30%
    Protein: 15%


    I guess I calculated these percentages wrong originally (I realized now that I should be calculating the calories from carbs/fat/protein proportionate to the total calories).

    Other than the 60/20/20 mentioned above, any other recommendations for what these settings should be ideally for someone who's trying to do weight loss and do some cardio daily?

    Thanks again.
  • Lina4Lina
    Lina4Lina Posts: 712 Member
    I really wouldn't worry about it too much. Some people do 40/30/30, some do a mix of other things. Although mine is set at 60/20/20, I just use that as a basic guideline.
  • seekingstrengthX2
    seekingstrengthX2 Posts: 771
    I would recommend decreasing carbs to 40% and adding that 15% to protein. That is really low for protein. I would also change the fiber to 25g.
  • slicko
    slicko Posts: 9
    Sounds good, thank you both for your help, I really appreciate it.

    Cheers.
This discussion has been closed.

Categories