WHAT'S THE MAGIC NUMBER - Carbs/Protein/Fat

Options
LET'S TALK RATIOS AND BALANCE

Does anyone know what the best ratio is between your daily Carb-Protein-Fat intake should be...?
Can anyone help us with this...?

What are your ratios...?
Post your daily ratios here and hopefully we can all get on a heathy balance...
«1

Replies

  • Farburnfred
    Farburnfred Posts: 333 Member
    Options
    My husband has read somewhere and advised me to aim for 55% carbs, 30% fat and 15% protein. I personally find that too much carb and not enough fat for my needs and virtually swap carbs and fat, I find a handful of nuts better than bread to satisfy me without setting off cravings.

    will be interesting to find out what others do.
  • Zangpakto
    Zangpakto Posts: 336 Member
    Options
    20% carbs, 15% protein and 65% fat according to how our body is built, how breast milk is (Which babies survive on just fine might I add) etc.
  • Pimpmonkey
    Pimpmonkey Posts: 566
    Options
    The "magic" number is 3 as in "you need all three" every person's body will respond differently to a different balance. You need to research it and try different combinations base on what YOUR body needs, not what 3000 strangers on a website say you should eat.
  • Farburnfred
    Farburnfred Posts: 333 Member
    Options
    20% carbs, 15% protein and 65% fat according to how our body is built, how breast milk is (Which babies survive on just fine might I add) etc.

    but surely a babies needs are very different from an adults?
  • TheVimFuego
    TheVimFuego Posts: 2,412 Member
    Options
    There is no ideal ratio, it depends on the individual.

    I am doing just fine losing fat on: 10 to 15% carbs, 25 to 20% protein and 65% fat.

    No real exercise to speak of either ....
  • SailorStevens
    Options
    I realize that we all need a percentage of all three and that it probably is based on each of us.
    Our body type, our life style, etc.
    But how do we know what is the right ballance?

    I have just started, so my ratio between Carbs-Protein-Fat are most likely out of wack.
    Right now, mine are running about 47% Carbs, 20% Fat and 32% Protein.
    How do I know if that is good or bad...?
  • AntWrig
    AntWrig Posts: 2,273 Member
    Options
    I realize that we all need a percentage of all three and that it probably is based on each of us.
    Our body type, our life style, etc.
    But how do we know what is the right ballance?

    I have just started, so my ratio between Carbs-Protein-Fat are most likely out of wack.
    Right now, mine are running about 47% Carbs, 20% Fat and 32% Protein.
    How do I know if that is good or bad...?
    Trial and Error, that is how you know if it's good and or bad. Also STOP using percentages.

    47%, 20%, 32% from 2000 calories is different then from 1500.

    Protein should be at .8- 2.5 grams per pound of body weight (or lean mass if you're obese) .
    Fat should be at .35-.50 per pound of body weight (or lean mass if you're obese) .
    Fill remaining calories in with carbs.
  • StrawberrySprinkles
    Options
    I'm currently at 40% carbs, 35% protein, 25% fat. I've managed about 15 pounds in less than 2 months, so I guess it works for me?

    You sometimes have to fiddle to see what you feel the best at. It's hard filling in all the protein everyday...but it works. :)
  • PercivalHackworth
    PercivalHackworth Posts: 1,437 Member
    Options
    I realize that we all need a percentage of all three and that it probably is based on each of us.
    Our body type, our life style, etc.
    But how do we know what is the right ballance?

    I have just started, so my ratio between Carbs-Protein-Fat are most likely out of wack.
    Right now, mine are running about 47% Carbs, 20% Fat and 32% Protein.
    How do I know if that is good or bad...?
    Trial and Error, that is how you know if it's good and or bad. Also STOP using percentages.

    47%, 20%, 32% from 2000 calories is different then from 1500.


    Protein should be at .8- 2.5 grams per pound of body weight (or lean mass if you're obese) .
    Fat should be at .35-.50 per pound of body weight (or lean mass if you're obese) .
    Fill remaining calories in with carbs.

    Totally agree
    When I work on numbers, I usually start with fat - 25/30 % from the total intake, then protein (g/bw) and fill up with carbs.
  • CaseRat
    CaseRat Posts: 377 Member
    Options
    I realize that we all need a percentage of all three and that it probably is based on each of us.
    Our body type, our life style, etc.
    But how do we know what is the right ballance?

    I have just started, so my ratio between Carbs-Protein-Fat are most likely out of wack.
    Right now, mine are running about 47% Carbs, 20% Fat and 32% Protein.
    How do I know if that is good or bad...?
    Trial and Error, that is how you know if it's good and or bad. Also STOP using percentages.

    47%, 20%, 32% from 2000 calories is different then from 1500.


    Protein should be at .8- 2.5 grams per pound of body weight (or lean mass if you're obese) .
    Fat should be at .35-.50 per pound of body weight (or lean mass if you're obese) .
    Fill remaining calories in with carbs.

    Totally agree
    When I work on numbers, I usually start with fat - 25/30 % from the total intake, then protein (g/bw) and fill up with carbs.

    Bingo. I go for at least 170g protein a day, 60g fat mixed in with as many polyunsaturated and monounsaturated as possible, then fill the rest with carbs.
  • whiskeycharged
    whiskeycharged Posts: 400 Member
    Options
    The "magic" number is 3 as in "you need all three" every person's body will respond differently to a different balance. You need to research it and try different combinations base on what YOUR body needs, not what 3000 strangers on a website say you should eat.

    ^^ THIS.

    But since I'm one of the 3000 strangers too - 40% carb, 40 % protein, 20 % fat.
  • Carol_L
    Carol_L Posts: 296 Member
    Options
    The "magic" number is 3 as in "you need all three" every person's body will respond differently to a different balance. You need to research it and try different combinations base on what YOUR body needs, not what 3000 strangers on a website say you should eat.

    ^^ THIS.

    But since I'm one of the 3000 strangers too - 40% carb, 40 % protein, 20 % fat.

    15-20% carb, 40 - 45% protein, 40% fat. Find this has been working for me. Losing weight and my doctor has no complaints about my blood work (sugars, cholesterol etc).
  • SailorStevens
    Options
    Thanks for all the input so far, has been real helpful.
    There is still lots to learn and understand about the relationship between Carbs-Protein-Fat .
    I'm sure this topic will not only help me by other members here at MFP also.
    Looking forward to more suggestions about this...
  • 970Mikaela1
    970Mikaela1 Posts: 2,013 Member
    Options
    bump Thanks FitnessSocialist
  • WendyTerry420
    WendyTerry420 Posts: 13,274 Member
    Options
    LET'S TALK RATIOS AND BALANCE

    Does anyone know what the best ratio is between your daily Carb-Protein-Fat intake should be...?
    Can anyone help us with this...?

    What are your ratios...?
    Post your daily ratios here and hopefully we can all get on a heathy balance...

    The numbers are personal preference really. There is nothing magical about them. People whine and moan about carbs, but I'm at 50% carbs, 20% protein, and 30% fat. The only one I really worry about is protein. I try to make that number red every day and keep my calories number green.
  • suwonfish
    Options
    Bumping this to study later....

    Many thanks FitnessSocialist ^^
  • WendyTerry420
    WendyTerry420 Posts: 13,274 Member
    Options
    20% carbs, 15% protein and 65% fat according to how our body is built, how breast milk is (Which babies survive on just fine might I add) etc.

    but surely a babies needs are very different from an adults?

    HAHA....Definitely! Babies have to have more fat in their diet. A grown person has entirely different needs than a newborn.
  • Zangpakto
    Zangpakto Posts: 336 Member
    Options
    20% carbs, 15% protein and 65% fat according to how our body is built, how breast milk is (Which babies survive on just fine might I add) etc.

    but surely a babies needs are very different from an adults?

    HAHA....Definitely! Babies have to have more fat in their diet. A grown person has entirely different needs than a newborn.

    Actually there was a bit of research and the baby part was only part of it, our bodies own composition also played a part in the study and findings as well as other factors... Boils down to how do we replace brains fat cells with protein or carbs? We cannot... That simple as well as provide fuel in place of carbs through glyconeogenesis, same with other functions that rely on fat, protein is needed for muscles etc.

    Essentially the only one of those big three that has no essential functions is carbs... however to complete cut them out would be impossible to keep up I would imagine and you wouldn't make the best choices would you?

    You have essential proteins and amino acids and you have essential fats.

    Can someone please tell me the essential carbohydrate that we need? Because I do not know of any...
  • WendyTerry420
    WendyTerry420 Posts: 13,274 Member
    Options
    20% carbs, 15% protein and 65% fat according to how our body is built, how breast milk is (Which babies survive on just fine might I add) etc.

    but surely a babies needs are very different from an adults?

    HAHA....Definitely! Babies have to have more fat in their diet. A grown person has entirely different needs than a newborn.

    Actually there was a bit of research and the baby part was only part of it, our bodies own composition also played a part in the study and findings as well as other factors... Boils down to how do we replace brains fat cells with protein or carbs? We cannot... That simple as well as provide fuel in place of carbs through glyconeogenesis, same with other functions that rely on fat, protein is needed for muscles etc.

    Essentially the only one of those big three that has no essential functions is carbs... however to complete cut them out would be impossible to keep up I would imagine and you wouldn't make the best choices would you?

    You have essential proteins and amino acids and you have essential fats.

    Can someone please tell me the essential carbohydrate that we need? Because I do not know of any...

    Actually, the best way to get all the EFAs is through a daily dose of hemp seeds.

    Carbs provide energy. It's the fastest way to get energy. My macros are 50/20/30 and that works for me. Like I said originally, it's a matter of personal preference. You can go low carb and make up for it with lots of lean protein. Or you can have carbs throughout the day and still have plenty of energy. It's up to you.