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

vikdexkaykai
vikdexkaykai Posts: 92 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
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?
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Replies

  • MrsScheidt
    MrsScheidt Posts: 207 Member
    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
    ChrisRS87 Posts: 781 Member
    PROTEINNNN!
  • melb2003
    melb2003 Posts: 198
    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
    Miche11e5 Posts: 114 Member
    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
    rainbowbow Posts: 7,490 Member
    Calories, and making sure I hit my protein.
  • timmymon
    timmymon Posts: 304 Member
    Calories... Give me more of them nomnomnomnom
  • lucyricky2
    lucyricky2 Posts: 450 Member
    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
    smnassise Posts: 22 Member
    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
    ShellyKay67 Posts: 489 Member
    Calories, and making sure I hit my protein.
    ^^ Ditto
  • lizziebeth1028
    lizziebeth1028 Posts: 3,602 Member
    Calories and protein!
  • Chief_Rocka
    Chief_Rocka Posts: 4,710 Member
    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
    clarkeje1 Posts: 1,641 Member
    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
    AwesomelyAmber Posts: 1,617 Member
    Calories. :smile:
  • UpEarly
    UpEarly Posts: 2,555 Member
    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
    davepavone Posts: 42
    low carb high protein
  • californiagirl2012
    californiagirl2012 Posts: 2,625 Member
    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
    WendyTerry420 Posts: 13,274 Member
    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
    mcrowe1016 Posts: 647 Member
    In order of importance: Calories, Protein, Fat, Carbs, Cholest., Sodium, Sugar
  • hunter624
    hunter624 Posts: 252
    My family , the diet comes second.
  • sburde2
    sburde2 Posts: 178 Member
    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
    Sailatsorf Posts: 161 Member
    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
    VanessaGS Posts: 514 Member
    I try to balance everything out.
  • jvdx
    jvdx Posts: 57
    calories, protein
  • bsuew
    bsuew Posts: 628 Member
    calories and carbs!
  • alie001
    alie001 Posts: 59 Member
    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
    mmapags Posts: 8,934 Member
    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
    RenewedRunner Posts: 423 Member
    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
    hendinerik Posts: 287 Member
    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
    karensoxfan Posts: 902 Member
    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
    HMToomey Posts: 276
    In order of importance for me it is: calories, potassium and iron.

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