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

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  • Nefetete
    Nefetete Posts: 343 Member
    Staying within my calories for the day and making sure I eat my 30% protein. The rest I don't really care about.

    For my micro-nutrients, Calcium & Iron.
  • JaceyMarieS
    JaceyMarieS Posts: 692 Member
    Carbs first because as a diabetic, I need to keep my blood sugar in the normal range.
    Calories second because I need to lose 70-80 more pounds.
    Protein and fat because focusing on those helps keep my carbs and calories in an acceptable range.
    Finally, fiber because I like things to move along smoothly and high fiber carbs also help regulate my blood sugar.

    I don't worry about sugar as it's covered by carbs. I don't worry about sodium because I eat little processed food and have low normal blood pressure
  • AWDGhostRider
    AWDGhostRider Posts: 14
    Calories - Cause I'm trying to lose weight

    Cholesterol - My triglycerides are high and I work diligently to keep it under 200 mg a day

    Sodium - Under 2400 mg (not so easy sometimes to keep it under but doing good with that)

    Saturated Fat

    I watch the carbs last but I usually have left over each day.
  • Meg_78
    Meg_78 Posts: 998 Member
    Calories and protein are the only things I pay attention to, I'm a gainer/maintainer, and right now the rest don't matter much..I always go over in fat, I do try to keep most of that fat as good fats though!
  • ClementineGeorg
    ClementineGeorg Posts: 505 Member
    I watch my calories always.

    I do not watch sodium and sugar that much because I have very little of them in my daily menu (just throw an eye at them from time to time).
    Carbs likewise. I barely have half of what MFP says I should each day.

    I watch my fat, but not necessary the MFP values; if I have more one day and it is the healthy fat, it is ok. Wrong kind of fat is what it worries me.
  • CarlieeBear
    CarlieeBear Posts: 325 Member
    I focus on calories, but also watch my percentages. I prefer to go over on protein and under on carbs and fat. I'm trying to get my fat at around 30% of my calories, but sometimes still go over on fat even when that's ok and I'm under on calories.

    My bf is diabetic, so he concentrates on carbs. His calories seem to fall in line when he does that as my carbs and fats do with me watching calories.
  • elisabeisme
    elisabeisme Posts: 308 Member
    I "play" MFP weekly like playing an old school video game. in PacMan or DonkeyKong or Mario, you first want to just be able to complete the level. Then, you try and do it without losing lives, getting more points, finishing faster, achieving bonuses, etc.

    Completing the Level
    For me, acheiving calories (under) and protein (minimums) are "completing the level". I balance those equally, which means that if I am way under on protein, I am willing to go over on calories to get closer on protein. I don't "win the level" every day. If I miss one day, that's like "losing a life" in a video game --- gotta try again the next day. if I lose too many times, I am screwed for the week.

    More Points
    I feel like I got "higher points" for the day if I kept my fat and sugar in check and hit my fiber goal. For me, I'm always way under on sodium and half the potassium numbers are wrong in the database, so I ignore those two.

    Bonuses
    On any given day, if I can achieve my other vitamins/micronutrients (iron, calcium, vitamins a&c), that's like winning a "power up bonus" in a video game. I'm usually more worried about my weekly levels than any given day.

    Monitoring my High Score
    I frequently review my weekly summary results on the iPad app. I'm always trying to improve my weekly average for all the elements combined - which is like my running high score.

    Okay, so I' a bit of a gamer. LOL.
  • Lindsay_N
    Lindsay_N Posts: 100
    Calories first. Then making sure I get my protein.
  • Off10h8ed
    Off10h8ed Posts: 282 Member
    Calories ~ Carbs~ Fat ~ Protein ~ Fiber ~ Calcium

    Calories for obvious reasons, carbs and protein because I do better with lower carb, higher protein, Fiber because it regulates me and Calcium because my doctor recommended a certain amount daily.
  • rockabillywife
    rockabillywife Posts: 15
    My focus is Calories. I have found that when I focus on keeping my Cals low, that carbs, fat, sugar and sodium stay low just because I am focused on eating healthily. My Cal intake is meant to be 1570 a day, but I am finding because I am eating healthy that I struggle to hit the 1570 and end up sitting on around 1200-1300 a day. Unfortunately, this doesn't mean that weight falls off, it just means I eat alot with minimal Cals.
  • EatClean_WashUrNuts
    EatClean_WashUrNuts Posts: 1,590 Member
    Body Fat % is my focus.
  • rebelontherun
    rebelontherun Posts: 192 Member
    My main focus is calories and potassium (I have very low potassium intake that has brought on some health problems)
  • castlerobber
    castlerobber Posts: 528 Member
    Hi all,
    I was just wondering what you pay more attention to, calories, carbs, fat, sodium or sugar.

    In order of importance--carbs (fairly low, 40 to 60g), protein (adequate, 1g per lb of lean body mass), added sugar (low), fat (relatively high, avoiding polyunsaturated and trans fats). Calories and sodium--don't much care.

    Why do you avoid polyunsaturated? I thought trans was the only "bad" one? Aren't omega-3 fatty acids poly?

    They are, but it's easy to get too many omega-6 in relation to omega-3 if you aren't careful. I try to emphasize salmon, shrimp, and omega-3 enriched eggs (flaxseed, tuna and walnuts are good, too) and steer clear of vegetable oils and corn oil.
  • acuratlsd
    acuratlsd Posts: 228
    Well, since I exercise a lot... I do try to stay within my calories, but also I plan ahead and I know how much exercise I will be doing for the day. So, I can actually plan to eat more or less if necessary.

    The thing I have a hard time doing is keeping within my sodium. I also drink a lot of water 18 cups give or take a day. I also sweat a lot when I am doing the cardio, so maybe it will balance out.

    I will usually have half to 75% of my carbs from all the weight training and cardio I do.

    I will take in all the protein because I weight train and I will run my body down to the ground for the day so it needs it to rebuild.

    I will also look into fiber and potassium because it will help with the muscles and flush your body out as well.
  • Tobethin608
    Tobethin608 Posts: 47 Member
    Carbs and protein.

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