calorie/carb/fat/protein targets

NinaMyers
NinaMyers Posts: 37
edited September 20 in Food and Nutrition
Hi folks.

Just curious as to what order of importance (if any) you give your daily totals?

I must admit I only really pay attention to the calorie goal, however, I am becoming quite concerned as I regularly go over my carb allocation.
I justify it on my exercise days, as I often eat pasta before a swim (otherwise I feel unbeleivably hungry during my swim), but on non-exerciwes days I do feel quite guilty.

Never go over my fat toal, and sometimes go over my protein.


What are your thoughts on the totals (aside from calories)?

Replies

  • 100x2xLose
    100x2xLose Posts: 29
    I'm consistently over on my protein and under on carbs despite being consistently under on calories. I will fully admit, I love my meat, and just two servings puts me over sometimes!

    I think the pre-set goals are a little silly unless you want to go part vegetarian.
  • robin52077
    robin52077 Posts: 4,383 Member
    I consistently come in under on Calories, Fat and Carbs, but over on Protein. I guess I like chicken and seafood too much.....
  • viliberty
    viliberty Posts: 74
    I think the priority given specific nutrients depends on the individual person. I am diabetic, so I pay attention to calories of course, but the Carbs are very important. Aslo excess protein is hard on kidneys (another diabetes thing) so I chart that. It is difficult to keep the protein under goal, but I think they have that set a little low anyway. My red blood count is usually low, so iron is important to me. Cholesterol is a given...should be watched even if there isn't a problem (yet).

    If I want to know something not on my charting, I just temporarily change one of the choices to see, and then change it back. Everything is as it was.

    Also you might want to use certain choices for awhile and then others for awhile.

    My husband isn't on here charting, but sometimes I look up his foods to see the sodium content, which is something he needs to watch.

    Since I found MyFitnessPal my life has become a lot easier. I was trying to keep track of all this with books and charts, etc. What a job. Thank you MFP.
  • vixey2906
    vixey2906 Posts: 30
    I do it too, usually on fat or protein. The other day I only had 800 calories and went over the fat! And felt guilty so that was all I ate. I do eat a lot of crap though as Im REALLY fussy! So I've been trying to have soup as meals and grapes as snacks to cut it down. I would have thought fat is the worst to go over for weight loss? And then maybe carbs as if you dont burn them off they turn straight into fat right?
  • iRun4wine
    iRun4wine Posts: 5,126
    I have mine set at:

    50% carbs
    25% fat
    25% protein

    I look at the carb and fat numbers as maximums (do not go over!) and the protein as a goal, but it's ok to go over. Just my opinion.
  • LaTerri
    LaTerri Posts: 42
    I focus mostly on Protein, Carbs and Fat.

    Protein helps you build muscle, and if you want to build muscle, you shoult eat your goal body weight a day. For carbs, you should match that and let the rest go to fat.

    Right now, I am eating 40% protein, 40% carbs and 20% fat. I have lost 4% of body fat in 21 days.
  • SraArroz
    SraArroz Posts: 238
    Is there a way to change the target numbers on here? My doc recommended I get at least 80 grams of protein a day and no more than 50 grams of carbs, but my total target numbers are almost backwards on here... ???? I've just joined but am concerned about that.... thanks!
  • hepkitty
    hepkitty Posts: 132 Member
    yeah there is - if you go to Goals - Change Goals - and choose custom, you can adjust the ratio of carbs/fat/protein (and a bunch of other variables as well)
  • SraArroz
    SraArroz Posts: 238
    Thanks, Hepkitty! =)
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