Tracking - What do you keep a strict eye on?

super_b_star
super_b_star Posts: 48 Member
in Food and Nutrition
Tracking - What do you keep a strict eye on in your 'diet'//healthy lifestyle?

Calories? Certain number of carbs/fat/sodium/protein? Only organic? At least 'X' amount of this//No higher than 'X' amount of this? Nothing at all?

All opinions welcome :)

Replies

  • ashdawg8790
    ashdawg8790 Posts: 819 Member
    I keep an eye on sugar if it is not from "real" food - for example, if I'm getting 30 g of sugar from fruit, I don't really count it but if it's from processed junk, I try to keep away from it. Also, I don't mind if I go over on my protein but I really try to stay under on my calories and carbs. Lastly, I try to go over on my fiber every day. :) Oh, and I always try to aim for 14 cups of water instead of 8!!
  • cubbies77
    cubbies77 Posts: 607 Member
    I have insulin resistance, so I have to be militant about my carbs and sugar.
  • ilovescarymovies
    ilovescarymovies Posts: 202 Member
    stay under my calorie goal, meet or go over on protein, meet or go over on fiber and track sodium so i know if i need to drink more water when i go way over on sodium
  • elaineirene84
    elaineirene84 Posts: 65 Member
    I keep an eye on sodium. I am always over fiber and try to get a lot of protein.
  • Linda_Darlene
    Linda_Darlene Posts: 453 Member
    I have insulin resistance, so I have to be militant about my carbs and sugar.

    This. But I go after my protein to keep it up at 40%.
  • Progman
    Progman Posts: 47 Member
    At this point - being in maintain/build mode - more than anything, I keep an eye on my sodium/potassium levels. I always try and come in under the max. daily sodium level and go over in potassium. Failing that, I make sure that my potassium levels are always higher than my sodium intake

    Second is calorie intake....I need to make sure I'm eating enough to build muscle.
  • ladycoy
    ladycoy Posts: 41 Member
    I have gallstones and am on a low fat diet , so i make sure i am no where near the fat goal, otherwise just as close as i can to the parameters
  • kakar0t
    kakar0t Posts: 7
    Calories, carbs, protein and fats. Then I eyeball fibre, just for completions sake.
  • whatjesseats
    whatjesseats Posts: 228 Member
    Calories. I'm keeping it simple (for now).
  • Debbjones
    Debbjones Posts: 278 Member
    Sugar and calories... always try to keep them below my daily allowance... also try to keep protein up... but I must admit I do not track my fluids.
  • JUDDDing
    JUDDDing Posts: 1,367 Member
    Carbs and calories.

    I also note sodium, but mostly as I swoosh past the limits.
  • Dennish68
    Dennish68 Posts: 48 Member
    For me, it is my sodium because i know that can make my weight fluctuate even a few pounds. t is good to watch my sodium also because it forces me to make better food choices and cook more food at home so i have control over how much salt i use. It is unbelievable how much sodium is in processed foods and even worse is restaurant foods! TO me, there is just no need for a deli sandwich to have 2000-3000mg sodium or a plate of pasta with meatballs. So I have definitely cut down on the amount of times i eat out; and a bonus....i SAVE MONEY! :-)
  • ki4yxo
    ki4yxo Posts: 709 Member
    Sodium. Funny how everything else just falls in to line.
  • chels0722
    chels0722 Posts: 465 Member
    I keep close eye on my sodium and sugar intake. Those are sneaky little f---ers. They are in almost everything, so they add up super easy. I buy all organic because those have the least, if not no additives or preservatives. Which are exactly what sodium and sugar are, additives and preservatives. Completely unnecessary when not naturally in food.
  • pfgaytriot
    pfgaytriot Posts: 238 Member
    Sodium is really the only number I am concerned about.
  • jgollnick
    jgollnick Posts: 73 Member
    I am obsessive about my carb intake. The only sugar I take in is natural from fruits and vegetables. Any other carbs I make sure has a good amount of dietary fiber (Slow Carbs)
  • lewcompton
    lewcompton Posts: 881 Member
    I watch my macro ratio, calorie total, exercise, fiber, sodium and most other micronutrients.... I am really interested in total health and have watched my blood pressure go from 145/95 to 122/82 and pulse rate go from 92 to 64. These numbers are every bit as important to me as that one on the scale.
  • xscarletXbegoniasx
    xscarletXbegoniasx Posts: 74
    Refined Sugar.. It's extremely terrible for you and hidden in almost everything now a days. I try to limit myself to just fruits and maybe a treat in the morning from time to time.
  • ldrosophila
    ldrosophila Posts: 7,512 Member
    I mainly use it just to keep me aware of what and how much I'm eating. I'm a salt addict, so never low there.
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    1. Calories
    2. Macro goals - 40c/30p/30hf...this has drastically improved my blood work in RE to blood sugar and triglycerides. I try to have as little refined/added sugar in my diet as possible, but I do eat fruit (2-3 servings daily) and 4-6 servings of veg daily.
    3. Micros - Saturated Fats and Sodium due to hypertension and high cholesterol
  • AllonsYtotheTardis
    AllonsYtotheTardis Posts: 16,947 Member
    I keep an eye on sodium because there is a history of high-blood pressure in my family. Am I strict - maybe not, but I've been working on keeping it down.

    I try to hit my macro targets (carb, pro, fat) I'm not perfect on them, but I'm getting better at it.
  • aprilelayne
    aprilelayne Posts: 41 Member
    My net carb intake (natural sugars allowed) then protein. I struggle with anemia so I have to meet my protein goals. As long as those two primaries are met, I'm good on everything else.
  • Progman
    Progman Posts: 47 Member
    http://www.smartlivingnetwork.com/eating-healthy/b/the-sodium-potassium-partnership/

    If you're interested, here is a good article ( one of many ) on the sodium/potassium partnership.
  • d_Mode
    d_Mode Posts: 880 Member
    Calories and carbs. Doctor's orders due to my diabetes!
  • Confuzzled4ever
    Confuzzled4ever Posts: 2,860 Member
    I watch the calories to make sure they end up somewhere close to 1200 min.

    Otherwise i'd probably not be here..

    LOL
  • 1956KAZZA
    1956KAZZA Posts: 2
    To start with tracking eating enough food to stop my body going into starvation mode now tracking calories, sugar,fat lost 4lb first week gained a lb following week now losing 1 lb a week need to get my BMI below 40 so can have my replacement knee op then hopefully return to a more active life and lose a lot more weight may be 4-5 stone eventually at moment consontrating losing 1 lb a week x
  • TS65
    TS65 Posts: 1,024 Member
    1. Carbs and sugar (keep carbs around 50; sugar around 25) - easy enough to do when you're only eating "real" food.
    2. Protein (try to reach 50g each day)
    3. Calories (I'm having a hard time meeting my 1300 - 1500 goal because I'm only eating real food. I'm eating all day and completely satisfied, but barely reaching the low end, if at all.)

    If I let sugar and carbs get any higher (or start indulging in refined), I start having cravings for both. My carbs come mostly from veggies (avocados, brocolli, etc.)

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