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Do Macros Matter?

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highervibes
highervibes Posts: 2,219 Member
edited January 20 in Social Groups
I follow a low carb, high fat diet with moderate protein. 10%carbs/30%Protein/60%fat ISH. I also count calories, but I find that eating my carbs in the form of veggies and fruits in conjunction with the high fat keep me very satiated. I did research what my BMR was and also what my TDEE, and what I need to eat to be at a deficit while still fuelling my body according to what it's need are. Do my macros matter? I mean, I like the concept of EMTWL and I definitely DO eat more than the MFP recommended amounts but I know that I FEEL like crap when I eat too many carbs from things like bread or desserts. So yeah, I get the calorie thing, just wondering if the macros matter.

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  • heybales
    heybales Posts: 18,842 Member
    Muscle is constantly broken down and rebuilt.
    If it's been overloaded, it'll try to repair stronger.
    If there's not enough food in general, or not enough incoming complete protein specifically, it won't all be built back up.

    What is retained is that which is stressed - resistance training.
    If there's enough protein, otherwise that just causes loss of other muscle mass for required proteins.

    So ya, protein is important especially during a diet.

    Protein and fat in fact have minimum recommended grams per lb of LBM (0.91 or 1 basically for protein, 0.37 for fat), and carbs can fall where they may.
    If lifting, that is really needed.
  • highervibes
    highervibes Posts: 2,219 Member
    Muscle is constantly broken down and rebuilt.
    If it's been overloaded, it'll try to repair stronger.
    If there's not enough food in general, or not enough incoming complete protein specifically, it won't all be built back up.

    What is retained is that which is stressed - resistance training.
    If there's enough protein, otherwise that just causes loss of other muscle mass for required proteins.

    So ya, protein is important especially during a diet.

    Protein and fat in fact have minimum recommended grams per lb of LBM (0.91 or 1 basically for protein, 0.37 for fat), and carbs can fall where they may.
    If lifting, that is really needed.

    Thanks, that's what I figured for protein. I calculated that I have about 120lbs of lean body mass based on my BF% and weight, and that 90g of protein is what I set my protein goal to. I have many more fat grams than carb grams though and was wondering if that really mattered. So essentially I'm subbing my carbs for GOOD fats (coconut oil, nuts and nut butters, animal fats - we're not talking birthday cake and ho ho's lol)
  • heybales
    heybales Posts: 18,842 Member
    Muscle is constantly broken down and rebuilt.
    If it's been overloaded, it'll try to repair stronger.
    If there's not enough food in general, or not enough incoming complete protein specifically, it won't all be built back up.

    What is retained is that which is stressed - resistance training.
    If there's enough protein, otherwise that just causes loss of other muscle mass for required proteins.

    So ya, protein is important especially during a diet.

    Protein and fat in fact have minimum recommended grams per lb of LBM (0.91 or 1 basically for protein, 0.37 for fat), and carbs can fall where they may.
    If lifting, that is really needed.

    Thanks, that's what I figured for protein. I calculated that I have about 120lbs of lean body mass based on my BF% and weight, and that 90g of protein is what I set my protein goal to. I have many more fat grams than carb grams though and was wondering if that really mattered. So essentially I'm subbing my carbs for GOOD fats (coconut oil, nuts and nut butters, animal fats - we're not talking birthday cake and ho ho's lol)

    So should have 110 to 120 g of protein, and 45 g of fat. When you pick the MFP 5% blocks, round up on those 2, carbs get the rest.
    And you can indeed eat more protein and fat.
    Careful of frequent high intensity cardio though, since it's mainly carb burning. Very easily hit many days in a row of not eating enough carbs to replace what you burned, in which case protein will be used. If excess available, that's great, otherwise, not.
    Fat won't be used at those higher levels.
  • highervibes
    highervibes Posts: 2,219 Member
    I have my protein set to 96g on MFP, my carbs are WAY lower though, my fat is 139g and my carbs are 72 (and I really only get them from veggies and fruits, yogurt flax etc) If I were to reverse the fat and carbs, I would have wonky blood sugar dips and I get hungry for sugar. If I eat fats, that doesn't happen. I'd like to keep my macros at that level even though I know some people won't agree with that. I used to have a hard time even REACHING 1600 calories at the beginning (only for about 2-3 weeks so nothing drastic) but now I'm in the swing of things, I easily know how many calories I should be eating at each meal and what foods fit my macro profiles.

    I do agree that a calorie is a calorie and people need to eat at a deficit to lose, but it's easier for me to stick to my eating plan when I'm not fighting carb cravings and the fat keeps those waaaaaay in check. I guess I'll use the good ole reliable method of "am I losing?" LOL Thanks for your input guys :) I appreciate it!
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