Calories, carbs, protein, fat, sugar etc logging. Why?

Hildy_J
Hildy_J Posts: 1,050 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I'm newish here - two weeks so just getting the hang of MFP! :-).

Today I actually tried to stick to my 'goals' for these. And managed it pretty well.

However I have no idea what the rationale behind it is - health benefits or is it related to weight loss? Isn't a calorie a calorie?

If anyone knows I'd be interested. Thanks.

PS I may be new here but I didn't fall off the Christmas tree at, errr, Christmas. So any snidey commenters will be ignored. Then flamed - when they LEAST expect it. :-)

Hugs and kisses to everyone else - what a lovely, LOVELY bunch of folk on here!

Replies

  • ritchiedrama
    ritchiedrama Posts: 1,304 Member
    A calorie is a calorie, you are correct.

    The goals are there for weight loss.

    Sodium and Sugar have no effect on fat loss if you are within your caloric goals, even if you went over on sugar, but was under on calories for example, same effect would happen.
  • AJ_G
    AJ_G Posts: 4,158 Member
    Adequate protein, paired with heavy lifting, is important for muscle gain on a caloric surplus and muscle preservation during a caloric deficit.

    Adequate dietary fat intake is important for nutrient absorption, hormone production, and brain and organ function

    Carbs usually just make up the rest of your calories after the first two macronutrients are accounted for. They are your body's preferred fuel source for any high intensity activities like heavy lifting, or anything where your heart rate is high.

    Most people track sugar but you really don't need to if you don't have a medical reason to and as long as you're tracking total carbs, and all of your macro and micro needs are being met.

    Vitamins and minerals are important for overall health.

    Dietary fiber is important for excretion of dietary cholesterol, as well as cleaning out the digestive tract and keeping things running smoothly.

    Sodium is important for bodily function at a cellular level. The overall sodium intake is not as important as the ratio of sodium to potassium intake. Most people get too much sodium and too little potassium, and this can lead to high blood pressure and other health problems.

    All this being said, the Myfitnesspal default settings are a bit ridiculous in terms of macronutrient intakes, as well as the sugar ceiling. The default protein intake is ridiculously low, and should actually be closer to double what it is set at. Fat is usually set about right, and carbs are set too high because protein is too low...
  • Hildy_J
    Hildy_J Posts: 1,050 Member
    Really interesting - thank you so much! :-)

    Will read it slowly and a few times to... err... digest it.
  • Outwardlycalm
    Outwardlycalm Posts: 75 Member
    So if a calorie is a calorie, then by me eating to little and not loosing means I'm not exercising enough to burn fat?

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