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Calories or macros?

anuulak
anuulak Posts: 29 Member
edited February 27 in Food and Nutrition
I've just recently started IIFYM (or flexible dieting as some would say) and I have a question: which is more important: calories or macros? Before I started IIFYM I was more focused on calories rather than macros intake and now I sometimes go beyond my daily intake just to hit the macros. Should I "sacrifice" few grams of macros just to get 1800 kcal or is it okay to go a little more with calories?

Replies

  • BigT555
    BigT555 Posts: 2,067 Member
    calories for weight loss, macros for health. its really up to you, a few grams or calories wont make all that much of a difference either way
  • monolith66
    monolith66 Posts: 168 Member
    I look at it differently. I hit my macros to hit my calories, as long as I get my protein and fat minimums I can pretty much do anything at that point. Maybe hit a certain number of carbs and dump the rest into protein or fats or both. That's where I can be flexible.
  • anuulak
    anuulak Posts: 29 Member
    Carbs are the easiest for me cause I eat a lot of fruits, vegetables and whole grains, the most difficult are the fats - I usually get them from dairy
  • _Terrapin_
    _Terrapin_ Posts: 4,301 Member
    [url=http://rs989.pbsrc.com/albums/af15/WFBS18/bloody_keyboardguy.gif~c200?[/img ][/url]
  • FindingAmy77
    FindingAmy77 Posts: 1,268 Member
    calories for weight loss, macros for health. its really up to you, a few grams or calories wont make all that much of a difference either way

    true but I don't care about anything but calories
  • Upstate_Dunadan
    Upstate_Dunadan Posts: 435 Member
    I think the macros are more important than the calories, meaning it's more important to hit your macro goals while staying within your calories, than just staying in your calories. This is especially true if you are exercising.

    I personally think the setting of macros when you let MFP calculate everything is way off. When I set myself up, and then when my wife went through it, crabs were set way to high compared to protein and fat.

    I focus on getting my protein and fat first, staying under my calories, and then let the crabs fall where they will. I'd rather hit my calorie goal and go over a bit on protein and fat, than go over on crabs. If you love fruit and veggies, that will be tricky.
  • _Resolve_
    _Resolve_ Posts: 735 Member
    The trick is to hit your calorie goals while hitting your macros.. takes some practice but once you get it you can keep it up.
  • ThatMouse
    ThatMouse Posts: 229 Member
    Personally I value macros more than calories, but if I hit my macros right, I hit my calories, too.

    There was a time when I just counted calories and I ended up losing weight, but a good portion of it was muscle - I lost all strength and was weak as an overcooked noodle.

    Now, I focus on protein. From there, I'm flexible.
  • 6ftamazon
    6ftamazon Posts: 340 Member
    The trick is to hit your calorie goals while hitting your macros.. takes some practice but once you get it you can keep it up.

    I agree. It's a balance.
  • TriShamelessly
    TriShamelessly Posts: 906 Member
    My approach - Aim to hit fat and protein macros and back fill with the carbs while staying within calorie limits. Veggies have very little carbs for the amount of bulk that they can add to meals. Fruits are added in in moderation (2-4 servings a day). Not everyone's cup of tea, but it's how I roll.
  • Laurenloveswaffles
    Laurenloveswaffles Posts: 535 Member
    If you hit your macros, you will hit your calorie goal.

    carbs and protein = 4 calories per gram
    fat = 9 calories per gram
  • zyxst
    zyxst Posts: 9,151 Member
    1365479282680.jpg
  • anuulak
    anuulak Posts: 29 Member
    Thank you all for your imput!

    I'll follow your advice and try to focus more on fat, since getting my protein isn't as hard as fat, and then complete the rest with carbs.
  • zenki91
    zenki91 Posts: 1
    How can you see how much macros?
  • 970Mikaela1
    970Mikaela1 Posts: 2,013 Member
    The trick is to hit your calorie goals while hitting your macros.. takes some practice but once you get it you can keep it up.

    exactly. I can hit my protein and fat goals with about 1500 then the rest go for whatever. carbs are where I get my wiggle room. if my math is right.
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