Not paying attention to "macros"... is that bad?

ElJefeChief
ElJefeChief Posts: 650 Member
edited November 21 in Food and Nutrition
I don't think my diet is particularly bad - Lots of veggies and fruit, I tend to default to protein when hungry, etc. But what's the deal? Do I need goals for macros? Any thoughts?

Feel free to check out my food diary if you want.

Replies

  • DaddieCat
    DaddieCat Posts: 3,643 Member
    Your diary is closed. Just saying.
  • erickirb
    erickirb Posts: 12,294 Member
    edited July 2015
    a good macro split (combined with other things) can help ensure that you maintain most of your lean muscle as you lose fat (adequate protein), and vitamin absorption and overall health (adequate Fat), as well as energy levels (a lot of people find carbs help here), and satiety.
  • ihaveeverythingineed
    ihaveeverythingineed Posts: 11 Member
    what are you trying to accomplish with your nutrition/fitness? Lose, Gain, or Maintain? I think to lose you mainly should have a caloric deficit and make sure you don't go over carbs. To gain, you probably have to watch your macros more carefully, esp. if you are trying to gain muscle. I would think with maintenance, as long as you eat healthy and aren't gaining or losing weight, macros probably wouldn't matter too much. That's what I would think, but I'm not sure.
  • EvanKeel
    EvanKeel Posts: 1,904 Member
    If you're getting a "balanced" diet from nutrient dense sources, it's probably not worth worrying about too much....unless it's something you find interesting and want to play around with different amounts for kicks.

    As goals becomes more specific (certain body compositions, performance needs during workouts, etc), then tailoring macros becomes more helpful.
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    macros are going to be largely about fitness performance and body composition.
  • erickirb
    erickirb Posts: 12,294 Member
    ihaveeverythingineed wrote: »
    what are you trying to accomplish with your nutrition/fitness? Lose, Gain, or Maintain? I think to lose you mainly should have a caloric deficit and make sure you don't go over carbs. To gain, you probably have to watch your macros more carefully, esp. if you are trying to gain muscle. I would think with maintenance, as long as you eat healthy and aren't gaining or losing weight, macros probably wouldn't matter too much. That's what I would think, but I'm not sure.

    Actually when gaining you can pay a lot less attention to macros.

    when cutting getting adequate protein is a must if you want to maintain lean muscle so lowering carbs as a way to get into a deficit is a good way to go about it.
  • PumpJockeyy
    PumpJockeyy Posts: 98 Member
    In reality you could just track protein to ensure you're getting enough and then just focusing on overall calories for the day (letting fat/carbs end up wherever). Calories in vs calories out.
  • LolBroScience
    LolBroScience Posts: 4,537 Member
    cwolfman13 wrote: »
    macros are going to be largely about fitness performance and body composition.

    this
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