Daily goal ratios?

Can anyone advise me about daily goal setting - as in percentage of carbs/fats/sugars? At the moment I have set it at 50%, 30% and 20% respectively....but much of that was guesswork! I have just 'upped' my calorie intake to 1200pd as I lost SEVEN pounds this, my first, week - which, whilst it made me feel FAB, I know it's not a healthy amount to lose! I'm 59, of 'low' activity, and need to lose another 30+lbs. Any advice gratefully received (so long as it's going to help me carry on losing..... ;) )

Replies

  • kommodevaran
    kommodevaran Posts: 17,890 Member
    The default split is the default for a reason. If you feel fine, you don't have to tamper with it. (Just make sure that it's carbs/fat/protein we're talking about with the 50/30/20 - sugar is a carb and you don't really have to track it unless medical issues makes it necessary).

    I would instead start focusing on setting an appropriate calorie goal, and logging accurately. When your loss starts to slow down, or you start to feel hungry, or anything not working, take a closer look.
  • Mitramonday
    Mitramonday Posts: 48 Member
    Yup, you're right, Kommodevaran - it's carbs/fat/protein I was talking about!!! But Sodium and Sugar show on my daily goal - and I have sugar set at 33 and sodium set at 1500? I rarely go anywhere near my sodium levels, but sugar is a potential 'red' awaiting me!!
  • Mitramonday
    Mitramonday Posts: 48 Member
    Oh - and...if sugar is a carb, does that mean it is already included in the carbs total? Thanks for your help!
  • kommodevaran
    kommodevaran Posts: 17,890 Member
    Yup, you're right, Kommodevaran - it's carbs/fat/protein I was talking about!!! But Sodium and Sugar show on my daily goal - and I have sugar set at 33 and sodium set at 1500? I rarely go anywhere near my sodium levels, but sugar is a potential 'red' awaiting me!!

    Just stop tracking those if the red bothers you and your doctor hasn't told you to be careful with any of them. Go here http://www.myfitnesspal.com/account/diary_settings and pick what you want to see. Many start with protein, fat and carbs, but you can set all of them to None; Calories is all that is required.
  • kommodevaran
    kommodevaran Posts: 17,890 Member
    Oh - and...if sugar is a carb, does that mean it is already included in the carbs total? Thanks for your help!

    Yes, it's a "subgroup" of carbs and not added. (Don't ask about fiber - it varies from country to country whether it's included in carbs or not, and some low carbers even calculate "net carbs" by some kind of special formula - too complicated to get into unless you need to.)
  • Mitramonday
    Mitramonday Posts: 48 Member
    Many thanks! ;)