Does anyone ignore the calorie counter?
Options
Replies
-
callumwalker1995 wrote: »Macros...don't pay attention to your calories...MFP does not calculate all the nutritional info, for example look at my diary, it says I have gone over my calories today by 100+ yet my macros are still behind for the daily total
Macros are whack because user entered
Calories can be whack too but easier to double check on other databases
With that in mind, advising to focus on macros seems nonsensical to me as it just makes the double checking three times as hard
I do calories and protein (should do fat but can't be bothered)
Just times protein and carbs by 4 and your fats by 9, it takes 30 seconds. I was undercalculating what I was eating by 150-200 cals some days which rather than putting me at maintenance actually put me cutting!!
0 -
I quit logging because I have gotten educated on how to eat thanks to MFP and it pissed off everybody at the table. I just hang out here for the fun of it and in case I need intervention.
I hope to be where you are... one day. I just can't seem to let go of weighing and logging everything! It's an addiction i tell you!!
2 -
I actually plan the protein for the entire day first (pre-log) so I guess it is protein first, then calories for the rest.0
-
I started out a few years ago paying attention mostly to the macros, shifted over to focusing on calories and sugar, now I'm looking at sodium since I'm nearing my goal weight and am on multiple blood pressure meds.
Regarding accuracy: I find it's better to pay attention to the label on the food or use the bar code scanner rather than the items in the database. And I've found it's better to never take the first match that turns up for a product. Many items have multiple entries created by MFP users, and a lot of those are wildly inaccurate (whether intentionally or out of ignorance, I couldn't tell you).1 -
Tend to pay more attention to macros.
0 -
callumwalker1995 wrote: »callumwalker1995 wrote: »Macros...don't pay attention to your calories...MFP does not calculate all the nutritional info, for example look at my diary, it says I have gone over my calories today by 100+ yet my macros are still behind for the daily total
Macros are whack because user entered
Calories can be whack too but easier to double check on other databases
With that in mind, advising to focus on macros seems nonsensical to me as it just makes the double checking three times as hard
I do calories and protein (should do fat but can't be bothered)
Just times protein and carbs by 4 and your fats by 9, it takes 30 seconds. I was undercalculating what I was eating by 150-200 cals some days which rather than putting me at maintenance actually put me cutting!!
I know how to work out calories from macros I'm just questioning why you think, if using the MFP database that is any more accurate0 -
Calories, for me. I was on here about two years ago and I was obsessed with tracking EVERYTHING I possible could. I had lost 110+ lbs and was terrified of losing control again. I spend so long pouring over digits and ended up weighing myself twice a day. It's wasn't a healthy attitude.
Take away message: Whatever works for you, stick with that. That's all you need.1 -
callumwalker1995 wrote: »Macros...don't pay attention to your calories...MFP does not calculate all the nutritional info, for example look at my diary, it says I have gone over my calories today by 100+ yet my macros are still behind for the daily total
Macros are whack because user entered
Calories can be whack too but easier to double check on other databases
With that in mind, advising to focus on macros seems nonsensical to me as it just makes the double checking three times as hard
I do calories and protein (should do fat but can't be bothered)
This is what i was trying to say, why track three macros when you can just track one, calories?? Plus trying to hit Protein, fat, carbs and fibre day in day out would drive me nuts. My macros are all over the place, never the same two days in a row.
0 -
callumwalker1995 wrote: »callumwalker1995 wrote: »Macros...don't pay attention to your calories...MFP does not calculate all the nutritional info, for example look at my diary, it says I have gone over my calories today by 100+ yet my macros are still behind for the daily total
Macros are whack because user entered
Calories can be whack too but easier to double check on other databases
With that in mind, advising to focus on macros seems nonsensical to me as it just makes the double checking three times as hard
I do calories and protein (should do fat but can't be bothered)
Just times protein and carbs by 4 and your fats by 9, it takes 30 seconds. I was undercalculating what I was eating by 150-200 cals some days which rather than putting me at maintenance actually put me cutting!!
I know how to work out calories from macros I'm just questioning why you think, if using the MFP database that is any more accurate
i put in the info for the macros on all my foods from the packaging itself, so I know the macros are fairly accurate, but still the calories come out different to the sum of the macros0 -
callumwalker1995 wrote: »callumwalker1995 wrote: »callumwalker1995 wrote: »Macros...don't pay attention to your calories...MFP does not calculate all the nutritional info, for example look at my diary, it says I have gone over my calories today by 100+ yet my macros are still behind for the daily total
Macros are whack because user entered
Calories can be whack too but easier to double check on other databases
With that in mind, advising to focus on macros seems nonsensical to me as it just makes the double checking three times as hard
I do calories and protein (should do fat but can't be bothered)
Just times protein and carbs by 4 and your fats by 9, it takes 30 seconds. I was undercalculating what I was eating by 150-200 cals some days which rather than putting me at maintenance actually put me cutting!!
I know how to work out calories from macros I'm just questioning why you think, if using the MFP database that is any more accurate
i put in the info for the macros on all my foods from the packaging itself, so I know the macros are fairly accurate, but still the calories come out different to the sum of the macros
Mine do too, i just went back and added up my macros from yesterday, and they were a few hundred more than my calories..
0 -
No1
-
Christine_72 wrote: »callumwalker1995 wrote: »Macros...don't pay attention to your calories...MFP does not calculate all the nutritional info, for example look at my diary, it says I have gone over my calories today by 100+ yet my macros are still behind for the daily total
Macros are whack because user entered
Calories can be whack too but easier to double check on other databases
With that in mind, advising to focus on macros seems nonsensical to me as it just makes the double checking three times as hard
I do calories and protein (should do fat but can't be bothered)
This is what i was trying to say, why track three macros when you can just track one, calories?? Plus trying to hit Protein, fat, carbs and fibre day in day out would drive me nuts. My macros are all over the place, never the same two days in a row.
Depending on one's goals there are certain minimums that should be hit for fat and protein. That's why. One can certainly lose weight just counting calories, but some of us have additional goals. I also track my fiber and micros. You should see my lifting spreadsheet! Yes, I'm a tad data driven . . . But, I know a few who are even more so.1 -
sunnybeaches105 wrote: »Christine_72 wrote: »callumwalker1995 wrote: »Macros...don't pay attention to your calories...MFP does not calculate all the nutritional info, for example look at my diary, it says I have gone over my calories today by 100+ yet my macros are still behind for the daily total
Macros are whack because user entered
Calories can be whack too but easier to double check on other databases
With that in mind, advising to focus on macros seems nonsensical to me as it just makes the double checking three times as hard
I do calories and protein (should do fat but can't be bothered)
This is what i was trying to say, why track three macros when you can just track one, calories?? Plus trying to hit Protein, fat, carbs and fibre day in day out would drive me nuts. My macros are all over the place, never the same two days in a row.
Depending on one's goals there are certain minimums that should be hit for fat and protein. That's why. One can certainly lose weight just counting calories, but some of us have additional goals. I also track my fiber and micros. You should see my lifting spreadsheet! Yes, I'm a tad data driven . . . But, I know a few who are even more so.
I get what you're saying. I definitely watch my protein and fat intake, but i pay more attention to my calories and make sure they're right before stressing about anything else, I'm not an athlete or body builder though.2 -
Christine_72 wrote: »sunnybeaches105 wrote: »Christine_72 wrote: »callumwalker1995 wrote: »Macros...don't pay attention to your calories...MFP does not calculate all the nutritional info, for example look at my diary, it says I have gone over my calories today by 100+ yet my macros are still behind for the daily total
Macros are whack because user entered
Calories can be whack too but easier to double check on other databases
With that in mind, advising to focus on macros seems nonsensical to me as it just makes the double checking three times as hard
I do calories and protein (should do fat but can't be bothered)
This is what i was trying to say, why track three macros when you can just track one, calories?? Plus trying to hit Protein, fat, carbs and fibre day in day out would drive me nuts. My macros are all over the place, never the same two days in a row.
Depending on one's goals there are certain minimums that should be hit for fat and protein. That's why. One can certainly lose weight just counting calories, but some of us have additional goals. I also track my fiber and micros. You should see my lifting spreadsheet! Yes, I'm a tad data driven . . . But, I know a few who are even more so.
I get what you're saying. I definitely watch my protein and fat intake, but i pay more attention to my calories and make sure they're right before stressing about anything else, I'm not an athlete or body builder though.
I think your last point is important. I think we all have to assess what we do in light of our goals. Lifting has become a hobby of mine so I put more effort into it than I otherwise would, but less than someone competing. Consistency is my biggest challenge. Just being on here helps me though.1 -
sunnybeaches105 wrote: »But, I know a few who are even more so.
That would be me. I started off just caring about calories, but after much learning on MFP, I started paying attention to my macros, then my micros, and now, every single day, I track all of the ones that MFP has for their standard settings. I like data, and I have nothing better to do, so I actually find it fun. But I count calories first, followed by protein, then make sure my sodium stays at or around 1500, and the rest I try to meet, exceed or limit depending on what they are. I might possibly be a little OCD.
0 -
Christine_72 wrote: »callumwalker1995 wrote: »callumwalker1995 wrote: »callumwalker1995 wrote: »Macros...don't pay attention to your calories...MFP does not calculate all the nutritional info, for example look at my diary, it says I have gone over my calories today by 100+ yet my macros are still behind for the daily total
Macros are whack because user entered
Calories can be whack too but easier to double check on other databases
With that in mind, advising to focus on macros seems nonsensical to me as it just makes the double checking three times as hard
I do calories and protein (should do fat but can't be bothered)
Just times protein and carbs by 4 and your fats by 9, it takes 30 seconds. I was undercalculating what I was eating by 150-200 cals some days which rather than putting me at maintenance actually put me cutting!!
I know how to work out calories from macros I'm just questioning why you think, if using the MFP database that is any more accurate
i put in the info for the macros on all my foods from the packaging itself, so I know the macros are fairly accurate, but still the calories come out different to the sum of the macros
Mine do too, i just went back and added up my macros from yesterday, and they were a few hundred more than my calories..
I don't understand how they were more, ill check your diary0 -
AChristine_72 wrote: »callumwalker1995 wrote: »callumwalker1995 wrote: »callumwalker1995 wrote: »Macros...don't pay attention to your calories...MFP does not calculate all the nutritional info, for example look at my diary, it says I have gone over my calories today by 100+ yet my macros are still behind for the daily total
Macros are whack because user entered
Calories can be whack too but easier to double check on other databases
With that in mind, advising to focus on macros seems nonsensical to me as it just makes the double checking three times as hard
I do calories and protein (should do fat but can't be bothered)
Just times protein and carbs by 4 and your fats by 9, it takes 30 seconds. I was undercalculating what I was eating by 150-200 cals some days which rather than putting me at maintenance actually put me cutting!!
I know how to work out calories from macros I'm just questioning why you think, if using the MFP database that is any more accurate
i put in the info for the macros on all my foods from the packaging itself, so I know the macros are fairly accurate, but still the calories come out different to the sum of the macros
Mine do too, i just went back and added up my macros from yesterday, and they were a few hundred more than my calories..
Actually adding up your macros from yesterday your calories come to 1590 which is 40 short of your goal0 -
Did you look at Friday or Saturday Callum? it's Sunday here, my yesterday is Saturday 30th July.
ETA: Never mind lol I just went back and checked, and there was only a 5 calorie difference. It was too early in the morning when i checked before, I should know better than to do calculations first thing in the morning :blushing:2 -
Calories first and foremost. I keep an eye on the macros but not paying as much attention to them as to calories. Also track fiber.
I know the database is wobly but I double check, as needed, with the Dutch official database and try to use theri entries as much as I can0 -
callumwalker1995 wrote: »callumwalker1995 wrote: »callumwalker1995 wrote: »Macros...don't pay attention to your calories...MFP does not calculate all the nutritional info, for example look at my diary, it says I have gone over my calories today by 100+ yet my macros are still behind for the daily total
Macros are whack because user entered
Calories can be whack too but easier to double check on other databases
With that in mind, advising to focus on macros seems nonsensical to me as it just makes the double checking three times as hard
I do calories and protein (should do fat but can't be bothered)
Just times protein and carbs by 4 and your fats by 9, it takes 30 seconds. I was undercalculating what I was eating by 150-200 cals some days which rather than putting me at maintenance actually put me cutting!!
I know how to work out calories from macros I'm just questioning why you think, if using the MFP database that is any more accurate
i put in the info for the macros on all my foods from the packaging itself, so I know the macros are fairly accurate, but still the calories come out different to the sum of the macros
You're going to have a 20% margin of error on all packaging anyway so "accuracy" will always be rather a misnomer...good enough is good enough0
Categories
- All Categories
- 1.4M Health, Wellness and Goals
- 391.5K Introduce Yourself
- 43.5K Getting Started
- 259.7K Health and Weight Loss
- 175.6K Food and Nutrition
- 47.3K Recipes
- 232.3K Fitness and Exercise
- 391 Sleep, Mindfulness and Overall Wellness
- 6.4K Goal: Maintaining Weight
- 8.5K Goal: Gaining Weight and Body Building
- 152.7K Motivation and Support
- 7.8K Challenges
- 1.3K Debate Club
- 96.3K Chit-Chat
- 2.5K Fun and Games
- 3.2K MyFitnessPal Information
- 22 News and Announcements
- 923 Feature Suggestions and Ideas
- 2.3K MyFitnessPal Tech Support Questions