Which one do you pay the most attention to? Do you count calories, fat, carbs or sugars?
lifeforsubstance
Posts: 1 Member
Okay, so I know in order to maintain a brand new healthy lifestyle it's kinda important to take note of all these things (carbs, calories, sugar, fat ect..) but does anyone solely focus on just one more than the other? Lately I've been focusing a lot on my carbs, because the majority of the fat and sugar I consume come from meats like chicken or fruits like apples, banana's and such..so I don't think they are as the fat and sugar you find in candy bars, and and other sweets/fatty foods that are processed....anyone else do this?
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I have a calorie maximum and minimums for fiber, fat and protein. I don't worry about carbs or sugars.... let them fall where they may.5
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I focus on calories. I go over on carbs and sugars from time to time. And I keep an eye on sodium because last thing I want is to reach my goal weight and then have a heart attack.
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Calories. Calories. Calories. Then move to macro balances (carbs/protein/fat). But ruling all - calories.4
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I focus on calories, and making sure I get enough protein. Everything else? Not a big deal for me.7
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All that is important to focus on in terms of fat loss is calories. All the things you listed are unimportant in terms of losing fat if you go over your maintenance calories.5
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I do keep an eye on protein and fat, as in I try to hit the minimums per day. I found over time that I am more satiated when protein and fat were higher than carbs and thus I was less likely to go over. Most people find the right balance for themselves if they stick with it a while.2
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Calories...kind of. I don't freak out if I go a bit over my 1200. However, I always try to hit my protein & fiber as they keep me full. I also tend to watch my sodium, because otherwise, I have to drink a ton of water, and my eyes get all swollen from the salt.1
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Calories ... it's all about the calories.
Although I will have a glance at protein now and then because I do tend to be a bit low.3 -
In order of importance to me...Calories, carbs (low), fats (high), protein (goal).3
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I have a calorie maximum and minimums for fiber, fat and protein. I don't worry about carbs or sugars.... let them fall where they may.
This is exactly what I do. Obviously, calories are the most important thing to focus on when trying to lose weight. But I've found that if I hit my protein and fiber goal for the day, it's much easier for me to hit my calorie goal because for me, more protein and fiber equals less snacking. But as always, YMMV.4 -
lifeforsubstance wrote: »Okay, so I know in order to maintain a brand new healthy lifestyle it's kinda important to take note of all these things (carbs, calories, sugar, fat ect..) but does anyone solely focus on just one more than the other? Lately I've been focusing a lot on my carbs, because the majority of the fat and sugar I consume come from meats like chicken or fruits like apples, banana's and such..so I don't think they are as the fat and sugar you find in candy bars, and and other sweets/fatty foods that are processed....anyone else do this?
Depends on goals.
Are you trying to lose weight or gain weight? Calories matter for that, and beyond that I'd say eat a healthful diet (specific numbers of carbs/fats/protein don't matter for that), and keep your protein at a level that minimizes muscle loss (.8 g per lb of healthy goal weight is a good estimate). So personally I watch calories, protein, and overall diet (but not the numbers).
If you are struggling with hunger or energy or some such, I'd play around with macros (carbs/fat/protein). Track them for a while, see what they are, and then experiment with varying them and see how you feel. I do find that macros affect how satisfied I feel somewhat lately, but this varies by person. For a lot time I saw no need to track fat or carbs so long as I got my protein in (I mean, I tracked them, but I didn't care).
If you want to track things related to a healthful diet, the most useful one is probably fiber. The problem with sugar is that it's all sugar, and you really understand more about your diet just by making sure you are getting in protein, healthy fats (stuff like nuts and seeds, fatty fish, avocado, olives), and fiber. If you have enough of those and look over your diet and are honest with yourself, you are probably good.3 -
Assuming things are setup sanely, if you don't eat to your caloric goals you won't meet your weight goals... simple as that.
Beyond that I suggest that you meet a protein minimum that exceeds the RDA by about 2x. This assumes you're eating at a deficit, or are exercising for performance, or are not sedentary. Note that these were all OR statements :-).
AND that you don't have current or hidden kidney issues. (That last one was an AND!) Such a minimum is often expressed as... what MFP suggests you consume by default.
Beyond that I suggest that as a woman you meet a .35g per lb at goal weight within normal weight range fat minimum. Try to avoid saturated fats when achieving this, including coconut based on the various national heart association recommendations. MFP tends to suggest a bit more than that. There is nothing wrong with eating more than .35g per lb of healthy fats, the number is my suggested minimum!
Eat at least 26g of fiber (males 38g).
Keep added sugars as low as you feel like and is consistent with long term success.
Eat what makes you happy and satiated within your caloric goals.
Meet or exceed the WHO recommended exercise minimums.
Have fun!1 -
Speaking in terms of weight loss, calories are king.
Here's an excellent illustration of the hierarchy of importance, courtesy of Eric Helms:
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Calories and protein. Dont pay attention to anything else.2
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I really only track calories for weight loss and maintenance. I don't often look at my protein numbers, but I do tend to try to eat a good amount of protein to get full sooner and stay full longer.1
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I focus on calories and take note of protein, although I rarely ever make mine. May eventually, right now i just make sure I stay under the calorie limit and try not to eat all candy
for the other commenters- OP didn't ask what she SHOULD do, she just asked if anyone else only focused on a couple areas and disregarded the others. The answer is yes, many do! Why or why not isn't really the question.1 -
I focus 90% on calories and 10% on protein. I don't see a reason why I would want to pay attention to carbs or sugar, and I often get more than enough fiber without even trying.5
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ConnieT1030 wrote: »I focus on calories and take note of protein, although I rarely ever make mine. May eventually, right now i just make sure I stay under the calorie limit and try not to eat all candy
for the other commenters- OP didn't ask what she SHOULD do, she just asked if anyone else only focused on a couple areas and disregarded the others. The answer is yes, many do! Why or why not isn't really the question.
And you don't think some context and background information is helpful?11 -
I pretty much watch calories first, then protein then the other macros and then fiber and sodium.1
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Calories, calories, and then calories in that order. I would also make sure I get enough protein but I eat plenty of it anyway.6
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I just try to max my protein intake so that its about 20% of my diet for the day, or more. I eat whatever I'd like (within reason) since I'm bulking. when i start cutting, i'll be much more strict about my macros. for now, i just need to get food and protein in my body!1
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This is my second day on here and have found it very interesting to read what everyone has said. This is probably a silly question but when I look at my good diary the carb column is showing two figures one with a bracket around it and one without. What do each mean?0
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I set a calorie level to help me achieve my goal, whether it is mass gain or fat loss. I then set my macros (protein, fat, carbs) that will optimise my progress/body.1
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I only track calories. Did that through the weight loss phase and still doing it now in the maintenance phase.1
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Calories first, protein second. The next thing I probably look at is sodium.
Carbs, sugar, fats, etc kind of take care of themselves if I am sticking to my calorie goal and meeting my protein goal.2 -
I do LCHF so carbs first, then calories (because if I follow my carb goal, my calories tend to be a bit under so I will eat an extra slice of cheese or some yogurt to bring my calories up high enough). If I'm being less strict with carbs, then calories first!3
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bluebell67 wrote: »This is my second day on here and have found it very interesting to read what everyone has said. This is probably a silly question but when I look at my good diary the carb column is showing two figures one with a bracket around it and one without. What do each mean?
HI there...was trying to help answer this question but maybe I'm not looking at the correct page or something. Are you maybe referring to your Totals (what you ate for the day), and your Daily Goal? I don't have brackets around anything, though...you said you're looking at your food diary page?
This is what I'm referring to:
To answer OP's question, calories are my main concern, though I also tend to look at the protein column occasionally. My protein total is always low, so I like to try to find ways to improve that number.1 -
Calories first because like people said that's what's important for weight loss, but then I do try to focus on protein and fats and let carbs do what they will, I usually never have a problem getting enough carbs
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Calories->Protein->Fat1
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Priority for me:
1) Calories
2) Protein (make sure I'm getting enough)
3) Fibre (same reason, plus I'm old!)
4) Fats (make sure I'm in range)
5) Sodium (make sure I'm not getting too much)
6) Carbs/Sugar (meh, don't care.)
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