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Which macro is your main priority? and why?

SarahFromWalthamForest
SarahFromWalthamForest Posts: 101 Member
edited November 2024 in Food and Nutrition
Which macro is your main priority? and why?

I try to hit a minimum of half my bodyweight in protein to avoid muscle loss.

Fat is my secondary goal.

And I try to keep carbs below 30g (sugar below 15g).

Replies

  • inertiastrength
    inertiastrength Posts: 2,343 Member
    Protein and fats. I lift so I need the protein to maintain my lean mass. Fats for hormones and healthy hair and skin; I prefer to look 5 years younger vs 10 years older haha. Carbs, while delicious, are really the only macro I can afford to manipulate
  • lemurcat12
    lemurcat12 Posts: 30,886 Member
    Protein. I focus on getting around 1 g / lb of LBM.

    After that I care more about eating enough vegetables than macro amounts, although I am trying pretty low carb at the moment (if I have low carbs I easily have high fat, I don't really have to work at it).
  • RoxieDawn
    RoxieDawn Posts: 15,488 Member
    edited May 2017
    Protein is for me and I aim for .8 to 1 gram per my body weight. Currently in a calorie deficit and protein helps with muscle sparing and also provides me with satiety. I do however need the right balance of all three to assure that my training needs are met.
  • Sp1tfire
    Sp1tfire Posts: 1,120 Member
    Protein. Mainly because I'm trying to recomp right now so hitting that number especially days I lift is important to me.
  • sardelsa
    sardelsa Posts: 9,812 Member
    Protein as well. Aiming for around 1g per lb bodyweight or more at the moment because I am cutting (mind you I am not tracking, just guestimating). I do try to keep carbs lower <200g on my two lower cal/rest days.
  • sgt1372
    sgt1372 Posts: 3,997 Member
    edited May 2017
    Protein. Suppresses appetite, requires more energy to digest and contributes to muscle growth when combined w/strength based exercises.
  • crazyycatladyy1
    crazyycatladyy1 Posts: 156 Member
    I don't track macros but I gravitate towards a higher carb woe because carbs make me feel fuller for longer than fat or protein.
  • david_1988
    david_1988 Posts: 9 Member
    edited May 2017
    Carbs make up 50-60% of my calories (>340g+) most days. I run most days, so they're pretty useful.
  • JetJaguar
    JetJaguar Posts: 801 Member
    edited May 2017
    Protein, because I find that as long as I focus on that, then the other numbers tend to fall into about the right place. Plus, I tend to get less hungry if I make sure I have some protein with every meal.
  • JustRobby1
    JustRobby1 Posts: 674 Member
    When I was still primarily worried about weight loss as a goal, I did not really pay attention to macros at all, only calories. A calorie is a calorie from this perspective. You can eat "clean" (whatever the hell that means) and still get fat if you consume too many calories.

    Now that I am into weight training, I am much more concerned with protein intake for obvious reasons.
  • AnvilHead
    AnvilHead Posts: 18,343 Member
    edited May 2017
    Protein. I never have a problem hitting my fat goal and couldn't care less where my carbs or sugar counts end up.
  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,438 MFP Moderator
    Protein. I reduce fat when I cut weight (still well above minimum levels) and increase carbs/sugar to support performance.
  • rakowskidp
    rakowskidp Posts: 231 Member
    Protein - because I'm a vegetarian. I'm more concerned, however, with vitamin B12 and iron.
  • Lounmoun
    Lounmoun Posts: 8,423 Member
    Protein because it is easier for me to eat carbs and fats. Protein helps me to feel more satisfied.
  • OnthatStuff
    OnthatStuff Posts: 141 Member
    edited May 2017
    Macro-ni. Boxed. Powdered cheese. :love:
    Reason: when the cheese starts flowin', it gets your noodle goin'
  • Need2Exerc1se
    Need2Exerc1se Posts: 13,575 Member
    edited May 2017
    Carbs because I eat a high fiber diet.
    Second would be fat because if I don't pay attention it I eat way too much.

    I don't worry about protein because I have plenty of muscle without eating a lot of protein.
  • jessiferrrb
    jessiferrrb Posts: 1,758 Member
    protein for maintaining lbm. i give nods to fiber minimums and sodium maximums but they rarely fall where they should.
  • TheCupcakeCounter
    TheCupcakeCounter Posts: 606 Member
    Protein and then fat/fiber (if they aren't in the right balance I have constipation issues)
  • pennygm72
    pennygm72 Posts: 179 Member
    Fat, but in the opposite sense to what I think you were asking, keeping my diet very low fat as awaiting gallbladder removal
  • TrekkieJenee
    TrekkieJenee Posts: 24 Member
    I never have a problem getting enough protein or fat. So, I focus on fiber. If I do that, those are the days my macros are all balanced.
  • StarBrightStarBright
    StarBrightStarBright Posts: 97 Member
    Carbs - keeping them below 40% of my daily intake. If I go much above that I find they set off cravings for me. Otherwise I tend to let the fat and protein fall where they will.
  • ValeriePlz
    ValeriePlz Posts: 517 Member
    Protein and fiber. I'm running a half marathon and two triathlons this summer, so I need that for recovery. I also make fiber a priority for long-term health.
  • Will_Run_for_Food
    Will_Run_for_Food Posts: 561 Member
    I don't focus on one in particular but I am starting to follow IIFYM again so my focus is on getting the right balance of each (37% protein, 18% fat, 45% carbs).
  • NualaTW
    NualaTW Posts: 205 Member
    For me it's protein and carbs. I had weight loss surgery just over a year ago, so it is vital to keep track of my protein and carbs. Recently I have taken up a weight training/cardio regimen 6 days a week to rebuild muscle lost during the weight loss, so it has become even more important. I try to stick to around 120g protein and no more than 90g carbs per day (40% protein, 30% fats, 30% carbs).
  • physio52
    physio52 Posts: 28 Member
    Carbs and fat as I am on low carb high fat diet for diabetes control and weight loss
  • healthyfitsamantha
    healthyfitsamantha Posts: 12 Member
    Protein and then fats. I only worry about carbs to make sure I don't go over. That being said, when I was running and doing marathon training, I equally prioritized my protein and carb intake.
  • J72FIT
    J72FIT Posts: 6,035 Member
    Protein for my muscles and fats for my hormones. I fill in the rest of my calories with carbs. If cutting they are lower if in maintenance they are higher. I also keep an eye on fiber and shoot for 15 grams per 1000 calories...
  • cs2thecox
    cs2thecox Posts: 533 Member
    Protein (135g), then carbs (210g) and fats (70g) equally.

    Helps keep me fuller for longer, doesn't give me stinky breath (I did full keto for a while - ugh!), and supports my quest for low enough body fat to see my abs!
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