Macro/Calorie counting

javaldez5
javaldez5 Posts: 3 Member
edited November 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
So I just started meal planning/prepping around a 1200 calorie diet. I am using myfitnesspal to calculate my macros that I need and I am struggling to meet the calories. I keep going over in my protein and under in my carbs. I am supposed to consume 150g of carbs and only 60g of protein. I am a meat eater!! I generally do not eat starchy carbs. Any suggestions?

Replies

  • livingleanlivingclean
    livingleanlivingclean Posts: 11,750 Member
    The protein goal is a minimum. The macro breakdown is a suggestion. Do what works for you!
  • MegaMooseEsq
    MegaMooseEsq Posts: 3,118 Member
    Get used to meal prepping first and hit your calories however you want. It won't kill you not to worry about macros at first. Or later, really, although yes, it's good to try and get enough protein. But one step at a time is fine.
  • rmgnow
    rmgnow Posts: 375 Member
    What's your height and weight
  • javaldez5
    javaldez5 Posts: 3 Member
    I am 5'3, 179. Meal prepping to meat the calories is not the issue, it is the combo I am fine tuning and getting the protein is not the issue. I would have 100% protein if I could, but I am no where near the amount of carbs that I am supposed to take in, but when I raise my carb intake my protein goes over. I am trying the macro thing because nothing else has worked, so I feel like I should stay within the range provided before I start switching things up. trying to figure out what does work for me.
  • seska422
    seska422 Posts: 3,217 Member
    javaldez5 wrote: »
    I am 5'3, 179. Meal prepping to meat the calories is not the issue, it is the combo I am fine tuning and getting the protein is not the issue. I would have 100% protein if I could, but I am no where near the amount of carbs that I am supposed to take in, but when I raise my carb intake my protein goes over. I am trying the macro thing because nothing else has worked, so I feel like I should stay within the range provided before I start switching things up. trying to figure out what does work for me.
    If I were you, I would start by recording your current way of eating for a couple of weeks to find out your preferred macro mix and working from that direction rather than from MFP's default.

    MFP defaults to splitting your macros 50% carbs - 20% protein - 30% fat. That's a balance that falls within government recommendations. Everyone gets that balance as a starting point and your choice of 1200 calories is what gave you 150g of carbs and 60g of protein.

    There's no problem with eating fewer carbs. You need to get at least enough protein and fat. The US government macro range recommendations are 45%-65% carbs, 10%-35% protein, and 20%-35% fat but many succeed just fine with lower carbs and higher fat than that.

    Change the macro percentages to work for you rather than trying to conform to the MFP macro mix. If you eat more protein, up your protein goal. If you eat fewer carbs, lower that percentage. There's nothing magic about MFP's macro mix. I like it and it works for me but that's because it comes close to my preferred way of eating. Make things as easy and comfortable for yourself as possible.

    Macros are for satiation and so that you can be sure to get at least enough protein and fat. Calories are for weight loss. Since you get plenty of protein, you should be fine to just concentrate on calories at first and get the hang of that before you branch out.
  • javaldez5
    javaldez5 Posts: 3 Member
    Awesome, Thanks. Having the parameters helps me to stay on track with eating well balanced portion controlled meals. Otherwise, I will eat only meat with the occasional veggie, and that clearly has not been working.
  • savithny
    savithny Posts: 1,200 Member
    Yeah - when I track what I'm eating when I'm eating within my calories and eating healthy, satisfying foods - my natural macros tend to fall closer to 40-40-20. I don't accept the default MFP macro breakdown as the necessary starting point.
  • seska422
    seska422 Posts: 3,217 Member
    If you want a balanced framework with more protein and fewer carbs, you might want to try the Zone diet macro distribution of 40% carbs - 30% protein - 30% fat.
  • rmgnow
    rmgnow Posts: 375 Member
    1200 is way too low right now.
    If I were you I'd start at around 1600 the recomp when you get about 20 lbs closer to your goal
  • SCoil123
    SCoil123 Posts: 2,111 Member
    savithny wrote: »
    Yeah - when I track what I'm eating when I'm eating within my calories and eating healthy, satisfying foods - my natural macros tend to fall closer to 40-40-20. I don't accept the default MFP macro breakdown as the necessary starting point.

    40-20-20 is only 80%. Where do the other 20% of your calories come from?
  • deannalfisher
    deannalfisher Posts: 5,600 Member
    SCoil123 wrote: »
    savithny wrote: »
    Yeah - when I track what I'm eating when I'm eating within my calories and eating healthy, satisfying foods - my natural macros tend to fall closer to 40-40-20. I don't accept the default MFP macro breakdown as the necessary starting point.

    40-20-20 is only 80%. Where do the other 20% of your calories come from?

    did @savithny edit - because I see 40-40-20
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