Calorie count vs. Fat intake

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galaxyshark
galaxyshark Posts: 21
edited October 2024 in Introduce Yourself
First off, would like to say hello. I started on Wednesday, and am excited to get things back in order as far as living healthy. This question is my ignorance asking, but I am coming in under my calorie limit, but going over my fat (g) limit. What is the significance of this? Positive? Negative? How can it be helped/changed? Thanks!!!!!

Replies

  • bitterbrownie
    bitterbrownie Posts: 369
    bump! i'd be interested to know this too...
  • spaingirl2011
    spaingirl2011 Posts: 763 Member
    Hey there! mind opening your diary so we can take a look? Then we'd be able to help you better!
  • CatMauro
    CatMauro Posts: 225 Member
    Idially you want both to be at or as close to on the money as possible but not all fats are created equally as you may know. If you're finding that you're only 1-2 g over on your fat but still under on your calories don't be too worried but if at the end of the day you're way over on your fat you may want to rethink some of the foods you're eating.
  • melizerd
    melizerd Posts: 870 Member
    I found when I first started that I needed to just focus on one thing at a time, so I did focus on calories. I needed to get portion control under control. I still lost weight. I had quite a bit to lose (over 80lbs minimum). So early on most people will lose weight even if they are over in other areas.

    Long term you'll find ways to shave off fat/sodium etc as you learn to cook healthier :D
  • SDkitty
    SDkitty Posts: 446 Member
    http://www.mckinley.illinois.edu/handouts/macronutrients.htm

    Interesting, short and to the point info on calories, protein and fat.
  • rrrbecca11
    rrrbecca11 Posts: 477
    First you must decide how much fat you need daily, and that is a matter of personal choice based on research and guidelines...personally, I have my fat intake set at 20% of my daily calories, which is fairly low. At 5'7", 120 pounds, I aim for 70% carbs, 20% fat, and 10% protein. You will find lots of people and articles which will tell you that you need more protein and less carbs, but this is actually not too far off the government suggested guidelines for protein and more importantly, it works for me, keeps me slender and full of energy. I eat 5-8 times a day, to keep my carbs (only healthy ones, by the way) distributed throughout the day. This allows my metabolism to function at a steady pace instead of in spurts. But as I said, these things are a matter of personal choice and decision based on what works for you. You can change all your values by going to 'goals' on the toolbar and resetting them to whatever you decide you should be consuming. Good luck!! :)
  • mark03264
    mark03264 Posts: 334 Member
    As long as the fat isn't too far over I wouldn't worry about it. You should stay as close to possible to the calorie goal. Just a heads up that the MFP protein goal tends to be quite low. Shoot for .5 to 1 gram of protein for each pound of lean body weight.

    How can it be helped? By taking a close look at what you are eating and change it up.

    If you open your food log we may be able to help further.
  • portexploit
    portexploit Posts: 378 Member
    Okay, I would rather go over fat compared to carbs anyday. Weight gain is usually due to a increase of insuln, which is caused by consuming too many carbs. Fat has no direct effect on insulin, our hormones run on fat.. don't buy in to the BS hype of high carb low fat diets.
  • portexploit
    portexploit Posts: 378 Member
    http://www.mckinley.illinois.edu/handouts/macronutrients.htm

    Interesting, short and to the point info on calories, protein and fat.

    I didn't lke that page what it said about carbs. Energy comes from ATP, the molecule with the most atp is fat. Yes your brains and organs run on glucose(carbs)..... but when you don't eat many carbs your body will produce ketones, ketones are made from fat and they help fuel these organs.. What would you rather use for energy, your bodyfat or sugar which you eat? you know?
  • Valechka
    Valechka Posts: 192
    too much of ketones are not good for the body anyway, that is why nobody should be on Atkins / high protein diet for long period of time. we need carbs, of cause more complex are better. that is how we were developed evolutionary.
  • Valechka
    Valechka Posts: 192
    where is for fat. if you overeat on fat it will be stored as plain fat. not even a biology, just basic physic. energy wise. 9 calories per gram vs 4 calories per gram ..plus your body prefer not too burn fat, it actually wants to store it!!!... so I am not sure which is better to go over carbs or fat. in my book, it is the same. both will be stored as fat on your butt or stomach :))). so if you go over, just get up your fitness routine next day or later.
  • bcattoes
    bcattoes Posts: 17,299 Member
    too much of ketones are not good for the body anyway, that is why nobody should be on Atkins / high protein diet for long period of time. we need carbs, of cause more complex are better. that is how we were developed evolutionary.

    I sense a "we dont' need carbs" answer coming. :laugh:
  • portexploit
    portexploit Posts: 378 Member
    too much of ketones are not good for the body anyway, that is why nobody should be on Atkins / high protein diet for long period of time. we need carbs, of cause more complex are better. that is how we were developed evolutionary.

    can you explain to me why ketones are bad??? Are you talking about it from an acidic point of view..?

    What is evolution, is it what we change to naturally, or can we control our evolution? When agriculture was developed that's when disease started to take place. Pre agricultural there was no sign of disease, these neandrethral mostly ate protien and fat from animals.
  • rrrbecca11
    rrrbecca11 Posts: 477
    Okay, I would rather go over fat compared to carbs anyday. Weight gain is usually due to a increase of insuln, which is caused by consuming too many carbs. Fat has no direct effect on insulin, our hormones run on fat.. don't buy in to the BS hype of high carb low fat diets.

    I am only saying it works for me :) At 54, 5'7" and 120 pounds for quite a long time now, I have more energy and stamina than a lot of people half my age. Perhaps it doesn't work for everyone, but I certainly can't agree that it is bs, because I am living proof. :)
  • bcattoes
    bcattoes Posts: 17,299 Member
    [What is evolution, is it what we change to naturally, or can we control our evolution? When agriculture was developed that's when disease started to take place. Pre agricultural there was no sign of disease, these neandrethral mostly ate protien and fat from animals.

    Even if that is true - no disease before agriculture - that in no way means that agriculture caused disease.
  • rrrbecca11
    rrrbecca11 Posts: 477
    [What is evolution, is it what we change to naturally, or can we control our evolution? When agriculture was developed that's when disease started to take place. Pre agricultural there was no sign of disease, these neandrethral mostly ate protien and fat from animals.

    Even if that is true - no disease before agriculture - that in no way means that agriculture caused disease.

    Human beings eat way more meat and animal protein products now that at any time during history. Witness the enormous amount of cattle, hogs and chickens that are slaughtered every year, and the grains that go to feed them, which could just be feeding us. Animal protein causes disease. Read 'The China Study'. It's becoming common knowledge.
  • jayb0ne
    jayb0ne Posts: 644 Member
    Takes a little time to figure out how to eat your macro split the way you want it. A friend of mine started here and was stopping at 800 calories because she'd reached her carb limit!

    I'd say focus on getting the calories right and then you'll figure the macro split thing out as you try different combinations of food within your calorie target.

    I started out trying for thirds each fat/carb/protein with a further thirds split between sat/mono/poly fat. Seems a fair balance to me.

    Although I'm currently at 45% carb, 35% protein and 20% fat (with the thirds fats split) but reckon I'll try kicking it up to 40/40/20 soon.
  • jayb0ne
    jayb0ne Posts: 644 Member
    [What is evolution, is it what we change to naturally, or can we control our evolution? When agriculture was developed that's when disease started to take place. Pre agricultural there was no sign of disease, these neandrethral mostly ate protien and fat from animals.

    Even if that is true - no disease before agriculture - that in no way means that agriculture caused disease.

    To trot out an old cliche... Correlation doesn't equal causation... ;~)
  • portexploit
    portexploit Posts: 378 Member
    where is for fat. if you overeat on fat it will be stored as plain fat. not even a biology, just basic physic. energy wise. 9 calories per gram vs 4 calories per gram ..plus your body prefer not too burn fat, it actually wants to store it!!!... so I am not sure which is better to go over carbs or fat. in my book, it is the same. both will be stored as fat on your butt or stomach :))). so if you go over, just get up your fitness routine next day or later.

    You know what's interesting; the laws of physics don't fully apply to the human body. I think it's because we're dealing with an organisms that aren't stagnant, they're constantly changing, and modifying within the body, you really can't take measurements in a situation like that. If you weigh 180 and eat 1lbs of food, would you weigh 181? 180+1=`181, you usually don’t. The Matter still hasn’t been dissimulated; it’s still in the body.

    Another example is a person who is eating 2000 calories of carbs, and 2000 calories from protein, I can promise you the person eating the protein will lose more weight than the person eating the carbs.

    Yes you’re right about fat being more nutrient dense, fat’s also release CCK(Cholecystokinin) which helps you stay full longer. Weight gain is about too much insulin in the body, 2 things increase insulin, too many carbs or too many calories. So yes from a caloric stand point fat can increase insulin if it’s too much. If you’re under your caloric limit and eat fat it will have no direct effect on insulin. Carbs do increase insulin, which clears the blood of glucose storing it in the muscle, once the muscles are full it will turn it in to fat. Insulin prevents fat from being liberating by the body. Protein on the other hand release glucagon, which puts glucose back in to the blood stream, taking it out of muscles and fat.

    Fat is the main source of energy when you're doing low intensity activities.
  • portexploit
    portexploit Posts: 378 Member
    [What is evolution, is it what we change to naturally, or can we control our evolution? When agriculture was developed that's when disease started to take place. Pre agricultural there was no sign of disease, these neandrethral mostly ate protien and fat from animals.

    Even if that is true - no disease before agriculture - that in no way means that agriculture caused disease.

    you're right, and it also means IT DOES NOT mean it didn't cause disease either.
  • bhagavatilad1
    bhagavatilad1 Posts: 277
    Great question I was wondering too. Today was the first time I had Chocolate after registering 3 weeks ago I ate 3 fun size pieces of Snickers bars some Milk Duds and I drank some sprite my fat went way up to 18 instead of the normal 1 or 2 over. I guess I'll have to stick to water and a light salad for the rest of the evening. Losing weight is tough.

    I think if you eat a lot of processed foods ready to heat and serve you need to check the calories per serving and also alot of fast food also makes your fat go up. You will still lose weight but not as much as you like.

    Good Luck
  • portexploit
    portexploit Posts: 378 Member
    [What is evolution, is it what we change to naturally, or can we control our evolution? When agriculture was developed that's when disease started to take place. Pre agricultural there was no sign of disease, these neandrethral mostly ate protien and fat from animals.

    Even if that is true - no disease before agriculture - that in no way means that agriculture caused disease.

    Human beings eat way more meat and animal protein products now that at any time during history. Witness the enormous amount of cattle, hogs and chickens that are slaughtered every year, and the grains that go to feed them, which could just be feeding us. Animal protein causes disease. Read 'The China Study'. It's becoming common knowledge.

    Well of course it can cause disease after all the hormones and stuff, cows are also fed corn, that isn't there diet. There is also more people now then ever in history too.
  • portexploit
    portexploit Posts: 378 Member
    Okay, I would rather go over fat compared to carbs anyday. Weight gain is usually due to a increase of insuln, which is caused by consuming too many carbs. Fat has no direct effect on insulin, our hormones run on fat.. don't buy in to the BS hype of high carb low fat diets.

    I am only saying it works for me :) At 54, 5'7" and 120 pounds for quite a long time now, I have more energy and stamina than a lot of people half my age. Perhaps it doesn't work for everyone, but I certainly can't agree that it is bs, because I am living proof. :)

    You ever consider you might feel even better by lowering your carbs and increasing your fats? Okay I take back what I said... I am also on a high carb diet, but it's just vegetales. They are fiberous carbs. The issue is "what type of carbs" are you eating?!?! IF you're eating low glycemic carbs then yeah it helps stablize insulin giving you a constant release of energy.

    My diet is also high in fat.
  • timeformetofly
    timeformetofly Posts: 64 Member
    Being over your fat is easy to do.. somethings that are good for you are high in fats like salmon and avacaod's.. I just worry about the calories and eating healthy...I try to keep the carbs within range that way I know I'm eating the good carbs and and not a lot of junk..
  • timeformetofly
    timeformetofly Posts: 64 Member
    That's right.. good carbs... they will fill you up and they are HEALTHY...
  • change_happens
    change_happens Posts: 491
    First off, would like to say hello. I started on Wednesday, and am excited to get things back in order as far as living healthy. This question is my ignorance asking, but I am coming in under my calorie limit, but going over my fat (g) limit. What is the significance of this? Positive? Negative? How can it be helped/changed? Thanks!!!!!

    I always go over my fat limit, but remain within my calorie goals because I consume healthy fats. olive oil, fish oil, stuff like that. If it is healthy fat, I wouldn't worry about it. Especially if it is within your goal range.
  • rrrbecca11
    rrrbecca11 Posts: 477
    Okay, I would rather go over fat compared to carbs anyday. Weight gain is usually due to a increase of insuln, which is caused by consuming too many carbs. Fat has no direct effect on insulin, our hormones run on fat.. don't buy in to the BS hype of high carb low fat diets.

    I am only saying it works for me :) At 54, 5'7" and 120 pounds for quite a long time now, I have more energy and stamina than a lot of people half my age. Perhaps it doesn't work for everyone, but I certainly can't agree that it is bs, because I am living proof. :)

    You ever consider you might feel even better by lowering your carbs and increasing your fats? Okay I take back what I said... I am also on a high carb diet, but it's just vegetales. They are fiberous carbs. The issue is "what type of carbs" are you eating?!?! IF you're eating low glycemic carbs then yeah it helps stablize insulin giving you a constant release of energy.

    My diet is also high in fat.

    Lol....if I felt any better I'd have to take over the world! Seriously, I walk 3-5 miles a day, strength train, maintain a garden and home, fill a freezer, homeschool a child, cook almost every single meal consumed by my family, and in general am extremely active. I have more than enough energy to get the job done, plenty of stamina, I sleep like a baby and arise every morning at 5:30 am ready to start my day. :) Did I mention I am vegetarian? So yes, my carbs are the good kind. :)
  • mntnmaiden
    mntnmaiden Posts: 1
    For every gram of fat that you eat, you multiply that by 9 and that gives you the amount of calories that are fat in the food you are eating. You want to keep your grams of fat to let than 30 percent of the foods you take in. For instance, in one tablespoon of mayo, there are 10g of fat and 90 calories per serving which is 1 Tbls. If you take the 10g of fat and multiply that by 9, that is 90 calories. 90 calories divided by 90 calories is 100% fat. So eating a lot of mayo is not good because 100% of your calories are fat calories. Whereas, in 1 cup of 1% milk, there are 2.5g of fat to the 120 calories per serving. 2.5 multiplied by 9 is 22.5 calories of fat. Take the 22.5 fat calories and divide them by the 120 calories per serving, you get 19% (rounded off) of your calories are coming from fat. Still below the 30% of your calories coming from fat, and a much better choice! It is important that even though you are eating less calories, if most of your calories are coming from fat, then you aren't eating as healthy as you could be. Excess fat leads to hardening of the arteries, which can lead to heart attacks and other maladies. And make sure to pay attention to your serving sizes and read labels. When you eat your morning bowl of cereal, are you having the serving size listed on the label of 1 cup or whatever it may be? If not, then you are eating more than one serving and that increases the number of calories you are taking in. The thing to remember is to eat in moderation. Don't deprive yourself either, but instead of eating four or five cookies, only eat one or two. Remember your goal. Changing eating habits takes time and it is a life habit, not just a quick fix. Remember the first three letters in DIET...Diets aren't healthy for you. Just being smart about what you eat and, if you want to lose weight, burning more calories than you take in. A sedentary lifestyle is not healthy, so get up and move, even a little bit, until it, too, becomes a healthy habit. One tiny step at a time. And be sure to give yourself a break if you falter. No one is perfect. :-)
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