Workable Percentage?

sdj324
sdj324 Posts: 3 Member
Hi, All: Been on Myfitnesspal for a number of years. This is my first note. I just recently switched from the default percentages of 50% carbs, 20% fats, 30% protein (or at least I think that is what they were) to 20% carbs, 25% fats, and 55% protein. Do these amounts seem right? I tried keto with 20 g of carbs but I just couldn't do it so I thought 20% might be better. Thoughts? Thanks.

Replies

  • mmultanen
    mmultanen Posts: 1,029 Member
    Just my own experience: I started and lost a fair amount of weight counting the grams of carbs. Never tracked if I was in ketosis or not, but I stuck to 35g carbs daily for about 3 years. Did pretty well there: significantly reduced my heartburn, lost weight, decreased blood pressure, etc.

    Retooled earlier this year and significantly increased protein, significantly cut fat and significantly increased carbs (plant based) and have been using a percentage model: 50% protein, 30% fat, 20% carbs. It's worked well for me. Probably better than the 35g daily limit did.
  • sdj324
    sdj324 Posts: 3 Member
    Thanks for the info.
  • herblovinmom
    herblovinmom Posts: 425 Member
    I’m eating 1500 calories or less and aiming for 10% carbs which is 50g total or less with 25% protein which is 85 grams per day with 65% fat with 114g per day. I don’t typically eat that much fat. I use it as a filler for my macros but I focus more on limiting carbs and eating a source of protein with every meal. I’m technically low carb but I’m also grain free sugar free and that has probably helped my health the most. I have an auto immune condition so living pain/inflammation free and balancing my hormones and blood sugar was the goal for me, weight loss is a side effect of good health 👍🙂
  • sdj324
    sdj324 Posts: 3 Member
    Sounds like you have a good handle on knowing your nutritional and health needs. I spent too much time on the default values and not experimenting a little more. Looking forward to getting some time on this new plan.
  • ploomka
    ploomka Posts: 308 Member
    @herblovinmom me too!

    I haven't cut grains out entirely yet. But I don't eat them often.

    My pain is still pretty bad. I expected more of reduction. Considering moving more towards an anti-inflammatory diet, but it is so restrictive. I don't know that I am ready for that yet.
  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,427 MFP Moderator
    sdj324 wrote: »
    Hi, All: Been on Myfitnesspal for a number of years. This is my first note. I just recently switched from the default percentages of 50% carbs, 20% fats, 30% protein (or at least I think that is what they were) to 20% carbs, 25% fats, and 55% protein. Do these amounts seem right? I tried keto with 20 g of carbs but I just couldn't do it so I thought 20% might be better. Thoughts? Thanks.

    What are your goals? What are your calories? What are your stats? And do you exercise?
  • herblovinmom
    herblovinmom Posts: 425 Member
    @ploomka maybe try reducing just the foods you know cause you inflammation and pain. You might not react sensitively to all the foods on the AIP list. For me personally I react poorly to tomatoes, hot peppers, and gluten. As well as sugar And rice. Not sure where those 2 foods fall on the AIP list
  • ploomka
    ploomka Posts: 308 Member
    @herblovinmom You are right. I just need to find out which ones, which means I need to start an elimination diet. I have been putting this off, but now is the time. I am also unsure if it IS inflammation that is causing my pain. Things have been so bad lately, though, that I need to try something.
  • herblovinmom
    herblovinmom Posts: 425 Member
    @ploomka
    Elimination diets always seemed so complicated and time consuming to me. I wish you luck. I found a way to do a sort of mini elimination. When you eat the same boring foods day in and day out you notice a small change in your body when you add in a new item. it’s not as accurate as an actual elimination diet but it works for me. I’m sorry your having so much pain lately. It’s difficult to find the cause when everything is so interconnected. Stress, sleep, medications, food, exercise, mental health, relationships, etc.
  • anglyn1
    anglyn1 Posts: 1,802 Member
    @ploomka I did the Whole30 back in July to see if there were any foods that seemed to worsen my rheumatoid arthritis. On the whole I didn't feel much pain relief. When adding foods back it did seem there was a bit of increased pain with corn and maybe rice, not enough of a difference to make me swear off either for life but it's clear that those are things I need to eat sparingly. Legumes caused some slight digestive issues. I was so very relieved that dairy had no effect at all. I really like my heavy cream and cheese. lol. I decided not to try the whole AIP thing because it just seems too restrictive and I didn't find a lot of evidence to back it up.
  • ploomka
    ploomka Posts: 308 Member
    @anglyn1 whole30 sounds like something to try. I might try cutting out dairy temporarily and see what happens. Tho if that’s what’s bothering me, I’ll cry for a year. I love cheese so much.

    @herblovinmom i know, they’re such a pain. I think that’s what I’ll do, just cut out dairy for a bit. Then something else.
  • Hovis15351
    Hovis15351 Posts: 9 Member
    I only track carbs to 20gs and ignore protein and fat. I do not think one can do keto and calorie count and percentages at the same time properly, as they are coming from different starting points. Protein looks after itself in terms of hunger and have found I eat slightly less than I did because my fat intake rose and keeps me going from meal to meal. If I do eat more protein then I tend not to bother with so much the next day, it just balances out.