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I have noticed that the app is spreading the calories as 50 % of them should be carbs. Is it correct

I have noticed that the app is spreading the calories as 50 % of them should be carbs. Is it correct?

Answers

  • Retroguy2000
    Retroguy2000 Posts: 1,974 Member
    Maybe that's the default, I don't remember. You can change it to whatever you want in Goals easily.
  • Lietchi
    Lietchi Posts: 6,998 Member
    50% of your calories from carbs is the default setting yes. You're free to adjust that if you prefer a different split :smile:
  • AnnPT77
    AnnPT77 Posts: 35,403 Member
    It's generally OK, but details matter.

    Background: Protein and fats contain essential nutrients that our bodies can't make out of any other intake, so we need to eat a certain amount of those. Cut calories crazy-far for an aggressive weight loss rate - like more than 1% of current body weight per week - and there's no way to get adequate minimum nutrition, no matter how the percents are set.

    Carbs are more flexible, loosely because our bodies can manufacture their own carb-equivalents out of other intake. So, more carbs is fine, but so is fewer carbs. Some people find carbs spike appetite, some have a carb-relevant health condition (such as diabetes) so they need to manage carbs. Those people might want to eat fewer carbs. Other people find that too-low carbs tank their energy level, or keep them from feeling reasonably full. Those people might want to eat more carbs.

    As long as protein and fats are adequate or more, flexing carbs should be fine. But carbs aren't evil, though the foods from which the carbs come do make a difference, i.e., maybe pinto beans are more nutrient-dense, and candy less nutrient-dense, at similar carb levels.

    Weight loss is directly about the calories. In theory, any combination of foods/nutrients at the same calorie level will lead to the same weight loss rate. Indirectly, though, nutrition can have some effect: If we have a raging appetite because of under-nutrition, we won't be able to stick with calorie goal. If our energy level hits the skids because of under-nutrition, we'll drag through the day and burn fewer calories than expected. The direct thing is still calories.

    Personally, I ate close to the default 50% carbs all through weight loss (50 pounds in a bit under a year) and 9+ years of successfully maintaining a healthy weight since. Most of the carbs for me come from veggies, fruits, no-sugar-added dairy foods . . . and yes, small amounts of treat foods, within the context of overall good nutrition. It's worked fine, for me. YMMV.

    My advice:

    Give yourself time and grace to figure out what works for you. Just start logging your food, trying to hit your calorie goal and stay reasonably full and happy. Once that's dialed in, you can see how that eating pattern stacks up against the default suggestions, maybe tweak your routine eating habits if you're under-consuming protein or fats routinely. No need to be exactly exact, pretty close on average is fine. Along the way, gradually learn more about nutrition and notice your personal response to certain mixes of foods/nutrients, and adjust your goals if you wish.

    Best wishes!

  • rileysowner
    rileysowner Posts: 8,355 Member
    Yes, that is the default here. My personal opinion is that is likely too high for many people with the huge percentage of people in the US and Canada who are insulin resistant, pre-diabetic, and diabetic, most of whom don't even know they have those issues.
  • Alatariel75
    Alatariel75 Posts: 18,724 Member
    I changed mine to 40 protein/30/30 carbs and fat. Not because I'm low carbing, but because I don't really love carbs (aside from really sugary ones) and I love meat. It makes me satisfied. Though I've been doing a bad job of following that of late.
  • rubylou102
    rubylou102 Posts: 2 Member
    During a bulk my macro split is 45% carbs/30% fat/25% protein, during a cut I go 40/30/30, but play around with it, see what works for you