RE: Calories or grams

June 13, 2004

the original ratios were set up as a percent of calories, not grams. 40 percent

calories from carb, 30% calories from fat and 30% calories from protein.

However, I know of no known benefit to consuming food in these ratios. Even

Barry Sears has said that the importance of this " ratio " is overblown.

However, in setting up a 1500 calorie diet, i would choose foods on the basis of

things like fiber/calorie, nutrient/calorie, calorie/gram, or plot all three

on a graph and the the section where the foods that have the most in common from

all three, " may " be some of the healthiest choices you could make.

Of course, I could save you lots of time, and just tell you that they are the

fresh vegetables, high fiber fruits, legumes, some whole grains/cereals/starches

and some lean protein. And few if any have a ratio of 40/30/30

-----Original Message-----

From: Peg Diamond [mailto:enmuffins@...]

Sent: Sun 6/13/2004 1:44 PM

Cc:

Subject: [ ] Calories or grams

I'm in a quandary trying to set up my 1500 calorie plan.

I'm figuring a 30% protein 30% fat and 40% carbs ratio. My

question is this: Is the ratio taken on the 1500 calories -

meaning 450 cals from protein and fat and 600 calories from

carbs.

However: if I work it out this other way my #'s are quite different

as 450 cals of protein = 112 gms?? (4 cals per gm) and 450

cals of fat = 50 gms (450/9) and 600 cals of carb =150 gms

(600/4)

As I say I'm in a quandary as I was using the first set of #'s but

now am having second thoughts.

Any info on this?

Canary Peg

June 13, 2004

IMO forget macronutrient ratios and instead focus on 1) satisfying daily

protein needs without eating an excessive amount, 2) cover essential

vitamins and nutrients, 3) manage good balance of omega 3/ omega 6 fats.

Then if, and after you have satisfied all that, maybe play with your excess

caloric budget if you have any to target some arbitrary macronutrient ratio.

I am of the opinion that macronutrient ratios are so often discussed because

like BMI they are easy to measure, but that doesn't make them meaningful.

To wit protein needs are more dominated by lean body mass and activity

level, not your particular targeted energy balance. As you vary your total

energy intake up and down the protein ratio will change dramatically. Some

even posit that CR benefits from a somewhat higher protein intake suggesting

that it would move opposite a fixed ratio of total caloric intake.

I would try to manage the important stuff first and let macronutrient ratios

fall where they may, manage calories and let BMI be whatever it is, etc,

ect...

JR