FAT - do you stay under a certain % or grams?
 

I just started tracking my food intake last week and it seems like my fat numbers are too high. I'm curious what works for others.

Do you stay under a certain amount of grams? Or just worry about the bottom line? You can see my FitDay link. My calories are Ok overall and the average from this last week is 33% of my calories coming from fat, 38% from carbs and 29% from protein. I losely followed the Zone a number of years ago and I know it claims that 40p-30c-30f is the right ratio. I'm not doing that right now. I'm basically eating the same foods I always have, just with moderation and cutting out all junk and sweets. I just worry that it is too much fat.

It just hit me that maybe this should have been posted in Calorie Counters? Sorry...

I always keep by fat grams to no more than 45g a day but I need to do this as I'm taking Xenical. I don't find it too difficult to achieve this.

Kitty

Hey Nori, I was just wondering the same thing. I think my fat is WAY too high. And i think it does matter. I have noticed on the weeks that i have lower fat i lose more weight than on weeks that i have less calories and more fat. I may switch to weight watchers from calorie counting because WW helps keep your fat in check and they also take fiber into account. I think i need something like that to keep me in check. It is so easy for me to stay within my cals for the day, then lose nothing at the end of the week...i go back and look at what i have been eating and sure enough...my fat was high. But if fat matters that much then i dont know how people on Atkins lose...my sister did that and lost a ton of weight, but her fat grams were through the roof. So i dont know. I am just confused.

Nori, the Zone is 30P/40C/30F (you reversed the carb and protein percents), so you're really not far off with how you're eating now.

I personally shoot for about 30% fat, but don't sweat if I go over a little so long as I'm eating healthy fats. So long as your fat is coming from good sources, I think you're doing just fine. :)

Ok, thanks! I think it's kinda funny that I'm "loosely" on the Zone again without really trying. Year ago it seems like so much protein to add to my diet I assumed it was the highest %!! I guess I'll stick with how I'm eating for right now and if I need to switch things around later I'll do that.

GL Stacy! I've never done WW, but I know lots of people are very successful on it.

I think healthy eating naturally falls pretty close to the Zone parameters. If you're emphasizing lean proteins, veggies, fruits, whole grains, and healthy fats, it just seems to work out to close to those percents. It happens that way for me too, without really trying. :)

Yeah, I aim for 30% fat or less. For the last month, it's been 31% fat, 41% carbs, and 28% protein.

WOW! I'm following the Zone Diet, too, and I didn't even know it :eek:

I aim for "good" fats, "good" carbs (or... er.... I try) and 100g or more of protein.

I tend to aim for 30 grams or 25% which ever comes first. Fit day shows last month has been 23% fat, 56% carbs, 21% protein.