Today mine was 32% fat, 41% carbs and 22% protein on a 1400 cal diet. I've actually done best as far as weight loss in the past with low carbs but I feel more energy especially since I'm doing 1+ hour a day of exercise with some carbs. What is the best ratio, I'm sure there are many thoughts on this? I'm thinking of doing the Abs Diet this time, there's a new book for Women, the South Beach was too restrictive for me, maybe why I gained weight back.

I can't believe no one has answered this thread yet. wow!

I love it when I can get my carbs and proteins both in the 30's and keep my fats in the 20's or less. To me..that is the best day!

I know that a 40% carbs, 30% protein & 30% fat is the way of the diet world... but my problem is... I'm really, really, REALLY bad at math.

I don't know HOW to eat so that I am at that 40-30-30 ratio. I depend on FitDay to tell me how many calories I'm logging, etc.

How does one go about obtaining the infamous 40-30-30 ratio & still stay sane???

Heh, personally I don't bother much with the math of ratios (let alone calculate and stay on-plan with them), but I try to eat more proteins and high quality carbs, with good fats thrown in whenever possible, within my calorie budget.

From what I read, proteins are good because they take longer to break down than carbs, keeping you full longer (and without the blood sugar peaks & troughs of a higher-carb diet) -- they are also the building blocks of metabolism-boosting muscles.

White-meat poultry/fish/beans/egg whites are good ways to get some more protein your diet. If you're an energy bar/drink person, read the labels and pick one with a higher protein ratio (well, and make sure it's tasty too ).

I know that the "Zone" diet shows how to balance protein, carbs and fats at each meal in an easy manner.

Me? I use "FitDay" and adjust foods based on how I feel and what seems to be lacking in my diet.

Hey Beach Patrol!

Fitday tells you the percentages, doesn't it? It does on mine, but it's the download version...

Jay

I'm using the free on-line FitDay and it does give the percentages. I'm glad someone asked because I pondering this very question myself this morning.

I've only been at this a couple of weeks and I have been pretty consistently at 60% carbs, 30% protein, and 10% fat since I started. I think the carbs are really important, because they give you energy to work out and just to live your day. I am eating solely complex carbohydrates and have been full of energy with a 1200-1400 calorie diet.