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Macro Calculator
Macro Calculator
Result
The results below are the suggested amounts of macronutrients and food energy (Calories) you need
to consume daily to lose 0.25 kg per week. Each macronutrient amount is represented as a range of
values. Please click whichever tab best suits your needs, or create your own plan.
Balanced Low Fat Low Carb High Protein Create Your Own
Age 22 ages 18 - 80
Height 183 cm
Weight 89 kg
Your Goal Mild weight loss of 0.5 lb (0.25 kg) per week
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Related:
Carbs Calculator | Protein Calculator | Fat Intake Calculator
In the context of health and fitness, macronutrients are most often defined to be the chemical
compounds that humans consume in large quantities that provide bulk energy. Specifically, they refer
to carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. Some definitions also include water, air, calcium, sodium, chloride
ions, and some other substances, along with more typical macronutrients, since they are needed in
large quantities by the human body. In this calculator, we only calculate daily carbohydrate, protein,
and fat needs.
Micronutrients are another essential part of human nutrition and consist of vitamins and dietary
minerals such as Vitamin A, copper, iron, and iodine. While macronutrients are necessary daily in
amounts on the order of grams, humans typically only need fewer than 100 milligrams of
micronutrients each day.
Protein
Proteins are organic compounds comprised of amino acids, and are one of the types of
macronutrients. Amino acids are essential to a person's well-being, and there are certain amino acids
that can only be obtained through diet. These amino acids are typically referred to as "essential amino
acids," and are obtained by humans and other animals through the consumption of protein.
There are numerous sources of protein, both animal (meat, dairy, etc.) and plant-based (beans,
legumes, nuts, seeds, etc.). There also exist protein supplements that are sometimes used by people
who are trying to build muscle. Although protein is a necessary part of the human diet, as with most
things, moderation is important. There are also healthier and unhealthier proteins.
Healthier proteins include:
Soy
Beans
Nuts
Fish
Skinless poultry
Lean beef
Pork
Low-fat dairy products
Fried meats
Processed meats (deli meats, sausages, fast-food burgers etc.)
High sugar yogurts
Processed protein bars
Many kinds of cheese
Carbohydrates (Carbs)
Carbohydrates, often referred to as simply "carbs," are compounds that are typically classified as
sugar, starch, or fiber. Sugar is the simplest form of carbohydrate, while starch and fiber are complex
carbohydrates. Carbohydrates are often also classified based on the number of saccharides that
comprise them: monosaccharides, disaccharides, oligosaccharides, and polysaccharides.
Monosaccharides and disaccharides are often referred to as "simple carbohydrates," while
oligosaccharides and polysaccharides are referred to as "complex carbohydrates."
Glucose is a monosaccharide and is one of the key sources of energy for humans, as well as other
animals. Polysaccharides such as cellulose cannot be easily metabolized by many organisms,
including humans, but can still provide them with valuable dietary fibers, which helps with digestion.
Too many carbohydrates in the form of sugar (common in processed foods) can have negative health
effects, but more complex carbohydrates (from vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, etc.),
particularly those that provide dietary fibers, are beneficial, and necessary for the human body.
Fat
Fats are molecules that are comprised primarily of carbon and hydrogen atoms. Common examples
include cholesterol, phospholipids, and triglycerides. Although fats, in the context of nutrition, are
typically viewed as unhealthy, they have both structural as well as metabolic functions, and are a
necessary part of the human diet. They are also highly energy dense and are the most efficient form of
energy storage.
Fats are typically classified based on the bonding of carbon atoms. In terms of dietary fats, the most
commonly referenced fats include saturated fats, unsaturated fats, trans fats, monounsaturated fats,
polyunsaturated fats, and omega-3 fatty acids. Generally, saturated and trans fats are considered
unhealthy fats, while monounsaturated, polyunsaturated, and omega-3 fatty acids are considered to be
healthier, better sources of fat for the body.
General recommendations from the Dietary Guidelines for Americans for 2015-2020 include entirely
avoiding trans fats where possible, limiting saturated fat intake to comprise less than 10% of calories
consumed per day, and ideally replacing saturated fats in the diet with monounsaturated and
polyunsaturated fats.
The number of calories a person needs to consume on a daily basis is mainly based on a number of
factors including height, weight, age, and activity level, along with whether the person wants to
maintain, lose, or gain weight. The values returned by the calculator are based on two equations for
estimating the basal metabolic rate (BMR) or resting daily energy expenditure (RDEE) of a person.
Once the BMR or RDEE is calculated, they are then multiplied by an activity factor to estimate daily
caloric needs. The Mifflin-St Jeor Equation is a widely adopted equation that calculates BMR mainly
based on physical characteristics such as body weight and height. The Katch-McArdle Formula
calculates RDEE, which takes lean body mass into account. The Katch-McArdle Formula can be more
accurate for people who are leaner and know their body fat percentage.
Based on the above factors, an average person may need to consume anywhere from 1600-3000
calories a day. The recommendations are generally higher for men (2000-3000) than women (1600-
2400), and an increased activity level requires more calories, while a sedentary person would require
less.
As carbohydrates, proteins, and fats provide nearly the entire energy needs of the human body, their
daily needs can be calculated based on the daily caloric need. The values returned by the calculator
are an estimate based on standards and guidelines provided by a number of institutions, such as the
American Dietetic Association, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, World Health
Organization, and more.