Sport Macro ratios and grams vs calories

[mickapoo]

When breaking down individual meals into a calorie allotment, and then trying to get the macro ratio right (I'm using 40/40/20), can you follow proportional calories, or do you have to use grams?

For example, I need each meal to be 500 calories. Can it be broken down into 200 calories for protein, 200 calories for carbs, and 100 for fats? Or do I need to use the grams content to break it down to the right ratio and then get it to add up to 500?

 

[tonymcclellan]

Really all that matters is the total at the end of the day.

 

[malkore]

you can break it down by calories. just remember that protein and carbs are 4cals per gram, while fat is 9cals per gram.

also, just because your goal is 40/40/20 (which is too low in fat IMO) doesn't mean each meal should be a 40/40/20 ratio
breakfast should be carb heavy, as should your post workout meal. bedtime meal should be mostly protein and fat, with almost zero carbs.

 

[BigStew]

When breaking down individual meals into a calorie allotment, and then trying to get the macro ratio right (I'm using 40/40/20), can you follow proportional calories, or do you have to use grams?

For example, I need each meal to be 500 calories. Can it be broken down into 200 calories for protein, 200 calories for carbs, and 100 for fats? Or do I need to use the grams content to break it down to the right ratio and then get it to add up to 500?

What matters is the calories at the end of the day