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What 1,500 Calories Looks Like on a Macro Diet

Published April 16, 2019
2 minute read
Image displaying the text "What 1,500 calories looks like on a macro diet" at the top. Below the text, there are five different food items, including a yogurt bowl, a vegetable dish, an apple, a rice and vegetable plate, and a chocolate dessert—perfectly balanced for your macro diet. MyFitnessPal Blog
Published April 16, 2019
2 minute read
In This Article

When trying to lose weightkeeping a food log and counting calories can be extremely helpful. To take that a step further, many experts advocate tracking macronutrients — the ratio of proteinfat and carbs in your diet — to help you make smarter food choices. For example, instead of just reaching mindlessly for a bag of chips, you’ll need to think about how much of each macronutrient your snack provides, which might lead you to choose a more balanced snack.

While any fare can fit into a macro diet, you’ll want to focus on nutrient-rich foods to make your macros go further. Balancing high-quality protein (Think: lean meats, eggs, fish and dairy) with fiber-rich carbs (like fruits, vegetables and whole grains) and healthy fats (nuts and avocados) helps keep you satisfied longer.

Your macro percentages varies based on your goals, but a great place to start for weight loss is to take in 50% of your calories from carbs, 25% from fat and 25% from protein. (Pro tip: You can enter these percentages into your settings on the MyFitnessPal app as a premium member).

Here, a sample menu to show you what a 1,500-calorie day might look like on a 50/25/25 macro plan:

BREAKFAST

LUNCH

SNACK

DINNER

DESSERT

TOTAL:

Calories: 1,497; Carbs: 195g (784 calories,~51%); Fat: 44g (401 calories, ~26%); Protein: 87g (348 calories, ~23%)

The information in this article is provided solely for informational purposes. This information is not medical advice and should not be relied upon when making medical decisions, or to diagnose or treat a health condition or illness. You should seek the advice of a physician or a medical professional before beginning any dietary programs or plans, exercise regimen or any other fitness or wellness activities.

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