Having trouble with balance

[kmuldrow]

I know that the balance is supposed to be 65% fat, 30% protein, and 5% carbs.

I'm having trouble coming up with the percentage. I plug it in Fitday before I eat it.

Today, I'm planning 2 cups of spinach in a salad which according to fitday is 2.2g of carbs so I was thinking that I'd add 1/2 cup peas which is higher in carbs (11.4 on Fitday), but 4.4 is fiber.

Anyway, I can't seem to hit the 65,30,5 balance. With the spinach and peas, I'm looking at 68, 26, 5. This stays the same if I keep the peas and do an extra cup of spinach.

Maybe I should up the peas and nix the spinach all together? 1 cup of peas is 22.8 with 8.8 of fiber. With the eggs and 1 cheese stick I've eaten today, that will put me at just below 20g for the day BUT the balance will become 67, 26, 7.

Thoughts?

[JulieB]

Re: Having trouble with balance

Spinach is on the list of "other" veggies, limited to 1 cup/day. Peas aren't on the list at all (unless you mean snow peas).

Perhaps it isn't the veggies you need to adjust in order to get the ratios right, but the protein/fat

[kmuldrow]

Re: Having trouble with balance

Thanks for responding.

No they are just green peas. I'm on a tight budget right now and believe it or not, the store nearest me is selling spinach cheaper than lettuce

I'm quite troubled also because my calories are only at 1531 for the day, I haven't exercised yet, and my BMR is over 3,000 due to weight and normal daily activity.

I was going to make some ground beef, cheese and add the spinach and peas for a type of salad but then I fear that will make the fat and protein go way up.

[JulieB]

Re: Having trouble with balance

Given a choice between undereating (bad) and not getting the ratios right (these are only a guideline), I would eat, within the rules where possible.

Disregard the calories & BMR - eat when you are hungry, until you are not hungry anymore, unless it has been 6 waking hours since you last ate.

[Alaskansonya]

Re: Having trouble with balance

Yeah I agree...get rid of the peas...they are not on the induction list at all. The hamburger and cheese with the salad is your best choice of the ingredients given. You could add sour cream or salad dressing to up the fat. You are trying to get the fat up right? Don't worry about your calories and percentages at this point...just make sure you eat the foods allowed, and don't overeat the foods that have limits. And definately don't eat anything that is not on the list.

[liv]

Re: Having trouble with balance

Yes you're getting good advice.
Right now you are focussing on the wrong thing. Percentages - they are not even in the book. What is in the book is a list of veggies that you should eat. 3 cups of them and you have to stick to that.
In addition you should eat regular meals and eat till you are satisfied. The percentages will work themselves out.

[stacy3477]

Re: Having trouble with balance

kmuldrow, welcome!

Good advice so far...do worry about the percentages. If you follow the induction rules, the carbs will come out right. You can adjust your fat/protein levels from there if you need to. There are a ton of other veggies on the 2-cup a day list besides lettuce. Cuccumbers, celery, and peppers are usually a good value per serving. Good luck!