Ratio-based Diets

[KC Masterpiece]

I have what's most likely a fairly stupid question:

For diets (like The Zone, for example) that are based on ratios of carbs to protein to fats, should one use the straight number of grams or the number of calories per gram to determine the ratio?

For example,

If I eat a 5000 cal diet and want to follow roughly a 40:30:30 split, would I be getting

500:375:375g for Carbs:Protein:Fats, or

500:375:167g for Carbs:Protein:Fats based on calories per gram (with fats having 9 calories per gram to carb and proteins having 4cal/g)?

Many thanks.

[barnz2k]

based on calories.

So fat would be 167g

Do you eat that much? I used to be on 5000, 40 30 30 also. Was vegetarian and ate gluten products at the time, I can't imagine eating that much food now, and how to keep the carbs down without 6 pro shakes a day..

[KC Masterpiece]

[quote="barnz2k"]based on calories.

So fat would be 167g

Do you eat that much? I used to be on 5000, 40 30 30 also. Was vegetarian and ate gluten products at the time, I can't imagine eating that much food now, and how to keep the carbs down without 6 pro shakes a day..

[barnz2k]

Yeah I think I was lowering the count throughout the day too.. So first couple were over 1000!

Do you have a plan? Care to share?

[Konstantin]

That also sounds like a crazy amount of protein. Suitable for someone who weighs 270kg (42 stone), but I'm guessing you weigh a little less.

And 5000 calories sounds an enormous amount.

I've heard ratios quote more like 10% protein, seems to make more sense.....?

[JP]

protein intake is not ratio based - thats confusing people.

its an absolute amount, 1.7-1.8 grams per kg of bodyweight for strength athletes and people looking to increase muscle mass.

So the ratio will simply depend on overall calorie intake. If strength athlete is cutting weight by reducing calorie intake, the ratio will shoot up.

[barnz2k]

5000 is a lot, but when your metabolism is off the charts like mine and KC's no doubt, you need it. I basically lose weight eating anything much under 3000.

Does metabolism not have an affect on the intake/use of Protein also? If your body needs more calories then surely it needs more protein too? 1.7-1.8 is another "average". If I went by suggested averages for food intake I'd waste away!

[JP]

[quote="barnz2k"]
Does metabolism not have an affect on the intake/use of Protein also? If your body needs more calories then surely it needs more protein too? 1.7-1.8 is another "average". If I went by suggested averages for food intake I'd waste away!

[quote="JP"][quote="barnz2k"]
Does metabolism not have an affect on the intake/use of Protein also? If your body needs more calories then surely it needs more protein too? 1.7-1.8 is another "average". If I went by suggested averages for food intake I'd waste away!