Emergency Macros! What to eat when you're low on one macro. — CrossFit City Line (2024)

We want you to eat.

We want you to eat so that your body trusts you and knows that it’s ok to burn fat and for you to lose weight.

We want you to eat enough so that your body is satisfied and allows you to achieve the goals you have.

We want you to eat so that you can have the foods you want, the ones your body needs and still have the results you want. Look great, feel even better and perform to your best abilities.

When it’s the end of the day and you realize that you’ve eaten your daily macro needs for fat and still need to have dinner…we want you to eat!But if you already reached the daily intake for one number, what do you eat?
When you need to eat more of one (or two) specific macros, use this list to help you figure out what foods have what macros.

Protein Dominant Foods

Very Lean Chicken Breast: If this isn’t a staple in your weekly meal choices, it should be. There’s only about 1.5 grams of fat per serving. Trim the chicken before cooking it and it may be less.

Roasted Turkey Breast: You can get this at a deli and its super convenient. It also has roughly 1 gram of fat or less per serving and no carbs.

Fish: You can cook this on the grill, broil in an oven or sear in a pan. Many fish options are high in protein here are some to consider:

  • Cod: In a 3 oz serving there’s 15 grams of protein, 1 gram of fat, and no carbohydrates.

  • Tilapia: In a 3 oz serving there’s 21 grams of protein, 1 gram of fat and no carbohydrates.

  • Shrimp: In a 3 oz serving there’s 17 grams of protein, 1 gram of fat and no carbohydrates.

  • Tuna: Raw tuna tends to have a bit more fat but if you like canned tuna in 1 165g can there’s 42 (!) grams of protein, 1 gram of fat and no carbohydrates. Also check out tuna packets in the grocery store.

Egg Whites: The yolk is where most of the nutrients are in an egg. 1 egg white can provide 4 grams of protein, with only trace amounts of fat and carbohydrates which aren’t enough to be concerned with.

Pure Whey Protein Powder:In a pinch this can be a savior so it’s great to have on hand. Choose brands that have zero carbs and fat or brands that have very little of the other macros.

Carb Dominant Foods

All carbohydrates, at a point in the digestion process break down to their most simple building blocks, sugar. So you could just eat tablespoons of sugar or maple syrup, it’s not suggested.

Sweet Potatoes:A medium sweet potato has 24 grams of complex healthy carbohydrates and with only a trivial amount of fat and just 2 grams of protein this could be a staple in your week.

Fruit:Most fruit is almost fat free and very low in protein: Here are some to choose.

  • Banana: A medium banana has 27 grams of carbohydrates with only a trace amount of protein and no fat.

  • Apples: A medium apple has 25 grams of carbohydrates, no protein and no fat. Simple and easy.

  • Blueberries: 1 cup has 21 grams of carbohydrates, .5 grams of fat and only 1 gram of protein.

  • Strawberries: 1 cup of strawberries has 11 grams of carbohydrates, less than .5 grams of fat and only 1 gram of protein.

  • Grapefruit (pink): 1 whole grapefruit has 26 grams of carbohydrates, less then .5 grams of fat and only 1 gram of protein.

Butternut squash: 1 cup of butternut squash has 22 grams of carbohydrates, with no fat and only 2 grams of protein.

Rice: 1 cup of cooked white rice has 45 grams of carbohydrates, less then 1 gram of fat and only 4 grams of protein. If you prefer brown rice, it is similar (45 grams of carbohydrates, 2 grams of fat, 5 grams of protein.)

Dried Fruit: Dried fruit packs a carbohydrate punch. Need a lot? This can be a good place to turn.

Choose dried fruits with no added sugar and ones that are unsulfured (Trader Joe’s has a good selection).

  • Unsulfured Apricots: 10 Apricots has 50 grams of carbohydrates, no fat, 2 grams of protein and 4 grams of fiber.

  • Dried Figs: 5 dried figs has 26 grams of carbohydrates, no fat and 1 gram of protein. And oh yeah, 7 grams of fiber.

  • Dates: 1 date can have 16 grams of carbohydrates, less then 1 gram of fat and no protein.

  • Prunes: 6 prunes has 36 grams of carbohydrates, no fat and no protein.

Honey: It’s essentially pure sugar. 1 tablespoon is 17 grams of carbohydrates, with no fat and no protein.

Other considerations that have a lot carbohydrates but aren’t suggested as a majority part of a daily diet:
Gummy Bears, Jelly Beans, Candy Fish, Chex cereal (or other gluten free cereals).

Fat Dominant Foods

This may be an area that you never have trouble getting enough of. It’s part of meat and eggs so if you eat those foods you’ll naturally get lots. But if you’ve been following a low fat diet it could be a different from your old normal eating habits. If you do find yourself missing some at the end of the day here’s what to eat.

Virgin Coconut Oil:1 tablespoon contains 14 grams of fat and no carbohydrates or protein. This is one of the healthiest forms of fat and has helped strengthen the understanding that dietary fat (what you eat) does not equal body fat (what we’re burning off).

Virgin Olive Oil:1 tablespoon is 14 grams of fat and no fat or protein.

Grassfed Butter: Really, butter? YUP! 1 tablespoon is 11.5 grams of fat and has insignificant amounts of carbs and protein.

Nuts:Nuts are high in fat, but do contain some protein and carbs. However, the fat they contain is healthy and by far the dominant macro.

  • Almonds: 10 almonds has 6 grams of fat, 2.4 grams of carbs, and 2.6 grams of protein.

  • Walnuts: 1 oz contains 18.5 grams of fat, 3.9 grams of carbs, and 4.3 grams of protein.

  • Pecans: 1 oz delivers 20.4 grams of fat, 4 grams of carbs, and 2.6 grams of protein.

Nutrition Disclaimer

Emergency Macros! What to eat when you're low on one macro. — CrossFit City Line (2024)

FAQs

What macros should I eat for CrossFit? ›

The CrossFit-compatible Zone Diet advises consuming 40% of your calories from carbs, 30% from protein and 30% from fat — but says that elite athletes may need more fat. To simplify the diet and ensure you get the recommended ratio of macronutrients, food is classified into blocks of protein, carbs or fat.

What to eat for fat and protein, no carbs? ›

Therefore, someone on a no-carb diet must avoid most of these foods and instead eat foods that contain primarily protein or fat, such as meats, fish, eggs, cheese, oils, and butter.

What food has fat but no carbs? ›

Like most food items on this list, quality is important for no-carb fats and no-carb oils.
  • Butter.
  • Olive Oil.
  • Coconut Oil.
  • Canola Oil.
  • Avocado Oil.
  • Lard.
  • Suet.
  • Tallow.
Nov 13, 2021

What is the 20 30 50 rule for macros? ›

One approach to getting healthy is the so-called 50/30/20 diet. It's based on the idea that 50 percent of your daily calorie intake should come in the form of carbohydrates, 30 percent from protein and 20 percent from fat. But you can also use the 50/30/20 rule to get into better shape financially.

How to fuel your body for CrossFit? ›

CrossFit's Nutrition Prescription

Our recommendation is straightforward: Prioritize the consumption of meats, vegetables, nuts and seeds, some fruit, little starch, and no added sugar. To optimize your health and performance, keep intake to levels that support exercise and not body fat.

Can you eat junk if it fits your macros? ›

You've probably heard of the increasingly-popular diet, “If It Fits Your Macros” (IIFYM). The crux of this 'diet' is that you can eat absolutely everything you want (yes, even pizza), as long as it keeps within your daily macronutrient goals. Can IIFYM work? In some cases, yes.

What are the most filling macros? ›

Protein: Protein is the most satiating macronutrient. It actually changes the levels of several satiety hormones, including the hunger hormone ghrelin and peptide YY, a hormone that makes you feel full.

What is the most filling low carb food? ›

36 tasty, low-carb foods that will keep you full and satisfied
  • Avocado. A whole avocado has about 15 grams of carbs, but you're unlikely to eat the entire thing in one sitting, so it's more realistic that you'll get 4 or 5 carbs in one meal or snack. ...
  • Broccoli. ...
  • Coconut oil. ...
  • Eggplant. ...
  • Eggs. ...
  • Grapefruit. ...
  • Greek yogurt. ...
  • Green beans.

What snack foods have no carbs? ›

Zero Carb Snacks:
  • Cheese: A savory and satisfying snack, cheese is low in carbs and high in flavor. ...
  • Hard-Boiled Eggs: Packed with protein and virtually carb-free, hard-boiled eggs make for a portable and nutritious snack. ...
  • Pork Rinds: Crispy and carb-free, pork rinds are a savory alternative to traditional snacks.

What foods can I eat unlimited on keto? ›

Foods You Can Eat on the Ketogenic Diet
  • Fish and seafood.
  • Low-carb veggies.
  • Cheese.
  • Avocados.
  • Poultry.
  • Eggs.
  • Nuts, seeds and healthful oils.
  • Plain Greek yogurt and cottage cheese.
Aug 15, 2023

What is the number one worst carb? ›

1. Sugary Foods. Most people already think of many of the foods in this category as unhealthy treats. Candy, soft drinks, and sweet desserts such as cake, chocolate, and ice cream are all expected entries on a list of carbs to avoid to lose weight.

What foods are 100% carb free? ›

High-fat, Low-protein Zero Carb Foods for Increasing Fat Intake
  • Extra virgin olive oil.
  • Coconut oil.
  • Grass-fed butter or ghee.
  • MCT oil (or MCT Oil Powder)
  • Avocado oil.
  • Animal Fats (including lard)
  • Pepperoni.
  • Beef Pemmican.
Sep 30, 2022

What snack has carbs but no fat? ›

Pretzels. Pretzels are an easy carbohydrate source with very little protein and zero fat!

How much protein should I eat for CrossFit? ›

Total protein requirements range from 1.6 to 2.2g/kg of protein per day (ie. 0.7-1.0g of protein per pound of body weight) for athletes engaging in resistance training which includes CrossFit athletes. Key considerations regarding protein for CrossFit nutrition: CrossFit increases protein requirements.

How many calories should I eat if I do CrossFit? ›

Calorie Intake: Don't be afraid to eat a large quantity of high-quality carbohydrates, fats & protein. It is extremely common for Male & Female CrossFit athletes to consume anywhere between 3000-4000 calories per day.

How many carbs do Crossfitters eat? ›

While there are no specific guidelines for daily carbohydrate intake, we can consider the requirements of general strength athletes. This falls between 4-7 grams of carbohydrates per kilogram of body weight.

What should my macros be for working out? ›

The standard ratios for these impacts are:
  • Macros for athletic performance: 25% protein, 20% fat and 55% carbs.
  • Macros for endurance: 15-25% protein, 20-30% fat and 50-65% carbs.
  • Macros for strength: 30% protein, 30% fat and 40% carbs.
Jul 4, 2022

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