Why Adjust Your Carb Goal?
Your carbohydrate needs are not static and can change based on your goals, activity level, or a new dietary plan, like a low-carb diet. Whether you're aiming for a ketogenic diet, managing a medical condition, or simply optimizing your energy levels, personalizing your macronutrient settings is key. The Lose It! app offers the flexibility to move beyond its standard recommendations and input custom targets that align with your unique needs.
Before You Begin: Switch to a Custom Strategy
For new or premium users, Lose It! may automatically generate macro goals based on your initial settings. To gain full control over your carbohydrate targets, you must first switch to a custom nutrition strategy. Here’s how:
- Open the Lose It! app and tap the Profile icon in the top right corner.
- Under the 'Program' section, tap Nutrition Strategy.
- Choose Switch to a Custom Strategy to unlock manual control over your macro percentages and grams.
How to Change Carb Goal on the Lose It! Mobile App
Once you've switched to a custom strategy, you can easily edit your carb goal. The process is similar for both iOS and Android, with minor differences in icon placement.
For iOS:
- From the main screen, tap the Goals icon on the bottom navigation bar.
- Scroll down the Goals screen and tap the existing goal for Carbohydrates.
- On the next screen, tap the Edit button in the top right corner.
- Enter your new total grams or percentages, then tap Save.
For Android:
- Tap the Goals icon on the bottom navigation bar.
- Scroll to and tap the Carbohydrates goal.
- Tap the gear icon to edit your goal settings.
- Input your new desired grams or percentages and tap Save.
Using the Goal Creation Feature: Alternatively, you can create a brand-new, gram-based or percentage-based carb goal.
- Navigate to the Goals screen and tap Set Another Goal.
- Select Nutrition and choose your preferred carb goal type (gram-based or percentage-based).
- Enter your target amount and tap Save.
Editing Carb Goals on the Lose It! Website
For users who prefer a desktop interface, the process is just as straightforward.
- Go to my.loseit.com and log in with your account.
- Click the Goals tab in the sidebar menu.
- Click the existing Carbohydrate goal from the list on the left side.
- Click the green Edit Goal button.
- Enter your new carb goal in grams or as a percentage and click Save.
Important Considerations for Changing Your Carb Goal
- Grams vs. Percentages: The premium version allows you to track carbohydrates by grams or as a percentage of your total daily calories. Tracking by grams offers more precision, especially for very low-carb diets, while percentages provide a simple, ratio-based approach.
- Total Calories: Remember that all macros (carbs, protein, and fat) must balance out to your total calorie goal. If you decrease your carb intake, you will likely need to increase protein or fat to meet your total calorie budget.
- Listen to Your Body: When you change your carb intake, pay attention to your energy levels, hunger, and overall well-being. Adjusting macros is an ongoing process, and you can always come back and fine-tune your settings.
Comparison: Gram-Based vs. Percentage-Based Carb Goals
| Feature | Gram-Based Goal | Percentage-Based Goal |
|---|---|---|
| Tracking Method | Tracks a specific number of carbohydrate grams per day. | Tracks carbohydrates as a percentage of your total daily calories. |
| Best For | Strict or very low-carb diets (e.g., keto), where a hard daily carb limit is necessary. | Balanced approaches or when you want your macro ratio to stay consistent relative to your total calorie intake. |
| Benefit | Provides precise control and is less affected by daily fluctuations in total calorie budget. | Simple to set and ensures a balanced diet regardless of your calorie budget for the day. |
| Downside | Can be less flexible on high-calorie days if you still stick to a low gram count. | Less precise for very low-carb plans, as a percentage can be too high or low depending on your calorie budget. |
The Role of Carbohydrates in a Balanced Diet
It's important to remember that carbs aren't inherently bad. Nutrient-dense carbohydrates from whole grains, fruits, and vegetables are crucial for providing energy and contain important bioactive compounds. For most people, the U.S. Department of Agriculture recommends a balanced plate approach. Therefore, any significant dietary changes should be made carefully and with professional guidance.
Expert Guidance and Ongoing Monitoring
Before making a drastic change, like going very low-carb, it is wise to consult a registered dietitian or your healthcare provider. They can provide personalized recommendations based on your unique health profile. After you've made your change in the app, regularly monitor your progress and make gradual adjustments as needed. Consistency and patience are key to achieving long-term success. For more information, you can visit the official Lose It! Support page for guidance on setting custom goals.
Conclusion
Changing your carb goal on Lose It! is a simple process that allows you to tailor your nutrition plan to better fit your personal health and diet needs. By navigating to the 'Goals' section and switching to a custom strategy, you can quickly adjust your carbohydrate targets, whether by grams or percentage. This flexibility is what makes tracking tools so effective in supporting your weight loss journey and overall nutritional awareness.
