Caloric Compensation for Sub-Optimal Days

Nutrition Q&A [Moderated]
1

Doc,

I have a question, that somewhat has (2) parts:
1.) Should I be looking at my caloric intake cross a longer spectrum that just 24 hrs, say perhaps 1 week? For example, instead of shooting for 2,000 calories/day look at it more as 14,000 calories per week? I don’t adjust my macro goals on a daily basis, but on a weekly or bi-weekly basis. When I do adjust them, the increase/decrease is dictated by my weight and waist measurements.
2.) If my daily macro goals are over/under my target, should I compensate for that the next day? For example, I eat 30g too little of protein (other macros being met), should I eat 30g extra the following day?

I could be overthinking this, just wondering what your thoughts were. I currently log everything daily via MFP.

Thanks in advance!

Stay safe.

2

Hey Lee,

Good to hear from you!

  1. I would do it daily unless you’re doing some intermittent fasting type thing.

  2. Not at all.

-Jordan

3

So I can’t “bank” calories and under consume on Thursday and Friday in order to eat an entire birthday cake on Saturday?..(sighs) :wink:

thanks as always!!

4

You could do that if you fasted for a whole day, maybe- though the data isn’t great on alternate day fasting either!

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