IIFYM Question

[riffdex]

For simplicity sake, let's say a guy weighs 175 and wants to cut. He determines that his maintenance intake level is exactly 2500 calories. He decides to track his food strictly (using MyFitnessPal) and eat 2000 cals per day using the following macronutrient intake levels:

2000 calories / day
45g fat 20%
225g carb 45%
175g protein 35%

It is the end of the day and he has eaten 45g fat exactly, and 175g protein exactly. He has eaten 175g carb and has a shortfall of 50g carb (200 calories) to hit his 2000 calories. Is it necessary that he eat 200 calories of carbs? Couldn't he eat 200 cals of pure fat or pure protein or whatever he feels like?

I heard that protein it's extremely unlikely to be converted to fat by the body (as opposed to fat or carbs) so wouldn't it be good to eat protein in place of fat or carb calories you are short for the day (assuming you have enough fat to power your brain/regulate hormones/etc functions and enough carbs to repair and grow muscle).

I'm wondering if you have a shortfall of some number of fat or carb calories in a day (but have already hit your protein requirements) and eat protein calories instead of the fat or carbs, would it not contribute to faster weight loss/less fat storage.

Even if the person eats 2000 calories overall wouldn't it be better to have:
45g fat
175g carb
225g protein

as opposed to:
45g fat
225g carb
175g protein

[davidolson22]

Fat and protein are MINIMUMS. Carbs are non essential. Once you hit the minimums fill the rest of the calories in any way you like.

[MetilHed]

Fat and protein are MINIMUMS. Carbs are non essential. Once you hit the minimums fill the rest of the calories in any way you like.

^This. Not to mention, he's already in a deficit.

[soren_xavier]

Don't overthink it. I lost 30 lbs by doing nothing other than training right and hitting a daily calorie and protein goal. I just ate regular foods--including fast food when I could do it and still hit my calorie target--and saw regular progress. The big thing here is to not go overboard focusing on lean foods to ensure that you just naturally hit your fat requirements.