Here's What 'If It Fits Your Macros' Really Means

The world of dieting can often feel like it comes with its own language (hello 'keto breath' and 'carb loading'). And with this mysterious language comes new acronyms — one of them being IIFYM. According to Healthline, IIFYM stands for 'if it fits with your macros' and it is an eating plan that could be perfect for you if you can't stand counting calories.

The IIFYM diet is generally considered a more flexible plan as you are allowed to eat what you want as long as you are getting the adequate levels of protein, fats, and carbohydrates, states Medical News Today. A participant can vary when and what they eat for breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily as long as it doesn't go over your pre-determined macronutrient needs. A good place to start this diet would be to find out what your personal macronutrient needs are in three steps. First, calculate how many calories you need to maintain your weight. Then find out how many calories need to be cut if you want to lose weight, and finish by delegating which calories should be assigned as proteins, fats, and carbohydrates.

If you feel overwhelmed at the thought of equations, remember we live in a time of information that is readily accessible. The IIFYM website lets you calculate your macronutrient goals for free. And just like the diet world having its own language, it also has its own apps. Healthline lists popular macro counting apps like My Fitness Pal, My Macros+, Loose it!, and Cronometer.

A commonly asked question when researching most potential dieting plans is if alcohol is allowed. According to Trifecta Nutrition, alcohol actually falls under its own category as macronutrient, making it the often unseen number four. And the reason a lot of macro counting diets leave this out is because alcohol isn't an essential nutrient. So yes, drinking is possible with this diet. The IIFYM website even has its own page listing the best alcoholic drinks to consume while staying on track.

Another highlight about this diet is that it is as flexible as it is personal. Healthline tells us that depending on what you hope to achieve, you can use this macronutrient counting method to either gain or lose weight. This is nice if you want to keep up the motivation by doing this diet with your partner or a friend despite having different goals. So now that you have both the macro and micro insight into the IIFYM diet, it's totally up to you if you want to find your personalized equation before diving in.