{"id":133678,"date":"2021-11-16T22:40:48","date_gmt":"2021-11-17T03:40:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/barbend.com\/?p=133678"},"modified":"2024-08-12T13:26:26","modified_gmt":"2024-08-12T17:26:26","slug":"iifym-diet","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/barbend.com\/iifym-diet\/","title":{"rendered":"Eat Pizza, Lose Fat. What You Need to Know About the IIFYM Diet"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The world of nutrition is awash in different diets<\/a>, and it’s safe to say that many of them hinge on rules surrounding what you can and can’t eat: nothing post-caveman for the Paleo diet<\/a>, nothing from an animal for vegans, no fruit or grains on slow carb, and so on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is why the “If It Fits Your Macros” diet, also known as IIFYM, is seen by many as revolutionary. This method of eating allows you to eat anything from any food group \u2014 so long as it fits your macros. You’ll gain or lose weight if you’re consuming the right amount of calories, and you’re more likely to gain muscle and lose fat if you’re eating the right balance of protein, carbohydrates, and fat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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V. Matthiesen\/Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Editor\u2019s Note: <\/em>The content on <\/em><\/strong>BarBend <\/strong>is meant to be informative in nature, but it should not be taken as medical advice<\/em><\/strong>. When starting a new training regimen and\/or diet, it is always a good idea to consult with a trusted medical professional. We are not a medical resource. The opinions and articles on this site are not intended for use as diagnosis, prevention, and\/or treatment of health problems. They are not substitutes for consulting a qualified medical professional.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

That’s IIFYM in a nutshell: keep your calories and macros in check, exercise appropriately, and your weight and body composition will improve. Want to make some buttery buffalo chicken? No sweat; watch your quantities. Does that coworker’s birthday cake tempt you? Have a slice; just deduct it from your daily calorie allotment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For many, tracking calories feels very restrictive. In contrast, for others, IIFYM is an unbelievable breath of fresh air after years of “clean food” diets consisting of chicken, broccoli, rice, and absolutely no pizza ever.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Is “If It Fits Your Macros” (IIFYM)?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If It Fits Your Macros is a diet that has the user track their macronutrients \u2014 protein, carbs, and fats \u2014 to ensure they’re consuming enough calories (in specific ratios) to lose, gain, or maintain weight<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

IIFYM promotes dietary freedom, which is a significant reason why it’s gained so much popularity among physique and strength athletes. As long as you hit your macronutrient target, you can, in theory, eat whatever you want. The idea is that 30 grams of carbs \u2014 whether from vegetables, cereal, or pizza \u2014 is 30 grams.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Does IIFYM Work?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

IIFYM works by keeping people in a calorie range that suits their goals and then using this calorie target to distinguish the amount each macronutrient contributes to these calories.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The success of IIFYM is predicated on the idea that weight loss is primarily a matter of energy in versus energy out. If you burn more calories<\/a> than you consume, you’ll lose weight. And if you eat more fuel than your body uses, you’ll gain weight<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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https:\/\/youtube.com\/watch?v=BIEGhiEHc48<\/a>