What is the 40/40/20 diet?

[Anonymous]

I've seen this phrase 40/40/20 used in reference to peoples eating habits. What does it mean? Does the 40/40/20 diet work?

[Prof_Don]

That's a calorie ratio of protein/carbs/fat in your diet. 40%, 40% and 20%, respectively.

Personally, I don't follow that profile. Eating that much protein for me personally has adverse side effects if I'm not doing serious weightlifting. My diet is more of a 20/50/30, or 25/50/25.

The reason for the 40/40/20 split is for weight loss, because the body will NOT burn off fat stores if there is excess glucose (sugar) in the blood. Therefore carb intake is reduced to allow the body to use the excess glucose in the blood. So reducing the carbs, means you have to balance your cal intake in some other fashion. Since there is this misconception that "dietary" fat makes you "fat" (as in weight loss), protein intake is boosted to "bridge the gap".

Plus...the extra protein is needed for someone that is a novice in exercise to recover, since the body is less used to exercise.

Hopefully I didn't confuse you. :)

[WeaponZero]

40/40/20 isn't a diet. It's a macronutrient profile. Macronutrients is how fitness/nutrition experts refer to the 3 most important numbers on a nutrition label: Protein, carbohydrates, and fat. Basically, it's a ratio of how much of the calorie content of the food comes from protein, how much comes from carbs, and how much comes from fat. 40/40/20 is generally accepted as the best, most effective "macro" (macronutrient profile/ratio) for an active person whose goal is to build muscle and burn fat. It won't work for you like it's supposed to, however, if you aren't following a fairly rigorous workout regimen that includes both cardio and resistance training.

So, yes, the 40/40/20 "diet" as you call it does work, as long as you understand its purpose and are willing to undergo the workout regimen needed to make it work.

[dtaijo174]

perfect answer

[Anonymous]

This diet is intended to achieve a healthy balance of essential nutrients required to live a healthy lifestyle. This diet should be combined with a regular schedule of cardio and resistance training at least 3 days a week.

The goal of the diet is to acquire 40% of your daily calories from Protein, 40% from Carbohydrates, and 20% (or less!) from fat. Eat 5-6 times a day, with 3 larger meals and 2-3 snacks during the day.

[madmisskelly]

40% of cals come from carbs

40% from protein

20% from fat

[cjwright79]

It means you eat 40% of the time, starve yourself 20%, and make yourself puke the other 20%. May cause swelling, depression, and migranes!

[udolipixie]

That's not a diet it's a macronutrient profile.