For most MacroRx+ prescriptions, there isn’t a separate minimum or maximum target for fat. That’s intentional. Your calorie target, minimum protein target, and carbohydrate target already create practical boundaries for how much fat can fit into your day.

Fat is an essential part of a healthy diet. It provides energy, supplies essential fatty acids, helps your body absorb the fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K, and plays important roles throughout the body.

Fat is also calorie-dense — about 9 calories per gram, compared with about 4 calories per gram for protein and carbohydrates. Because of that, higher-fat foods can use up your calorie allotment quickly.

If your fat intake gets very high, you may find yourself reaching your calorie target before you’ve eaten enough protein or before you have room for the other foods you want to eat. That’s one reason we use this general priority:

Calories → Minimum Protein → Carbohydrate Target

The type of fat you eat matters too. For everyday food choices, try to get much of your dietary fat from foods rich in unsaturated fats, such as nuts, seeds, avocados, olive oil and fatty fish. Foods higher in saturated fat — such as butter, higher-fat dairy and fatty meats — can still fit, but saturated fat should generally make up a smaller portion of your overall diet.

You don’t need to chase a particular fat number unless your coach has specifically given you one. Focus on your MacroRx+ prescription, choose nutritious sources of fat most of the time, and pay attention to how higher-fat foods affect the rest of your targets.

If you’re consistently running out of calories before reaching your protein target, take a look at your higher-fat foods and portion sizes. Your coach can help you identify simple changes that make your prescription easier to hit.

No separate fat target doesn’t mean “unlimited fat.” It means your overall prescription and food choices provide the boundaries.