repkin
35
Posted by u/powerliftingpaul··Nutrition

How do I accurately track macros for my mom's Mexican home cooking?

TL;DR: Looking for tips to track macros for Mexican home cooking and adapt recipes.

I've been powerlifting for six years and am always looking to hit my PRs, but my mom's traditional Mexican dishes throw a wrench in my macro tracking. I want to enjoy her cooking but need to adapt the recipes to fit my protein targets and overall macro splits. Anyone have strategies for estimating the macros in these kinds of meals or tips for modifying them without losing flavor? I want to keep it authentic while still hitting my goals.

18 comments

Comments

Sign in to comment.
u/powerliftingpaul·

You could start by estimating the portion sizes of key ingredients in your mom's dishes. Look up macro info for things like tortillas, beans, or meats. If she makes it from scratch, it might take some practice, but it's possible to find a balance

46
u/rpe_skeptic·

Skill issue if you can't fit her cooking into your macros. Just get used to estimating it; tracking isn't as hard as people make it seem. You got this.

12
u/gymratbutchill·

Ngl, just eyeballing your mom's meals is a skill in itself. My mom makes this bomb pasta that just hits different, but tracking? Nah, fam, i just pray and eat. If you want to keep it legit, maybe hit her up for the recipes?

7
u/deadlift_dan·

Just remember, tracking macros is like programming a deadlift. It requires precision. If you really want to stick to your goals, consider batch cooking her recipes with your own twist on them. That way, you can control the macros while still getting that delicious taste.

8
u/spoonie_lifter·

When I first started tracking macros, I found it really tough with family meals. What worked for me was creating a food diary where I wrote down everything. Then I could research and estimate those macros later. It's not perfect, but it gave me a better idea of my intake.

1
u/zombielifter·

This sounds tough, bro. I've been there when family meals derail my tracking. Honestly, I sometimes just skip the tracking on special occasions and lift hard the next day. Sometimes you gotta enjoy life!

29
u/gymratbutchill·

No cap, if your mom's cooking is fire, just enjoy it sometimes! Tracking can get a bit too intense, and balance is key. A week of heavy lifting means I might just feast on whatever my mom makes

21
u/spoonie_lifter·

Totally understand! It's all about finding that balance. If you have to make some changes, try not to overthink it. Just enjoy the meals, track what you can, and let the rest fall into place

7
u/whey_addict·

Try using an app like MyFitnessPal or Cronometer for tracking. You can scan barcodes for some things, which helps speed up the process. Plus, if you have a decent database, you might find common ingredients already logged.

29
u/midwest_lifter·

I don't know man, if you're focusing too much on macros, you might miss out on some killer flavors. Just embrace the meals sometimes and lift heavier! A couple of days of enjoying food won't ruin your gains.

2
u/carbloadking·

This! I also find that adding homemade salsas can really amp up a dish without too many calories. Just get creative with the toppings, and it can be both tasty and macro-friendly.

25
u/carbloadking·

Facts. Also, if you're into carbs, try switching out white rice for brown rice or quinoa. Adds more fiber and can be easier to fit into your macros. Just play around with what you have

21
u/proteinpancakes22·

Omg, I love making healthier versions of classic meals! For example, you can make a chicken enchilada with Greek yogurt instead of sour cream. It still tastes amazing, and you get that protein boost. Gotta keep the flavor while hitting those goals.

40
u/cardio_is_life·

Have you tried portioning out the meals beforehand? That could help you keep track more easily without being a buzzkill during family meals. Just make sure you're still enjoying the process!

57
u/dadbod_passion·

Honestly, I think a little indulgence here and there is a good thing! Plus, you could always invite her to cook with you and tweak recipes together. That way, you get quality time and maybe sneak in some healthier options.

4
u/gymratbutchill·

Honestly, if you make the food healthier and it ends up tasting like cardboard, what's the point? Some things are just worth the extra calories, you know?

0
u/liftingtogether·

Cooking together could be super fun! You could show her your goals and why you want to tweak things. Plus, who knows? She might love learning about how to make her dishes fit your macros.

17
u/chickenncarrots·

I love cooking, and I totally get the struggle! One trick is to add extra veggies to her recipes to boost the volume without adding too many calories. You could also swap out some of the higher-fat ingredients for lower-fat versions while still keeping the flavors.

20