At CalorieKing.com we suggest the following breakdown of your daily calories:

These proportions will give you the right intake of nutrients for a healthy, energetic body.

When tracking your food intake in your Food and Exercise Diary, you will notice that you can also track your daily protein, carbohydrate, and fat intake.

Your most important goal should be to stick to your calorie target. However, keeping the suggested nutrient proportions in mind is also important. You will find that if you can aim for both, you will be getting a good balance of foods, and feel satisfied instead of hungry.

Here's an example to help explain. If you reached dinner-time with 400 calories left to consume, but you had eaten your whole quota of fat and carbohydrates for the day, should you just have a protein bar for dinner?

No, it is better to consider your calorie requirements and eat a healthy and nutritious dinner. Having exceeded your fat and carbohydrate allowance, a meal of grilled lean meat and salad (reduced fat or nonfat dressing) would be a more suitable option than a pasta dish; but you shouldn't restrict your meals unnecessarily at the expense of your recommended calorie intake.

Aim to meet your calorie intake and keep the recommended nutrient proportions in mind as a guide.