Body Recomposition Female Macro Calculator

This calculator is designed specifically for women over 40 pursuing body recomposition—building lean muscle while reducing fat. By entering a few key details, you’ll get a personalized macro breakdown of protein, carbs, and fats to support strength, hormonal health, and a more defined, feminine physique—without the muscle loss often seen in traditional weight loss plans.

Select your measurement system:

  • Imperial: Uses pounds (lbs), feet, and inches.
  • Metric: Uses kilograms (kg) and centimeters (cm).

Choose your main fitness objective:

  • Lose Fat: Aim for fat loss while maintaining muscle.
  • Maintain: Keep your current weight and body composition.
  • Gain Muscle: Focus on muscle growth, possibly with a slight weight increase.

Choose your main fitness objective:

  • Lose Fat: Aim for fat loss while maintaining muscle.
  • Maintain: Keep your current weight and body composition.
  • Gain Muscle: Focus on muscle growth, possibly with a slight weight increase.

Pick your dietary preference for better macro balance:

  • Higher Carbs / Lower Fats: Great for active lifestyles and high-intensity training.
  • Lower Carbs / Higher Fats: Often preferred for low-carb or keto-style diets.

Pick your dietary preference for better macro balance:

  • Higher Carbs / Lower Fats: Great for active lifestyles and high-intensity training.
  • Lower Carbs / Higher Fats: Often preferred for low-carb or keto-style diets.

Pick your dietary preference for better macro balance:

  • Higher Carbs / Lower Fats: Great for active lifestyles and high-intensity training.
  • Lower Carbs / Higher Fats: Often preferred for low-carb or keto-style diets.

Pick your dietary preference for better macro balance:

  • Higher Carbs / Lower Fats: Great for active lifestyles and high-intensity training.
  • Lower Carbs / Higher Fats: Often preferred for low-carb or keto-style diets.

Do you regularly do strength training or weightlifting?

  • Yes: If you train with weights or resistance bands at least 2–3 times a week.
  • No: If you mostly do cardio or minimal strength training.

Select your typical activity level. A workout refers to one exercise session per week. This helps estimate your daily calorie needs.

Select your level

Select your typical activity level. A workout refers to one exercise session per week. This helps estimate your daily calorie needs.

Select your typical activity level. A workout refers to one exercise session per week. This helps estimate your daily calorie needs.

Select your speed
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Your daily protein intake
Protein
151g
Get Detailed Plan
Heading
Carbs
151g
55.6%
Protein
151g
55.6%
Fats
151g
55.6%
Get Detailed Plan
Heading
Protein
151g
55.6%
Fats
151g
55.6%
Get Detailed Plan
Heading
Carbs
151g
55.6%
Protein
151g
55.6%
Fats
151g
55.6%
Get Detailed Plan
Total calories burned
215 Calories Burned
Get Detailed Plan

What Is a Female Macro Calculator for Body Recomposition?

The female macro calculator for body recomposition is a digital tool that determines your ideal dietary requirement to lose fat and gain muscle. The calculator provides you with the exact amounts of carbohydrates, protein, and fats required to transform your body, sustain energy levels, and maintain optimal health.

Why Women Need a Macro Calculator for Body Recomposition

Body recomposition can be achieved by combining resistance training, cardio, and correct nutrition. However, without a definitive plan or specific macronutrient targets, it can be difficult to know if you are on track to achieving your goals.

Calculating exact macronutrients provides you with a precise nutritional goal to achieve your goals for building muscle and burning fat while meeting the nutritional needs to balance energy and hormone levels.

How to Use the Body Recomposition Macro Calculator

  • Select Metric Or Imperial Units: Select the unit you wish your height and weight to be displayed.
  • Input Height, Weight, Age, And Activity Level: Influence your basal metabolic rate, determining your macronutrient ratios for fat loss.
  • Choose Your Goal As "Body Recomposition": Changes the macro distribution based on your health and fitness goal. Fat loss and muscle gain for example encourage protein intake, while those wanting to maintain their weight are recommended a macronutrient balance.
  • Specify Training Intensity And Resistance Training Frequency: Influences carbohydrate and protein requirements as these macros are needed for energy and building and preserving muscle.
  • Click Calculate To Receive Your Macro Targets Aligned With Recomposition: Using the information provided it formulates ideal macronutrients for body recomposition.

What Are Macros?

Macronutrients refer to carbohydrates, proteins, and fats which are vital for many of our body’s functions. Each has a unique biochemical role in supporting physiological processes.

Below, we discuss each macronutrient and role, and for an in-depth look, read

what are macros.

Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates are an important energy source containing 4 calories (kcal) per gram. They are shown to make up 45–65% of our total calorie intake during a standard diet, and 40–45% during body recomposition.

Protein

Protein is essential for preserving and building muscle. Containing 4 kcal per gram, it makes up 10–35% of our daily calorie intake for a standard diet which is increased to 30–35%. Protein intake is elevated during body recomposition as it is required to maintain a positive muscle protein balance to build and preserve muscle. Additionally, it is proven to increase satiety, and thermogenesis, which is when the body burns energy to process food.

Fats

Fats are vital for supporting organs and absorbing nutrients. They make up approximately 20–35% of our daily calorie intake for the traditional diet, with requirements increasing to 30–40% for body recomposition. Fats contain 9 kcal per gram, making them a denser energy source than both carbohydrates and protein.

Fats can easily be divided into two different categories: unhealthy fats, and healthy fats. Unhealthy fats refer to trans and saturated fats that can be found in unprocessed foods and are associated with coronary heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes.

Healthy fats known as unsaturated fats (monosaturated and polyunsaturated) on the other hand are shown to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, and lower bad cholesterol while supporting cell health and immune function.

Why Counting Macros Helps with Recomposition

Nutrition and resistance training are two of the biggest influences on body recomposition. As mentioned, body comp requires a slight decrease in carbohydrate intake, which is compensated with increases in protein and fat.

While eating sufficient protein and resistance training can contribute to changes in body composition, the lack of specificity means there is limited control over nutrition, which can lead to mixed results.

Counting macros on the other hand allows for greater control, which is vital during body recomposition. It provides precise control, allowing macros to be manipulated which increases the chances of successfully achieving your body recomposition goals. For a closer look at macro counting, check out how to count macros for women.

Macros vs. Calories: What's the Difference?

Calories and macronutrients are vital components in nutrition, with both serving unique roles. Calories represent the total energy in food, while macronutrients show the total number of carbohydrates, protein, and fat.

Here we compare two foods, both 100 grams but with different macronutrient compositions

Nutritional Information Chicken Breast (100 g) Salmon (100 g)
Calories 165 kcal 208 kcal
Carbohydrates 0 0
Protein 31 g 20 g
Fats 3.6 g 13 g


Chicken breast and salmon are both excellent foods for a body recomposition with completely different macronutrient compositions.

There is a 43 kcal difference between the chicken breast and salmon which comes from salmon’s higher fat content. Even though these are healthy fats, they lead to an increase in total calories.

While these are both excellent nutrient-dense foods, these small differences will need to be considered when tracking your daily macro intake. For a better understanding, read counting macros vs calories.

Best Foods for Macro Tracking During Recomposition

Tracking your macronutrients can be simplified by choosing the correct food. Nutrition apps can streamline the tracking process. However, you still must make a conscious effort to eat a balanced diet to meet your daily requirements.

Below, we categorized carbohydrates, protein, and fats, and vitamins and minerals to highlight the best foods for easy macro counting.

Protein

Food Calories (kcal) Fat g/100g Vitamins and Minerals
Chicken Breast 165 kcal 31 g Potassium, Vitamin B6, B12
Salmon 208 kcal 20 g Omega-3, Vitamins C, B6, B12
Pork Loin 242 kcal 27 g Iron, Magnesium, Vitamins B6, B12
Chia Seeds 521 kcal 21.2 g Magnesium, Calcium, Vitamins A, B, E
Pumpkin Seeds 559 kcal 30 g Fiber, Zinc, Magnesium, Vitamin E, B
Oats 389 kcal 13.2 g Fiber, Iron, Calcium, Vitamins B, K, E
Lentils 116 kcal 9 g Fiber, Potassium, Iron, Calcium

Fats

Food Calories (kcal) Omega-3 (g/100g) Vitamins and Minerals
Mackerel 305 kcal 5 g Protein, Selenium, Potassium
Salmon 208 kcal 2.3 g Selenium, Vitamins B6, B12, E, D
Tuna 132 kcal 1.6 g Iron, Magnesium, B6, B12
Walnuts 654 kcal 6.3 g Fiber, Calcium, Potassium
Edamame 121 kcal 2.1 g Fiber, Vitamin C, Calcium, Iron
Chia Seeds 521 kcal 17.8 g Protein, Fibre, Calcium, Magnesium
Flax Seeds 534 kcal 22.8 g Protein, Fiber

Carbohydrates

Food Calories (kcal) Carbs (g/100g) Vitamins and Minerals
Oats 389 kcal 66.3 g Protein, Selenium, Potassium
Brown Rice 112 kcal 24 g Selenium, Vitamins B6, B12, E, D
Quinoa 120 kcal 21.3 g Iron, Magnesium, B6, B12
Lentils 116 kcal 20.1 g Fiber, Calcium, Potassium
Sweet Potato 86 kcal 20.1 g Fiber, Vitamin C, Calcium, Iron
Potato 74 kcal 17.5 g Protein, Fibre, Calcium, Magnesium

Best Macro Ratios by Goal

Adjusting your macronutrients is an effective tool for achieving your body's recomposition goals. Below we list the best macro ratio and calorie intake by goal.

Fat Loss

  • Calorie Intake: Calorie Deficit (consume fewer calories than your basal metabolic rate)
  • Carbohydrates: 40–45% of daily calorie intake
  • Protein: 30–35% of daily calorie intake
  • Fats: 25–30% of daily calorie intake

Maintain Weight

  • Calorie Intake: Maintenance (consume calories equal to your basal metabolic rate)
  • Carbohydrates: 55–60% of daily calorie intake
  • Protein: 30–35% of daily calorie intake
  • Fats: 15–20% of daily calorie intake

Building Muscle

  • Calorie Intake: Calorie Surplus (consuming more than your basal metabolic rate)
  • Carbohydrates: 45–45% of daily calorie intake
  • Protein: 25–30% of daily calorie intake
  • Fats: 20–30% of daily calorie intake

As you can see, macronutrient ratios and calorie intake influence play a role in achieving your fitness goals. For fat loss, a calorie deficit is needed to burn fat. However, protein intake must also be increased to preserve muscle mass.

To maintain weight, calorie intake must be equal to energy expenditure and macros follow a traditional breakdown. Meanwhile, building muscle requires a surplus of calories and a focus on protein intake.

For more information on the best macros by goals, read the following resources:

Best Macro Ratios by Age

As the body ages it undergoes physiological changes. For example, from the age of 20, energy expenditure reportedly declines by 1–2% per decade due to a decrease in fat-free mass, and muscle mass is shown to decrease by 3–8% per decade after 30. This ultimately led to a reduction in bone mineral density due to decreased mechanical stimulus from gravity and muscle contractions.

Fortunately, these concerns can be addressed through macronutrient intake and correct nutrition. To find out more about how macronutrient ratios affect age, check out these excellent resources:

How Macros Support Muscle Retention in Menopause

Retaining muscle can be challenging during menopause. Estrogen is shown to reduce muscle protein breakdown. However, when estrogen levels decrease during menopause, muscle retention can be harder.

Studies show that muscles are constantly synthesized and breaking down protein. Here a positive protein balance is required to maintain muscle mass. Macronutrient tracking and an increase in protein intake ensure daily protein requirements are met to maintain a positive net protein balance, leading to greater muscle retention.

How to Track Your Macros for Body Recomp

The benefits of tracking macros can be seen with countless body recomposition success stories. While exercise does provide a significant stimulus to promote muscle growth, macronutrient manipulation and calorie control are what burn body fat, and reveal a lean muscular physique.

Fortunately, tracking macros has never been easier, with hundreds of nutrition apps offering nutrition-tracking capabilities. Complete with macronutrient and calorie tracking interfaces and extensive food databases, they streamline the process.

Sources

  1. Espinosa-Salas, S. & Gonzalez-Arias, M., 2023. Nutrition: Macronutrient Intake, Imbalances, and Interventions. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK594226/
  2. Halton, T.L. and Hu, F.B., 2004. The effects of high protein diets on thermogenesis, satiety and weight loss: a critical review. Journal of the American College of Nutrition, 23(5), pp.373–385. https://doi.org/10.1080/07315724.2004.10719381. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15466943/
  3. Jäger, R., Kerksick, C.M., Campbell, B.I., Cribb, P.J., Wells, S.D., Skwiat, T.M., Purpura, M., Ziegenfuss, T.N., Ferrando, A.A., Arent, S.M., Smith-Ryan, A.E., Stout, J.R., Arciero, P.J., Ormsbee, M.J., Taylor, L.W., Wilborn, C.D., Kalman, D.S., Kreider, R.B., Willoughby, D.S., Hoffman, J.R., Krzykowski, J.L. and Antonio, J., 2017. International Society of Sports Nutrition Position Stand: protein and exercise. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 14, Article number: 20. https://doi.org/10.1186/s1. 2970-017-0177-8. https://jissn.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12970-017-0177-8
  4. de Souza RJ, Mente A, Maroleanu A, Cozma AI, Ha V, Kishibe T, Uleryk E, Budylowski P, Schünemann H, Beyene J, Anand SS. Intake of saturated and trans unsaturated fatty acids and risk of all cause mortality, cardiovascular disease, and type 2 diabetes: systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies. BMJ. 2015 Aug 11;351:h3978. doi: 10.1136/bmj.h3978. PMID: 26268692; PMCID: PMC4532752. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4532752/
  5. Liu AG, Ford NA, Hu FB, Zelman KM, Mozaffarian D, Kris-Etherton PM. A healthy approach to dietary fats: understanding the science and taking action to reduce consumer confusion. Nutr J. 2017 Aug 30;16(1):53. doi: 10.1186/s12937-017-0271-4. PMID: 28854932; PMCID: PMC5577766. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5577766/
  6. Volpi E, Nazemi R, Fujita S. Muscle tissue changes with aging. Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care. 2004 Jul;7(4):405-10. doi: 10.1097/01.mco.0000134362.76653.b2. PMID: 15192443; PMCID: PMC2804956. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2804956/
  7. Manini TM. Energy expenditure and aging. Ageing Res Rev. 2010 Jan;9(1):1-11. doi: 10.1016/j.arr.2009.08.002. Epub 2009 Aug 19. PMID: 19698803; PMCID: PMC2818133. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2818133/
  8. Tipton KD, Hamilton DL, Gallagher IJ. Assessing the Role of Muscle Protein Breakdown in Response to Nutrition and Exercise in Humans. Sports Med. 2018 Mar;48(Suppl 1):53-64. doi: 10.1007/s40279-017-0845-5. PMID: 29368185; PMCID: PMC5790854. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5790854/

FAQs

What is a macro calculator?
A macro calculator helps you find the ideal daily intake of proteins, carbs, and fats (macronutrients) based on your personal health goals and lifestyle.
How accurate is this macro calculator for women over 40?
Our calculator uses proven formulas adjusted specifically for women over 40, considering hormonal changes, metabolism, and activity levels for maximum accuracy.
Why are macros important during menopause?
Balanced macros help manage menopausal symptoms, support metabolism, protect muscle mass, and stabilize mood and energy levels.
How often should I recalculate my macros?
Recalculate every 4-6 weeks or when your weight, activity levels, or health goals change significantly.
Can macros help me lose weight after 40?
Yes, customizing your macros helps optimize fat loss, preserve muscle, and combat metabolic slowdown common during menopause.
Do I need to track calories if I track macros?
Tracking macros already manages calories indirectly, making it unnecessary to track calories separately for most women.
Should I prioritize protein in my macros after age 40?
Yes, protein becomes more essential after 40 to maintain muscle mass, bone health, and metabolism during perimenopause and menopause.
Is this macro calculator suitable if I'm not very active?
Absolutely. The calculator personalizes recommendations based on your actual activity level, whether sedentary, moderately active, or highly active.
How do I start using the macro calculator results in my daily life?
Start by using a food tracking app or journal to log meals, adjusting portions to match the suggested macros until it becomes intuitive.
Are the macro recommendations safe long-term for women over 40?
Yes, the recommendations are designed to support sustained health, energy, and hormonal balance safely for long-term use.

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