Macros for 230 lb Women (Maintenance, Sedentary)
Reviewed by Andrew Menechian, Head of Fitness at FitCommit
Exact macros for a 230 lb woman on a maintenance diet. Calculated from estimated lean mass, Katch-McArdle BMR, and a sedentary TDEE (desk job, little or no exercise).
2,470
Calories
Maintenance calories
180g
Protein
720 cal (29%)
226g
Carbs
904 cal (37%)
94g
Fat
846 cal (34%)
Eating at TDEE with zero deficit or surplus. These macros maintain your 230 lb body weight while optimizing protein for muscle retention.
How These Macros Were Calculated
| Body Weight | 230 lbs |
|---|---|
| Estimated Lean Mass | 173 lbs (75% of body weight) |
| Lean Mass (kg) | 78.2 kg |
| BMR (Katch-McArdle) | 2,059 cal/day |
| TDEE (BMR x 1.2) | 2,471 cal/day |
| Target Calories | 2,470 cal/day |
| Calorie Change | None (maintenance) |
| Expected Weekly Change | Stable weight |
BMR uses the Katch-McArdle formula (370 + 21.6 x lean mass kg), which accounts for lean mass and outperforms Harris-Benedict for accuracy across different body compositions. Lean mass estimated at 25% average body fat for women. Activity multiplier 1.2 = desk job, little or no exercise.
Macro Breakdown
| Macro | Grams | Calories | % of Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Protein | 180g | 720 | 29% |
| Carbohydrates | 226g | 904 | 37% |
| Fat | 94g | 846 | 34% |
| Total | - | 2,470 | 100% |
Protein is set at 2.3g per kg of lean body mass (173 lbs lean mass for this woman). Fat targets 30% of target calories with a minimum safety floor applied if needed; carbs fill remaining calories, with a 50g minimum for brain function.
Meal Split Examples
3 Meals Per Day
- Per-meal calories823 cal
- Per-meal protein60g
- Per-meal carbs75g
- Per-meal fat31g
4 Meals Per Day
- Per-meal calories618 cal
- Per-meal protein45g
- Per-meal carbs57g
- Per-meal fat24g
5 Meals Per Day
- Per-meal calories494 cal
- Per-meal protein36g
- Per-meal carbs45g
- Per-meal fat19g
Research shows muscle protein synthesis is maximized with 30-40g protein per meal. 60g per meal in 3 meals is within the optimal range.
What These Macros Look Like in Food
Protein: 180g
- 6 x 100g chicken breast (31g each)
- 30 large eggs (6g each)
- 11 cups whole-milk Greek yogurt (17g each)
- 7 cups cottage cheese (25g each)
Carbs: 226g
- 9 medium sweet potatoes (26g each)
- 4 cups dry oats (54g each)
- 6 cups cooked lentils (40g each)
- 5 cups cooked brown rice (45g each)
Fat: 94g
- 7 tbsp olive oil (14g each)
- 6 half avocados (15g each)
- 7 oz mixed nuts (14g each)
- 7 x 100g salmon fillet (13g each)
These are rough equivalents. Most meals contain a mix of all three macros. Use a food tracking app for precise logging.
These numbers use an estimated 25% body fat.
FitCommit measures your actual lean mass with an AI body scan from your phone camera, so your macros reflect your real body composition.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is fat set at 94g for a maintenance diet?
Fat is set at 34% of total calories, which is 846 calories or 94g per day. Fat is essential for hormone production, fat-soluble vitamin absorption, and satiety. Keeping fat at 30% of calories maintains hormone function during maintenance. Dropping fat below 20% of total calories can impair testosterone, estrogen, and recovery.
How do I split 180g of protein across meals?
Across 3 meals, each meal needs about 60g of protein. Across 5 meals or snacks, each needs about 36g. Research shows protein synthesis is maximized with 30-40g per meal for most people. 60g per meal in 3 meals is within the optimal 30-40g range.
What are 226g of carbs used for in a maintenance diet?
The 226g of carbs provides 904 calories for workouts and brain function. Carbohydrates replenish muscle glycogen after training, supporting performance and recovery. At maintenance, 226g of carbs fuels daily activity at a sustainable level without gain or loss.
Should I recalculate my macros as I track weight?
At maintenance, recalculate your TDEE every 4-8 weeks if your weight shifts more than 5 lbs consistently. Lean mass changes affect calorie needs.
When to Recalculate These Macros
Weight trending upward over 2 weeks
Reduce by 100-150 cal/day from carbs. Your actual TDEE is slightly below the 1.2x estimate for sedentary activity.
Weight trending downward over 2 weeks
Add 100-150 cal/day from carbs or fat. You may be more active than the multiplier accounts for, or your metabolism has adapted upward.
Activity level has changed significantly
Switch to the matching activity level using the selector above. The difference between sedentary and moderately active can be 300-500 cal/day at 230 lbs.
Other Weights and Goals
Same Weight and Goal, Different Activity Levels
Related Resources
Get Your Exact Macros with FitCommit
These numbers use average body fat estimates. FitCommit's AI body scan measures your actual lean mass from your phone camera.
Precise lean mass = precise TDEE = macros that actually match your body, not an average.
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