PCOS Macro Calculator

Calculate your daily calories, protein, carbs, and fat using the macro split that aligns with your PCOS phenotype, weight, activity, and goal.

Built on the 2023 International PCOS Guideline
--
calories per day

Daily macros

--g
--% of cal
Protein
--g
--% of cal
Carbs
--g
--% of cal
Fat

Per-meal targets (3 meals + snack)

--
calories
Each meal
--
g protein
Each meal
--
g carbs
Each meal

Daily PCOS-aware targets

  • Fiber: --g (slows glucose, supports gut + estrogen elimination)
  • Omega-3 EPA + DHA: -- mg (anti-inflammatory; from fatty fish 2-3x/week or fish oil)
  • Hydration: --L (supports kidney clearance of excess androgens)

Turn your macros into a meal plan

Get a personalized PCOS meal plan that hits these targets every day, auto-adjusted weekly to your tracking.

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Your PCOS macro card

Customise it, then save or share. Pin it above your meal-prep station or send it to your group chat.

PCOS Macro Card
My PCOS macro targets
-- kcal / day
----% calProtein
----% calCarbs
----% calFat
Golden rule: pair every carb with protein + fat, and front-load bigger meals to breakfast and lunch when insulin sensitivity is highest. Aim ~--g protein per meal.
PCOS Meal Planner pcosmealplanner.com/pcos-macro-calculator
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How this calculator works

Three steps under the hood. None of the inputs you entered leave your browser; everything runs locally in JavaScript.

Step 1: Your basal metabolic rate (BMR)

We use the Mifflin-St Jeor equation, the most accurate BMR formula validated for women in research populations:

BMR = (10 × weight kg) + (6.25 × height cm) − (5 × age) − 161

Step 2: Total daily energy expenditure (TDEE)

BMR is multiplied by an activity factor (1.2 for sedentary up to 1.9 for very active) to estimate the calories you burn in a typical day. We then apply a goal adjustment:

Step 3: Macro split by phenotype

The 2023 International Evidence-based Guideline for the Assessment and Management of PCOS supports macro splits that vary by phenotype. We apply:

Why a PCOS-aware macro calculator matters

Generic macro calculators built for general weight management default to roughly 50% carbs, 20% protein, 30% fat. That split worsens insulin resistance for most PCOS phenotypes and underserves the protein floor PCOS women need for satiety, muscle preservation, and cycle support. The PCOS-specific version weights protein up, distributes carbs lower and earlier in the day, and treats fat as a non-negotiable rather than something to minimize.

For the deeper rationale, see our insulin resistance meal plan for PCOS and our complete PCOS 101 guide.

This is an educational calculator, not medical advice. Calorie and macro targets are starting points based on population research. Adjust based on energy, satiety, cycle response, and lab markers over 4-8 weeks. If you have type 2 diabetes, are pregnant, breastfeeding, or recovering from disordered eating, consult your clinician before applying these numbers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best macro split for PCOS?

For most insulin-resistant PCOS phenotypes (~70% of cases), 30 to 40 percent carbohydrate, 25 to 30 percent protein, and 30 to 40 percent fat is supported by the 2023 International Evidence-based Guideline. Lean PCOS and post-pill phenotypes often tolerate slightly higher carb percentages (35-45%) and benefit from less aggressive calorie deficits to avoid HPA-axis stress.

How many calories should I eat with PCOS?

Use the calculator above (Mifflin-St Jeor BMR × activity factor for TDEE). For weight loss, a 350-500 kcal deficit is sustainable for most PCOS women; do not go below 1,400 kcal/day in most cases. Aggressive deficits raise cortisol, which raises insulin, which sustains the PCOS androgen loop and often stalls weight loss.

How much protein do I need with PCOS?

25 to 30 percent of daily calories from protein, which works out to roughly 1.2 to 1.6 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight, or 80 to 130 grams per day for most women. Spread it evenly: 25-35 grams per meal across 3 meals plus a snack. For more on the protein-first approach, use our PCOS Protein Calculator.

How many carbs should I eat with PCOS?

Most insulin-resistant PCOS phenotypes do best at 30 to 40 percent of daily calories from carbohydrates, which is roughly 110 to 180 grams per day at a 1,800 kcal target. Choose low-glycemic, fiber-rich sources (lentils, sweet potato, quinoa, oats, berries) and pair every carb with protein and fat to blunt the post-meal insulin spike.

How much fat should I eat with PCOS?

30 to 40 percent of daily calories from fat, weighted toward anti-inflammatory sources: extra virgin olive oil, avocado, nuts, seeds, and fatty fish for omega-3s (1,500 to 2,000 mg combined EPA + DHA daily). Low-fat dieting typically backfires for PCOS because it raises the relative carb load and removes the macronutrient that blunts post-meal glucose response.

Should I eat fewer carbs if I have insulin resistance?

Lower than the standard Western 50 percent, yes; but not as low as keto for most women. Mediterranean-pattern moderate-carb (30-40 percent) outperforms very-low-carb in 12-month head-to-head PCOS dietary trials and is more sustainable. Keto can produce short-term metabolic improvements but often disrupts cycle, thyroid, and cortisol over the long term.

What if I get a number I do not like?

Calculator outputs are starting points, not prescriptions. If the calorie target feels too low (under 1,500 kcal), bump it up by 200-300 kcal, especially if you are active, premenstrual, or recovering from chronic dieting. The macro percentages matter more than the calorie target for PCOS symptoms specifically.

Related Resources

Sources

  1. Mifflin MD, St Jeor ST, et al. A new predictive equation for resting energy expenditure in healthy individuals. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 1990;51(2):241-247.
  2. Teede HJ, Tay CT, Laven JJE, et al. Recommendations from the 2023 International Evidence-based Guideline for the Assessment and Management of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. Fertility and Sterility. 2023;120(4):767-793.
  3. Sorensen LB, Soe M, Halkier KH, Stigsby B, Astrup A. Effects of increased dietary protein-to-carbohydrate ratios in women with polycystic ovary syndrome. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2012;95(1):39-48.
  4. Moran LJ, Ko H, Misso M, et al. Dietary composition in the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. 2013;113(4):520-545.
  5. Lim SS, Hutchison SK, Van Ryswyk E, Norman RJ, Teede HJ, Moran LJ. Lifestyle changes in women with polycystic ovary syndrome. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2019;3(3):CD007506.