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How Hoot Sets Your Daily Fat Target

Learn how Hoot calculates your daily fat target using the 30% calorie formula, why fat matters for hormones and health, and how to manually adjust your goal in Settings → Daily Plan → Fat.

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Written by Patrick McCarthy
Updated over a month ago

Introduction

Fat is essential for hormone production, brain function, vitamin absorption, and long-lasting energy. Instead of treating fat as something to avoid, Hoot gives you a balanced, science-backed daily target that supports your metabolism and overall health — and aligns with your calorie goal.

1. The Fat Formula

Hoot assigns 30% of your daily calories to dietary fat.

Formula:

Fat (g) = (Daily Calories × 0.30) ÷ 9

Because fat contains 9 calories per gram, dividing by 9 converts your fat calories into grams.

Example:
1,800 calories → (1,800 × 0.30) ÷ 9 = 60 g/day

This gives you a fat target that scales naturally with your calorie needs, not a one-size-fits-all number.


2. Minimum Fat Thresholds

To protect hormonal health, recovery, and nutrient absorption, Hoot prevents fat from dropping too low by enforcing smart minimums:

  • Women: at least 30 g/day

  • Men: at least 40 g/day

  • Other genders: at least 35 g/day

If 30% of your calories falls below these minimums, you can manually set a higher number to avoid under-eating fat.


3. Why We Use 30%

Major nutrition authorities recommend 20%–35% of daily calories from fat, emphasizing healthier unsaturated fats. Setting your target at 30% is intentional:

  • Supports estrogen and testosterone production

  • Helps absorb vitamins A, D, E, and K

  • Keeps you full and satisfied

  • Provides long-lasting energy

  • Avoids the hormonal downsides of very low-fat diets

  • Fits cleanly within standard health guidelines

It’s a balanced midpoint — not too low, not too high — designed to keep your body functioning optimally.


4. Healthier Fat Sources Hoot Encourages

Hoot recommends prioritizing foods rich in unsaturated fats, such as:

  • Olive oil and avocado

  • Nuts and seeds

  • Salmon and other fatty fish

  • Natural nut butters

  • Plant-based oils (avocado, canola, grapeseed)

  • Tofu and soy products

These fats support heart health, satiety, and overall metabolic function.

Fats to keep moderate:

  • Full-fat dairy

  • Cheese

  • Fatty cuts of meat

  • Coconut products

Fats to limit:

  • Trans fats

  • Highly processed fried foods

  • Large amounts of saturated fat (your limit is tracked separately in Hoot)


5. Can You Adjust Your Fat Goal?

Yes — you can edit your fat goal at any time by adjusting the final gram number.

To update it:

Go to:
Settings → Daily Plan → Fat
Then enter the daily gram target you prefer.

A few reasons users adjust their goal:

  • Increasing fat intake (e.g., for higher satiety or lower-carb diets)

  • Lowering fat intake (e.g., to increase carbs or follow clinician guidance)

  • Personalizing based on preference, digestion, or lifestyle

Hoot does not auto-update your fat target when calories change. Any adjustments must be done manually.


6. How Fat Fits Into Your Macro Plan

Fat is set after protein, because both supply essential nutrients, and before carbohydrates, which are flexible.

This order ensures:

  • Your essential nutrient needs are met first

  • You get enough fat for hormone and metabolic health

  • Your carb target adjusts around the protein and fat that your body requires

It’s a simple, effective system grounded in modern nutrition science.


References

Dietary Guidelines for Americans — Total fat recommendations (20–35%):
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK469839

American Heart Association — Keep fat at ~30% of calories:
https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/01.cir.94.7.1795

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