I Keep Seeing Friends Losing Weight With "PFC Every 3," but What Is It?

What Is PFC Every 3?

Mark Macdonald, author of the NY Times bestseller Body Confidence, is the creator of PFC Every 3. PFC stands for the three main macronutrients — protein, fats, and carbs — and eating PFC means eating a balance of all three every three hours.

Macdonald said, "eating protein positively affects your blood sugar hormone glucagon (raises your blood sugar), eating carbs affects your blood sugar hormone insulin (lowers your blood sugar), and eating fat slows down the rate of digestion by inhibiting the release of HCL (your stomach's acid). The combination of the three nutrients in the right portion sizes and intervals keeps your blood sugar balanced."

He believes that once your blood sugar levels are balanced, your body will become a "fat-burning machine," because "eating PFC Every 3 triggers the consistent release of your stored fat." You use food to create hormonal balance in the body, and that will help you lose weight, and keep it off, without feeling starving.

Per this diet, you don't need to meticulously count calories or measure portions; just listen to your body. Eat when you're about a five on the hunger scale (not full and not famished). You'll know you've eaten the right amount at each meal or snack because your hunger level will be at a five every three hours.

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What Are Examples of PFC Every 3 Meals?

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Eggs (protein and fat) with sliced apple (carb)
Salad (carbs) with chicken (protein) and avocado (fat)
Smoothie made with protein powder (protein); blueberries, banana, and spinach (carbs); and almond butter (fat)
Burrito salad bowl made fresh veggies (carbs) and black beans (carbs and protein), topped with a little guacamole (fat)
Pasta, veggies, and tomato sauce (carbs) with beef or plant-based crumbles (protein) and a sprinkle of cheese (fat)
Tofu (protein) sautéed in olive oil (fat) with quinoa and broccoli (carbs)

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What Do Registered Dietitians Think of PFC Every 3?

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Registered dietitian Leslie Langevin, MS, author of The Anti-Inflammatory Kitchen Cookbook, told POPSUGAR that most dietitians will tell their clients to pair up meals and snacks with protein, fats, and carbs, allowing three to four hours in between eating.

Langevin added that this balance of macronutrients isn't much different from the USDA's MyPlate model — although for PFC Every 3, the plate is divided into thirds, and Langevin tells clients to "eat half your plate of veggies, one-quarter protein, one-quarter carbs, and use fat in cooking or with foods in the meal like avocado, olive oil, or a little cheese."

Registered dietitian nutritionist and NASM-certified personal trainer Whitney English Tabaie, MS, hadn't heard of PFC Every 3 but agreed with Langevin and said, "Essentially, this describes a normal balanced diet." She always recommends clients aim to get in all three macronutrients at each meal to make sure they're getting all of their essential nutrients. "Eating this way also helps you stay fuller longer and avoid blood sugar spikes by slowing digestion," Tabaie explained.

Langevin added that with PFC Every 3, "overall fat might be higher than normal, but still within healthy recommendations." She thinks one-third of a plate of carbs is great for athletes but is a lot for some trying to lose weight. She suggested breaking your plate up into half low-carb veggies, one-quarter protein, and one-quarter carbs, plus a little fat on top.

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