Macro ratio or Macro grams
What is most important to watch in macros...the amount of grams or the ratio between carbs, protein, fat? For instance, if I eat the correct ratio of 5-25-70 but do not have the total number of grams in each area, is that still getting the benefits of a keto diet. Or do I need to be sure I eat the total amount of grams of protein and fat?
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I don't think it's necessary to eat EXACTLY the # of grams per macro, but sticking to the ratio is good.
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Ratio is good, but remember that they’re guides only and not ‘hard’ targets. For example, you can (and should especially at the beginning) stay well under your carb macro (whether measured in ratio or grams) as less carbs hastens healthful benefits.
You should try to get close to your protein grams as that’s the amount of protein needed to sustain your body. Make sure your proteins are those for your goal weight and not your starting weight.
As for fat - again, you can be under your macro (possibly even well under) when you start. This is because once you transition from carbs to fat for your fuel source, your body doesn’t know where the fat comes from (both eaten fat and stored fat are combined to a ‘slurry’ of sorts that your body uses for fuel) so the less you eat the more stored fat is used. Using stored fat for fuel results in weight loss and other health improvements. However, once you get to your target weight, you’ll need to get closer to your fat macro to maintain energy.
So in summary, ratios are important - they’re the foundation of everything. But there are times described above where grams - especially being under grams - are important too.
I know this is somewhat of a ‘it depends’ answer, but I hope it helps. Good luck!