What are macros anyway?

What are macros, anyway?

Macros, or macronutrients, are large groups of nutrients. 

There are three main macronutrients: protein, carbohydrates, and fat.

Most foods and beverages are made up of a combination of these three macronutrients. But many foods have one dominant macronutrient that provides the majority of the calories.

For example:

• Brown rice is mostly carbohydrate but also has a bit of protein and fat.

• Cashews are mostly fat but also contain protein and a bit of carb.

• Lean chicken breast is mostly protein but also contains some fat. It doesn’t contain any carbohydrates.

Okay, but why are macronutrients important?

Your body breaks down macronutrients to perform specific jobs in the body.

For example:

• Proteins break down into amino acids, which can affect our muscle composition, and are involved in creating mood-regulating neurotransmitters.

• Carbohydrates break down into sugars, which give us energy for immediate use, but also storage.

• Fats break down into fatty acids, which help form certain structures of our body, like our brain, nervous system, and cell walls.

So, in addition to impacting your body weight and composition, macronutrients can impact how you feel, perform, and even behave. (CREDIT: We've borrowed nutrition principles, concepts and diagrams from the folks at https://www.precisionnutrition.com/)

Why bother tracking macros?

For folks new to tracking food or keeping a food diary, learning the ratio of macros in what you consume can tell you a lot about your food choices. 

You may think you’re getting enough protein or not eating that many carbs, but tracking those macros will help you see where you might need to adjust. Once you know where you currently fall, adjusting your macro intake can help you feel more energized throughout the day, feel more recovered after your workout, and potentially lose fat while maintaining or gaining muscle. 

Another benefit?

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to macros and it’s not just about how many calories you eat

Depending on your unique health goals, you can adjust your ratios to achieve different results such as losing weight, maintaining weight, or building muscle.

Cool, right?

A more advanced approach can also help you adjust your macros depending on the type and duration of your workouts. 

So although there are definitely downfalls to macro tracking, the kind of flexibility tracking macros offers helps you stick to longer-term (aka lifestyle) changes.

If you’re ready to learn more about macros and tracking, find your unique ratio to feel better and have more energy, and get some accountability to make lasting habit changes, join us starting next week!