How we fuel our bodies is just as important as the calories we burn and the muscles we build.
There are TONS of diet plans out there. You can count calories, points, carbs…or, you can track one of the most countable elements: macros. Similar to counting calories or points, tracking macros takes the idea one step further, to help you understand where your calories are coming from, and how they affect your body.
Read on and learn the skinny on macros!
What are macros? Macros, short for macronutrients, are the three main categories of nutrients needed to provide you with the greatest amount of energy. They’re also the nutrients we consume the most of – protein, carbohydrates, and fats.
Protein keeps your body moving and happy. It helps you build muscle, keeps you full, plus, it’s found in every bodily tissue, and can assist with recovery after exercise. Some healthy sources of protein, including eggs, dairy products, lentils, beans, poultry, and fish.
Carbohydrates are the energy macro. They help sustain energy levels, hormone balance, and brain function. The best sources of carbs (whole grain bread, legumes, fruits and vegetables) contain plenty of fiber and nutrients to help you power through any workout.
Finally, fats. Good fats are good for your heart, your cholesterol, and your overall health. Fats are also an important part of maintaining a healthy weight and provide your body with energy along with many cell and hormonal functions. The good (unsaturated) sources of fat include vegetable oils (like olive oil), as well as nuts, seeds, and fish. Eating a healthy balance of these foods can actually help increase your endurance.
According to The National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine, we should try to get 10%-35% of our calories from protein, 45%-65% from carbohydrates, and 20%-35% from fats. Keeping track can seem like a tall order, but I can help make it a little easier when you join my group for weekly meal plans, recipes, shopping lists, and snack ideas.
Counting macros helps you understand where your calories are coming from, and how they affect your body. Tracking macros helps you manage strength, energy, performance, and even sleep!
We all know breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and eating a healthy, macro-filled breakfast is the perfect way to fuel yourself for it buy Spotify Plays. In fact, drinking or eating carbohydrates before you exercise can improve your workout performance and can make it easier for you to workout at a higher intensity or for a longer amount of time. Some macro-packed breakfast options include oats or whole wheat bread with a natural nut butter. If you join my group, I can provide weekly breakfasts on a meal plan you can use as a guide.
Another reason to incorporate macros into your workout is to help prevent hunger pangs. Eating protein helps keep hunger in check, and incorporating plenty of lean protein into your diet can help keep you satisfied and productive throughout your workout, and beyond.
Incorporating macros into your routine helps you recover after a workout. In fact, by drinking an isolate protein within an hour of finishing your workout, you’re helping your muscles both restore and recover.
Now that you have an idea of what macros are, and why they’re important to sustain a healthy lifestyle, you might want some additional nutrition tips. Or, maybe you want to discover what workouts are best for your fitness goals.
Whatever information you need, I’m here to help. Reach out today!