Basic Nutrition 2 - What are MACROS ?
You may or may not of heard the term Macros in relation to dieting and competing but what are they and how do you work them out..
First of all, MACRO is short for MACRONUTRIENT
They’re the three categories of nutrients you eat the most and provide you with most of your energy: protein, carbohydrates and fats. So when you’re counting your macros, you’re counting the grams of proteins, carbs or fat that you’re consuming.
Why do people count macros?
Keeping track of your macros can help you make (or plan to make) smart, healthy food choices. It’s similar to counting calories or points, but it takes the ideology one step further.
So calories don’t matter?
Sorry, but no. Calories DO matter. In the simplest terms, weight loss happens when you burn more calories than you consume. Macro counting helps you understand where those calories are coming from and how they affect your body. It also helps you understand that not all calories are created equal.
For example, let’s say you have a calorie goal of 2,000 a day. One gram of protein is 4 calories. So if you eat 125 g of protein, you’re eating 500 calories from protein, leaving you 1,500 calories to split between your fat and carbs.
Sounds like a lot of work, but is it worth it?
Well, that’s up to you to decide. Macro counting is great because it’s not a one-size-fits-all plan. It’s commonly referred to as “flexible dieting” since you’re eating real foods without really depriving your body. People who count their macros might throw around the acronym “IIFYM,” or “If It Fits Your Macros,” meaning you can eat it as long as it fits into your macros. Now, should you cheat the system so you can eat a bunch of cookies and nothing else? No. But can you indulge in a cookie every once in a while and still see success? Yes! Technically there are no “cheat” foods when you’re counting macros, it just means you have to move some macros around to make it fit.
OK, how many macros should I eat?
There is no standard amount of macros a person should eat. It is different from person to person and depends on your height, weight, activity level, age and your personal goals.
The first step is determining your daily calorie intake. The National Institute of Health has a very cool calculator to help you figure this out.
Ready to get started?
While we’ve focused a lot on macro counting and its benefits to weight loss, it’s also a good way to add some lbs if you’re looking to bulk up. Before starting a new diet routine, you should always consult your doctor to make sure it’s a safe and healthy thing to do. Also remember that while nutrition is key to weight loss and healthy living, exercise is also an important component of the equation. When setting your weight loss goals, remember losing 1-2 pounds a week is a healthy average and consistency is key!