HEALTHY FOOD · AUGUST 2018
WHAT ARE MACRONUTRIENTS
AND HOW CAN THEY HELP
YOU REGAIN HEALTHY HABITS?
H
ave you counted your macros today? Do you even know what the
word macros means? Up until relatively recently, I had no idea macro-
counting was a thing. Apparently, YouTube bloggers and people in
“the know” have been doing it for some time as part of their diet and
exercise programs. (And if you have seen these people, you will know
they must be doing something right.)
After hearing the term repeated by all
the “experts,” I went in search of more
information. What I found was a rabbit
hole of credible sources touting the
benefits of macro-tracking or counting.
While the term is very ‘science-y’
sounding, the idea is quite simple to
understand.
The term is short for macronutrients.
These are nutrients our body needs for
optimal health. We need to maintain
a healthy supply in our bodies. Carbs,
proteins, and fats are what we are looking
for. Just like bodybuilders or fitness
experts, we have to keep track of our
daily intake of these vital nutrients. What
they do is give us the energy (in the
form of nutrients) to keep our bodies
moving and to help prevent injuries
while exercising. That energy translates
to quality high-performance workouts
minus the extreme fatigue that can
sometimes follow. Enough nutrients to
get us through a workout means a better
workout with better results. It is a win-win
if you know how to track.
This is not a diet that deprives you of
the stuff you love. This is about a healthy
balance with room for a little indulgence.
Who would not want a piece of chocolate
38 HEALTHY MAGAZINE
ganache cake at the end of the day? If
you learn to keep track of your macros,
you can indulge in your favorite snacks.
Seriously!
Here’s the math portion
of this lifestyle change:
Apps are your friend in this journey. Find
one like “My Fitness Pal” to measure
your protein, carb, and fat intake. It is
that simple. Let it calculate your optimal
macro intake based on your weight,
fitness level, and measurements. After
you have your personalized numbers,
set macronutrient goals for yourself and
follow the guidelines to get you to your
daily goal. One day at a time is the key
here. Don’t worry about tomorrow. Just
focus on the here and now. This is about
consistency and focus. Once you wrap
your mind around it, it will become like
second nature.