Nutrition Macros and Why Tracking Is Important?

Nick Follett

Macros and Why Tracking is Important

What are Macros? How do I track Macros?

Some of you might ask those very same questions. Today you will learn about the importance of macros and how tracking macros can be easy.

Macros consist of carbohydrates, protein, and fat. They are the building blocks of your food and consist of almost all your meals.

  • Protein provides 4 calories per gram
  • Carbohydrates provide 4 calories per gram
  • Dietary fats provide 9 calories per gram
  • Alcohol provides 7 calories per gram

Counting Calories or Tracking Macros?

When it comes to weight loss or muscle building, it’s easy to eat below or above your daily calorie intake and see results fast. Calories focus more on quantity, while macros highlight quality. The quality of foods you eat is important because they provide you the energy you need to live a healthy lifestyle. If you’re only tracking calories, you could let yourself consume fast foods or sugary treats and then not be able to fit fresh fruits and vegetables into your daily calorie count. Tracking macros provides you to make healthier food choices which ensure that enough carbohydrates, protein, and fat are consumed throughout the day to fuel your body with the right amount of energy.

Weight Loss: High Protein, Low Carb, Low Fat

35-50% Protein
25-35% Carb
20-25% Fat

Maintenance: Moderate Protein, Carb and Fat

25-50% Protein
35-50% Carb
20-35% Fat

Muscle Gain: High Protein, High Carb, Low Fat

35% Protein
45% Carb
20% Fat

A Food Tracker App Takes the Guesswork Out of Counting Macros

MyFitnessPal is one of the best food tracker apps. Easily fill out the information about yourself and it does all the calculating you need depending on what your goal is. Throughout the day, you can scan barcodes and input foods to keep track. It features macro-based meal plans, so you don’t have to wonder how to add more protein to your diet while keeping your carb count down. It might be more difficult to log macros than to count calories, but it is sure to pay off. Prioritizing nutrients over energy will help you make better decisions about food while giving your body the strength it needs to meet your goals.

Coach Nick

Sources:

https://lifesum.com/health-education/tracking-your-macronutrients-is-more-important-than-you-think/

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