Flexfoodliv
Macro Nutrition Coaching
WHAT ARE MACROS?
Macros is short for macronutrients. The three main macros are Proteins, Fats and Carbs.
For carbohydrates you have vegetables, grains and fruits. For protein, you have animal meats, seafood or protein from vegetables as well. For fats, you have oils, nuts, avocados and seeds.
How do you track macros?
We know what calories are, macronutrients are a specific way of differentiating where those calories are coming from. For example, if you eat a turkey sandwich with lettuce and tomatoes, you're going to have an idea of what types of macronutrients are coming from which of those ingredients. This helps give you a better understanding of what is being put into your body, so that you can ensure it makes you feel good.
How does tracking provide balance?
Tracking macros also helps you see how balanced your diet is as a whole. For example, if I ask you to eat 3,000 calories, you can get those calories from anything like trail mix or tomatoes (even though you’d have to eat a ton!). When you’re tracking the macros in your food you’re making sure you have a different amount of carbs, protein and fats. There are 4 calories per gram from carbs as well as protein and 9 calories per gram of fat. This helps make sure you are getting a variety in your diet, including important micronutrients
Micronutrients?
Vitamins and minerals are the two types of micronutrients. While only needed in small amounts, they play important roles in human development and well-being, including the regulation of metabolism, heartbeat, cellular pH, and bone density. Lack of micronutrients can lead to stunted growth in children and increased risk for various diseases in adulthood. Without proper consumption of micronutrients, humans can suffer from diseases such as rickets (lack of vitamin D), scurvy (lack of vitamin C), and osteoporosis (lack of calcium).
