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Tracking macros for beginners8/2/2023 ![]() ![]() One of the big concerns or hesitations many people have with macro counting is that it doesn’t take into consideration the quality of the food or the amount of micronutrients present. Macro counting has benefits in some instances, but it also has some pitfalls in other instances as well. Macro counting also can be a real eye opener on serving sizes (OMG a serving of tortilla chips is that small!?!?).īottom line: macro counting mainly helps people become more aware of their overall intake and the breakdown of that intake, in order to reach a goal…or to simply just be more aware and knowledgeable in their food choices. Macro counting often reassures people of JUST HOW MUCH FOOD THEY CAN EAT!! Counting macros helps some focus on a balanced intake that includes protein, fats and carbs - this general awareness around nutrition can lead to improved eating habits and create a better awareness of any imbalances in intake (like, under-eating protein and over-consuming carbs). For example, 800 calories of carbs will have a different impact on the body than 800 calories from a mix of carbs, fat, and protein.Īdditionally, macro counting is commonly use to help people reach body composition goals, whether it is losing fat, gaining muscle, or just maintaining where they are. Macro counting also helps some people understand that not all calories are created equal (contrary to what some might think). Since all types of foods (think donuts AND kale AND pizza AND grilled salmon) have macros, macro counting shows some people that technically ALL foods can fit into their diet without “thwarting” their goals. Macro counting can help some people understand where calories in their diet are coming from and how they affect their body. There need not be any guilt attached to these thoughts!! But it can be a very surprising activity and one that leaves you with a better awareness of what you are consuming. It is this aspect that can be very eye-opening for some people you can quickly become aware of things like “wait, there’s how many grams of carbs in a serving of ice cream?”, or “I’m only getting 6 grams of protein in an egg?”, or “a large Chickfila fry has how many grams of fat?”. We know how many grams are in a food either by looking at the packaging and serving amount, searching it on the internet or an app like My Fitness Pal, or weighing or measuring it on a scale. On average, carbs provide 4 calories per gram, proteins provide 4 calories per gram, and fats provide 9 calories per gram. Our bodies (and thus our organs and cells) require each of these macronutrients to work optimally and perform necessary functions.įurther, each macronutrient will provide a certain amount of calories, which is a unit of energy. The three main macronutrients that most people refer to are protein, fat, and carbs. The term macros refers to macronutrients, or the nutrients your body needs in large amounts in order to function optimally. By the end, you will have a better understanding of what macros are, why people keep track of them, the pros and the cons of counting/tracking macros, how to calculate your own macros, what to do if you don’t want to track macros, and how to apply this information to your life. A blanket recommendation and approach does us all a disservice, so we will be diving into the ins and outs of counting macros in the following post. You don’t have to count macros to be healthy or reach a certain fitness level/physique.Īs with most things in the world of nutrition, it’s a bit nuanced. The short answer to “should” you count macros? No. ![]() “Should I be counting macros?” is a question I get asked at least once a week, so let’s dive into this question in more depth, shall we?
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