Macronutrients are the main nutrients that make up the foods we eat.
All of the calories we eat come from either a carbohydrate, fat, protein, or alcohol.
- Carbohydrates have 4 calories in every gram.
- Proteins have 4 calories in every gram.
- Alcohol has 7 calories in every gram.
- Fats have 9 calories in every gram.
Aside from alcohol, the body needs all of these (carbs, protein, and fat) to function.
🍗 Protein is needed in the body to build and repair tissues, carry oxygen in the blood, and for a healthy immune system. It provides the building blocks for important hormones and digestive enzymes.
Protein is also important for blood sugar control and keeping you feeling fuller for longer periods of time. That is why it is recommended that every meal (and snack) should contain some form of protein.
🥑 Fat is needed in our diets to provide us with energy, make and balance hormones, form cell membranes, form our brains and nervous system, transport vitamins, and give us omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids that we can’t make on our own.
🍞 🍎 Carbohydrates are the main source of energy for our bodies. Carbs are organic molecules typically classified according to their structure: simple and complex.
Most of what we eat are complex carbs. Some examples include beans, starchy vegetables, whole grains, oatmeal, quinoa, barley, and many other plant-based foods.
Raw table sugar would be a simple carb.
However, all carbohydrates we consume are broken down into simple sugars before they’re absorbed by the body, regardless of whether the food source is a simple sugar cube or a high-fiber bowl of oatmeal.
The “healthier carbs” are digested and absorbed much slower while the “non-healthy” carbs are digested very quickly.
Our thoughts about macronutrients
We eat food at meals in the context of our lives. It’s important to know the macronutrients, but also to remember that meals are so much more than macros. Tracking macros is not appropriate for most people.
Each person needs different levels of nutrients depending on activity level, tolerances, preferences, and physical requirements.
Are you ready to take control of your health and stop blindly following diets? We are the team you need to start living the life you want! We want you to build sustainable skills through daily actions and practices.
