What Are Macros
and
Why Do They Matter for Weight Loss?
Are you struggling to lose weight?
The problem with weight loss is that so few really understand the fundamentals behind it. They hear the advice, “just go on a diet and do more exercise”. And while there is some credence to this, if you don’t know what you’re doing, you may really struggle to succeed.
Moving your body is important, but nutrition is paramount in achieving your weight loss goals. If you’ve always wondered, “What are macros?” the good news is you’re about to find out. And more specifically, why they’re crucial when it comes to losing weight effectively.
What Are Macros?
Macros are short for macronutrients. They are one of the two main types of nutrients our bodies need to function optimally. The other is micronutrients which consist of things like vitamins and minerals. Without proper digestion and absorption of macronutrients, our bodies may become deficient in micronutrients.
Macros take the form of protein, fats, and carbohydrates. A healthy balance of these is essential to good health. Too much or too little of them can be a major factor in whether you lose or gain weight. So now let’s look at each in more detail to get a better understanding of the importance of macros.
Carbohydrates – Your bodies preferred source of fuel
Carbs make up the majority of our energy sources as it gets broken down into glucose and transported to our cells to function. It can also be stored in the body as glycogen in case it’s needed when energy reserves are low.
They also come in two main forms – simple sugars such as sucrose (table sugar), lactose (milk sugar), and maltose (grain sugar) and complex carbs such as fruits and vegetables.
Proteins
Proteins are the building blocks to life, assisting the growth and repair of tissues in the body. If you lift weights in the gym, muscle tissue is broken down and in order for it to repair and grow bigger, additional protein is needed to synthesize that new tissue.
But its function goes beyond this, attributing to many other bodily functions, and can even serve as an energy source if needed. It is commonly found in meat, fish, eggs, milk, cheese, and some plants.
Fats
People used to believe it was fat that caused their weight gain and so everyone started to opt for fat-free foods in the attempt to lose weight. Fats are vital to a range of bodily functions from being an energy source to providing lubrication for your joints and hormone balance.
Fats can be found in fish, meat, nuts, seeds, oils and dairy products.
Making Macros Work for You
Now you know what macros are. So in the interest of losing weight, let’s look at some additional ways to really get the most out of them.
Carbs
Reducing your simple carb intake, specifically sugars, is an effective way to help lower your weight, so long as you make up the calories elsewhere or from complex carbohydrates. Then when your body needs the energy, it’ll pull it from stored fat reserves rather than use the carbs you eat.
Protein
Protein can really help with weight loss for many reasons. For starters, it boosts your metabolic rate which means more calories burnt. It also keeps you fuller for longer so you won’t reach for those high-calorie snacks when the hunger pangs hit.
If that wasn’t enough, protein is like food for muscles and helps maintain them. The more muscle mass, the higher your metabolic rate. And finally, the body must work harder to break down protein than the other macros, actually burning extra calories in the process. Amazing huh?
Fats
Being so calorie-dense, you want to make sure you’re not consuming too much fat from foods like cooking oil and dressings.
Getting more healthy fats from foods like oily fish, avocado, nuts, and seeds when balanced with the other macronutrients – are all good stuff for a healthy body.
Understanding the Importance of Macros
Hopefully, this guide will answer your question of what are macros, what makes them so important for your body. Not every body digests and utilizes macronutrients the same. This is what makes weight loss tricky and often frustrating.
It’s vital to understanding what your body needs to function at its very best. Couple that with regular exercise or movement and you’ll be well on your way to meeting all of your health and wellness goals with ease.
Are you ready to get started on the path to a healthier you? Click here to schedule a consultation today.
