Tuesday, October 1, 2013

What are MACROS? Part 1

You may have heard this term, "if it fits your macros" thrown around a few times. Macros consist of the major nutrients that come from our food...


PROTEIN
CARBOHYDRATE
FATS

All of these macros set out to do different things. Im not going to get too bioscience in this blog entry... but I will stress the importance of learning about these 3 macros. It will change the way you look at food forever

Proteins - 4 calories per gram

Proteins rebuild muscles,  skin, hair, organs etc all that.

Carbohydrates - 4 calories per gram

Carbs are body go to source of energy. Carbs at the end of the day all turn into glucose (the cells and brain run on gluclose).

Fats - 9 calories per gram

Fats also give the body energy like carbs.  It also makes you feel fuller and satisfied. Balances hormones.

Once you understand what each macro does you will look at food differently. Food will not be an activity, it will be fuel to your body. When it comes to macros... you can tailor any diet you want literally based off your needs.

For example:
Low carbers tend to do low carb because they are on a 40 protein 40 fat 20 carb "diet". Their body doesnt get enough gluclose to store as fat...just enough needed for vital organs. The body then uses FAT stored in their body to burn off as energy. This is why you see low carbers dropping weight so quickly.

Low carbers that are sensitive to insulin spikes (when you eat carbs and it spikes up your sugar levels) benefit from low carb because their levels stay balanced. This is why you see most diabetics and women who suffer from PCOS eating low carb. Not that its a trend... but because it tailors to their needs.

Part 2 we will dissect a nutritional label. I'll teach you that sometimes the CALORIES isnt what you should be focusing on.. why you should check all macros and micros, and why SUGAR is the number one culprit.





Please consult with your physician about your medical history, and what macros work best for you. Information used in this entry was learned from my primary care physician. Do not start a new diet without consulting with your physician first. 








 


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