What are Macros?

What are MACROS?   You may have heard of “counting macros” or the “macrobiotic diet” at some point, and wondered what it was all about.  Macros is basically just short for the term MACRONUTRIENTS.  Macronutrients are elements your body needs (fat, carbohydrates, and protein) to function properly. Recommended amounts of each macronutrient are debatable; so finding the ones that work for you may require some tweaking. With nutrition, it’s definitely not one-size-fits-all.

Anything taken to the extreme (high fat/low fat/high protein/low-carb diets) are generally not sustainable long-term and can have negative effects on the body. Back in the 1980s, low-fat diets became popular, but then it was discovered that FAT doesn’t make you FAT.

Lately, carbs have been given a bad name, but your body needs them! It’s important to know the difference between simplex/complex carbs and which ones really nourish your body.   Most processed foods made of grains stripped of their fiber and sweets like cookies, cakes and candy are the “bad” carbs.  However, fruits and veggies are INCREDIBLY nourishing and also made up of in most cases, mainly carbs.

Your body NEEDS all of the macronutrients. The most important thing is to look for foods that are nutrient-dense. And, too much fat/protein can also tax your system and prevent you from getting the carbs your body needs.