People are becoming increasingly concerned with their health.
However, not everyone finds managing their health so easy. Luckily, those tracking macros can have more control over their health and have a more informed understanding of their food.
But what are macros? What are their different benefits?
Keep reading to learn more.
What Are Macros?
The three macronutrients (macros) are carbohydrates, fat, and protein. Out of all nutrients, people eat these the most. Like other nutrients, each macro is essential for maintaining one’s energy and biological functions.
Benefits of Tracking Macros
As opposed to tracking calories, tracking macros primarily emphasizes the quality of the food, not the quantity — though both are important to maintaining good health. It’s also more practical than tracking micronutrients (micros) since people need them in much smaller amounts.
Prevent Nutrition Deficiencies
Eating a healthy diet seems simple, but many people have trouble maintaining a well-rounded diet, especially when it comes to adequate protein intake.
Some individuals benefit even more from tracking macros, especially those with unique concerns. Those with certain health conditions may need more fats or carbohydrates than others. People beginning new food lifestyles, such as veganism, could also ensure they’re not neglecting their protein intake during the transition.
Improved Food Awareness
Many foods are healthy but not necessarily nutritionally balanced. When people track proteins, fats, and carbohydrates, they better understand how much of each macro a food has. Even if/when they stop tracking macros, they’ll gain a permanent intuition about what’s in the food they eat.
Fat Loss
Losing fat ultimately relies on a caloric deficit. However, it’s easier to lose weight with a higher protein intake due to its ability to build muscle, increasing the body’s metabolic rate. Protein is also high satiable, meaning that people feel fuller while eating less.
Muscle-Building
As mentioned before, protein is excellent for building muscle. People nourish themselves with the building blocks for muscle repair, growth, and maintenance by eating protein. High protein snacks can provide these building blocks and a lot of flavor.
How to Track Macros
Many people begin food diaries to track their carbs, fats, and proteins. But calorie-tracking apps are the most popular tools for tracking macros. When users log their food, these apps calculate how much of each macro they’ve eaten in the day.
It’s much quicker than a food diary and can save years of data. This way, users can get a pretty accurate sense of how much their eating habits have changed over time.
Reap the Benefits of Tracking Macros
If you’re struggling to manage your health, tracking macros can help you regain control. Doing so can lead to a more consistently healthy lifestyle suited for your body.
This guide informs readers of the perks of tracking macros. If it improved your fitness plan, check out the rest of our blog! We’ve got plenty of other content for health-conscious readers such as you.