You’ve heard all the buzz words #Keto, #Paleo, #Whole30, #IntermittentFasting, everything in between.

News flash: They all use macronutrients.

The term “macros” is short form for Macronutrients. Macronutrients are Proteins, Fats, and (*gasp) Carbohydrates. Each macronutrient serves it’s own purpose and has its own calorie count.

Carbohydrates can be compared to the gasoline of nutrition. They are the simple of sugars like fructose, sucrose, glucose, and lactose and complex carbohydrates like starch. One gram of carbohydrate contains 4 calories.

Proteins are used to repair tissue, build muscles/cartilage/skin/blood, make hormones, enzymes, and chemicals in your body. One gram of protein is 4 calories.

Fats, although often shunned as the evil step child of diets, are essential in providing the body with energy and nutrient absorption. It helps protect vital organs, keep you warm on chilly nights, produce important hormones in the body. One gram of fat contains 9 calories.

To eat is a necessity, but to eat intelligently is an art.

Finding the ratio of macronutrients that work for you and your activity level is a very personal process. There are plenty of macro calculators out there such as Macrotax or TransparentLabs. Using a macro calculator is a great way to learn how to properly fuel your body and achieve performance or vanity goals. You can also work one-on-one with a certified coach. However, of course we recommend reaching out to a registered dietician if you have pre-existing health concerns.

Regardless of your macro percentages, with a little planning, logging practice (check out My Fitness Pal), and patience, this type of nutritional plan provides extreme flexibility in real life situations.

Need a little extra help? Book a free nutrition intro!