The potential benefits of macronutrient tracking

Tracking your macros, can be a way of achieving different goals including:

- Lose stubborn fat

- Maintain lean muscle mass

- Keep your body satisfied

What is a macro?

“Macro” is short for macronutrient and there are three categories of nutrients you eat the most and provide you with most of your energy: protein, carbohydrates and fats. So when you’re counting your macros, you’re counting the grams of proteins, carbs or fat that you’re consuming.

Why do people count macros?

Keeping track of your macros can help you make (or plan to make) smart, healthy food choices. It’s similar to counting calories or points, but it takes the ideology one step further.

In the simplest terms, weight loss happens when you burn more calories than you consume. Macro counting helps you understand where those calories are coming from and how they affect your body. It also helps you understand that not all calories are created equal.

For example, let’s say you have a calorie goal of 2,000 a day. One gram of protein is 4 calories. So if you eat 125 g of protein, you’re eating 500 calories from protein, leaving you 1,500 calories to split between your fat and carbs.

Sounds complicated, but can be worth it..

Macro counting is great because it’s not a one-sizefits-all plan. It’s commonly referred to as “flexible dieting” since you’re eating real foods without really depriving your body. Technically there are no “cheat” foods when you’re counting macros, it just means you have to move some macros around to make it fit. What is key is tailoring this meet your needs and the Bio-Synergy DNA test can provide you a personalised plan.

Counting macros can help you:

But just because you’re counting macros doesn’t mean you’re eating healthy and this is one of the downsides experts see in the flexible diet method. Technically, you could hit your macro goals without making healthy food choices.

There is no standard amount of macros a person should eat. It is different from person to person and depends on your height, weight, activity level, age and your personal goals. Hitting you macros does not always mean that you will also be getting enough micro nutrients i.e. vitamins and minerals.

If you do decide to follow this plan, then follow these steps:

Then, it’s time to do some macro math, the guidance is that adults should try to get 10-35 percent of your calories from protein, 45-65 percent from carbs and 20-35 percent from fats. You can find macro-counting calculators online, take a Bio-Synergy DNA test to determine your numbers, or work with a registered dietitian who can use his or her expertise to guide you through the process.

As you progress, you’ll have to continue to adjust your macros based on your body weight & goals.

The tracking process may seem a bit daunting, so it’s a good idea to do some meal planning and prepping to help you stay on course.