

Now you know what macros are and how many calories they have.
#Best macro tracker free how to#
See all photos How to calculate macronutrients Dietary fat also protects your organs, supports cell growth and induces hormone production. You need fat to absorb the fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E and K), to insulate your body during cold weather and to go long periods of time without eating. Fatsĭietary fat is required for your body to do its many jobs. If you stick with a plant-based diet, some starches, vegetables and beans are also good sources of protein. High-protein foods include poultry, beef, fish, soy, yogurt, cheese and other dairy products. You need 20 different amino acids, nine of which are essential amino acids, meaning your body can't produce them on its own and you must obtain them from food. Proteins are made of amino acids, which are the building blocks of many structures in your body. Protein helps you grow, repair injuries, build muscle and fend off infections, to name a few functions. Complex carbohydrates - like starchy vegetables and whole grains - also promote digestive health because they're high in dietary fiber. When you eat carbs, your body converts them to glucose (sugar) and either uses that sugar immediately or stores it as glycogen for later use, often during exercise and in between meals. Hudzilla/Getty Images CarbohydratesĬarbohydrates give you quick energy. The three macronutrients are carbohydrates, proteins and fats. You'll need to learn how to read a nutrition facts label for this approach, but the benefits far outweigh the time you'll spend grasping the concept of a macro diet. Counting macros can also help you shift your current eating habits to healthier patterns for the long term. Not only can this practice help you reach your health goals faster than focusing on calories alone, this method of food logging can also help you understand which types of food make you feel good or bad, which foods improve your athletic performance and which foods help you focus or make you drag. First, you'll have a more balanced diet by focusing on eating a variety of nutrients that give your body energy and help your digestive system work. There are many benefits to tracking macros instead of calories. Macronutrients, also called macros for short, are the nutrient groups that your body needs in large amounts each day, including fats, carbohydrates and protein. This story is part of New Year, New You, everything you need to develop healthy habits that will last all the way through 2020 and beyond.
