Macronutrients (also known as “macros”) refer to the nutrients that provide the most amount of energy and contain calories. There are technically 4 main macronutrients: protein, carbohydrates, fat, and alcohol. The first three, though, are the ones that are encouraged for you to consume daily, and we do not encourage a regular consumption of alcohol (for further discussion on alcohol, please refer to this FAQ).
Let’s start out with protein. This is the macro that’ll be the most important one for body composition changes because it plays a huge role in building and maintaining muscle mass. Aside from physique changes, protein also plays an important role in your body as being the main component of your hair, skin, & nails, acting as a transporter in your blood to deliver nutrients to your various organs and cells, and it also is the foundation for various hormones and enzymes in the body. It also is the most satiating of all the macronutrients, so it will keep you fuller for longer.
Protein contains 4 calories per gram. Common food sources include both animal and plant products. You can visit this FAQ for more information.
Next, carbohydrates. This is the main fuel source for your body both throughout the day and during exercise (though it will depend on the type of exercise you’re doing). Carbohydrate-containing food typically also provides the most amount of micronutrients into your diet, as well as containing a high amount of fiber (for more information on fiber, you can visit this FAQ). Another simple word for carbohydrates are sugars.
Carbs also contain 4 calories per gram. Common food sources will include mostly plant based sources, but also some animal based sources, like dairy. You can visit this FAQ for more information.
Finally, fat. This is the macro that’ll support normal hormone production. It is also important for fat-soluble vitamin absorption (vitamins D, E, K, and A), and it also adds a lot of flavor and texture to your food. Fat can be split up further into
Fat is the most energy dense of the macros, containing 9 calories per gram. Common food sources include both animal and plant based products. You can visit this FAQ for more information.