Balance Your Macro Intake with Menus Designed for You

To lose weight more efficiently, you want to preserve metabolically active muscle tissue by balancing your macronutrient intake. Some diets eliminate or severely restrict the consumption of one or more macronutrients (carbohydrates, fat and protein). Although carb consumption can influence weight management, it should not be a limiting factor. Conversely, you can lose weight consuming the right balance of healthy carbs, as long as you are energy deficit. Nonetheless, there are always personal factors that are just as important for managing a healthy weight.

• PROTEIN - Since protein is constantly broken down and used for energy, you need to replenish your body's supply on a daily basis by consuming both plant and animal sources, including eggs, yogurt, meat, beans and fish. It is important to make sure you balance your protein intake throughout the day (both meals and snacks) for satiety benefits and to maximize muscle synthesis to keep tissues metabolically active.
• FAT - Since hormones are constructed from fat molecules and cholesterol, it is important to consume enough fat to avoid suppressing normal hormone production. Essential fats are a necessary component of any healthy menu plan. As is the case with the best sources of carbs and protein, the fats in nuts and fatty fruits also contain fiber and beneficial micronutrients to keep you healthy.
• CARBS - Carbohydrates do not make you fat or keep you from losing weight as long as you are consuming them within the context of how much energy your body needs on a given day. If you load up on junk-food carbohydrates that cause your energy level and appetite to fluctuate wildly, you will find it difficult to reach your weight loss goals.

Creating a menu plan where you hit your nutritional targets allows you to determine, which macronutrients works best for you. By sticking to your plan, you shouldn't need to completely eliminate carbohydrates, protein or fat. Since all of the food you consume contains a proportion of macro and micronutrients that your body requires, keeping track of the macro ratios in your menu plan is a simple way to identify the foods that work for you as well as those that don't. For a personalized macro menu plan, contact the Metabolic Research Center and get started on your weight loss journey today.