Managing Nutritional Value Is an Important Fitness Goal

Managing macronutrients offers several nutritional benefits for those trying to lose weight. It allows you to get a handle on where calories come from as well as what size portions you should consume. Learning the correct portion size for each macronutrient is critical to keeping your macro intake balanced as well as managing your goal for calorie consumption. Managing your weight is an important fitness goal and consuming the right balance of macronutrients form the baseline for the whole process, but the total intake needed varies greatly from one person to the next.

• Ideally, your macronutrient consumption will include the following lean proteins in moderate amounts: fish, seafood, eggs, lean chicken, pork, beef and lamb. Since your body cannot store protein, it is important to spread your consumption of proteins over breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks.
• Since hormones are composed of fat molecules and cholesterol, it is important to consume enough fat to avoid suppressing normal hormone production. Although you should never follow a high-cholesterol diet, it is a misconception that consuming high cholesterol foods causes high cholesterol levels in the blood. The main dietary culprits are trans fat and saturated fat.
• Avoid processed foods and treats like sugary drinks and baked goods. Absorbed sugars from simple carbohydrates are transported throughout the body to cells as a source of energy. Instead, opt for complex-carbohydrates that are high-fiber choices to keep your body feeling full longer.

Fixating on a number needed to maintain a calorie deficit can become stressful and lends itself to a self-defeating attitude when you fail to lose weight as expected. Managing the nutritional value of the food on your plate automatically puts you on the right track. In the beginning, it helps to focus on one goal at a time. For example, it can be difficult to lose weight and build muscle mass at the same time. Once your body is done building muscle, it will store excess calories as fat, so determining the right macro ratio for the right now can be tricky.