Eat a Healthy Balance of Macronutrients for Your Wellness

Eating fewer calories may play an important role in the weight-loss equation, but there is much more to living a healthier lifestyle. Since not all calories are created equal, eating the right balance of macronutrients within your calorie goal is more important for your health and wellness. Since the food you eat falls into one of the three categories of macronutrients, no food is off limits but the quality of the food must be considered. If you are more satisfied eating fattier whole foods, then you will likely benefit the most from adding healthy fats and restricting carbohydrates in your menu plan.

• PROTEIN - 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. The total intake needed varies greatly from one person to the next.
• FAT - Although carbohydrates produce the fastest sources of energy, fat is the most efficient source of energy the body has at its disposal. With sufficient fat deposits, your body can burn stored fat for years before running out, if need be. In addition to boosting digestive and hormonal wellness, quantities of natural saturated fats found in coconut oil and coconut milk increase good cholesterol and promote improved heart health.
• 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. The primary role of dietary sugars and starches (carbohydrates) is to provide energy to cells throughout the body but in particular to the brain, which is the only carb-dependent organ in the human body.

Creating a menu plan that allows you to hit your nutritional targets allows you to determine which macronutrients works best for you, then stick to your plan without needing to completely eliminate either carbohydrates or fat. There are always nuances to any type of menu plan. If you are constantly missing your macronutrient budget because of your social lifestyle, swap some protein for carbohydrates while keeping your fat intake the same. It managing macros isn't working for you, contact a weight professional at MRC for a personalized approach to a healthy diet.