Macronutrients are the major nutrients your body obtains from food.
There are three main macronutrients: carbohydrates, protein, and fats.
All three are important, and depending on who you are and what your goals are, you will require a different balance of these three things.
If you severely restrict any one macronutrient in your diet, you are putting yourself at risk of micronutrient deficiency, a possible hormonal imbalance, or excessive oxidative stress in your body.
First let’s talk micronutrients. Following a macros template while ignoring food quality is about as useful as driving down the street with your emergency brake on. It is both terrible for your body (or car) and put simply you just won’t get very far. Macronutrients (protein, carbs, and fat), and broken down by the body, and then used for ATP synthesis or converted to some structural component of our body. So what do you think drives these processes? The answer is micronutrients. There is a litany of micronutrients involved in ATP synthesis, the conversion of different substrates into usable energy for your body. If certain micronutrients aren’t present in your diet, your body will have a lot harder time burning fat and carbs for fuel.
After reading the above paragraph, maybe you are thinking, “OK so if I just eat my leafy greens I will get all the micronutrients I need, I won’t go over on my carbs or fat and everything will be great.” Not quite. Fat in the diet is extremely important and serves a number of different functions. Dietary fat is essential for the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K. Vitamins A and E are powerful antioxidants, and Vitamins D and K are also important in their own rights. Essential fatty acids, (Omega 3 and Omega 6) are essential because our bodies cannot synthesize them. They must be obtained through diet. Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids are the precursors for local hormones in our bodies which regulate inflammation, fever, blood pressure, and blood clotting. They also influence immune response and certain respiratory and reproductive processes. Omega 6’s have gotten a bad rap as inflammation-promoting, which is technically true, but certain inflammation is necessary and a part of the healing process- like the swelling caused by a sprained ankle.
The bottom line is fruits and vegetables are important, but so are fats. If you are following a macro template that restricts fat, which many on the market do, take a moment to ask yourself, are you working towards your goals in a sustainable and health-promoting way? Do you truly feel your best, or have you noticed changes in your hormones (low libido, missed menstrual cycles), changes in your sleep (up in the middle of the night), persistent hunger or fatigue? Certain brands on the market will tell you,”feeling hungry is normal because you just aren’t used to eating this way.” Feeling hungry is also an indication that you actually are hungry, and aren’t getting the nutrition you need. Just because something makes you lose weight does not mean that it is health-promoting. Cocaine makes you lose weight. It doesn’t mean its good for you. Believe it or not, you can lose weight, lean out and feel better in the process while still consuming adequate amounts of the macro and micro nutrients your body needs to thrive.
