Essential Guide to Macros
September 28, 2022Macronutrients are essential nutrients the body needs to function properly and to remain healthy. There are 3 main types of macros: carbohydrates, fats and proteins. These macronutrients provide the body with energy, help prevent disease and meet all of our nutrition needs. Most of the body’s energy and calories come from macronutrients.
Here are the most important aspects you need to know about macros:
Macronutrients vs. Micronutrients
Macronutrients are nutrients (carbs, fat and protein) that people regularly require in large quantities to provide their body with energy to perform bodily functions and daily activities. Micronutrients on the other hand refer to essential vitamins and minerals. Both are essential for our health, but the body require more macronutrients in order to stay healthy and function properly.
Benefits of macronutrients
The exact amount of each macronutrient a person requires may vary based on individual factors such as weight, age, and pre-existing health conditions. But each macronutrient plays an important role in keeping the body well-balanced.
Carbohydrates are a preferred energy source for body tissues and the main energy source for the brain. Protein is a key component in the growth, development, repair, and maintenance of body tissues. While some fats are better than other, fats are necessary for hormone production, cell growth, energy storage, and the absorption of important vitamins.
Food sources
While most foods contain a combination of macronutrients, some sources are better than others for specific macronutrients. This technically means that not all macros are equal.
While gummi-bears and sweet potatoes may have the same macronutrient profile, they are hardly nutritional equivalents.
Well-balanced sources of carbs include whole grains, fruits, honey and beans. Protein is present in fish, lean meats, nuts, seeds, whole grains as well as eggs and healthier unsaturated fats are common in avocados, oily fish, seeds, olive oil, and nuts.
The OWN Energy bars are a great source of macros as they contain components of each category. They contain carbs, in the form dried fruits and honey, protein from the oats and unsaturated fats from the nuts. Get your boost of macronutrients from OWN!