Starter Byte Challenge Day 6: What Are Macros (Macronutrients)?
Yesterday we covered Nutrients. Today, it’s Macronutrients…can’t live with too much of them; but can’t live without them.
Hi! Yesterday’s video showed what your body does to food. Let's see what food does for you. Digestion takes important parts out of food so you can use them.
These important parts are called nutrients. You need nutrients to live, think and move. Check out some nutrients you need here.
-Starter Byte Challenge, Day 6 Text Message
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Bread Isn’t Bad
Nutrients are the building blocks of food. They’re the helpful parts your body can’t live without. There are micronutrients (literally teeny tiny nutrients) and macronutrients (larger nutrients). Macros are protein, carbs and fat. You’ve probably heard of these, because let’s be honest, who hasn’t? I’m also willing to bet that most of what you’ve heard about macros is that they’re bad for you.
The internet is filled with posts and videos about how to “limit your macros”. But, it’s not that simple. Remember the 2nd principal of Food as Self-Love? BALANCE. Macronutrients are good for your body in moderation.
Let’s take a super simple look at the pros of eating just enough macros and the cons of eating TOO MANY:
1) Protein- In your meat (poultry, fish, beef), plants (beans, nuts, some grains)
Pro: Builds muscles!
Con: Can overload your kidneys in excess
Scroll for more below:
2) Carbohydrates (carbs)- Simple and Complex
In your grains (pasta, rice, bread), starchy veggies (potatoes, beans), desserts (cake, cookies, pastry), snacks (chips), sweetened drinks (soda)
Pro: Give you energy to think and move
Con: Too much energy turns into unnecessary fat. Also, too much of the wrong type of carb throws your body off balance and leads to diabetes, heart disease and more.
3) Fats- Trans-saturated Fat, Saturated Fat, Unsaturated Fats
In your meat and dairy (poultry, fish, beef, eggs, milk, cheese), plants (beans, nuts), oils (butter, canola oil, olive oil) , processed foods (pizza, fast food, desserts).
Pros: Give you more energy than carbs. Help you absorb important vitamins. Build your hormones and nerves!
Cons: Too much energy isn’t great. Too much of the wrong type of fat can increase risk of heart disease.
Tomorrow, we’ll review the past week.
Sourced from the National Institute on Aging.