There's a lot of terms thrown around when it comes to food. Packaging may boast of low calorie or fat free but what really matters? In this post, we are going to talk about the building blocks of food: macronutrients (macros). Macros refers to protein, carbohydrates (carbs), and fats.
Protein // Protein contains 4 calories per 1 gram. It is vitally important that we have enough protein in our diets. Protein is responsible for building muscle, maintaining stomach acid for digestion, cell repair, nutrient transportation and more. Animal protein is the most bioavailable (compared to plant based protein which often contains anti-nutrients) which means that our body can make the most efficient use of it! A few great sources of protein include wild caught fish, grass fed pasture raised beef and dairy products, pasture raised chicken and eggs.
Carbs // Carbohydrates are sugars and also contain 4 calories per 1 gram. Carbs are the bodies most accessible source of energy. They fuel brain function, workouts, detoxification, sleep, and overall daily energy! My default for a long time when hearing carbs was thinking bread, cake, muffins and the like. While these are carbohydrates the term also includes things like fruits, root vegetables, and grains. Keep in mind that organic and local produce is going to be your most nutritious option as it will contain the least amount of toxins and the most nutritional benefit.
Fat // Through and through we will recommend saturated fats. Without getting too into the chemistry it is worth noting the difference between saturated and unsaturated fats. Unsaturated fats contain double bonds in some spaces that can be easily broken into free radicals when heated during cooking or upon digestion. These free radicals look to bond with anything and everything which can wreak havoc on the stability of the body when they bond with things they aren't supposed to (oxidative stress). On the other hand, saturated fats are stable even when heated to high temperatures! Fats contain 9 calories per gram indicating they are more calorically dense. They are essential for energy and they are the building block of hormones (the messengers our body depends on to communicate!). They also protect the heart, provide certain vitamins that cannot be found elsewhere and regulate blood sugar. Saturated fats include things like butter, coconut oil, and avocado oil.
It is worth noting that it is extremely important to eat all three macronutrients together! This ensures balanced blood sugar, minimal stress, stability and safety for the body. Happy trails :)
Feel free to leave questions in the comments and we will get back to you or make another blog post answering your questions!
Author: Charity Behage
I find it most challenging to eat all three together, but I have noticed such a difference in my daily energy increasing when I eat them together! What are some of the most detrimental unsaturated fats to avoid?