What are Macros

You see it everywhere in the fitness industry, it’s the talk of your Facebook fitness group, they make apps just to keep track of them…but what are macros?

Macros, or macromolecules, are, in less technical terms, big molecules. To remove all of the super complicated biochemical aspects of the phrasing, there are three major groups of macromolecules that are important to mammals – and you’re probably already pretty familiar with them:

Proteins

Carbohydrates

Fats

But beyond that, the scientific world of macromolecules and what they mean for your health and diet are typically less discussed, and even less understood. 

You may have heard the phrasing “calories in, calories out” when it comes to weight loss, but since the popularity of counting macromolecules has become widely acknowledged among dieters and bodybuilder alike, it’s readily accepted that it is just as important where the calories are coming from as it is how many calories you intake. 

What does that mean for calories?

1 gram of protein = 4 calories

1 gram of carbohydrate = 4 calories

1 gram of fat = 9 calories 

Turns out, not all macros were bonded equally (get it….nevermind)

These different groups of macromolecules all serve varying purposes in maintaining a healthy diet, and while some people may see results from simply expending more calories than they eat during the day, many people struggle to do so, or simply don’t see the desired results, because they aren’t changing what they eat – or if they do, not in the right way. 

The popular trend of tracking macromolecules instead of purely focusing on calories has greatly improved people’s understanding of setting up and maintain a healthy diet – whether you are trying to gain muscle or lose fat. 

Check-in next week for more specific details on each macromolecule group!