In the health and wellness world you hear a lot about macros and how it’s important to track them. That being said, there seems to be a lot of confusion as to what macros are, so we’re here to answer some commonly asked questions about macros!

What are macros?

Macros are molecules that our bodies use to create energy. They can be broken down into fats, proteins and carbohydrates. These are the items that make up calories in food and on average:

1 gram of fat = 9 calories

1 gram of carbs = 4 calories

1 gram of protein = 4 calories

It has been suggested (and proven) that each of our bodies requires a different amount of fat, protein and carbs in order to function correctly. And when you fuel your body with the right foods, then you are more likely to live a healthy lifestyle.

How do I calculate my macros?

Everyone’s macros are different. Nutritionists will take your body type, height, weight, age and activity level to help determine what your macros should be.

Along with this, they take into account what type of diet you wish to have. Someone who is on a ketogenic diet ( 50% fat, 40% protein, 10% carbs) is going to have a very different set of macros than someone on Whole 30 or paleo (30% fat, 30% protein, 40% carbs).

There are many free tools you can use to calculate your macros. We have listed a good tool in the link below.

https://healthyeater.com/flexible-dieting-calculator

What is the best way for me to track my macros?

We recommend the MyFitnessPal app! It helps you set your goals and then select and track foods that stay in line with your macros.