Macros Vs. Calories: Which One is Important to Lose Weight

Should you track macro or calories?

In the past few years, calorie deficit has become a trend and people are completely focused only on the calories they take. Calorie count and reducing calorie intake are proven to help in losing weight, but when you are focusing on how much you eat, it's important to also pay attention to what you are eating.

Both calories and macros are important when it comes to losing weight. There are three macronutrients: protein, fats, and carbs. But what type of fats, carbs, and protein should you have? And how much of these are required by your body?

Protein:

Protein is essential for many of our important body functions including, metabolic system, tissue structure,

The amount of protein you should take depends upon different factors, including your weight and, most importantly, your physical activity. The human body cannot store protein, so when you reach the needed amount, the rest of the protein will be converted into energy or fat by the body.

The first thing you should do is to get the daily recommended requirement of protein and then move forward towards carbs and fats.

You can get healthy protein from lean meat, poultry, dairy products, legumes, fish, and other seafood.

Fats:

A common misconception is that all fats are unhealthy for the body. The truth is, fats are an essential nutrient that our body requires to perform some important functions. And a small amount of healthy fats is essential to every healthy and balanced diet.

Fats help the body to absorb certain fat-soluble nutrients, including vitamins A, E, and Vitamin D. These healthy fats also keep you feeling full for longer and maintain blood sugar levels to provide a steady stream of energy.

It is recommended to have some daily energy intake from good fats or polyunsaturated and monosaturated fats. You can get these healthy fats from Nuts, Seeds, Avocadoes, Olive oil, and Fish like Salmon.

Carbs:

Not all carbs are unhealthy for you, complex carbs like whole grains, beans, and vegetables not only improve overall health but also help in weight loss.

Your weight loss journey can become easier by adding the right type of carbs into your diet. The type of food you are taking carbs from is very important because carbs can be healthy(non-refined) or unhealthy(refined).

Unhealthy carbs can spike up your blood sugar level and cause other health issues, including weight gain and diabetes. These include white bread, soda, white rice, pasta, and other processed foods.

A healthy source of carbs can provide you with a good amount of fiber and other minerals and vitamins, which will keep you feeling full and reduce your calorie intake. Such sources include whole grains, brown rice, legumes, lentils, quinoa, and certain fruits and vegetables.

Final Words

Make sure to take all of these three macros in the recommended amount to get all of the nutrients and benefits. If you are getting a higher amount of protein by cutting down the fats, your body will use that extra protein and turn it into fats. So, keep it in a healthy balance to aid in your weight loss and overall health.