If you’re looking for fat-loss but confused about these buzzwords, here’s the bits you need to know…
I’ve had a few questions lately from personal trainer clients and our attendees of Boot camp, about macro and micronutrients, so thought I’d clear up any confusion surrounding what you need to know and, more importantly, what you don’t actually need to worry about!
I recently started training a lovely lady, who had sadly had an unpleasant experience in the past with another personal trainer.
To cut a long-story short, this trainer told her that being a vegetarian would make hitting her macronutrients pretty much impossible, due to there not being anywhere near enough protein in her diet. And continued to remind her of this on a regular basis.
This was compensated for by prescribing her large amounts of dairy in the form of cheese, yogurt, milk…you get the idea.
So what does one actually need to know about macro and micro nutrients, in order to lose body fat?
Macronutrients are fats, proteins, and carbs. They are called macronutrients because they’re needed by the body in relatively large amounts.
Micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) are called micronutrients because they’re needed by the body only in small amounts (milligrams or micrograms daily). Macronutrients are used by the body to make energy, micronutrients in contrast, do not yield energy. ⠀⠀⠀
BUT: Their role is equally important. Without them, the body can’t convert the macronutrients into energy. It would be like having all the materials you need to build a house, but if you don’t have someone come and actually build it, you’re left house-less!
This is why your food choices are so important. You want to choose foods that contain micronutrients alongside the macronutrients, to ensure your body has all it needs to successfully digest, absorb, assimilate, and most importantly UTILIZE the macronutrients you’re consuming.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Fresh fruits, vegetables, meat and fish (preferably organic), whole grains like quinoa and lentils, herbs, spices, and any ‘whole foods’ contain an abundance of micronutrients. Processed foods high in sugar, salt, trans-fats and man-made chemicals do not.
So while it’s super important to hit your macros (whether you’re in a calorie-deficit or maintenance phase) it’s JUST as important to hit your micros. So use your common sense (and don’t worry about weighing and measuring if you want to maintain a relaxed approach to eating!)
Just make sure you’re getting a variety, in order to ensure you’re never in a micronutrient deficit. Your body will thank you and you’ll start to see the results you’ve been waiting for.
