Flexible Dieting and Macros

If you know me personally, you have probably heard me talk about macros. If you are a client of mine, I likely have created a flexible dieting plan for you based on your customized macros. If you aren't a client, you might have heard of flexible dieting or counting macros and wondering what this is all about.

What are macros?

Macros are simply macro nutrients; carbs, fats and proteins. All foods have these macro nutrients in varying amounts. The idea behind flexible dieting is to not only be eating the right number of calories for your goals (fat loss, muscle gain, maintaining weight, etc.), but also to be getting in the right ratio of macro nutrients every day for your individual needs.

Why do we need to eat protein?

Protein is an important component of every cell in the body. Hair and nails are mostly made of protein. Your body uses protein to build and repair tissues. You also use protein to make enzymes, hormones, and other body chemicals. Protein is an important building block of bones, muscles, cartilage, skin, and blood. In terms of the overall health and function of the human body, protein is essential for building and repairing things. It’s an absolute requirement for sustaining life and proper function.

Eating enough protein daily is THE key dietary factor in getting your body to preserve your muscle and burn fat instead. So, if your goal is to lose fat and NOT lose any muscle in the process, getting your daily protein intake right is very important. Protein is the “building block” of muscle. Without enough of it, your body just can NOT (and will not) build muscle. So, if your goal is to build any amount of muscle, increase strength or improve performance in virtually any capacity, a sufficient protein intake is more than just an important part of the process, its a requirement.

Why do we need to eat carbohydrates?

The role of carbohydrates in the body includes providing energy for working muscles, providing fuel for the central nervous system, enabling fat metabolism, and preventing protein from being used as energy. The digestive system breaks down the carbohydrates into simple sugars and ultimately absorbs glucose into the bloodstream. Any excess glucose is converted into glycogen which is then stored around the body. If we are consuming more carbohydrates that our body needs for fuel, this can lead to an increase in body fat and a gain in weight.

Why do we need to eat fat?

Fat has gotten a bad reputation for being the cause of weight gain. However, fat doesn’t directly make you overweight, excess calories are what makes you gain weight. It’s about getting the right balance. In fact, getting some fat from our diet is vital and a certain amount is perfectly compatible with good health. We need fat for energy, for growth, development and cell functions, for functioning of nerves and brain and maintaining healthy skin and other tissues.

So what is flexible dieting and how does it relate to macros?

Flexible dieting is simply a blueprint of how many calories and macro nutrients your body needs for your specific goals. Once you are given your customized plan of macros, it is up to you what you want to eat each day to fulfill these numbers. The beauty of flexible dieting is that it’s NOT a diet, even if you are trying to lose weight. It’s simply a formula for optimal health and reaching your goals. Ensuring that you meet all your macro nutrient goals each day means you will also be consuming the proper number of calories for your goals. It’s up to you what you eat to fulfill these numbers. That can even include things like ice cream, eating out, and alcohol. Flexible dieting is something that can be done for a lifetime to not only achieve your goals, but also maintain the health and physique that you are looking for.

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