Macronutrients
All whole foods provide a mixture of macronutrients and micronutrients.
As their respective names state, macronutrients are the nutrients that our bodies need in large amounts and are made up of:
- Fats
- Carbohydrates
- Proteins
Micronutrients are needed in smaller amounts — these are vitamins and minerals that are equally important for optimal health.
Macronutrients provide energy in the form of calories, whereas micronutrients do not provide energy or calories.
TIP
When you’re trying to lose weight, the key is making sure that your diet is sustainable and remaining consistent with it.
So, What Should My Macros Be?
While there is no one-size-fits-all with regard to nutrition recommendations, according to the Australian Dietary Guidelines, both male and female adults ages 19 and up should aim to get 20 to 35% of their total calories from fats, 45 to 65% of their total calories from carbs and 15 to 25% of their total calories from proteins.
As you’ve likely noticed, there is a great degree of fine-tuning involved to determine the right macro distribution range for each person!
When it comes to crushing your health and fitness goals, individualisation is key — so a macronutrient combination that works for one person may not be generalised for all.
