Macros….if you are a dietitian (or diabetes educator), this trend is called carb counting.
“If it fits your macros!” Have you heard this at the gym? Or at the coffee shop? This is marketing 101. Counting your macros is the grandchild of counting your carbs, which has been around for 20 years. I need to hire this marketing person….I mean she/he is simply rebranding a concept to make it cool and trendy. GENIUS!
Macros is short for macronutrients. There are 3 macronutrients: fat, protein and carbohydrates. All 3 are essential for life. You don’t want to eliminate any of them. The recommendation for macronutrients is usually 50-65% carbohydrate, 15%-30% protein and 20% fat. The recommendation is based on multiple factors like age, height, weight, gender, activity level, etc. If you want a personal breakdown, contact a registered dietitian!
The “if it fits your macros” is basically macronutrient counting/flexible dieting plan. As long as the food fits your plan, go nuts. But, not so fast! All calories are not created equally. My beloved chips and queso from my favorite tex mex place might be the same calories as my dinner of baked chicken, roasted veggies and a baked potato. Which do you think I want you to eat? Nutrition trumps calories every time. I am a huge advocate for eating REAL, whole food over junk food and or smoothies/juices. REAL, whole food has vitamins, minerals, fiber and other essential nutrients while juices and smoothies (depending on how they are made) are full of sugar and calories. Yes, a pop tart is the same macros as oatmeal…..which one would I swat out of your hand? Should be a no brainer here, right?!
IIFYM pros: great for people who love counting things, measuring serving sizes
IIFYM cons: can technically fill up on junk food if you abuse the system
What does this dietitian think? If you like counting your macros, super! But at the end of the day, this is a trendy form of carb counting from the 90s. (Yes, I know I just dated myself there!)