The Importance of Macronutrients and Weight Loss

The ratio of macronutrients that a person consumes mainly affects their blood sugar levels, which translates into energy and metabolism. 

Macronutrients are proteins, fats, and carbohydrates.  Carbohydrates provide the immediate energy we need to get our metabolism up and running.  Proteins like animal proteins are essential for our muscle healing and for cellular regeneration.  Good fats like Omega 3's are our sustainable energy.  The three together when eaten in proper ratio's keeps our blood sugars stable allowing us to keep our organs healthy, revs up our metabolism, and helps keep us in a fat burning mode.  Wouldn't it be nice to burn fat and not our beautiful muscles we work so hard to develop.

During my client initial interview time I talk about the importance of a balanced diet and how it contributes to weight loss.  I often will sketch out a hypothetical meal of the average person who believes they are eating healthy.  What always stands out is a carb heavy daily intake.  People forget that vegetables, fruits, and lactose/milk products are also consider carbs, outside the intake of simple carbs; breads, pastas, and white sugars. 

I encourage people to get their carbohydrates from complex carbs; apples, pears, veggies, etc...  These are  low glycemic fruits and veggies that contain high levels of fiber.  Stay away from simple carbs for example, white breads, white rice, crackers,  etc... These are carbs that spike the blood sugar quickly. 

I do not believe we all fit into the same macronutrient ratio box.  Runners will need a different ratio vs. weight lifters.  Middle age women will need a different ratio then younger women. 

My advice is to make sure you eat a balance of all three macronutrients.  Making your higher ratio of carbs early in the day.  For example, breakfast may contain oatmeal, blueberries and a couple of egg whites.  Morning snack may contain an apple/pear and almonds.  The later half of the day should be lean and green.  Carb source in the later half of the day should mostly come from veggie carbs.