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Should You Be Counting Macros?

Counting macros (short for macronutrients) has become a popular diet method over the past several years, utilized by those looking to lose fat or gain muscle mass. Competitive athletes and non-athletes are trying out these methods, and the trend IIFYM (“if it fits your macros”) is seen frequently across social media. While macro counting does provide benefits, solely focusing on macros may overshadow the most important aspect of nutrition - nourishment.

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 What is the macro diet?

The macro diet has gained popularity over the past few years, with individuals able to consume any foods that fit within their daily macronutrient (‘macro’) requirements. Instead of solely focusing on counting calories, there is an emphasis on counting and tracking macronutrients. Some advocates of the diet believe that manipulating macronutrient intake may be useful for helping people lose weight and reach their health and fitness goals.

Articles of Interest

How to Calculate Macros for Weight Loss, According to Registered Dietitians

What do The Rock, Chris Hemsworth, Hilary Duff and Carrie Underwood have in common? They have all been linked to the macro diet. Bodybuilders, celebrities and extreme athletes have been known to follow the macro diet and tweak their intake of protein, fats and carbohydrates for optimal performance. Some use this diet to maintain or increase muscle mass while losing body fat, others as a flexible tool for weight loss.

How To Calculate Macros to Lose Weight

Believe it or not, calculating macros is one of the fastest and easiest things you can do to lose weight. By reining in your diet, and ensuring that your body is nourished with three critical macronutrients, most people start to see the pounds shed within a matter of weeks.

How to Calculate Your Macros Like a Pro

Nutrition experts give the step-by-step guide on how to calculate macros, and more importantly, who really even needs to.

How to Count Macros and Change Your Body (A Comprehensive Guide)

Here is where tracking macros beats out any other dieting method. Why? For the simple fact that, even once you stop, you are equipped with the knowledge about the foods you’re eating to sustain your results for a lifetime. Yes, a lifetime, you read that right.

Should You Count Macros for Weight Loss?

Both fitness stars and gym rats embrace counting macros to achieve flawlessly cut muscles. This popular strategy is based on eating just the right balance of macros instead of slashing calories indiscriminately. While it is one step ahead of calorie counting, will it lead to the weight loss you’re hoping for? Let’s find out.

The Big Mistake People Make When Cutting Calories

We actually need to make an effort to get macronutrients these days—in fact, it may be harder now than ever. "With all the processed foods available today, we’re actually a little bit at a disadvantage," Hunnes says. It's way too easy to overdo it on simple sugars and carbs and manufactured fats, she explains, especially if you don't cook much at home. We have to actively try to get a healthful balance of macronutrients and micronutrients. "It's more important now than it was even 20 years ago," she says.

Your Complete Guide to the 'IIFYM' Or Macro Diet

You might have heard your fitness friends talking about counting their daily grams of protein, but what is it really like to adopt this style of eating?

Resources

My Macros

No matter if you want to lose weight, bulk up, or maintain a healthy lifestyle My Macros+ is the diet tracking app for you.

Calories or macros: nutritionist explains which works best for weight loss or building muscle

Rather than counting calories, IIFYM counts the daily macronutrients (fats, carbohydrates, and proteins) found in the foods and drinks we consume. Many people like the diet because it offers flexibility and allows them to consume any food as long as it fits into their daily macronutrient (“macro”) requirements.

If It Fits Your Macros Diet—AKA 'IIFYM'—Pros and Cons

Does counting macros actually work?