There are two different types of nutrients essential for the body
- Macronutrients
- Micronutrients
In the world of fitness and calorie tracking dieting, it’s common to hear the words “macros” and “micros” which may sound intimidating and can cause confusion. In basic terms, macronutrients are the nutrients that the body requires in large amounts, while micronutrients are those required in smaller amounts.
To break this down even further, macronutrients make up your total caloric intake and include carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. Micronutrients include vitamins, minerals, and water.
Macronutrients
These consist of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. These make up the daily calories of a person’s diet. eliminating or seriously limiting any one of these macronutrient groups from a diet isn’t healthy. Yes, even cutting out fats would be harmful. Our bodies need fat to help absorb certain vitamins. The best ratio to maintain a healthy lifestyle is to keep 50-65% carbs in your diet 10-30% protein and 5-40% fats.
The basic concept to keep in mind about macronutrients:
- 1g of carbs is equal to 4 calories
- 2.1gof fats is equal to 9 calories
- 1g of protein is equal to 4 calories
Micronutrients
Micronutrients consist of vitamins and minerals and are equally as important as macronutrients because their deficiency can cause serious diseases. They’re just needed in smaller amounts. They include vitamins, such as C, D, and K, and minerals such as iron, magnesium, and calcium. While micronutrients don’t give us energy, they’re critical for the many chemical reactions that occur in our bodies, including extracting energy from food and creating new cells.
Vitamins and minerals found in food are easier for the body to absorb than those in a pill. Food will also provide the added benefit of other nutrients within it. For eg If you eat a banana, you’re getting potassium, vitamin C, and fiber. Plus, the vitamins and minerals in a banana are readily available for the body to digest.
If you follow a vegan diet, there are many products available in the market known as B12 fortified products which simply means it is added with B12 vitamin to complete your diet.
Disclaimer
Please seek professional help regarding any health conditions or concerns. This article is for information purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for medical expertise. These are opinions from a panel of individual experts and are not to be considered opinions of Medikstar.