Macronutrient Nutrition Myths
Before you start believing nutrition information, I want you to ask yourself “who is telling me this information.” Is it from a reliable source or is it from your next-door neighbor who recently started a new fad diet? Here are common nutrition myths I hear often about macronutrients.
Myth 1: Carbs are bad. First off do you know exactly what a carb is? Carbohydrates are stored in the muscles as glycogen and are your body’s preferred source of energy. Eating carbs in the proper portions will help both your mind and body feeling strong. When we think about carbohydrates we often think of pasta, cereals, sweets, and bread but carbs can be found in many other foods including fruit, starchy veggies, brown rice, and sweet potatoes.
Myth 2: Fats make you fat. Proper portions of fat are needed in the body to survive and thrive. Fat helps the body stay fuller longer because it is slower to digest, and the body needs fat to absorb essential fat-soluble vitamins. When creating a meal choose healthy fats such as avocado, nuts, olive oil, and grass-fed animal product.
Myth 3: Cutting back on protein is good for weight loss. Protein is found in every part of your body including muscles, tissues, organs, and hormones. Not only does protein support lean muscle mass, it has the highest thermic food effect, meaning it requires the most energy to digest. If you do lose weight from not eating protein it is more than likely muscle weight and not fat. I suggest having at least one serving of protein at each meal. Suggestions include chicken, steak, pork, eggs, fish, beans, protein powder, and dairy products.
Balanced diets consisting of proper portion sizes of all three macronutrients will be sustainable long term. Any macronutrient in excessive amounts will cause weight gain. It’s not just about what you eat it’s about the portions you are eating it in.