

If you stick with a plant-based diet, some starches, vegetables and beans are also good sources of protein. High-protein foods include poultry, beef, fish, soy, yogurt, cheese and other dairy products. You need 20 different amino acids, nine of which are essential amino acids, meaning your body can't produce them on its own and you must obtain them from food. Proteins are made of amino acids, which are the building blocks of many structures in your body. Protein helps you grow, repair injuries, build muscle and fend off infections, to name a few functions. Complex carbohydrates - like starchy vegetables and whole grains - also promote digestive health because they're high in dietary fiber. When you eat carbs, your body converts them to glucose (sugar) and either uses that sugar immediately or stores it as glycogen for later use, often during exercise and in between meals. The three macronutrients are carbohydrates, proteins and fats.Ĭarbohydrates give you quick energy. Despite fad diets, you do need all three: Cutting out any one macronutrient puts you at risk for nutrient deficiencies and illness. The three macronutrients are carbohydrates, proteins and fats. Read also: What's in a Calorie, and Why That Matters More Than the Number
CRONOMETER MYFITNESSPAL HOW TO
You'll need to learn how to read a nutrition facts label for this approach, but the benefits far outweigh the time you'll spend grasping the concept of a macro diet. Counting macros can also help you shift your current eating habits to healthier patterns for the long-term. Not only can this practice help you reach your health goals faster than focusing on calories alone, this method of food logging can also help you understand which types of food make you feel good or bad, which foods improve your athletic performance and which foods help you focus or make you drag. First, you'll have a more balanced diet by focusing on eating a variety of nutrients that give your body energy and help your digestive system work. There are many benefits to tracking macros instead of calories. Instead, consider tracking your macronutrients - the nutrient groups that your body needs in large amounts each day, including fats, carbohydrates and protein. Trying to track every single calorie might not be your best bet, though.

Tracking what you eat each day can be helpful for many who are trying to lose weight or reach certain nutrition goals.

This story is part of Health by the Numbers, CNET's deep dive into how we quantify health.
