Macro counting, also known as flexible dieting, is the process of tracking what you eat by macronutrients. The three macronutrients, or “macros” for short, are carbohydrates, fat and protein. Thus, macro counting is the process of tracking what you eat against a specific calorie goal by grams – or a percentage – of each macro. When I first heard about macro counting I thought it was too complicated and wondered why I would want to do that. The reality is that there are many benefits of macro counting for women.
Get started tracking macros today with my Free Guide, Tracking Macros for Beginners.
The Benefits of Macro Counting for Women
A Personalized Approach to Nutrition
Age, weight, activity level body type and personal goals mean that each woman has different nutritional requirements. Counting macros is an ideal way to tailor nutrition plans to specific needs and goals.
Body Composition
Many women are looking to “lose weight and tone up” which requires changing your body composition. The most effective tool for changing your body composition counting macros. It’s a precise way of managing caloric intake and ensuring the right balance of macronutrients to support goals like weight loss and muscle build.
Maintaining Muscle Mass
By age 30, women start to lose 3-5 percent of their muscle mass per decade. Protein intake is essential for muscle growth and maintenance especially for those who engage in resistance training and other forms of exercise. Tracking macros allows women to ensure they’re getting adequate protein to maintain muscle mass as they age.
Balancing Hormones
Nutrition is an important factor in keeping hormones balanced. Tracking macros keeps checks and balances on proper nutrition for hormone health. For example, ensuring the proper intake of essential fatty acids, which are important for hormone production.
More Energy
A lot of women cut out carbohydrates to manage their weight. However, complex carbs provide energy the body needs and are important especially for those who are active. Proteins support muscle function and fats also contribute to overall energy balance so tracking macronutrients is important for ensuring your body is supported through daily activity and also with exercise. It also encourages a more diverse, nutrient-dense diet than simply calorie counting does. Consuming a variety of foods ensures a more complete intake of the vitamins and minerals your body needs.
Mindful Eating
Tracking macros brings more awareness to the types of foods you’re eating and their nutritional value thereby promoting mindful eating so you can make more educated, informed choices about what you choose to eat and a healthier relationship with food.
Flexibility
There’s a reason tracking macros is referred to as “flexible dieting” as it allows for flexibility in what you eat which means there is no restriction or deprivation involved. All foods fit when it comes to tracking macros.
As you can see, the macro counting benefits for women are plentiful. This method of eating has completely changed by life as someone who previously experienced lots of food guilt and restriction.
If you’re interested but not sure how to get started, consider Macro Coaching, which can help you with setting up your goals and personalized macros.
If you’re curious about how macro counting benefits can help you, reach out to explore how we can work together in an accountability program that will help you create the habits you need to craft a healthy lifestyle. When you sign up, you get instant access to the app as well as beginner workouts so you can start tracking right away!
Don’t forget to grab your Free guide, Tracking Macros for Beginners. Download it here!
Related articles:
How Do I Figure Out My Macros?
Counting Macros for Weight Loss Changed My Relationship with Food
Leave a Reply