Macros or Calories: Which should I be tracking?

Learn about tracking calories and macronutrients and which is better for you.

If you're involved in exercise you've heard about tracking macros or counting calories. If you're new to this lifestyle, you may be unfamiliar with both of these terms. You don't need to be an expert fitness trainer to know the difference, just some guidance.

Counting Calories

What are calories? Calories are a unit of energy that is often used to express the nutritional value of a food. When you read the nutrition label for different foods you'll see the different nutrients, protein, fat, carbs, and vitamins, etc. This may be helpful when tracking calories for weight loss due to the need for a caloric deficit. However, not every calorie is created equal- the 50 calories of carbs is not the same as 50 calories of protein.

Macros

The term Macro is short for macronutrient, aka a nutrient that is needed in the body in large quantities to provide energy. The 3 macronutrients our bodies need are carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. Each one has a different amount of calories per gram which helps you track your caloric totals for the day.

1 gram of Protein = 4 cal

1 gram of Carbohydrate = 4 cal

1 gram of Fat = 9 cal

Each Macro provides different kinds of energy for our bodies and has different uses.

Proteins are made up of amino acids which help to build and repair muscles and bones. They are also used to make hormones and enzymes in the body. Consuming enough protein is crucial in maintaining, repairing, and growing muscle mass. Protein can also be used as an energy source

Carbohydrates are the main source of energy in the body. Carbs provide the body with glucose which is then converted into energy to support bodily functions and physical activity.

Fats are important for cellular function and provide energy as well. Dietary fats are also used to support the absorption of Vitamin A, vitamin E, and Vitamin D.

Going forward

Now that you've learned a bit more about the differences between calories and macros, I hope you use this information to help you reach your goals. It is recommended to utilize a combination of both of these tracking methods when planning your meals. Both methods in combination are incredible tools whether you are looking to gain weight, lose weight, or even maintain your current body composition.

Want to learn how to track your macros? Check out the awesome macro calculator in this article.