MAGIC MACROS: MACRONUTRIENTS

Along with vitamins and minerals, known as micronutrients, macronutrients are the dietary energy containing compounds found in our food which are the bodies power fuel.

These are made up of 3 core areas, including proteins, carbohydrates, and fats.

CARBOHYDRATES

Carbohydrates are made up of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen atoms, and are broken down into glucose. Nutritionally, complex carbohydrates have less of an effect on blood glucose, and are found in foods such as apples, broccoli, lentils, spinach, wholegrains and brown rice.

PROTEIN

Protein molecules are made up of many amino acids strung together to form large chains.

Protein is used in repairing and building the body, including tissues and muscles, and create structure in your hair, skin and nails, as well as cell membranes and organs. They also create enzymes and hormones as well as create a proper acid based balance in your body. High protein foods include eggs, almonds, chicken, cottage cheese Greek yoghurt, milk, lentils, lean beef, fish, quinoa.

FATS

Fats in the body act as an energy reserve. Fats are an energy rich nutrient that give your body linoleic and linolenic acid, essential fatty acids that you body uses for brain development, controlling inflammation, and blood clotting.

Fats also keep you skin and hair health and help you to absorb vitamins A, D, E and K, which are fat soluble items.

There are many different types of fats, including unsaturated, saturated and trans fats, and cholesterol.

Finding food with unsaturated fats to increase levels of good cholesterol and lower bad cholesterol include