If you’re trying to live a healthier lifestyle, you’re most likely going hard in the gym, avoiding fast food or dieting fads, and probably focusing on your carb and healthy fats intake, along with squeezing more protein into your diet to fill you up and build lean muscle. What you probably haven’t been thinking about? Micronutrients. While it’s incredibly common to zoom in on macros — on whole-grain carbs, “healthy” fats (like olive oil or nuts), and lean protein — when trying to conquer weight loss, not as many think about micronutrients, and that's a mistake, as micronutrients are an extremely important daily intake as well.
MICROnutrients vs. MACROnutrients | Why You Need Both!
Macronutrients
Macronutrients, such as carbohydrates, fats, and proteins, are what body uses as energy in the form of calories. These nutrients are required in macro or much larger quantities. Their ratios are usually manipulated when forming a dietary philosophy (low-carb, low-fat, 40/30/30).
Carbohydrates flood your cells with energy while protein fuels growth and helps with tissue repair. Fat gives your organs cushioning and allows your body to absorb so-called “fat-soluble” vitamins A, D, E, and K.
Micronutrients
Micronutrients, a term which may at first sound complicated, is really just an all-encompassing term for things you are already familiar with - vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids, and amino acids. Your body craves micronutrients from fresh, whole foods sources to foster growth and keep your metabolism healthy.
When the body becomes slightly depleted of any of the essential micronutrients, it cannot perform tasks such as proper sleep, or adequate energy. However, when the body is depleted of these micronutrients over a longer period of time it can open the door to diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer.
To sum?
When it comes to weight loss, nutrition, and your overall health, don’t underestimate the importance of these micro-BEASTS! You need to pay attention to both MACROnutrients AND MICROnutients in order to live the healthy life you want.
