Tips to Make Counting Macros Easier

One of the biggest benefits of counting macros is that you can eat what you want while making gains in the gym. The main goal of macro counting is to meet the daily intake of macronutrients, which include fat, carbohydrates, and protein.

If you are interested in building more muscle, you should follow a macronutrient breakdown that includes 40% protein, 35% carbohydrates, and 25% fat. However, this is a general breakdown and does not account for the differences in each person. Everyone has a unique metabolism, lifestyle, and overall health. All this plays a role in the amount of energy you burn and how much of each of the macronutrients you need to eat.

While this may seem confusing, it does not have to be. Just like researching Thrive side effects is easy; you can also research the best ways to track and measure macros. A few tips to help you get started can be found below.

Use a Macro Tracking App

There are several apps available on both the Apple Play Store and Google Play that are designed to make tracking macros easier. Most of these apps have a large database of foods (with many having more than 5 million options) and even feature a barcode scanner, which makes tracking what you eat even easier.

You can also find apps that provide a social aspect. This allows you to share your information, send messages, and motivate others. If you want to take the manual work out of tracking macros, then consider one of the many apps that are available today.

Become Familiar with the Food You Enjoy

While using one of the apps mentioned above is easy, a better option for many is to become more familiar with the foods you eat daily. Get to know what these foods are made of on a macro level.

Begin with your favorite go-to foods – these are the ones that you eat each day. Break them down and figure out if most of the calories are derived from fat, protein, or carbs. When you break all your favorite foods into different categories, it can help you better understand the composition of your food.

For example, foods that are considered “carb-heavy” include things like potatoes, rice, pasta, and fruit. Foods that are fat heavy include coconut oil, olive oil, avocado, and nuts. Foods that are protein-heavy include eggs, soy, and meat. It is best to determine your macro goal for every meal and keep track of if you are hitting the desired macros throughout the day.

Use Your Hands

One of the best ways for you to count your macros is by using your hands as a measurement tool. While this is a rough estimate, it will help you determine the macronutrient content in situations where you do not know what the food profile actually is.

For example, a protein that fits in the palm of your hand is about three ounces. This is equivalent to 20 to 26 grams of protein. A woman’s fist is approximately one cup of food. Your thumbnail is about a tablespoon of fat.

Measuring Macros is a Smart Way to Manage Your Health

While measuring macros is something that takes some time to get accustomed to, it is also something that can pay off if you want to lose weight, gain muscle, or just be healthier. You should take some time to become familiar with macros, how they work, and why they are important. You can also use the tips above to become a macro measuring professional, which will help you take control of what you eat.