What are food macros?

Grankakes

I've seen people refer to 'counting macros' when logging food, etc. What does that mean? (sorry, I'm just not up on all the new terminology!)

grimendale

Macros are macronutrients, specifically carbs, fat and protein.

KarenJanine

macro - macronutrients, i.e protein, fats, carbohydrates

micronutrients are vitamins and minerals

vismal

Counting macros means tracking a daily goal for proteins, carbs, and fats. You can do that along with calorie counting, or because macro nutrients have fixed calorie amounts (1 gram of protein or carb has 4 calories, 1 gram of fat has 9) some people count ONLY macros. If you count macros, you by default are also counting calories. While pure weight loss is simply a product of eating less calories then you burn, paying attention to macros in addition to just calories can allow you to control your body composition, and ensure most of the weight lost is fat.

diannethegeek

For the future, there's a pretty good list of some of the more common acronyms and terms pinned at the top of the Getting Started board: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1069278-acronyms-and-terms-for-new-mfp-members-v-6

uconnwinsnc1

Macros are the big components of foods (protein, carbs, fIber, fats...) Micros are the little components (vitamins, minerals)

Grankakes

thanks for the answers. I work in the accounting field and spreadsheets all day - and macros to me are functions in spreadsheets. I just couldn't figure out what kind of "macros" were being used in calorie counting. but I totally understand the macro-NUTRIENT part! LOL! ok - so y'all got a good laugh today! I'm sitting here laughing at myself!