Macronutrients: Why Do Proteins, Carbs And Fat Matter?

Whatever diet we consume, fats, carbs and proteins account for nearly 90% of its dry weight. But hundred percent of our energy from out diet come from these three.

All macronutrients are energy giving sources and we measure those in calories. However, the amount of energy in each gram from the three elements differs. For example:

• For every gram of fat, you get nine calories
• For every gram of protein and carbohydrates you get nine calories.

You must note that the energy-supplying speed of these nutrients is also vastly different. For example, you get energy the slowest from fats and the fastest from carbohydrates. Our intestines ingest these nutrients and are the place where they further break down into basic components.

Our body relies on certain substances for growth, activity, development and maintenance. Some of these include:

• The fats we consume turn into glycerol and fatty acids
• The proteins become amino acids
• And the carbohydrates turn into sugar

Let’s take a further look at how we consume the nutrients through our meals and how our body uses them.

Carbohydrate

We consume carbohydrates through fruits, grains, bread, sugary foods, yogurt and milk and vegetables. Our body uses this nutrient by breaking it down into glucose. Our bodies also derive massive energy from glucose and supply it to our cells.

Whatever extra energy our body makes out of carbohydrates, it stores in the liver to use when we need it. Most of the health experts conclude that our diet must provide approximately 50 to 55% of the total calories we need.

Less than a percent of our overall calorie requirement must consist of added sugars. We cannot consider naturally occurring sugars as added sugars. The natural variety includes milk and fruit.

Protein

We consume protein through meat, legumes, eggs, milk, seafood, seeds and nuts, vegetables and milk products. Our body breaks down the protein into amino acids and uses it to build muscle.

It also uses it to create other proteins that our body needs for some vital functions. According to health experts, we require at least 60 grams of proteins daily from our diet. For those who want to build their muscle strength may need a little more protein.

Fats

We consume fats through animal products, egg yolks, butter, oils etc. Our body uses the fat to break it into fatty acids and produce hormones and our cell lining. Whatever extra fat we make, our body stores it in fat cells.

Our body relies on fats for growth and energy, synthesizing hormones and for producing certain substances that fuel our daily activities. Fats may be slower than others in providing our body with energy but also the most energy-efficient nutrient.

According to the authorities on health, we should not consume more than 28% of calories through fats. In case you’re consuming saturate fats, you must not let the consumption exceed 8%.

For the best approach to your health, try eliminating trans fats from your diet. If at all possible, you must try to substitute the trans fats and saturated ones for polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats.

Sources:

https://www.msdmanuals.com/home/disorders-of-nutrition/overview-of-nutrition/carbohydrates,-proteins,-and-fats?redirectid=2

https://www.uofmhealth.org/health-library/uq1238abc

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