4 Things About Macronutrients You Didn’t Know

Sources of protein:

• Poultry: chicken, turkey;
• Eggs: especially egg whites;
• Red meat: beef, lamb, pork;
• Seafood: salmon, shrimp, cod;
• Dairy products: milk, yogurt, cheese;
• Beans and legumes: black beans, lentils, chickpeas;
• Nuts and seeds: almonds, pumpkin seeds;
• Soy products: tofu, edamame, tempeh.

Proteins are digested into amino acids, and there are 20 amino acids that have important functions in your body, and 9 of which are absolute essentials. This is why we need amino acids:

• They build and repair -amino acids are the ones to create new proteins in our bodies. Also, they’re extremely good for building and repairing tissues and muscles.
• They provide structure – amino acids are also responsible for providing structure to our body’s cell membranes, organs, skin, hair, nails.
• They balance the pH – we need to maintain a proper acid-base balance within our bodies.
• They create enzymes and hormones – Without having the right amino acids, our bodies can’t create enzymes and hormones.

Sources of fat:

• Extra virgin olive oil
• Coconut: fresh, dried, coconut oil;
• Avocados: fresh and avocado oil;
• Nuts and seeds: almonds and pumpkin seeds;
• Fatty fish: salmon, herring;
• Dairy products: full-fat yogurt and cheese.

Fats are transformed into fatty acids and glycerol. Some of the most important functions of lipids, or fats include:

• Cell membrane health – Lipids are an extremely important component of cell membranes.
• Storing energy – Fat gets stored around your body for times when you eat fewer calories than you burn.
• Transport and absorption – Lipids enhance, transport, and promote the absorption of the fat-soluble vitamins K, E, D, and A.
• Insulation – Fat insulates and protects our organs.

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