This post may contain affiliate links. That means if you click and buy, I may make a commission at no cost to you. Please see my full disclosure policy for more details.

1. Fall Harvest Sheet Pan Dinner

Starting out strong with this fall harvest sheet pan filled with seasonal veggies and delicious sausage as the source of protein. Although there are better protein sources than sausage available, it is a great and easy way to prep food ahead of time with minimal time necessary!

Grab the recipe: Fall Harvest Sheet Pan Dinner

2. Honey Balsamic Ground Chicken and Brussels Sprouts

Chicken is one food that you’re sure to have quite a bit when looking for high-protein meal prep meals. By turning it into ground chicken you can change up the texture! This makes it just a bit more exciting for your dinner rotations.

Grab the recipe: Honey Balsamic Ground Chicken and Brussels Sprouts

3. Soy-Glazed Seared Salmon

Salmon has some great healthy fats and it is recommended to have fish twice a week. Use one of those meals to have this Soy-Glazed Seared Salmon dish. Make a batch and be able to enjoy this deliciousness for a few days! Just try not to rewarm it at work!–HA!

Grab the recipe: Soy-Glazed Seared Salmon

4. High Protein Meal Prep Easy Honey Mustard Chicken Salad

Salads are an awesome meal to get in your veggies. You can slice and dice all the ingredients at one time and store them in the fridge for easy access throughout the week. Make this Honey Mustard Chicken to top off your salads to ensure they’re tasty and flavorful.

Grab the recipe: Honey Mustard Chicken Salad

5. Apple Cider Chicken

Erin deserves a medal for coming up with this chicken and apple cider combination. You can make a skillet full of chicken and have this delicious protein ready to be reheated whenever you need!

Grab the recipe: Apple Cider Chicken

6. High-Protein Scrambled Eggs with Cottage Cheese

Scrambled eggs aren’t exactly what you think of as a meal prep dish, but hear me out. In this recipe you are combining eggs and cottage cheese to make for a higher protein and creamier dish than normal.

You can premix the ingredients and store them in your fridge. When you are hungry it only takes a few minutes to cook them up in the stove or pop some in the microwave (yes, you can do that!)

Grab the recipe: High-Protein Scrambled Eggs with Cottage Cheese

7. Easy Sweet Potato Beef Taco Skillet

A taco skillet is a wonderful high protein meal prep idea. With the beef, cheese, and beans there’s definitely enough protein in there! Plus, meal prepping this is simple as you just need to toss it all into a microwave-safe dish and you’re on your way!

Grab the recipe: Easy Sweet Potato Beef Taco Skillet

8. Spicy Mashed Buffalo Chickpea Salad

If you want to have a meatless Monday (and maybe a couple other days!), try out this chickpea smash! Chickpeas are a great vegetarian source of protein, although they aren’t a complete protein. Be sure to also have some oats, wheat, barley, or other sulfur-containing food to ensure you’re getting your proper nutrition!

Make this mash and add it on a bed of greens, spoon it onto a sandwich bun, or just eat it with a fork! The possibilities are really endless. No matter how to eat it, it’s a delicious high protein meal prep idea.

Grab the recipe: Spicy Mashed Buffalo Chickpea Salad

9. Baked Parmesan Chicken Tenders

Some may believe chicken tenders isn’t a great meal (or adult appropriate). I beg to differ. Chicken tenders are an awesome source of protein. Plus the breading is a part of your necessary carbs. And I mean who doesn’t love a good sauce. I say chicken tenders are the perfect high protein meal prep idea!

Grab the recipe: Baked Parmesan Chicken Tenders

10. Healthy Turkey Meatballs

Meatballs are an easy and versatile source of protein. I would go as far as to say they are even a bit underutilized. I mean they can be made ahead of time, consist of a variety of different meats, and can be paired with nearly anything- the perfect high protein meal prep idea!

Grab the recipe: Healthy Turkey Meatballs

11. Protein Packed Cheeseburger Casserole

This casserole is packed with protein on top of protein! Not only is there protein from the lean ground beef and reduced fat cheese, it also includes protein pasta. An amazing amount of protein and flavor!

Grab the recipe: Protein Packed Cheeseburger Casserole

12. Chicken Pepper Jack “Crunch Wrap”

Take this high protein meal prep idea on the go! This is a lightened up version of Taco Bell’s infamous Crunchwrap Supreme. Let me know in the comments below which you would rather have!

Grab the recipe: Chicken Pepper Jack “Crunch Wrap”

13. High Protein Meal Prep Grandma’s Jambalaya

Just because you want a high protein meal prep doesn’t mean you have to settle for bland! If you’ve never tried jambalaya know that it is packed with flavor!

Grab the recipe: Grandma’s Jambalaya

14. High Protein Yogurt Pancakes

Pancakes are delicious. Now make them protein pancakes- even better! You may be thinking, “seriously, pancakes? That’s not something I can meal prep?!“. Well, you’re wrong! There’s a couple ways you can go about it:

• One way to meal prep high protein pancakes is by making the batter and keeping it in a container in the fridge. Then, make them as you want in just a couple minutes
• You can make the pancakes the microwave them, air-fry them, or pop them in the toaster!

Grab the recipe: High Protein Yogurt Pancakes

15. Healthy Cheeseburger Bites

You’ve had egg bites, now comes cheeseburger bites! These are easy, poppable mini cheeseburger bites that are both easy to eat and easy to make! Make a batch or two at the beginning of the week so you never have to go hungry.

Grab the recipe: Healthy Cheeseburger Bites

16. The Best Healthy Turkey Chili

If you’re in the midst of cold weather then a warm bowl of chili is perfect for you. This turkey chili packs a punch in the protein department. You can make a large crockpot full and have a high protein meal prep for days to come!

Grab the recipe: The Best Healthy Turkey Chili

17. One-Pan Pineapple Chicken Teriyaki

Chicken, rice, and broccoli may be ‘healthy and high-protein’ staple, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be jazzed up a bit! This meal is still high protein but it has some more flavor. Adding a variety of veggies keeps it interesting and ensures you’re getting more of your needed nutrients!

Grab the recipe: One-Pan Pineapple Chicken Teriyaki

18. Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Sweet Potato

This meal prep idea is one of my favorites. You can prep a large batch of buffalo chicken and par-bake some sweet potatoes. The best part? If you get tired of this specific recipe they are still separate. You can eat the potatoes and chicken in different ways.

Grab the recipe: Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Sweet Potato

19. High Protein Meal Prep Spinach and Egg Breakfast Sandwiches

Breakfast sandwiches are one of the easiest foods to prep. Just because it’s typically had for breakfast doesn’t mean it doesn’t also make an awesome dinner idea!

Grab the recipe: Spinach and Egg Breakfast Sandwiches

20. Zesty Blackened Chicken

Instead of preparing a set meal, prep a protein. This way, you can have it ready to go at a moment’s notice. If you’re hungry you can use this chicken in any way you feel so you don’t reach a point of hangry!

Grab the recipe: Zesty Blackened Chicken

21. Spicy Tuna Bowls

Tired of chicken meal prep? Tuna also fits in to a high protein meal prep! If you don’t want to make a batch of tuna bowls, you could just prep the rice and cucumbers and add a packet of Starkist tuna to it. It is easy and has a ton of protein!

Grab the recipe: Spicy Tuna Bowls

22. Rotisserie Chicken Salad

Having a batch of chicken salad is awesome to have on-hand. Want to make it even easier? Use a rotisserie chicken to make it! You can add it to a croissant or bun, have it on some greens, or like she did, pair it with some crackers!

Grab the recipe: Rotisserie Chicken Salad

23. High Protein Meal Prep Mediterranean Chicken Farro Bowl

The mediterranean diet is known to be one of the healthiest eating patterns out there. It’s rich in protein, healthy fats, and fiber! I am about to go make this bowl right now!

Grab the recipe: Mediterranean Chicken Farro Bowl

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If you plan on making some meal prep’s, you need containers. A LOT of them! You can find plastic containers at most grocery stores down the napkin and aluminum foil aisle. I prefer a sturdier container. This is a cute set I found on Amazon you may want to get!

Let me know in the comments below which recipes you’re going to try. Or if you’ve already given them a go, let me know how they turned out!

I would love to see your creations! Be sure to tag me in a photo on Instagram so I can see!

The post 23 High Protein Meal Prep Ideas appeared first on The Michigan Dietitian.

This post may contain affiliate links. That means if you click and buy, I may make a commission at no cost to you. Please see my full disclosure policy for more details.

Using Frozen Fruit for Smoothies

You may be asking yourself why you need to invest in a high quality blender. Well, let me enlighten you.

Whether you are a smoothie lover or just have a smoothie every once-in-a-while, you need a powerful blender. To make a fruit smoothie you will use a good amount of fruit, and fresh fruit is expensive! In most cases, frozen fruit is exponentially cheaper. Thus, frozen fruit is a financially sound choice to use in your smoothies.

If you think about it, a quality blender may even eventually save you money!

Why You Need a Blender for Frozen Fruit Smoothies

To make a thick and creamy fruit smoothie you need frozen bananas. And in order to blend frozen bananas, you need a high quality blender.

Beyond bananas, other frozen fruits also are a tough food to blend! As they should be- they’re frozen! Have you ever attempted to use a cheap and low-quality blender to make a smoothie? It ends up burning itself up and you get a partially-blended smoothie. It’s so frustrating! As you now know, a quality blender is nearly a requirement!

The Best Blenders for Frozen Fruit Smoothies

There are constantly new blenders being promoted and gushed over. I only gave you 5 different blender options because any more could become a bit overwhelming. If you select one of the following blenders you’re sure to have the best blender for frozen fruit smoothies!

1. I have this blender and swear by it. It is great for blending frozen fruit smoothies plus it has a food processing attachment!
2. This Vitamix blender is insane. It is professional-grade, but also comes at a professional price. New, it is over $400 but you can get a previously-loved version on Amazon for nearly half-off.
3. The household brand, KitchenAid, of course has an awesome blender choice as well. A bonus of this one? It comes in 14 different fun colors. Match an exciting color palette or store it on your countertop as a statement appliance!
4. This is a smaller version of my beloved blender. This one still has an awesome motor but is just a bit smaller!
5. An Oyster blender is a great cheaper choice. It may take a bit longer to reach your desired consistency and be a bit louder than the others, but it will get the job done.

Blenders were once on par with the price of a toaster but have gotten exponentially more expensive in recent years. Select one that fits your needs and is in your budget. If you use it and it falls short of your expectations, return it! With these new price points most blenders now come with great warranties! Get one you love!

Fruit Smoothie Recipes

Now that you know what blender you need here are a couple lip-smacking smoothie recipes to get you going!

• Pumpkin Cheesecake Smoothie
• Creamy Lemonade Protein Smoothie

Want to try something a little different? Give Courtney from Apaigeofpositivity’s Fig Smoothie. She describes this masterpiece of a drink as a, ‘sip-able, creamy dream’. Can’t beat that!

Don’t stop here! Experiment with your favorite fruits and ones you may have never tried. You may stumble upon something you love!

Love It?

If you made it this far, leave a comment with what your favorite fruit smoothies are. I would love to try out your recommendations.

Be sure to tag me in a photo of your smoothie on Instagram!

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The post The Best Blender for Frozen Fruit Smoothies appeared first on The Michigan Dietitian.

Just because you’re staying home doesn’t mean it won’t be a good workout. So, remember if you are just starting to go slow. If doing the full class is too much for you at this time, just stop. Slowly work your way up, just as you would if it would be in-person!

Keep a water bottle near, put your hair up, and have on some comfortable work-out clothes!

1. Every try pilates? It’s a more mind and body connection that helps with stability and core strength. Ali is a trusted pilates instructor that offers virtual classes. She even has a FREE 10 day trial so you can see if it’s right for you before purchasing!

2. Bianca Russo Fitness is an online coach with personal 1-on-1 training. It is also a business with an emphasis on LGBTQIA+ and all body types and sizes.

3. MadFit on YouTube has SO MANY workouts for any type of exercise you’re looking for! She has everything from a fun 10 minute dance workouts to 30 minute full body workouts. You’ll definitely find a video you’ll love- plus, they’re all free!

4. Looking for something different? Try ballet. Ballet Beautiful are online ballet videos. You can even do them as a ‘group’ or individually!

5. The Peloton app isn’t just for those with the Peloton brand bikes. Their app has On-Demand classes for running, strength, stretching, and of course cycling.

6. Before, ClassPass was mainly for all different in-person exercise and wellness classes but now they offer different online videos! With this you receive a different amount tokens based on the type of membership you have. Then, you use them to participate in the classes!

Some online programs that I would stay away from are ones connected to Beachbody and ones that push you to purchase any products or supplements.

Movement is great for people off all fitness levels. Aim for 240 minutes of intentional movement per week!

If you are working out with the intention of weight-loss be sure to alter your diet, too. You can only work out so much. Check out my article with 4 Quick and Healthy Breakfast Ideas. Eating a healthy breakfast sets you up for continuing your healthy habits throughout your day!

If you have any other online exercise programs you love be sure to share them in the comments below for others to try out!

The post Online Workout Programs For Any Fitness Level appeared first on The Michigan Dietitian.

Outdoor Activities

You can still workout outdoors in the winter months. Sometimes it’s even more enjoyable than a scorching hot day! If the weather permits continue to go for outdoor walks and jogs. The winter months can even mean a chance to do some different types of activities. Give ice skating, sledding, snowboarding, or cross-country skiing a go.

Winter Activewear

Deciding what is best to wear outdoors in the winter takes a bit more thought than just throwing on a tank top and a pair of athletic shorts.

The best way to dress is in layers. This means wearing a few different layers of clothing that can easily be removed to adjust to your level of chill and exercise level. The first layer should be a thin, sweat-wicking material layered on with additional warm tops.

Look at the tags of your clothing to conform they aren’t cotton. This material will absorb your sweat and any moisture you come in contact with. This can result in holding the cold to you. Worse, there’s a greater chance of hypothermia.

Keep Hydrated!

A sports drink with electrolytes like Gatorade or Powerade (there are also now powders and tablets as an option) is great at restoring mineral levels, but not necessary unless exercising for at least an hour.

These options have sodium, chloride, potassium, calcium, and magnesium. Good news, you don’t actually need a branded sports drink. You can restore your levels with normal everyday food.

Dehydration begins before you’re even thirsty. Be sure you are drinking plenty of water throughout your day, especially before, during, and after your workout.

The Cold, Hard Truth

Getting outside can be intimidating, but at least there’s some additional benefits!

With the winter comes seasonal depression. This isn’t something to be ashamed of. It happens. Exercising, especially in the exhilarating outdoors and help fight those winter blues.

Not only this, the winter activities can actually help your immune system better defend against the flu and other viruses that may be going around.

If you can manage to get outdoors while the sun is still shining you get to absorb vitamin D, which is always good to be getting more of!

As with all exercise and activity, you still are releasing endorphins AKA the happy hormones!

Indoor Activities to Stay Active in the Winter

If outdoor activities isn’t an option for you for part of the year it just means it’s time to switch it up. There’s always something you can do!

Go for a walk in your local mall. It’s likely you’ve seen an older crowd doing this before and they’re onto something! A mall is a large indoor area that is free to roam. Classifying yourself as a mallwalker can become a badge of honor showing you are staying active.

If walking isn’t your thing try an online video. Just as previous generations had VHS tapes and DVDs to workout to we now have YouTube to provide all the free classes one could want! A homeworkout can get you sweating as you would outdoors or just get you moving!

If the budget is a bit larger and space isn’t an issue consider investing in a piece of larger machinery. A Peloton is an indoor cycling bike but cost about $2,000. If the price is a bit steep there are other great options with a smaller price tag.

You can find a perfectly good treadmill delivered for free with Amazon Prime at a fraction of the price. If you would prefer to purchase a set of dumbells to include weight training in your day, be cautious. Typically the price is for a single dumbell, when you would usually need a pair.

Have you ever heard of ClassPass? It is a website and app where you can purchase credits then use those to take classes at different facilities throughout your (and other) towns. This way you can try your hand at an abundance of classes. I recommend giving a TITLE boxing class and barre class a try!

You could also try:

• Bowling
• Yoga
• Stretching
• Roller skating
• Local class
• Housework

Do you have any other ideas? Leave them in the comments below so others can try them out too!

While keeping active you also want to maintain your vitamin C levels. Read my article, What Even is Vitamin C?

The post Staying Active in the Winter Months appeared first on The Michigan Dietitian.

12-3-20 Origin

The 12-3-30 workout is a treadmill workout first created by influencer Lauren Giraldo.

All it means it to walk at an incline of 12, speed of 3 miles per hour, for a duration of 30 minutes.

There really isn’t a secret to it. Doing the workout won’t make your body look like her’s. It is just a routine she found she enjoyed, was quick, and got her sweating. The perfect trio for any workout!

She actually first began showing it off on her self-named YouTube channel, Lauren Giraldo, back in 2019 but it has recently resurfaced on TikTok. With ‘mental health walks’ and ‘hot girl walks’ emerging through the pandemic it was only inevitable that an indoor walking routine would become popular when it got cold outside.

12-3-30 Benefits

This is a great start for beginner and intermediate athletes. The speed may be on the slower end but the incline will sure to make your thighs and butt burn.

Be sure to not hold on to the treadmill while walking. This reduces the amount of effort your legs and body need to exert!

This is a cardio workout. That means you shouldn’t only doing this if you have strength goals. Some of the benefits of 12-3-30 align with those of other cardio workouts. It can help:

• Activate multiple leg muscles
• Improve cardiovascular health
• Get a sweat going
• Active recovery

12-3-30 and Weight Loss

Just as always, this won’t be a weight-loss miracle. Weight-loss can be had when you eat fewer calories and increase your movement.

This may be the workout that puts you over the edge of weight-loss, but I can reassure you it isn’t because it’s special.

Be sure to start your day off right by having a nourishing breakfast. And a balanced breakfast doesn’t have to include oatmeal! Here are 22 Healthy Breakfast Ideas That Aren’t Oatmeal. You’re sure to find something you’ll love and help you reach your goals.

I Tried the Viral Workout and Guess What?

I did more than just explore the viral workout, I tried it. Guess what? I loved it. It’s simple if you own a treadmill or aren’t too familiar with gym equipment, it raised my heart rate, and made me feel accomplished afterwards. All-in-all I would say it’s a good way to keep moving more than your standard walk-on-the-treadmill.

Keep in mind, I am no exercise professional but I could see how it may be more difficult for some in certain capabilities and issues.

If you are more new to working out I would recommend starting out with a lower incline and shorter duration. There’s no shame in making the adapting the workout to what’s best for you!

Those with back problems may also find this workout a struggle. You are at a large incline for a decent amount of time. Definitely a chance for a complication to arise there.

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Don’t Forget!

Before you log off and hop on the treadmill remember a few things:

• Try not to hold onto the treadmill
• Stay hydrated!
• Adopt the workout to your needs

If you give the workout a try be sure to leave a comment down below or tag me on Instagram @piece.of.lulu!

The post The 12-3-30 Workout and Its Benefits appeared first on The Michigan Dietitian.

What’s Different for Sports Nutrition and Normal Nutrition?

What someone may typically eat compared to when they are eating for the sports performance with differ in many ways. It can even vary between the type of exercise they will be doing.

Even an at-home workout can’t be discounted. Nutrition is important for any athletic performance, no matter how important!

If you are not ready to join a gym check out my article on Online Workout Programs For Any Fitness Level. It has some great options to start your fitness journey!

The Basics

Just as a typical diet should be balanced with protein, carbs, and fats, so should an athletes diet. Depending on your goals will make for what percentage of each macronutrient you will want to consume.

Protein

Protein helps the body build strong bones and build-up muscle. Protein is very important but it’s been pretty ‘overhyped’.

The normal amount of protein someone needs is 0.8-1g of protein per kilogram(kg) of bodyweight. That means a 150lb (68kg) person needs 55-68g of protein.

Now, an athlete and someone with a goal of building muscle will want to be having more towards 1g of protein per kg of weight.

Carbohydrates

Carbs are the macronutrient that provides energy. Don’t you want to have all the energy possible for your sport?! They are important for everyone but extremely important for athletes.

*Spoiler alert*

Eating less carbs will just lead to muscle depletion and fatigue!

Fats

Exercising can lead you to losing more weight than you would like. Including fats in your diet ensures you stay satiated and keep your body in strong, working condition.

Water

Hydration is vital to performance before, during and after a workout. Fluids are easily lost while sweating and breathing. Don’t let your hydration be the factor stopping you from a PR!

Pre Workout

Depending on what you will be doing, the intensity, how big of a portion, of what, and how your stomach tolerates food and movement will make for when it is optimal timing to eat.

The only way to find what works for you is by experimentation. Try to keep a journal where you write down what and how much you consume before you do a certain workout. Then, afterwards, write down how you felt during it. Did you feel energized? heavy? weak?

Keep doing this until you find what makes for the best performance for you.

It is ideal to eat a snack 1-2 hours before beginning exercise or a meal more towards 2-4 hours before exercise.

During this snack or meal it is important to have carbs and protein. The carbs will give you the energy to workout and the protein will be good for your muscles.

Some options to have pre workout are:

• Greek yogurt parfait with granola and fruit
• Egg and toast
• Cottage cheese and crackers
• Crackers and cheese
• Smoothie
• Protein bar

During The Workout

Most athletes will not be eating during their workout unless it is an extended session. In this case it would likely be more ‘quick carbs’ like oranges or calorie dense gels like Gu.

Some may drink a protein shake during their lifting session if they are working out early in the morning.

For most athletes, the only thing they will be consuming during their workout or performance are fluids.

It can be easy to forget to maintain your hydration status but even and 2% deficit of your body weight will lead to a decrease in athletic performance and even result in a cognitive deficit!¹

How much water you should be drink depends on the intensity of workout. Generally, 4-6 ounces of water should be had every 20 minutes for a vigorous workout. This means in an hour workout an athlete should have about 12-18 ounces of water. This is just a blanket statement, if you feel you are thirsty and need more water- drink up!

Most think that an athlete needs to be drinking Gatorade to maintain their fluid and electrolyte balance, but really an electrolyte drink isn’t needed unless the session is going to be at least 60 minutes and vigorous. This may be running for an hour, playing a full soccer or basketball game.

Post Workout

Every hear about people having chocolate milk after a workout? That’s because an ideal post workout meal or snack would ideally have a 3:1 carb to protein ratio. Guess what? Most chocolate milk’s have this ratio.

Working out takes a lot out of your carbohydrate stores and if those aren’t refilled your body will dip into your bone to borrow some protein to keep itself going. You are going to want to have about 0.5-0.7g of carbs for every pound you weigh afterwards.

This means a 150lb athlete should aim to have 75-105g of carbs after their workout. This could easily be about 2 slices of peanut butter banana toast.

Other great post workout options are:

• Turkey sandwich
• Protein oatmeal
• Low-fat chocolate milk
• Protein smoothie

The Takeaway’s

• Know what and when you should be eating
• Always stay hydrated
• Carbs are what will fuel your workout
• Protein build muscle

No matter if you are a professional athlete or a figure-it-out-yourself-gym-goer, you can improve your performance by understanding what and when you should be consuming.

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References

1. How to Maintain Maintaining Proper Nutrition for Sports Performance. Verywell Fit. https://www.verywellfit.com/fitness-sports-nutrition-4157142#toc-hydration-and-sports-performance. Published 2021. Accessed December 29, 2021.

The post Exercise and Nutrition: Pre Workout, During, and Post Workout appeared first on The Michigan Dietitian.

What are Macros?

Marcos is just a shortened way to say macronutrient. These are protein, carbs, and fat, the makeup of basically all foods. Basically, you are counting the macronutrients in the food you are consuming throughout your day.

Why Macro Count

People turn to macro counting when they want their physique to look a certain way. Macro counting is a tool to lose weight, but it goes further than that.

When attempting to obtain a certain body-look you need to consume a certain percentage of the different macros. By counting these, you can see where you stand throughout your day so you are not blindly selecting foods you believe ‘fit’ in your needs.

The Pros of Macro Counting

Learn More About Nutrition in Different Foods

By constantly inputting the nutrition information into an app you will eventually become more aware of what foods consist of. This can be an awesome way of being more aware of what you are actually consuming!

Another aspect to this is you will also grow a better awareness of what a serving size is. I am not saying you can only have a certain amount of food! To know what the nutrition looks like in a certain food is one thing but understanding how that changes with the different amounts you eat of it!

You Know What You Have Eaten and What You Still Need to Eat

If you do have certain goals that are very strict, it may be too difficult to think back throughout your whole day to calculate what you’ve eaten all day!

By the end of the day you may be ready for a snack but don’t have a good idea of where you stand nutrition-wise. This is where macro counting is a positive. You can look at what amount of macros you have left and base your meal off that!

The Cons of Macro Counting

Each Person’s Needs Vary Widely

Knowing exactly how much of each macronutrient can be difficult to calculate. If you do a simple search online you’ll find articles telling you what you need. Those are likely false.

To figure out your necessary macros you will need take into account where you currently stand nutrition-wise, what your goals are, exercise, and other factors. If you are seriously tracking it would be best to talk with a Registered Dietitian. They can figure out all of this for you so you are not wasting your time and efforts!

Macro Counting Can Become Life Consuming

If you don’t eat the same foods often you may spend some extra time inputting your meals into a macro counter such as My Fitness Pal.

It can also be difficult to track foods that you don’t make or have a label! That banana bread your grandma gave you? You definitely won’t be able to accurately input it into the app.

You May Feel Obligated to Eat Certain Foods

Your favorite food may have terrible macros. It’s still okay to eat it, but it may seem disappointing when inputting it into your tracking app.

At the end of the day you can see what amount of macros you have left to eat. If you like to finish your day with a bowl of popcorn but only have a small amount of carbs and a large amount of protein to eat, this would be pretty difficult. When macro counting you can’t always eat exactly what you’re craving.

Another way to look at it is that you are eating nutrition not eating food. This takes away the pleasure and community food brings. It is still possible to enjoy what you are having and to eat with others, but it may take more effort!

Macro Counting Can Lead to Disordered Eating Habits

For some counting macros can become an obsession. They may only allow themselves foods that fit into their app. This can dance the line of becoming orthorexia. Orthorexia is becoming obsession with health. This is a disordered eating habit and if you believe tracking your food is not with good intentions, I would avoid doing so.

Takeaway

Macro counting has both pros and cons. With this information you can make the decision for yourself what to do!

You can of course use it as a tool to help you learn more about nutrition and assist you in reaching any goals. On the other hand, tracking your macros may not be what you need for your personal goals, become life consuming, deter you from eating what you enjoy, or even lead to disordered eating habits.

If you have any questions feel free to leave a comment down below or send me a direct message through Instagram!

The post The Pros and Cons of Macro Counting appeared first on The Michigan Dietitian.