STEADFAST TRAINING GLOSSARY
Definition
In everyday nutrition planning, macronutrients are carbohydrate, protein and fat, the major nutrients usually tracked in grams and used to supply energy.
What it means
Protein and carbohydrate provide roughly four calories per gram, and fat provides roughly nine. These values help explain food labels, but food quality and nutritional adequacy are not captured by macro totals alone.
A practical example
A meal can provide protein from fish or tofu, carbohydrate from rice and vegetables, and fat from olive oil. Most foods contain more than one macronutrient.
Putting it into practice
For a coaching starting point, identify sources of each nutrient in familiar meals. Tracking grams is one possible tool, not a requirement for everyone. A plan should also fit preferences, digestion and any medical nutrition guidance.
Related terms
Protein · Dietary Fiber · Energy Balance
Explore further
Calorie calculator and daily energy estimates · Browse the glossary