Macro and Micro Nutrients

I knew what these were, but had a hard time understanding why they were so important. Macronutrients are those that take up calories like protein, carbohydrates, and fat. And micronutrients are those that don't take up calories like phytochemicals, enzymes, vitamins, minerals, and fiber. For the longest time, I just concerned myself with the macronutrients, and played around with diets to limit them or divide them up. But, now, I think I know better...

The key to achieving health is to get as many nutrients as possible, in as little calories as possible. Dr. Joel Fuhrman's equation is:

H=N/C

Health is proportional to the nutrients we consume, and inversely proportional to amount of calories.

Think about this. What percentage of your daily calories come from:

1.) Animal proteins
2.) Plant proteins
3.) Animal Fats
4.) Plant Fats
5.) Refined Carbohydrates and Sugars
6.) Plant Carbohydrates

If the vast majority of your daily calories comes from animal proteins and fats, and refined carbohydrates and sugars, you've basically consumed calories with very little nutrients. And it's likely you've consumed a lot of calories.

On the other hand, if the vast majority of your daily calories comes from a plant-based diet, then you'd likely would have consumed less calories, filled a great amount of nutrients.

Why is that?

Well, because animal proteins and fats, and refined carbs have no fiber, none at all. They have little to no phytochemicals and enzymes. And the vitamins and minerals in them are also not significant. Yet, the levels of bad cholestorol and saturated fats are high in animal fats. Yet, enzymes meant for cancer cells are diverted to digest animal proteins. And refined carbohydrates and sugars are basically as empty a calorie as you can find. To top it all off, all of these types of food require just a small amount to take up a vast amount of calories. 1 lb. of this stuff could be 3000+ calories. Low nutriets, high calories = bad health.

Plant-based foods have all of the advantages, and none of the disadvantages. They are loaded with nutrients, phytochemicals, enzymes, fiber, vitamins, and minerals in their purest forms. They are easy to digest. And they don't take up a ton calories. 1 lb. of greens, for example, is just 100 calories. High nutrients, low calories = good health.

So, you don't eat as many calories with a plant-based diet, yet you get a huge nutritional and digestive benefit. You feel full because you have so much fiber in your diet. And you strengthen all of the systems in your body, including your immune and digestive systems.

Hopefully, you can at least mix in some leafy greens, and some plant-based whole foods into your diet so you can improve your overall health in the short and long term. It doesn't take long to see and feel the effects. Just after a month of making a change, you'll see and feel a difference. The human body is amazing that way. Once we get out of it's way, it finds a way to get to where it wants to.

At the very least, be educated and aware about what you're eating and why. Don't just go on auto-pilot, and just eat with no reason or thought. When someone asks you, "Why do you drink milk?" or "Why do you eat meat?", understand why and what that may be doing to your bodies. Don't just say, because it tastes good, because you're doing yourself a disservice. You and your body deserve the right to these answers.