Macronutrients are the source of calories in food. They are chemical compounds our bodies need daily to live and stay healthy. They are called macronutrients because our body needs them in large amounts to function properly. All foods contain macronutrients – fats, carbohydrates and protein – in various proportions. Although we need to consume all macronutrients every day, we need a good balance, and we must select the right sources to maintain a healthy diet and lose weight.

Macronutrients provide our bodies with energy measured in calories. While 1 gram of protein or carbs provides you with 4 kcal, 1 gram of fat provides 9 kcal. In other words, fat is more energy-dense than protein or carbs. The main thing to consider if you want to lose weight is calories in versus calories out – always try to have a deficit.