Diet 101: If It Fits Your Macros #IIFYM
Wondering why the hashtag #IIFYM has been dominating your Instagram feed lately? No, it’s not a cousin of #TBT or #FBF. It stands for “If It Fits Your Macros,” and it’s a new diet trend that focuses on the macronutrient content of the food you eat. Macronutrients are proteins, fats and carbs. Though the diet has been popular with bodybuilders for years, it’s recently gained a mainstream following.
The theory is this: Meet a certain number of carbs, proteins and fat each day, and you will build muscle and burn fat. The goal is to break down your daily caloric intake into 40 percent carbohydrates, 40 percent protein and 20 percent fat. Sounds simple enough. The crazy part? The types of foods you eat don’t matter. Proponents of the diet claim that as long as you meet your daily macros — whether it’s from brown rice or brownies — the diet will work.
Want to give the diet a try? Here’s a sample day of eating to help you do it the healthy way.
One of the main tenets of the IIFYM diet is upping your protein intake, and this tasty breakfast burrito will help you do just that. Filled with eggs, black beans and cheese, it clocks in at 23 grams of protein per serving. Plus, the healthy fats in avocado will keep you full and focused until lunch.
Tara Donne
Turkey burgers are a great source of lean protein and will help you keep your fat intake in check. These tasty burgers are sure to satisfy, topped with goat cheese and drizzled with a Meyer lemon-honey mustard.
Salmon is loaded with healthy Omega-3 fats — and protein. Indeed, this delicious dish boasts 39 grams of protein per serving. Stuffing a mixture of fresh herbs into the fillets helps add flavor, for just a few calories.
Sweet potatoes contain more nutrients than regular spuds and are a good source of healthy carbs. In this recipe, they’re drizzled with honey and sprinkled with cinnamon, making them sweet enough to be dessert!
Blend beans for a protein-packed dip that’s also full of vitamins. The spinach is quickly sauteed with garlic before being pureed with the beans, olive oil, lemon juice and balsamic vinegar. Try it with whole-wheat pita chips.
Abigail Libers is a freelance writer and editor living in Brooklyn. She is also the creator and editor of notesonfatherhood.tumblr.com.
