Maintain Macros while Keeping the Snacks

Maintain Macros while Keeping the Snacks

Do you recall the first time you heard someone mention the word ‘macros’?

Maybe you were just asking about how you might reach some simple goals you have for your body. And then you got hit with the science.

You were told to track your macros, but it sounded like a foreign language.

Many of us have been there. But tracking and caring about our macros has become more feasible and less technical than ever before. It’s no longer just for the elite athlete and nutrition experts.

And keeping our macros in check doesn’t have to mean giving up some of the tastier snacks in life.

We wanted to explore a little more into the macros world and discover some ideas to keep your macro snacking fun, tasty, and on track.

 

Before you begin - always consult your physician before beginning any exercise (or dietary) program(s). This general information is not intended to diagnose any medical condition or to replace your healthcare professional. Consult with your healthcare professional to design an appropriate exercise prescription (or dietary program) that's right for you.

 

  

Super Quick Intro to Macros

'Macros' is the shorter (cooler) word for 'macronutrients.' These macros contrast to their opposite friends in the micronutrient—like vitamins and minerals. Instead, macros refer to the broader categories that identify our food. The most common macros categories are carbohydrates, fat, and protein.

Understanding how to come up with a structure for your macros largely depends on your goals. Are you trying to lose weight? Put on muscle? Get lean? Reduce the risk of diabetes or high blood pressure?

It takes a little work upfront to determine your goals and identify the correct numbers from your macros. Once your foundation is set, though, there are plenty of resources that make tracking and maintaining your macros super easy.

These resources range from the labels on food packaging to calculators. We even have apps that can generate an entire macros list for your food item by scanning a barcode.

A big part of nearly everyone’s strategy is macros snacking.

In other words, our macros go beyond traditional meals and include all the in-between stuff—macro snacks.

We decided it would be fun and useful to explore some great ways to find the perfect macros snacks while maintaining and succeeding at your goals.

And, yeah, it even includes macros cookies!  

 

6 Ideas for the Perfect Macro Snacks

From cookies to yogurt and a touch of meat, there are plenty of ways to snack with various macros goals in mind.

 

Lenny & Larry’s Complete Cookie

You know we had to start here. Lenny & Larry’s got into the snack game with macros at the center of our mindset. We wanted to maintain our macros goals without sacrificing flavor.

Our Complete Cookie plays a major role in this effort. With 16 grams of plant-based protein, our Complete Cookie provides a really great way to snack towards your goals.

And we definitely bring the flavors with this cookie.

Our Holiday Collection offers all the beloved memories for the upcoming season. The rest of the overall collection includes more than a dozen options—from Apple Pie and Birthday Cake to the classic Snickerdoodle and Chocolate Chip.

 

Snack like a macros pro!

 

Greek Yogurt

If you're trying to maintain low fat in your macros, there are plenty of non-fat or low-fat options for tasty Greek yogurt.

Some strategies even recommend snacking on low-fat yogurt if your macros structure includes higher fat—while saving the fats for larger meals or add-ons to a protein shake.

It’s a great and fresh option to work into your macros snacking.  

 

Mixed nuts

Nuts are a great way to get some fat and protein, at the same time, into your macros snacking.

Macros snacking with a handful of mixed nuts throughout the day is light on carbs and a perfect way to fill in the gaps as you’re keeping those macros in check.

 

Peanut butter protein balls

You can stick to a scoop of peanut butter in your protein shake or a spoonful to snack on the couch. Or you can discover the many recipes for peanut butter protein balls.

This can even include adding a few dark chocolate chips for flavor without knocking the macros balance out of whack.

 

Beef Jerky

If you’re looking for a great way to pack in the protein and fat elements for your macros, a classic beef jerky snack can go a long way.

This one is good for those who are also looking to keep carbs at a minimum.

 

 

Game-Changing Macro Questions Everyone's Asking (But No One's Answering) 

Get The Answers You Need to Crush Your Health Goals! 

 

1. How can you determine the right macronutrient ratio for your specific health goals, such as weight loss or muscle gain?

Determining the best macronutrient ratio for your personal health goals requires a focus on your body type, metabolism, activity level, and specific objectives. While general guidelines exist, customizing your macronutrient intake increases the likelihood of achieving results.

For weight loss, prioritize higher protein intake and moderate fats while reducing carbohydrates. This approach supports fat loss and maintains muscle. A typical ratio might be 40% protein, 30% fats, and 30% carbs. However, low-carb diets like keto may skew this ratio further toward fats (e.g., 70% fats, 25% protein, 5% carbs).

For muscle gain, increase your carbohydrate intake to fuel intense workouts and support muscle repair. A common ratio is 40% carbs, 30% protein, and 30% fats. Carbohydrates offer energy, while protein helps repair muscle tissues after exercise.

To calculate your personal ratio, consider using an online macro calculator. They usually offer personalized recommendations based on your age, gender, weight, and goals. You can also work with a registered dietitian or a certified nutrition coach for a more precise approach.

Tracking your progress over time allows you to make adjustments as your metabolism adapts. If weight loss stalls, reduce carbs slightly or increase protein. If muscle growth slows, increase total calorie intake, focusing on carbs and protein.

 

 

2. What are some practical tips for accurately tracking macronutrient intake throughout the day?

Accurate tracking of your macronutrient intake ensures you stay aligned with your health goals. Here are effective methods to maintain accuracy without feeling overwhelmed:

  • Use a Nutrition Tracking App: Download an app like MyFitnessPal or Chronometer to log meals and snacks. These tools offer food databases with macronutrient breakdowns, making it easy to track totals.

  • Weigh Your Food: Estimating portions can lead to inaccurate tracking. A digital kitchen scale helps you measure servings precisely. For example, the difference between 1 tablespoon of peanut butter and 1 heaping tablespoon could be 50-100 extra calories.

  • Meal Prep in Advance: Batch cooking and portioning meals into containers simplifies tracking. Knowing exactly what you’re eating eliminates the guesswork.

  • Learn How to Read Food Labels: Focus on serving sizes and the breakdown of carbs, fats, and proteins. For homemade meals, enter recipes into tracking apps to estimate macronutrient content.

  • Create a Personal Food Database: If you frequently consume the same foods, save them as "favorites" in your app. This reduces logging time and maintains consistency in tracking.

  • Plan Your Meals in Advance: Pre-planning helps you avoid last-minute decisions that lead to poor choices. Set aside 10-15 minutes daily to plan what you’ll eat the next day.

Accurate tracking becomes easier with habit formation. Consistency leads to better awareness of how your choices impact results. If you’re unsure about portions or foods, refer to reputable sources like USDA FoodData Central for macronutrient breakdowns.

 

 

3. How can you balance macronutrients effectively when following a vegetarian or vegan diet?

Balancing macronutrients on a vegetarian or vegan diet requires thoughtful planning since some plant-based foods lack complete proteins. However, it’s entirely possible to meet your goals with the right strategies.

  • Combine Plant-Based Proteins: Plant proteins like beans, lentils, quinoa, chia seeds, and tempeh often lack one or more essential amino acids. Eating a variety of these foods throughout the day ensures you get all essential amino acids. For example, combine rice with beans to create a complete protein.

  • Include Protein-Rich Plant Foods: Prioritize foods high in protein, such as tofu, tempeh, seitan, and legumes. Vegan protein powders derived from pea, rice, or hemp can also help meet protein goals, especially after workouts.

  • Prioritize Healthy Fats: Plant-based diets often contain plenty of fats from nuts, seeds, avocados, and oils. Track intake to ensure you’re not consuming more fats than your target allows. Omega-3 fatty acids, found in chia, flax, and walnuts, are particularly important for brain and heart health.

  • Track Carbohydrate Sources Carefully: Whole grains, fruits, and starchy vegetables like sweet potatoes are excellent carbohydrate sources. If weight loss is a goal, avoid excess intake of processed grains, which can increase calorie consumption beyond your needs.

  • Use Food Tracking Tools: The same apps we mentioned above allow you to track plant-based foods and ensure you’re hitting macronutrient goals. Since plant-based diets naturally skew higher in carbs, tracking helps maintain balance.

  • Supplement When Necessary: Vitamin B12 and iron are common deficiencies in vegan diets. While they aren't macronutrients, deficiencies can affect energy and metabolism. Consider supplements to ensure proper health and metabolic function.

Achieving macronutrient balance on a vegan or vegetarian diet requires focus on variety and planning. Tracking intake, diversifying protein sources, and using supplements when needed will ensure you meet your health goals effectively.

 

 

More Lenny & Larry's High-Protein Snacks

We definitely can’t let you go without mentioning one more snack. These bite-sized wonders pack in the macros of our Complete Cookie but with all the crunch!

Be sure to check out our ultimate macros snacking option in The Complete Crunchy Cookies.

Lenny & Larry’s is happy to be on this macros journey with you.

Have fun exploring all the tasty and exciting ways we can help you maintain your goals!