NatNews

If you hear the word “macros” and have dark flashbacks to high school when you were required to learn about macroeconomics and microeconomics, fear not—this particular use of the word refers to food, and it doesn’t have to be complicated or confusing. The term macro means large, so the mention of macronutrients simply means food that your body needs in large amounts: carbs, protein, and fat.

Some individuals choose to track their macros, meaning that they measure (in grams) the amount of carbs, protein, and fat they eat daily. Dallas-area resident and registered dietitian Lyndsey Kohn said doing so can be a helpful tool to become more conscious of one’s eating patterns and how much certain foods may affect an individual’s body composition, performance, and even mood, though the effectiveness is also contingent on what that person’s objectives are.

“The thing about behavior change is that you do need to become aware of what your current habits are—what you are actually eating daily and if it is hurting or improving your goals,” she said. “What I professionally would caution with tracking macros is when you start eating what I would call ‘fake foods.’ An example I see a lot of is meals that have a ton of processed protein powders, mixed with protein ice cream and protein bars, etc. There is nothing wrong with these things inherently, but when it’s frequently replacing meals from whole-food sources, I’d do a gut check on if tracking macros is really serving your health goals and your overall relationship with food.”

Dallas resident Kirsten Kraske said she tracks her macros, mainly paying attention to the amount of protein and fiber in foods, as she believes that foods with higher content in each will keep her full for longer.

“I started in August 2023, mainly for health reasons,” she said. “I found out I have gluten and lactose intolerances, and looking at macros seemed to help with this. Not only that, but I’ve found this to be the best way to maintain my health and fitness lifestyle. I am a big quantity eater, and watching macros allows me to do this.”

Dallas-area resident Emmanuel Amadi, who said he pays close attention to everything he puts in his body, said it’s important to note that food—whether plants, seeds, or animal-based—is a unit of energy.

“Directly, the macronutrients and quality thereof that you consume undoubtedly affect your energy, hormone levels, sleep quality, mood, and gut health,” he said. “Personally, I’ve cultivated the discipline of paying attention to the macronutrients I consume due to athletic performance and recovery, which might be a different lifestyle compared to the nutrition choices non-competitive athletes might make.”

Amadi said his attention to macros is reflected in the choices he makes at the grocery store. He said his carbs choices are usually real foods with minimally processed components, sugars, or seed oils, such as organic basmati rice, sourdough bread, sprouted rolled oatmeal, sweet potatoes, and fruits. He opts for nuts and vegetables (e.g., almonds, zucchini, and spinach) for his daily fiber intake, while he eats a considerable amount of salmon, beef, nut butters, and pasteurized eggs for protein, which he says are also effective sources of iron and healthy fats that are important for recovery.

“I began paying close attention to this as a solution for reducing inflammation and chances of running injuries from hard training,” he said. “I also found out that solely consuming balanced or ‘healthy’ macronutrients is not the answer. One must have some trial and error to learn which foods work for your body, how your body responds and its reaction the day after eating them, and timing.”

Kohn said when she works with clients on their nutrition goals, she typically begins with basics—water intake, daily movement patterns, and completing an initial tracking of an individual’s food intake (which might include macros).

“Once we have dialed in on the current pattern, we can start making little changes to start improving their intake,” she said. “Usually it’s a combination of eating more protein, increasing fiber intake, and eating more complex versus simple carbohydrates. Especially if you are marathon training or an endurance athlete, nutrition is a huge component of your performance, and making sure you are hitting your macros is important.”

Whether paying specific attention to macros or not, many individuals believe that it’s wise to check labels and know what different ingredients and substances they are consuming. Kraske said she has noticed a vast difference in her body and face structure since she started prioritizing the foods she eats.

“I find I’m fuller for longer and get more satisfaction out of food,” she said. “I think it’s really important to eat clean in terms of fruits, veggies, and proteins. The deferred gratification that comes with this type of lifestyle is huge.”

Amadi said he also maintains an outlook to be curious about the food he consumes and frequently googles the ingredients on a label to gain more understanding. He believes that eating healthy can and should be enjoyable and noted that for every unhealthy food product, there’s a better alternative (e.g., Pure Elizabeth granola brand instead of an option with fewer health benefits). To Amadi, food is a lifestyle choice.

“Fundamentally, it reflects your level of self-love and self-care,” he said. “We have easy access to the knowledge of what consuming industrial oils (palm oil, canola oil, etc.), refined carbs,  processed meats, and processed sugars causes to our brain health and brain overall aging process. It’s advisable to live with a balanced diet but also to pay close attention to the nutrition labels/facts behind the food products we purchase and feed ourselves and families. As the saying goes, ‘what might be good for you isn’t always good to you.’”

For Kohn, being more cognizant of the foods that go into one’s body is a decision one must make for himself or herself—and it’s one that brings with it significant advantages.

“At the end of the day, you are your best health advocate, and learning to take responsibility for that can be such a powerful shift in your life,” she said. “I’ll always say that being aware and educated are the most important things when it comes to food.”

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For many single people searching for the “can’t eat, can’t sleep, reach for the stars, over the fence, World Series kind of stuff,” they aren’t finding it and often feel stuck in the Land of Frustration, which isn’t really a place most individuals desire to live or vacation.

“Are you on the apps?” is a common question those without plus-ones often get, and while some couples have had much success and resulting marriages from meeting people online, others can’t always deal with the swiping and sometimes awkward small talk. Dallas-area resident Cali Hoffman said she isn’t currently using dating apps but has in the past. She has mixed feelings about them but said she isn’t sure what her other options are.

“Sometimes dating apps are annoying and defeating when you don’t find interest in anyone or connect with anyone,” she said. “But I have absolutely no clue where to meet a single guy my age. That’s a question I’m still asking myself.”

Dallas-area resident Steve Bergsman said no one should ever prefer dating apps, but like Hoffman, he knows that they do have certain conveniences for individuals who don’t want to rock the single life anymore.

“They are horrible, in my opinion,” he said. “Having said that, it can be tough to meet people because of life. So, at times, I feel that they are a necessary evil.”

Dallas resident Alexis Derrow also isn’t a huge fan of dating apps and thinks that using them is “depressing.” She has found some alternatives, though.

“Where are good places to meet people? Run clubs,” she said. “They are the new dating app. I like speed dating, though the last one I went to was lawless. People did not conform to social norms. They were just asking for my phone number. We did not use the matching mechanism. It was bananas. There’s no way not to give your number, and now I have to unwind like five mini-relationships.”

Dallasites101 often hosts speed dating events, though there are multiple entities throughout the metroplex that also offer these opportunities, many of which are specific to certain age ranges for each one. Hoffman said she and a friend tried speed dating once but saw it as a waste of time.

“I think the company that was putting it together was not the best company out there, and the prospects of men were not even close to what would interest me,” she said. “I don’t think that’s the way to go. My friend and I laugh about it now.”

Bergsman has never tried speed dating but said he wouldn’t be opposed to attending such an event. He doesn’t think it’s the best way to find his leading lady, though.

“I try to be open-minded to new experiences,” he said. “Now, do I think something like that could work? Absolutely. I mean, it can’t be any worse than dating apps. But I do think a better option is to meet people through friends.”

You can also pay someone to be your new friend and scout prospects for you—like having your own personal Hitch. Derrow said she would be willing to use a matchmaker but wouldn’t pay for one, especially since she doesn’t think doing so would be very effective.

“There are almost none that focus on a woman client base,” she said. “Almost exclusively, they are focused on men as their clients. Their networks for available men are not that good for women.”

Some people don’t like the idea of being set up, though. Hoffman said she wants to be the one to seek out an initial attraction and decide for herself if she’s interested without someone else trying to make sparks fly.

“I’m picky, but I’m also not going to settle on ‘he’s a good guy,’ because he needs to be the best guy for me, and I’ll be the only one to know that,” she said.

Whether a person meets someone as a result of an encouraged setup or more of an organic situation in which the individual develops that attraction and interest on his or her own, Bergsman thinks the best way for a single person to meet someone is through friends they already know and trust.

“Mutual friends know you, and they know the other person,” he said. “They are often a good way to get introduced to new people.”

WEEKLY PHOTO OP

NatNews dear readers Paige Ryder Celuch and Ethan Celuch are saying "see you later" as they head to the Midwest

Monday, June 3: Rangers vs. Tigers at Globe Life Field
Tuesday, June 4: Justin Timberlake at Dickies Arena; Free Rooftop Movie — Purple Rain at Sundown at Granada
Wednesday, June 5: Global Running Day; Dallas Wings vs. Las Vegas Aces at College Park Center
Thursday, June 6: TNSR’s 2024 Spring Quarterly Run at Fleet Feet Plano; Cool Thursdays Concert Series — Slippery When Wet, The Ultimate Bon Jovi Tribute at the Dallas Arboretum; Mavs vs. Celtics (Game 1)
Friday, June 7: Emerald City Band 40th Anniversary Concert at Klyde Warren Park; Dierks Bentley at Dickies Arena
Saturday, June 8: WRRC Saturday run from Taco Joint; Bush Tribute — 16 Stone at Sundown at Granada; National Best Friends Day
Sunday, June 9: 50 Shades of Slay Fashion Show at Gilley’s Dallas Southside Music Hall