As i’m preparing for my first physique competition I noticed there is big debate on how you should diet yourself down. Macro dieters versus bro dieters.
Bro dieters come from the old school unscientific world where you eat the same diet (IE chicken, rice, fish, sweet potatoes) without calculating the number of calories and macros you’re taking in and how many calories you’re burning off.
The bro way is all about “this is what has worked in the past for others so this is what will work now.”
If you’re following a bro diet that you got from a bro advice giver and you ask them any question as to why you are doing what you are doing you’re more than likely to get a response such as
“Shut up and do it.”
“Just cuz, that’s how we do it, it just works.”
“I know what I am doing, this is how I have always done it.”
Now I am not saying Bro diets don’t work, because they do.
Even though Bro Dieters use unscientific methods to go about their dieting, they are still eating clean while adding or reducing the amount of foods they take in whether they are bulking or cutting.
So they do see results.
A macro diet on other hand focuses on precision.
You calculate everything that goes into your body.
You know how many calories you are taking in and further break that down into how many calories or grams of protein, carbs and fats that you are putting into your body.
You leave nothing up to chance!
Luckily in today’s world, tracking your macros is easier then ever.
There are numerous Calorie Counting apps for your smartphone or tablet that allow you to input the foods you are eating.
I use My Fitness Pal and makes tracking my macros a breeze!
A Macro diet also allows something called flexible dieting. Which means you can switch out foods in your diet plan as long as the foods fit into your daily macros.
As long as you are still achieving your macros, you can achieve your goals while having a greater variety of food in your diet
Flexible dieting is where the bro dieters start to hate. Much of this is the result of the latest trend of IIFYM (If It Fits Your Macros) dieters who are macro dieters who believe that as long as their macros line up according to their diet plan that they can eat whatever they want.
Pop tarts, cup cakes, pizza, you name it.
Now while you will still see success with IIFYM because any calorie deficits will allow you to lose weight. However you will NOT be as HEALTHY as someone who focuses on optimal nutrition.
What is optimal nutrition?
Optimal nutrition is eating the best nutrient dense foods that will fuel your body in the most efficient way.
Your internal organs will not be receiving the same amount of nutrients if your eating pop tarts all day versus eating sweet potatoes and taking in coconut oil for your carbs and fat.
As a result, you’re outwardly body appearance will also suffer. Someone following the same macro count (Calories, Protein,Carbs & Fat intake) who eat’s junk food all day will not look as good as someone who is eating nutrient dense healthy foods such as chicken, sweet potatoes & coconut oil.
Using a flexible Macro diet with optimal nutrition is what serves me well. It’s scientific and gives me the precision results I desire.