Balancing your food groups — carbs, proteins, and fats — can really make your cooking and meal prep better. When you know how these three work together, you can make yummy meals that are also good for your body.

1. What Are Macronutrients?

• Carbohydrates: These give you energy. Good sources are whole grains, veggies, and fruits. Adding a mix of these can make your meals tastier and more exciting.

• Proteins: These help your muscles recover and grow. You can get proteins from lean meats, beans, and nuts. When you have enough protein in your meal, it makes you feel full and satisfied.

• Fats: Healthy fats, like those found in avocados, olive oil, and nuts, make food taste better and help your body absorb vitamins.

2. Why Meal Prep Helps:

• When you balance your macronutrients, your meals can keep you energized all day. For example, a meal with quinoa (carb), grilled chicken (protein), and a little olive oil (fat) is a great mix of nutrients.

• Balancing these food groups also makes grocery shopping easier! When you know how to combine them well, it’s simple to make a shopping list that includes all three.

3. Get Creative with Flavors:

• Trying out different food combinations can spark your creativity in the kitchen. For example, you could make a stir-fry with brown rice (carb), tofu or shrimp (protein), and colorful veggies cooked in sesame oil (fat).

Putting together a balance of macronutrients not only boosts your nutrition but also makes cooking fun and creative!