macronutrient

noun mac·ro·nu·tri·ent \ -ˈnü-trē-ənt , -ˈnyü- \

|Updated on: 30 Jun 2018

Definition of macronutrient

: a chemical element or substance (such as potassium or protein) that is essential in relatively large amounts to the growth and health of a living organism — compare micronutrient

Recent Examples of macronutrient from the Web

Foods like these, rich in both macronutrients, send strong signals to your brain’s reward system, priming you to overeat.

— samantha cassetty, NBC News, "How to make your fast food habit healthier," 20 June 2018
And some of us may do better on certain ratios of macronutrients—more or fewer carbs, more or fewer fats.

— abby langer, SELF, "I’ve Been a Dietitian for Almost 20 Years. These Are the 5 Most Important Healthy Eating Lessons I’ve Learned," 3 June 2018
Alcohol is metabolized differently than other macronutrients.

— kimberly mugler, Philly.com, "Dos and donts of drinking alcohol on paleo, keto diets," 26 May 2018
There are three types of macronutrients: proteins, fats and carbohydrates.

— jason lemon, ajc, "Should you avoid carbs? Here's what the science says," 25 Apr. 2018
To get the most out of your meals, think creatively and deliberately about the distribution of protein, along with the other macronutrients that round out the perfect plate, Sass says.

— sara angle, Outside Online, "Here's When You Should Eat Protein," 16 May 2018
There are two kinds: macronutrients and micronutrients.

— dylan mackay, SELF, "Here's How to Tell If You Should Be Tracking Your Macros," 14 May 2018
So, no, making the decision to work on your health and fitness doesn't have to mean completely giving up drinking, counting your macronutrients, hitting the gym five times a week, and starting every day with 20 push-ups.

— alexa tucker, SELF, "8 Pieces of Fitness Advice Trainers Wish People Would Stop Believing," 30 Apr. 2018
With a combination of intermittent fasting and macronutrient tracking, the 26-year-old sales manager from Parkland was able to achieve his goal of slimming down in 2018.

— janine puhak, Fox News, "Man claims he lost 20 pounds on Chipotle diet," 12 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'macronutrient.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of macronutrient

1942

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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Medical Dictionary

macronutrient

noun mac·ro·nu·tri·ent \ -ˈn(y)ü-trē-ənt \

medical Definition of macronutrient

: a substance (as a protein, carbohydrate, or fat) required in relatively large quantities for growth, energy, and health — compare micronutrient

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about macronutrient

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macronutrient

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