While most of us understand that the choices of foods we make are important, it is even more important to arrange the ratios of where we get those choices. Obviously we could all agree that broccoli is a good choice of food providing dense nutrients and none of us would disagree that an entire diet made up of broccoli would result in nutrient deficiencies. So how do we balance the macronutrients to provide us with more than sufficient micronutrients? Unfortunately for humans, it is not quite as simple as being a horse, our chemical needs are more diverse. So now we need to understand how to get all of our nutrients from our food choices.

Macronutrients

A amino acids are derived from protein,
C carbohydrates from four groups;

1. B-Complex carbohydrates, 
2. C-Complex carbohydrates, 
3. phytochemical rich carbohydrates and finally 
4. starchy or empty calorie carbohydrates,

E essential fatty acids from lipids (fats).

The above is where the A.C.E. Power Plan name comes from. There are six main food groups, with one (starchy carbs) to be avoided, reduced or eaten on special occasions only. Refer to the shopping list for examples of where individual foods fall into which group.

Of course the quality of food also counts. Here the point is to understand the importance of balance because even too much of a good thing can stop you from achieving your goals by creating a nutritional imbalance within the body. Each and every meal should contain all of the macronutrients in a ratio that works best for you.

Another reason to balance foods is because most nutrients are synergistic, in other words, the sum is greater than the individual parts. For example, combine a few ingredients like sulfur, hydrogen and oxygen which by themselves are totally harmless, but the combined molecules create the powerful sulfuric acid, which is obviously more potent than the individual parts that make it up. All nutrients also work together in a similar manner and are necessary for each other to function properly. One nutrients ability to work within the body or be assimilated is directly dependent on another nutrients presence. This works on both a micronutrient and a macronutrient level.

There is no perfect ratio that we may embrace for the masses. Remember that each person is unique and requirements vary from to person. The trick is to consume macros in the right balance and quantity to provide the body with more than sufficient micros.

Eating to meet sufficiency is what the American RDA (recommended daily allowance) is or the Canadian RNI (recommended nutrient intake) is. Sufficiency is just survival, sufficiency is merely meeting the requirements, sufficiency is just enough to remain disease free. Healthy lean bodies are not just surviving, they are active and they excel. It is not just about deficiency disease prevention, it is about vitality.

The amount of each meal obviously counts too. Eliminate the idea of snacking because the only difference between snacking and meals should be volume. All meals should be balanced, and combined with other food groups, traditional snacking tends to be very imbalanced and can cause the opposite of what we expect.

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