Macros & Micros Explained

• Natural sugars

  What is it? Natural sugars are carbohydrates naturally found in whole, unprocessed foods like fruits, vegetables, dairy products, and some grains. Unlike added sugars, they come with essential nutrients such as fiber, vitamins, and minerals, which make them a healthier source of energy. What is the difference between natural and added sugars? Natural Sugars: Occur naturally in foods like fructose in fruits and lactose in dairy products. These sugars are absorbed more slowlyFew readers

• Carbohydrates

  What is it? Carbohydrates are one of the three main macronutrients that provide energy to the body. They are found in many foods and are broken down into glucose (sugar) during digestion to fuel the body’s cells, tissues, and organs. Carbohydrates come in three main types: Simple carbohydrates: Found in sugars like glucose and fructose, providing quick energy. Complex carbohydrates: Found in starchy foods and whole grains, offering sustained energy due to slower digestion.Few readers

• Cholesterol

  What is it? Cholesterol is a waxy substance found in your blood that’s necessary for building cells, producing hormones, and making vitamin D. While your liver produces all the cholesterol your body needs, additional cholesterol can come from certain foods. Why is it needed? Cholesterol is essential for maintaining cell structure and is involved in creating hormones, vitamin D, and bile acids that help digest fats. However, an excess can be harmful, especially if it leads toFew readers

• Fat - Saturated / Unsaturated

  What is it? Dietary fat is a macronutrient that provides energy and supports many essential body functions, including hormone production, nutrient absorption, and cell structure. Fat is also important for brain health and helps your body absorb fat-soluble vitamins like A, D, E, and K. What is the difference between saturated, monounsaturated, and polyunsaturated fatty acids? Saturated fats: These fats are solid at room temperature and are primarily found in animal productsFew readers

• Fiber

  What is it? Dietary fiber is a type of carbohydrate found in plant-based foods that the body cannot fully digest. It passes through the digestive system, helping to regulate bowel movements and providing numerous health benefits. Fiber is categorized into two types: Soluble fiber: Dissolves in water and helps lower cholesterol and blood sugar levels. Insoluble fiber: Adds bulk to stool and aids in regular bowel movements. Why is it needed, and how much do we need? FibFew readers

• Potassium

  What is it? Potassium is an essential mineral and electrolyte that helps your body maintain fluid balance, nerve function, and muscle contractions, including those of the heart. Why is it needed, and how much do we need? Potassium plays a key role in regulating blood pressure, balancing electrolytes, and supporting proper nerve and muscle function. The recommended daily intake is around 2,500–3,400 mg, depending on age, sex, and health conditions. What happens if you eatFew readers

• Protein

  What is it? Protein is one of the three main macronutrients essential for building, repairing, and maintaining tissues in the body. It is made up of amino acids, which are the building blocks of muscles, skin, hormones, enzymes, and other vital components of the body. Why is it needed, and how much do we need? Protein supports growth, tissue repair, immune function, and the production of enzymes and hormones. It also serves as a secondary energy source when carbohydrates and fats areFew readers

• Sodium

  What is it? Sodium is a mineral and essential electrolyte that helps regulate fluid balance, muscle contractions, and nerve signals in the body. It’s commonly found in table salt (sodium chloride) and many processed foods. Why is it needed, and how much do we need? Sodium supports vital functions, including maintaining blood pressure and proper muscle and nerve function. However, the body needs only a small amount, and the FDA recommends limiting sodium intake to less than 2,300 mFew readers

• Sugar - Refined / Added

  What is it? Added sugars are sweeteners that are added to foods or beverages during processing, preparation, or at the table. They include sugars like table sugar (sucrose), high-fructose corn syrup, honey, and maple syrup. Unlike natural sugars found in fruits and dairy, added sugars provide calories but little to no nutritional value. What is the difference between natural and added sugars? Natural Sugars: Found naturally in whole foods like fruits (fructose) and dairy proFew readers

• All you need to know about keto!

  What is a keto program? A keto or ketogenic program is a low-carb, moderate protein, higher-fat diet that many users have experienced to burn fat more effectively. While you eat far fewer carbohydrates on a keto diet, you maintain moderate protein consumption and increase your intake of fat. When reducing the carb intake (below 50 grams of carbs/day) your body will reach a metabolic state called ketosis, where fat, from your diet and from your body, is burned for energy. **Why is it caFew readers

• Allergies not supported in Lifesum

  We are currently listing the most common food allergies that have been requested as options during the past years. But with so many different allergens out there we will, unfortunately, never be able to cover them all. So if you cannot find your allergy in the list provided we recommend to do the following: Replace fruit with any other fruit you are tolerant to or use e.g. apple instead of citrus fruits Replace fish with tofu, poultry or meat or other meat replacements Replace food-Few readers

• Can I use Lifesum to maintain my weight?

  Of course, you can! Simply choose a Maintain Weight plan (maintain current weight). This will change your recommended calorie intake to a level that is tailored so that you neither gain or loose weight. We recommend changing to this plan as soon as you have reached your goal weight of a Lose Weight or Gain weight plan in order to maintain the goal reached in the long run.Few readers

• Can I use Lifesum when I am pregnant?

  Unfortunately, Lifesum does not offer any individual nutritional advice for pregnant women. When pregnant, there are a lot of things happening in your body. First of all: there is a baby growing inside of you, but you are also increasing the amount of blood and tissue in your body which leads to a natural weight gain. The amount of increased weight during pregnancy is highly individual and varies depending on things such as starting weight, body composition, and lifestyle. It is not reFew readers

• Food Rating: "High nutritional value"

  Foods with high amounts of nutrients, e.g. vitamins, minerals, fiber, healthy unsaturated fat and protein can get the label "High Nutritional Value" in the food rating. Why is a high nutritional value beneficial for us? Many nutrients are essential, which means that we need to get them from the food and beverages we consume. These nutrients are needed for a lot of functions in our bodies. Including, immune system, bone health, sight, skin, mucous membranes, protein metabolism, andFew readers

• Food Rating: "Processed foods"

  There are different layers in the definition of processed food. When the food gets this label in our app it's because we believe it's gone through some kind of processing where parts of the whole food has been removed and/or being combined with other ingredients such as sweeteners, flavours, colours, and preservatives. What are the recommendations? There is an upper limit/recommendation for highly processed food items, which is 10 E% of your daily calorie intake. This since these typeFew readers

• How are the percentages of the macros in food items calculated?

  The energy percentages (E%) for macronutrient intake are calculated based on where the calories in your food come from. It's important to note that the calorie content of protein, carbohydrates, and fat is not the same: Protein: 4 calories per gram Carbohydrates: 4 calories per gram Fat: 9 calories per gram Example Calculation: Let’s use 100 grams of cottage cheese (4% fat) as an example: Total Calories: 93 Protein: Amount: 12 grams CaloFew readers

• I am not losing any weight - What can I do?

  At Lifesum, we promote a safe, sustainable and steady weight loss pace. Eating a sufficient amount of energy is highly important for your health and overall well being. Weight loss journeys are highly individual, and the time needed to reach the desired goal varies. Stagnation: Weight loss is complicated, and individual. How quickly you lose weight is dependent on various factors like how much carbs or salt you eat, if you are stressed, how you sleep, your exercise habits, your hormonaFew readers

• I am unable to enter my current weight in the app, why?

  At Lifesum, we have the mission and aspiration to enhance lives through the promotion of healthy eating habits. We’re here to assist you on your journey toward a healthier and happier life by offering valuable insights into nutrition and education. Our product is carefully designed to cater to your unique nutritional needs, empowering you to cultivate sustainable and health-conscious habits that align seamlessly with your lifestyle and personal preferences. The app is using an algorithm for caFew readers

• Sources of Recommendations

  Please follow the link below for our sources of recommendations: https://lifesum.com/disclaimerFew readers

• Support Links for Behavioural Issues

  At Lifesum, we have the mission and aspiration to enhance lives through the promotion of healthy eating habits. We’re here to assist you on your journey toward a healthier and happier life by offering valuable insights into nutrition and education. Our product is carefully designed to cater to your unique nutritional needs, empowering you to cultivate sustainable and health-conscious habits that align seamlessly with your lifestyle and personal preferences. However, it’s important to note thatFew readers

• Vegan / Vegetarian - Explained

  What is a vegetarian diet? A vegetarian diet focuses on plant-based foods, excluding meat, poultry, fish, shellfish, and animal by-products such as gelatin or animal fats. The emphasis is on consuming fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds as primary food sources. What types of vegetarian diets are there? Vegetarian diets vary depending on which animal products are included: Lacto-ovo vegetarian: Includes dairy and eggs but excludes all animal flesh.Few readers

• What nutrients can I track with Lifesum?

  Currently you can track the following nutrients in the app: Protein Carbs Fiber Sugars Fat Saturated fat Unsaturated fat Cholesterol Sodium Potassium Note that we can only track what is entered under each food item.Few readers

• Why we recommend our users to stay above a certain calorie number of calories per day.

  The reason we don't recommend our users to set a daily calorie goal below our recommendation: In order to prevent an unsafe usage of our app we do not recommend our users to enter a daily energy intake, also called your calorie goal, below our recommendations. Lifesum's calorie recommendation is individual, and vary depending on variables such as sex, age, heigh, weight, activity level and goal. Having a too low energy intake can be harmful, and cause a danger to our bodies and health.Few readers