Macros may get all the attention, but these nutrients deserve some credit too.

Losing weight is not an easy process, and your body feels the same!

And since reactions usually require enzymes, this is where several vitamins and minerals can impact weight loss.

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This suggests that focusing on some key nutrients, along with macros, is your best bet when dieting.

Best Sources of Magnesium (Daily Value for magnesium is 420 mg):

2.

We thought sunlight triggered adequate production in most people, and its primary role was bone health.

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(P.S.Inflammation could be the reason you’re not losing weighthere’s what to do about it).

This is because even small increases in weight can triggerinflammation, which in turn increases production of free radicals.

Best Sources of Vitamin C(Daily Valuefor vitamin C is 90 mg):

4.

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Additionally, as BMI increased, carotenoid intake decreased.

Yet no significant differences in calorie intake were noted between the groups.

But researchers think the antioxidant activity of carotenoids also plays a role by reducing inflammation.

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The Daily Value for Vitamin A is 900 mcg RAE).

Iron

Adequate iron stores enable hemoglobin in red blood cells to carry oxygen to cells throughout the body.

This lack of oxygen may also impede weight loss in some individuals.

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Because of this, focus on foods first.

Then, if needed, see your doctor to determine next steps.

When possible, try topair your iron-rich recipes with foods high in vitamin C to increase absorption!)

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Best Sources of Iron (Daily Value for iron is 18 mg):

6.

Additionally, someresearchsuggests that certain strains within theBifidobacteriumandLactobacillusspecies may aid in weight loss.

She received a 2017 James Beard Journalism award.

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you could follow her on Instagram@realfoodreallife_rdor on carolynwilliamsrd.com.