Basic Nutrition- part 1
Basic Nutrition -
Definition of Calories in Food.
The calories in what you eat and drink each day play a role in your weight and health. They help your body produce energy. While it's difficult to choose perfectly healthy foods 100 percent of the time, it's important that you eat healthy (nutritiously) most of the time. Knowing the role calories play in your health is necessary so that you can choose healthier foods.
A calorie is a way to measure energy, so calories represent units of energy. Food is vital to providing the body energy for functions such as breathing and physical activity. You get calories from essential macronutrients like protein, carbohydrates and fat. While some foods such as vegetables provide few calories, others like ice cream provide many calories. Carbohydrates and protein provide 4 calories per gram, while fat contains 9 calories per gram.
How does this affect my weight gain/loss?
When it comes to weight, excess calories cause weight gain, and not enough calories can cause you to be underweight. Consuming enough, but not too many, calories helps your body maintain a delicate energy balance. Oversize portions and high-calorie junk foods play a large role in excess calorie consumption. Choosing lean meats and fruits and vegetables is a way to manage your calories.
Edited by Steve Stone