So… Really… What are Calories

Scientific Definition

Calorie - the quantity of heat needed to raise the temperature of 1kg (kilogram) of water from 0 to 1⁰C.

Are You Confused?

So was I after reading the scientific definition of the calorie…

How does that definition relate to my body when I eat food?

History of Calorie

Well… It all began with Wilbur Olin Atwater. He made ground breaking research in human nutrition.

So what does Olin have to do with the Calorie?

The United States began using the Calorie only after Atwater’s use of it in his work in 1887. The most interesting part is that the only reason Atwater adopted the term “Calorie” is because it was the ONLY energy unit in the English dictionary.

Current Units of Energy

Joule

calorie (the “c” is lower case and is used pertaining to chemistry and physics)

kilocalorie

What is even more interesting is that the Calorie seen on the American nutrition facts label is actually measured in kilocalories even though the label plainly states Calorie (1 kilocalorie = 1,000 Calories).

Nutritional Definition of the Calorie

The chemical energy stored in foods. Basically the Calorie represents the energy used by the cells of your body to allow it to function. When this energy is used heat is released thus the connection to our initial definition of the Calorie.

3 sources of Calories

1 g Carbohydrates = 4 Calories

1 g Fat = 9 Calories

1 g Protein = 4 Calories

How are calories related to weight

1 Pound (lb) = 3,500 Calories

In Weight

Every extra 3,500 Calories stored in your body will cause you to gain one pound.

In Weight

Retrospectively if you lose 3,500 Calories you will lose one pound.

And what about Empty Calories…

Cakes Pastries Candies Sodas Energy Drinks Ice Cream And Many More

Empty Calories are calories but this type of calorie has no nutritional value.

DEF:

Examples

Take Home Message

Calories are your friend so do run from them embrace them. They are the reason we live. When people go on very restrictive diets they are going completely against the natural way of life. Calories are a source of energy for our body! Love your calories but do not abuse them by having to many of them.

For the Full Article

Click here:Living Healthy for Beginners | What are Calories

Further Reading

• The Minimalist Guide to Healthy Eating | Nutrition Facts Label

• Top 10 Tips to Lose Weight | Weight Loss Help• Burrito Recipe- Heart Healthy Recipe• Simple. Live Healthy Services

http://www.simplelivehealthy.com/