What is calorie?

We always see the word 'calorie' and we know they have got to do with our weight, but how exactly? It is basically a measure of how much energy the food will give us. For example, food with 300 cal can definitely give us more energy than food of 50 cal. Oh, 'cal' is the short-form of calorie obviously, and 'kcal' (kilocalorie) is most often interchangeably used; they basically mean the same thing.

When we say energy, we really mean food that when digested, is chemically broken down and infused into our blood stream to contribute to the equation of energy creation for moving, breathing and thinking.

Only carbohydrates (including fiber), fats, proteins, organic acids, polyols, and ethanol contain food energy. All foods are made up of a combination of these six nutrients. Everything else in food is non-caloric, including (but not limited to) water, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, caffeine, spices and natural flavors. Tea and coffee also have no calories without sugar or milk added.

Fats, naturally, have the largest amount of energy per gram, 9 cal/g, compared to the other 5 nutrients. Proteins and most carbohydrates have about 4 cal/g. Carbohydrates that are not easily absorbed, such as fiber or lactose in lactose-intolerant individuals, contribute less food energy. Polyols (including sugar alcohols) and organic acids have fewer than 4 cal/g.

So why do we need to understand calorie? The answer can be quite simply expressed in the equation below:

Input = Output,

if not,

excess Input = FATS

The equation in simple English will mean that if our body does not use up the food energy (calories) that we have consumed, they will basically be stored so that it can be used later....... Why so?! Why is our body so dumb? Why doesn't they simply get 'shitted' out? Well, that will be a history lesson that covers human evolution. Will explain that in another day's blog ,look forward to that!

Read more about your day's calories intake here and how your weight is really determined by your lifestyle.

Find out how to calculate your Daily Recommended Calorie Need.

Click here to find out how to read food nutrition facts label and how it helps you calculate your true calories intake.