About Calories
It's hard for a day to go by without hearing about low calorie, restricted calories, reduced calories, or something about calories in regards to one's diet. So, what exactly is a calorie? Calories are a unit of energy that is provided by foods. When averaged out certain foods contain a set amount of calories. Carbohydrates and protein foods average approximately four (4) calories per gram; while fats average nine (9) calories per gram.
A general rule is that if a person takes in more calories than they burn they will gain weight; and if a person takes in fewer calories per day than they burn they will lose weight. If the scale is balanced where the calories are equal to the amount burned the person will maintain their current weight.
That seems to be fairly simple, but other factors can complicate the issue. First, it is quite hard to know exactly how many calories are actually in the foods we consume. It would require weighing everything we place into our mouth. Not a simple task to undertake! Next we would have to know exactly how many calories are being used while performing the numerous day to day tasks that we do, and know the number of calories we burn while resting. This would take a monumental effort on one's part.
In my opinion counting calories to maintain a healthy weight is not an option. What I have learned to do over the years is to eat more of certain foods, less of other foods, and eliminate some foods totally. If you were to eliminate white sugar, white flour, white rice, and white potatoes from your diet you would be taking giant strides in your endeavor to reach a healthy weight!
If you want to be a part of the solution in solving our National Healthcare Crisis you must take responsibility for your own health!
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