Calories, do you really understand its meaning? Most people still do not know what a calorie is. When asked about its meaning, most people would link it to dieting. However there is far more to calories than just a word that is linked to weight loss. Lets see if we can explain it a little better.
Understanding Calories
A calorie is a unit of measurement used to quantify energy obtained from food that is used by the human body for fuel. When there is an excess of calories, these are not burnt and would be stored by the body as fat. There are different types of calories and different forms in which calories may be obtained.
The main types of calories include: carbohydrates, fats and proteins. All of them burn when used in the body and then turn into heat energy, which is generally called calories.
Each type of calorie varies in terms of chemical and physical properties. Here are the basic things that you need to know about each calorie type.
The Fear Of Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates are the most common type of calorie. It is found on foods that are rich on starch and sugar. Most of them are from plant-based foods like vegetables, fruits, and grains. Most legumes, such as lentils, beans, and peas, are also rich with carbs. However, dairy products would be the only foods that come from animals which have a lot of carb content. (Kills the idea that milk and cookies is "kinda good for you" don't it.)
Typically carbohydrates can be classified into two subdivisions: simple and complex.
Simple carbs are normally sugars, such as glucose and fructose, which come from fruits and a few vegetables. Another type would be lactose, which comes from milk. Last would be sucrose, which comes from cane sugar. (Rule of thumb is any thing that ends in "ose" is a type of sugar.)
Sugar that is for everyday use is pure sucrose. A lot of simple carbs that you eat are sugars that are mixed with processed foods such as cookies, sodas etc. These add-ons are the major reason why sugar accounts for 16% of total calories that are consumed by Americans according to most health surveys.
Complex types of carbs are actually chains or series of simple carbs, which primarily consist of starches along with fiber, which can be found in all foods that come from plants. However, plants store carbohydrates in the form of starch. Foods that have high complex carbs would include grains and products that come from it like bread and pasta. Also, potatoes, beans, corn, and other vegetables are also high in complex carbs.
Shadowed Proteins
Since carbohydrates seem to be the most popular type of calorie, proteins on the other hand seem to be the most over shadowed in comparison with the fame of fats and carbs. However, it is an important kind of calorie that you'll need to develop body muscle.
Proteins have about 4 kilocalories per gram. Majority of this kind of calorie can not be naturally produced by the human body and must originate from dietary sources. The main sources of protein include: eggs, nuts, meats, legumes, grains, dairy products. (And yes some of these are also those nasty carb carriers.)
Recent studies suggest, men between ages 19 to 70 should consume 56g of protein everyday in order to avoid deficiency. On the other hand, women within the same age range should get at least 46g/day. Those people, who wish to increase muscle mass should consume more protein then the average. (Be sure to consult a doctor if your looking to gain muscle mass. In some cases the increase can become unhealthy if you have any type of heart condition.)
Fats
Fats,would probably be the most unwanted kind of calorie by many. However, it still plays an important role in the normal function of the body. The body cannot absorb Vitamins A, E, D and K if not for it. They play an important role in the maintenance of healthy hair and skin. Protection is another function, since they protect various organs from shock.
Fats can be obtained both from animals and plants. Types of animal fats would include lard, butter and fish oil, while plant fats would include soy beans, peanuts, sunflower seeds, olives, coconuts, sesames, and vegetable oils. - 30310
Understanding Calories
A calorie is a unit of measurement used to quantify energy obtained from food that is used by the human body for fuel. When there is an excess of calories, these are not burnt and would be stored by the body as fat. There are different types of calories and different forms in which calories may be obtained.
The main types of calories include: carbohydrates, fats and proteins. All of them burn when used in the body and then turn into heat energy, which is generally called calories.
Each type of calorie varies in terms of chemical and physical properties. Here are the basic things that you need to know about each calorie type.
The Fear Of Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates are the most common type of calorie. It is found on foods that are rich on starch and sugar. Most of them are from plant-based foods like vegetables, fruits, and grains. Most legumes, such as lentils, beans, and peas, are also rich with carbs. However, dairy products would be the only foods that come from animals which have a lot of carb content. (Kills the idea that milk and cookies is "kinda good for you" don't it.)
Typically carbohydrates can be classified into two subdivisions: simple and complex.
Simple carbs are normally sugars, such as glucose and fructose, which come from fruits and a few vegetables. Another type would be lactose, which comes from milk. Last would be sucrose, which comes from cane sugar. (Rule of thumb is any thing that ends in "ose" is a type of sugar.)
Sugar that is for everyday use is pure sucrose. A lot of simple carbs that you eat are sugars that are mixed with processed foods such as cookies, sodas etc. These add-ons are the major reason why sugar accounts for 16% of total calories that are consumed by Americans according to most health surveys.
Complex types of carbs are actually chains or series of simple carbs, which primarily consist of starches along with fiber, which can be found in all foods that come from plants. However, plants store carbohydrates in the form of starch. Foods that have high complex carbs would include grains and products that come from it like bread and pasta. Also, potatoes, beans, corn, and other vegetables are also high in complex carbs.
Shadowed Proteins
Since carbohydrates seem to be the most popular type of calorie, proteins on the other hand seem to be the most over shadowed in comparison with the fame of fats and carbs. However, it is an important kind of calorie that you'll need to develop body muscle.
Proteins have about 4 kilocalories per gram. Majority of this kind of calorie can not be naturally produced by the human body and must originate from dietary sources. The main sources of protein include: eggs, nuts, meats, legumes, grains, dairy products. (And yes some of these are also those nasty carb carriers.)
Recent studies suggest, men between ages 19 to 70 should consume 56g of protein everyday in order to avoid deficiency. On the other hand, women within the same age range should get at least 46g/day. Those people, who wish to increase muscle mass should consume more protein then the average. (Be sure to consult a doctor if your looking to gain muscle mass. In some cases the increase can become unhealthy if you have any type of heart condition.)
Fats
Fats,would probably be the most unwanted kind of calorie by many. However, it still plays an important role in the normal function of the body. The body cannot absorb Vitamins A, E, D and K if not for it. They play an important role in the maintenance of healthy hair and skin. Protection is another function, since they protect various organs from shock.
Fats can be obtained both from animals and plants. Types of animal fats would include lard, butter and fish oil, while plant fats would include soy beans, peanuts, sunflower seeds, olives, coconuts, sesames, and vegetable oils. - 30310
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