Dorothy FarrarCalories
Calories are energy. We take in calories from food. We use energy through physical activities (e.g. work, sport). A high-calorie diet without a corresponding energy requirement can lead to obesity.
What are calories?
We need to consume energy for two reasons. On the one hand, it serves as fuel to maintain all important metabolic processes and to regulate body temperature, and on the other hand, it forms the basis for the renewal of all cells and tissues in the body.
The daily calorie requirement of a person depends on various influencing factors and physical characteristics.
As with all combustion processes, the burning of food or food releases energy or heat. This energy produced is measured in joules (J) or calories (cal).
In connection with nutrition, the following information is used: kilojoules (kJ) or kilocalories (kcal) per 1000 units. The official internationally recognized unit for energy is the joule. However, most people only talk about calories when they mean the amount of energy in food (1 calorie = 4.184 joules).
Basal metabolic rate and calorie requirement
The basal metabolic rate or resting metabolic rate refers to the amount of calories that a body burns at rest. However, the basal metabolic rate is very different from person to person and varies greatly from person to person.
Athletes or people who work hard physically have a much larger basal metabolic rate than other people. Therefore, people with a higher energy consumption have to supply their body with more calories.
The daily calorie requirement of a person depends on various influencing factors and physical characteristics. A tall, well-trained competitive athlete has a higher energy requirement than a small, petite, untrained woman who is hardly physically active.
More muscle simply requires more energy than fat tissue. Small people burn less energy than tall people. A 20-year-old’s body uses more energy than a 70-year-old’s. The energy requirement is therefore strongly dependent on age, size, gender and physical activity.
Food and calories
Food supplies different amounts of energy, i.e. their calorie content is different. A good mixture of carbohydrates , proteins (proteins) and fats ensures an optimal supply of energy.
Fat is an important part of the diet that all people need for their health. Fat is one of the most important suppliers of energy. Fat has a calorie value of 9 kcal/g. Carbohydrates in food are the most important sources of energy.
Most of our food should consist of carbohydrates. Proteins are also an essential part of our food. Proteins are involved in many important bodily functions.
Protein-containing foods are generally considered to be particularly valuable among foods. High-quality proteins are mainly found in animal products. Proteins and carbohydrates have a calorie value of 4 kcal/g.
Nutrients such as water, fiber, vitamins or minerals have no calories and therefore do not provide any energy. Foods high in fat are the most calorie rich. On the other hand, foods with a lot of fiber and water have hardly any calories.
calories and body weight
If the body takes in just as much energy in the form of food as it consumes, then there is a balance – body weight neither increases nor decreases. If more fuel is supplied with the food than is consumed, then the “energy gain” is stored as fat deposits in the body. If the food has fewer calories than required, then these fat deposits in the body are burned and converted into energy. As a result, you lose weight. Body weight therefore depends on the relationship between energy intake and energy expenditure.
Hello and welcome to my Health Guide & Encyclopedia! My name is Dorothy Farrar, and I'm the founder and main author of this platform.
My passion for health and wellness started at a young age when I became interested in the connection between the food we eat and the way we feel. This fascination led me to study nutrition and dietetics in college, where I learned about the importance of a balanced diet and the impact of various nutrients on the body.