What are calories?
Basic overview of calories and macronutrients found in all of our foods!
Calories are the fuel to our bodies! They are a unit of energy found within the food and drinks that we consume on a daily basis. Calories help us perform our daily activities, whether on the move or at rest. There are 3 three main macronutrients that make up the calories in our foods. These include; Proteins, Fats, and Carbohydrates! It is crucial to insure that we are consuming a proper balanced diet with all of our macronutrients accounted for in order to live a long and healthy life.
What are
Macronutrients?
The Big 3
Proteins
Made up of amino acids. Proteins are an essential part of our diets that help us with muscle regeneration, energy production, and also muscle building. Proteins are an essential part in our bodies development! They can also be used in our bodies as energy! Each gram of protein contains 4 calories. You can read more about protein if you click the link below!
Carbohydrates
Our main source of energy, carbohydrates are turned into glucose that help our body produce energy. They are found in all of our tasty foods and drinks. For every gram of a carbohydrate there are 4 calories. Carbohydrates take many forms as either a monosaccharide, disaccharide, and polysaccharide. You can read more about each type if you click the link below!
Fats
Probably the most neglected macronutrient out of the other three. Fats serve as another source of energy for our bodies. They are very important in cell function and storage of energy. There are 4 major dietary fats in food and these include saturated, monosaturated, polyunsaturated, and trans fat. You can learn more about fats in the link below!
What happens when you eat too many calories?
Many negatives may come with eating too many calories
Overconsuming calories can be very dangerous!
Overeating can be detrimental to your health when done regularly. Here are some potential outcomes of what happens when individuals overconsume their calories.
Weight Gain
When on a caloric surplus, weight gain can be a potential problem for individuals who overeat their recommended amount of calories. Weight gain can also lead to more potential problems if not properly managed.
Chronic diseases
Chronic diseases such as hypothyroidism, type 2 diabetes, and other metabolic syndromes are common in those who consume too many calories. It is important to keep these chronic diseases in mind when overconsuming food.
Cardiovascular Complications
When on a caloric surplus conditions such as hypertension, dyslipidemia, and coronary artery disease can potentially be caused from eating to many calories.
What happens when we eat too little calories?
Many negative effects can happen to your body when you do not consume enough calories
Under-eating
Many health complications can occur when people do not consume an adequeate number of calories to suit their needs.
Unhealthy Weight Loss
Consuming little calories on regular basis can lead to unhealthy weight loss and other negative physical changes to your body. Effects such as muscle atrophy, nutrient deficiencies, hormonal changes and a weakened immune system can potentially be life threatening to your body.
Energy deficiency
Consuming a lower amount of calories on a regular can lead to feelings lethargic and weak. This can potentially hinder your performance in sports and other regular activities an individual likes to take part in. It is important to maintain a healthy and balanced diet in order to avoid the dangers of not eating enough!
Muscle weakness and muscle atrophy
Not consuming an adequate amount of calories can lead to muscle loss and muscle weakness. This can lead to poor performance levels in sports and daily activities. It is important to keep this in mind when trying a diet low on calories.
Calories - nutrition facts labels explained by myfooddiary. MyFoodDiary. (n.d.). https://www.myfooddiary.com/nutrients/calories
Food and Nutrition Information Center (FNIC). Food and Nutrition Information Center (FNIC) | National Agricultural Library. (n.d.). https://www.nal.usda.gov/programs/fnic#:~:text=Carbohydrates%20provide%204%20calories%20per,Facts%20label%20on%20food%20packages.
Leaf Group. (n.d.). Side effects of not eating enough calories | livestrong. LIVESTRONG.COM. https://www.livestrong.com/article/290452-side-effects-of-not-eating-enough-calories/
MD Anderson Cancer Center, & Blackburn, K. B. (2019, October 25). What happens when you overeat?. MD Anderson Cancer Center. https://www.mdanderson.org/publications/focused-on-health/What-happens-when-you-overeat.h23Z1592202.html#:~:text=When%20you%20eat%2C%20your%20body,and%20other%20chronic%20health%20problems.
NHS. (n.d.). NHS choices. https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-weight/managing-your-weight/understanding-calories/
WebMD. (n.d.). Macronutrients: What they are, and why they’re important. WebMD. https://www.webmd.com/diet/what-are-macronutrients