Calories 101- The basics

1. Calories is the unit of measure of energy for food.

Just as we use Watts (W) for power, centimeters (cms) or inches (in) for length. Calories (cal) is for energy content in food. The calories we get from food is the energy that fuels our bodies. Caloric energy from food is essential for our survival.

1. Calories content differ in macronutrients.

Macronutrients (macros) are the nutrients from food that we need in larger amounts hence ‘macro’: protein, carbohydrates and fats. (Vitamins and minerals are ‘micronutrients’ as our body only needs small amounts of them).

Macros differ in their nutrient content and their energy content.

Protein per gram: 4 cals
Carbohydrates per gram: 4 cals
Fat per gram: 9 cals

As you can see Fat has over double the calorie density than Protein or Carbohydrates. That’s why it’s commonly advised to lose weight, one simple step is to lower our fat intake.

1. Calorie intake dictate our weight

How much energy we take in from food, impacts our weight. If we consume more energy than our body needs, then we will gain weight. If we consume less energy than our body needs, then we will lose weight.

That’s your quick rundown.

Now it’s important that people try to demonise the word ‘calorie’ for everyone. Yes, we absolutely need to mindful when talking about calories, with people suffer from eating disorders or disordered eating behaviour or who have a pre-occupation with body image and weight loss such as young teenagers.

However, it doesn’t eliminate the fact that calorie is just a scientific term of measurement. It’s our relationship with food, that colours how we relate to it.