Calories are essential to human health

Calories are essential to our survival. This is because the body requires calories to function. Without them, energy would be unavailable for critical functions such as metabolism, respiration, systemic circulation, and many others.

The fitness movement has made calories an enemy to our health because it can cause weight gain. Although this is accurate, the notion that calories are the enemy of human health is wrong and must be rejected. The key is to consume calories in moderation.

The Food and Nutrition Board of the National Academy of Science established recommended calorie intake levels based on gender, weight, and physical activity level.

* Graphic produced by staff at Ifediora Nutrition

Understanding the Calorie Content of Food and Drink item

The majority of food and beverage goods must carry a nutrition fact label. This label is a brief sheet describing the nutrients, including calories, that a food item contains. When a nutrition label does not offer a calorie count, use this USDA tool to calculate the amount.

Calories role in weight gain

Excess calories are stored throughout the body as fat. When additional calories are consumed, fat reserves will accumulate, resulting in weight gain. The human body will naturally burn fat through metabolic activity. However, the primary method to expend calories is by physical activity.

In conclusion, calories are not your enemy. Our cells rely on them for energy. The goal is to consume calories in moderation based on your age, gender, and physical activity level. Furthermore, knowing how many calories a food contains is vital in order to avoid eating more than is recommended per day.

Reference

Triglycerides: Why do they matter? (n.d.). https://www.eatright.org/health/essential-nutrients/fats/triglycerides-why-do-they-matterTriglycerides: Why do they matter? (n.d.). https://www.eatright.org/health/essential-nutrients/fats/triglycerides-why-do-they-matter