Search for specific topic by selecting first letters:

Diet - calories

Definition

The energy stored in food is measured in terms of calories.

Technically, 1 calorie is the amount of energy required to raise the temperature of 1 gram of water 1 degree Centigrade. The calorie measure used commonly to discuss the energy content of food is actually a kilocalorie or 1000 real calories. This is the amount of energy required to raise 1 kilogram of water (about 2.2 pounds) 1 degree Centigrade.

Different foods contain different amounts of energy -- which is why a small piece of chocolate can have many more calories than a similarly sized piece of lettuce.

However, since calories are a measure of energy, there cannot be, as some diet books claim, different types of calories. A fat calorie has the same amount of energy as a protein or carbohydrate calorie.

A person's caloric need is determined using a variety of mathematical equations. Age, height, current weight, desired weight, and height are taken into account. Diet is what you eat. Dieting usually refers to eating less calories to lose weight. 

Function

The amount of calories in a diet refers to how much energy the diet can provide for the body. A well-balanced diet is one that delivers an adequate amount of calories while providing the maximum amount of nutrients.

The body breaks down food molecules to release the energy stored within them. This energy is needed for vital functions like movement, thought, growth -- anything that you do requires the use of fuel. The body stores energy it does not need in the form of fat cells for future use.

The process of breaking down food for use as energy is called metabolism. Increased activity results in increased metabolism as the body needs more fuel. The opposite is also true. With decreased activity the body continues to store energy in fat cells and does not use it up. Therefore, weight gain is the result of increased intake of food, decreased activity, or both.

The nutrition labels on food packages indicate the number of calories contained in the food.

Food Sources

Naturally, different foods provide different amounts of calories. Some foods, such as ice-cream, have many calories; while others, like leafy vegetables, have few.

Side Effects

  • Inappropriate dieting (fad dieting) can lead to rebound weight gain.
  • Altered body image can lead to anorexia nervosa or bulimia.
  • Diets that are excessively low in calories are considered dangerous and do not result in healthful weight loss. A more desirable method of weight reduction is one that is moderate in calories and that encourages routine exercise.
  • Children and young adults should not limit calories below the Recommended Daily Allowance because they require a certain amount of calories for growth and development. Better eating habits for the entire family often accomplish the caloric decrease that is required for a child or young adult to reach a desirable weight.

Recommendations

See balanced diet.

Recommendations for dieting:

  • Do not eat meat more than once a day. Fish and poultry are recommended instead of red or processed meats.
  • Avoid frying food because food absorbs the fats from cooking oils and this increases dietary fat intake. Bake or broil food instead. If you do fry, use polyunsaturated oils, such as corn oil.
  • Include adequate fiber in your diet. Fiber is found in green leafy vegetables, fruit, beans, bran flakes, nuts, root vegetables, and whole grain foods. Fiber often makes you feel full without having to eat excess calories.
  • Do not eat more than 4 eggs per week. Although they are a good source of protein and low in saturated fat, eggs are very high in cholesterol, and should be eaten in moderation for that reason.
  • Choose fresh fruit for desserts rather than cookies, cake, or pudding.
  • Cut down on salt, whether it be table salt, or flavor intensifiers that contain salt such as monosodium glutamate (MSG).
  • Too much of anything has its drawbacks, whether it be calories, or a particular type of food. A well-balanced diet with creativity and variety are best suited to your needs.

See also:

Ask a registered dietician to help you calculate the amount of calories your body needs.

Illustrations

Calories and fat per serving
Calories and fat per serving
Muscle cells vs. fat cells
Muscle cells vs. fat cells

Page Content:

Calories - diet ; 1200 calorie diet; low calorie diet; negative calorie diet; calorie diet; 1000 calorie diet; 1500 calorie diet; 2000 calorie diet; 1800 calorie diet; 1200 calorie diet plan; 1800 calorie diabetic diet; 1500 calorie diabetic diet; 1200 calorie diet menu; low calorie diet plan; 1200 calorie diabetic diet; 1400 calorie diet; 1000 calorie a day diet; very low calorie diet; high calorie diet; 1600 calorie diet; calorie counting diet; free negative calorie diet; 1500 calorie diet plan; 1200 calorie a day diet; 1800 calorie ada diet; free 1200 calorie diet; 1800 calorie diet plan; low calorie diet menu; 1000 calorie diet plan; 800 calorie diet; free 1200 calorie diet plan; 1300 calorie diet; restricted calorie diet; 1000 calorie diet menu; 2000 calorie diabetic diet; 1500 calorie diet menu; 500 calorie diet; free low calorie diet; 2000 calorie diet plan; calorie count diet; low calorie low fat diet; 1600 calorie diet plan; 1200 calorie diet recipe; negative calorie diet soup; reduced calorie diet; calorie restriction diet; 1500 calorie a day diet; low calorie diet food; free low calorie diet plan; low calorie diet recipe; 500 calorie a day diet; 1200 calorie ada diet; low carb low calorie diet; 1400 calorie diet menu; 1800 calorie diabetic diet plan; diet calorie counter; negative calorie diet recipe; 600 calorie diet; 1800 calorie diet menu; 1500 calorie diet plan for diabetics; 800 calorie a day diet; high protein low calorie diet; diet food and calorie; 2000 calorie ada diet; bacardi and diet coke calorie; a diet for 1200 calorie per day; 1200 calorie a day diet plan; sample 1200 calorie diet; 2000 calorie a day diet; 1400 calorie diet plan; low fat calorie diet; negative calorie diet food list; 2500 calorie diet; low fat high calorie diet; 2200 calorie diabetic diet; 1800 calorie diabetes diet; calorie controlled diet; 900 calorie diet; negative calorie diet food; 1600 calorie diabetic diet; calorie intake diet; 1000 calorie per day diet; 1500 calorie ada diet; 1500 calorie diabetic diet exchange; 1800 calorie diet loss weight; calorie diabetic diet; 1200 1400 calorie diet; 1100 calorie diet; 1800 calorie diabetic diet menu; 1200 calorie diet meal plan; calorie diet white wine; 1000 calorie diabetic diet; low carb diet 1200 calorie; 1200 calorie diet plan menu; sample diabetic diet 2000 calorie; negative calorie diet plan; calorie diet negative recipe soup; 2200 calorie diet; 3000 calorie diet; diet coke calorie; example of 1800 calorie diabetic diet