Calories

What are calories?

A calorie, or more strictly, a “kilocalorie,” is a measurement used to determine the energy content of food. The energy in food is provided by macronutrients, which vary in the number of calories they contain; one gram of carbohydrates and protein both provide 4 calories, while one gram of fat provides 9 calories! So, what happens to this energy in our bodies? If you’ve heard of the law of conservation of energy, it’s no surprise that a few things can happen. Either you burn the calories by using the energy they provide, or the energy is stored in the form of body mass.

How many calories do I need?

The number of calories you need in your daily diet is made up of three factors.

First, the amount of energy your body needs to function at rest is called your basal metabolic rate (BMR). This is the energy you need for basic life-sustaining functions like breathing, heartbeat, and regulating body temperature.

Second, the thermic effect of food (TEF) is the energy required to break down, digest, and absorb the food you eat. So yes, you are basically burning calories while eating!

Third, your energy needs are affected by activities of daily living (ADLs). These calories are needed to provide energy for daily activities. This is highly dependent on lifestyle and physical activity.