Katelyn Heng
Feb 8, 2022
Calories are not the end all be all. Other factors come into play to give calories the value they hold.
What is a Calorie
Scientifically defined, a calorie is the energy needed to raise the temperature of 1 gram of water through 1 °C, or how much energy is being consumed or burned in an easier form. Your body needs calories to perform its daily functions and burns a set amount of calories every day based on your muscle mass, body composition, weight, and other biological factors.
Calories are the epitome of weight loss. Everyone knows that in order to lose weight you have to cut calories, eat less, and eat smaller portions but does this all really matter? In the past diet, culture has heavily relied on calorie counting, however, in more present years it has become a negative connotation that many nutritionists and dieticians do not recommend. Calorie counting can be very triggering for others who experience eating disorder symptoms or have an eating disorder. I truly believe that calorie counting is very unnecessary. Not all calories are created equal and how they are used by your body is very different from person to person.
More to it than a Calorie
100 calories may not seem like a lot but when it comes to picking out the right food choice it does matter. A medium apple is about 100 calories and so is about an ounce of plain potato chips. An apple is about 6 times bigger in portion compared to 1 ounce of potato chips even though they are the same amount of calories. Not only is there a size difference but a significant difference in nutritional value. Potato chips, usually deep-fried, are high in saturated fats, carbohydrates, and have little to no vitamins or fiber. Even though an apple is high in carbohydrates it includes vitamins such as Vitamin C, Calcium, Vitamin B6, and Magnesium. Apples are also a great source of fiber with about 4.4 grams and are low in unhealthy fats.
Highly processed foods, like potato chips, are easily broken down by the body which spikes insulin levels immediately. Insulin levels are one of the factors that control hunger and are released into the bloodstream when food is consumed. When insulin level spikes, glucose is also released into the bloodstream and can be stored as fat if not used by the body. Just as highly processed foods spike insulin levels it also lowers it quickly due to it being easily digested by the body, hence the name “processed foods”. This can cause hunger more frequently which then leads to eating more meals and more calories than is needed. The body needs a sufficient food supply that will give it the nutrients it needs rather large quantities of saturated fats and simple carbohydrates.
There are essential nutrients that the body needs such as vitamin B12, vitamin B6, fiber, and amino acids such as Valine. Many fast food items or processed foods do not contain many of these nutrients and vitamins. To obtain these nutrients focus on eating produce from different food groups and are differentiating in color. Having home-cooked meals from fresh produce will give the body a variety of foods to receive nutrients from and will keep you fuller longer. Raw foods such as apples and other vegetables are harder for the body to break down because they are fibrous. Fiber is helpful in aiding digestion but there is a fiber that the body cannot break down called insoluble fiber. Using the nutrients from vegetables, whole grains, and fruits are used by the body and regulates brain and body function.
Having a higher nutritional content in a meal aids in digestion and how it is processed. Eating processed foods on a daily basis will diminish bodily functions over time. Limiting processed foods and eating more whole meals will let the body have a proper fuel supply and nutrients that the body uses to keep the body functioning properly
All About Who You Are
Even though calories are not created equal your body is unique and plays a huge role in calorie intake. Those who have a faster metabolism and higher muscle mass can have a higher calorie intake than someone with a slower metabolism and lower muscle mass. Taking in how active you are and biological factors will help you understand the daily calories you need to fuel your body. Calories vary from person to person and even though one can eat a larger portion than another does not mean you should do the same. Eating a balanced meal with whole produce is always the best path and should be the main component in your calorie intake.