Why calorie intake is important




















As people get older, they tend to get fewer of their daily calories from fast foods. Fast foods make up only 6 percent of the daily calorie intake of older adults. However, with the number of highly calorific meals served in restaurants or aimed at younger individuals, it is important that people pay close attention to where they get their calories.

Researchers at Tel Aviv University wrote in the journal Obesity that a large breakfast containing approximately kcal is ideal for losing weight and lowering the risk of diabetes , heart disease , and high cholesterol.

A large breakfast may help to control body weight. When people eat matters as much as what they eat. Empty calories are those that provide energy but very little nutritional value. The parts of food that provide empty calories contain virtually no dietary fiber, amino acids, antioxidants , dietary minerals, or vitamins.

According to ChooseMyPlate. Added sugars and solid fats are said to make foods and drinks more enjoyable. However, they also add many calories and are major contributors to obesity. Alcohol can also contribute empty calories to the diet. If beer is not your drink of choice, you can use this calorie calculator provided by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism to work out how many calories alcohol adds to your diet.

There are ways of sourcing products with less solid fat or empty sugars. Rather than choosing the standard hot dog or a fatty cheese, for example, a person could choose low-fat options for either. However, even the lower-fat options are no replacement for calories consumed from sources that also provide nutritional benefit. One recent study showed that drinking more than one sugar-sweetened beverage a day increases your risk of high blood pressure.

The intake of empty calories can be avoided or dramatically reduced by incorporating fresh, healthy food and drink into the diet. Calories seem to be linked only to weight gain and obesity, but they are vital for health. They only pose a health risk when people consume more than the recommended amount. When thinking about calories, you should not be considering just your diet but also your level of physical activity.

A high intake of calories can be countered with regular, high-intensity exercise. Consuming high-quality sources of macronutrients — for instance, essential-amino-acid-rich proteins, complex carbohydrates and heart-healthy fats — promotes optimal health, while the empty calories of alcohol can displace essential nutrients even though they provide you with energy. The proportion of calories you take in through the different macronutrients is as important as the absolute number of calories you consume.

Taking in more than you need can eventually lead to obesity, with an increased risk of cancer and metabolic disorders. She holds a sports medicine and human performance certificate from the University of Washington, as well as a Bachelor of Science in animal sciences from Purdue University.

By Jan Annigan Updated December 14, Related Articles. To lose weight, you need to use more energy than you consume, and continue this over a period of time. Get used to counting calories and use our calorie counter.

Find out how to make healthy changes to your diet and lose weight. If you need help losing weight, why not try the free NHS week weight loss plan.

Page last reviewed: 23 August Next review due: 23 August Understanding calories - Healthy weight Secondary navigation You and your weight Weight facts Hidden causes of weight gain 9 medical reasons for putting on weight How can I speed up my metabolism? The truth about carbs. Understanding calories Very low calorie diets Calorie checker. Find out your BMI. How to diet Start losing weight Top diets review 10 weight loss myths Keep weight off Should you lose weight fast?

How your GP can help you lose weight How to lose weight in a wheelchair Managing weight with a learning disability. What can I do if my child is very overweight? Underweight adults Underweight adults Keeping your weight up in later life. Underweight teen boys Underweight teen girls Supporting someone with an eating disorder. Underweight children aged 2 to 5 Underweight children aged 6 to Advice for parents of healthy-weight children. The amount of energy in an item of food or drink is measured in calories.

For an average woman, that figure is around 2,kcal 8,kJ a day. Check if you're a healthy weight by using our body mass index BMI calculator Calories and energy balance Our bodies need energy to keep us alive and our organs functioning normally.



0コメント

  • 1000 / 1000