What Are Calories?

Two of the most common aspects of nutrition that people are looking at under a microscope these days are carbohydrates and calories. Each of these are necessary to maintain proper health, but each also has the potential to cause a variety of problems when people do not understand what they are, how they work, and how they affect your health and nutrition. So, first let's begin by answering the question, "What are calories, exactly?"

Calories are a unit of measure for how much energy is in a food. When we eat something, our body derives energy from a variety of sources, including carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. Each of these energy sources has a different number of calories, and some are healthier for you than others.

A simple breakdown of what calories are in which source includes:

As you can see, calories are a numbers game. Throughout the day, you burn calories (energy) from just being alive and breathing. Depending on size, fitness, and activity level, the average person must intake 1200 calories a day to maintain whatever weight they are at, because that is the average amount of calories burned by a person on a daily basis who lives a sedentary (non-active) lifestyle. However, since most people are up and moving around during the day, it usually requires between 2300-2500 for a fit, healthy person to maintain their weight. If you want to lose weight, it is a simple matter of burning more calories than you consume (3500 calories = 1 pound of fat). This is where calorie counting and being aware of what you eat can become extremely important for people who are trying to lose weight in a healthy manner.

However, everyone requires different caloric intakes due to factors such as size, weight, gender, and activity levels, so it is important to consult with your doctor for more information on what calories are and what a healthy amount is for you and your unique needs.