Calorie, No Longer a Swear Word.

Seriously though, let’s take the word calorie off our naughty list.

‘Calorie’, a word many of us cringe at the very sound of. Many of us tend to reach for the low calorie option, and while calorie monitoring has it’s place in losing weight, there is a real difference between LOW calorie and HEALTHY eating.

Let’s break it down:

First off, the word calorie by definition is a the unit of energy needed to raise temperature 1 gram of water 1 degree of centigrade. Calories are a unit of energy used to fuel our active bodies. So we can very simply say: more calories = more fuel, less calories = less fuel. Some people will use more, others will use less, dependent upon different bodily genetics and daily activities. You can measure you ideal amount of daily caloric intake here (or I use fitbit).

Now, if we don’t use that fuel, it will get converted to our long term fuel storage system….fat. So you need add activity into the equation when thinking about how much fuel you should put into your tank (aka you’re stomach). If you’re highly active you’re going to need more calories, if you’re not so much, then fewer calories will do the trick. The goal is to eat enough calories to sustain your daily activity, but not have a major excess that does not get used or it will be stored away for emergency (aka fat).

Next, choosing the food that gives you the best balance of calories and nutrition. Some food can be low calorie, but can have very little nutritional value (ie. skinny brownies! .__.) , the same way some high calorie food can be (ie. chicken wings). Some of the best foods for you, such as avocados, are high in calories but the nutritional benefits actually help you achieve your health and fitness goals. The best way to explain this is through examples.

Avocados….and other good fats. Fats (the other “bad” word) are high in calories and usually deemed off limits due to this fact. However, fats like avocados are extremely good for you because they are so nutrient dense. They help lower heart disease, help to stabilize your cholesterol and keep you feeling fuller for longer (which means you’ll want to eat less in over the long hall).

Whole grain Bread 120 Calories a slice vs. 45 Calorie Basic Bitch Sliced Bread

Dave’s Whole Grain Bread comes in at double the amount of calories for one slice, but it’s made with real whole grains and seeds, with 5 grams of protein and fiber, and 2.6 g of Omega-3 fatty acids. Your basic sliced low calorie bread presents at a meager 1-2 grams of protein and a whopping list of ingredients you can’t pronounce. You’d have to eat 3x the amount just to get some of the nutrients you need plus the added chemicals! (Yes I am an avid carb eater….and I’ll tell you why in a future post!)

Lastly, it’s important to remember balance with food of all caloric measures. It’s important to be mindful when eating whether you count calories or not. Pick nutrient dense foods first and then sort calories accordingly. Let’s face it, you can have that one slice of pizza and be hungry or you can choose a whole grain chicken pasta dish with lots of veggies and be way more satisfied. With a healthy balance of high calorie healthy fats, low calorie veggies and fruits, and a mix of nutritious carbs and proteins, you can meet your daily caloric values with ease.

To Sum it up:

Calories are your fuel, make sure sure you are eating the correct amount to sustain your lifestyle. Don’t shy away from nutrient dense foods just because they are higher in calories, they’re what give you the energy to get through your day! And remember, balance is everything, everything is great in moderation!

Please let me know if you have any questions or comments! You can contact me at lifeapothecary@gmail.com. I’d love to elaborate or clarify anything to help you on your health and fitness journey!

#calories #food #swear #fitness #health