In the beginning of your journey to a healthy life you now probably notice things more that previously seemed unimportant. You may think to yourself why do we need the nutrition facts label and what are calories? To progress to a healthier lifestyle there are some foundational terminology and definitions that you should know.

2. So… Really… What are Calories

3. Scientific Definition
Calorie - the quantity of heat needed to raise
the temperature of 1kg (kilogram) of water from
0 to 1⁰C.

4. Are You Confused?
So was I after reading the scientific definition of
the calorie…
How does that definition relate to my body
when I eat food?

5. History of Calorie
Well… It all began with Wilbur Olin Atwater.
He made ground breaking research in human
nutrition.

6. So what does Olin have to do with the
Calorie?

7. The United States began using the Calorie
only after Atwater’s use of it in his work in
1887. The most interesting part is that the
only reason Atwater adopted the term
“Calorie” is because it was the ONLY
energy unit in the English dictionary.

8. Current Units of Energy
 Joule
 kilocalorie
 calorie (the “c” is lower case and is
used pertaining to chemistry and
physics)

9. What is even more interesting is
that the Calorie seen on the
American nutrition facts label is
actually measured in kilocalories
even though the label plainly
states Calorie (1 kilocalorie =
1,000 Calories).

10. Nutritional Definition
of the Calorie
The chemical energy stored in foods.
Basically the Calorie represents the energy
used by the cells of your body to allow it to
function. When this energy is used heat is
released thus the connection to our initial
definition of the Calorie.

11. 3 sources of Calories
1 g Carbohydrates = 4 Calories
1 g Protein = 4 Calories
1 g Fat = 9 Calories

12. How are calories related to weight
1 Pound (lb) = 3,500 Calories
In Weight
Every extra 3,500 Calories stored in your body will
cause you to gain one pound.
In Weight
Retrospectively if you lose 3,500 Calories you
will lose one pound.

13. And what about Empty Calories…
are calories but
DEF: Empty Caloriesnutritional value.this type of
calorie has no
Examples
Cakes
Pastries
Candies
Sodas
Energy Drinks
Ice Cream
And Many More

14. Take Home Message
Calories are your friend so do run from them
embrace them. They are the reason we live.
When people go on very restrictive diets they
are going completely against the natural way of
life. Calories are a source of energy for our body!
Love your calories but do not abuse them by
having to many of them.

15. For the Full Article
Click here:
Living Healthy for Beginners | What are
Calories

16. Further Reading
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The Minimalist Guide to Healthy Eating | Nutrition Facts Label
Top 10 Tips to Lose Weight | Weight Loss Help
Burrito Recipe- Heart Healthy Recipe
Simple. Live Healthy Services
http://www.simplelivehealthy.com/