Counting Calories

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People today seem to be so consumed with counting calories that they completely overlook the most important issue when it comes to eating…the ingredients!


Simply put, a calorie is a unit of measurement for heat. The calorie we all see cited on nutrition labels is the amount of heat required to raise 1 kilogram of water by 1 degree Celsius.

This theory does not translate well to the human body. Instead of heat, our bodies run on chemical energy fueled by the oxidation of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. Calories from protein will burn faster and easier than calories from fat and carbohydrates. Depending on your body type, carbs will burn faster and slightly easier than fats. However, carbs and fats provide us with the most potential energy; therefore, they are both essential parts of our diet. Eating a healthy source of protein with every meal and before you exercise will increase the amount of calories you burn throughout the day. If you are going to cheat on a diet, it is a good idea to consume a healthy source of protein just before you eat that cheat snack or drink. Because we digest proteins before fats or carbs, eating a source of protein just before that slice of cake will kick start your metabolism and continue through right into that cheat snack.

Remember, if you are trying to lose weight…80% of your success comes from nutrition and 20% comes from exercise.

The most important thing to do when trying to lose weight is to read food labels! Losing weight is not that difficult. First, cut sugar out of your diet. If you are motivated enough, then you will do this. Second, avoid large meals toward the end of your day. Breakfast should be your biggest meal simply because you require the most energy toward the beginning of your day. Eat a healthy and lean source of protein with every meal. Eat lots of fruits and vegetables, preferably raw. Eat when you are hungry! Do not starve yourself. If you are hungry, eat something that will fill you, but make sure it is healthy. Last but not least, you have to exercise. Raising your heart rate increases the rate of many bodily functions, including your metabolism. Increasing the rate of your metabolism will ultimately increase the rate you will burn excess fat.

We hope you have learned a thing or two about calories and are now aware of the dangers of misleading food labels. Stick to these tips we have provided for you, and I am positive that you will lose those extra pounds that you have be dying to get rid of.