Is it Tomorrow Already?

Calorie; Either of two units of heat energy or The energy needed to raise the temperature of 1 gram of water through 1 °C.  Simply speaking, calories measure how many units of energy are found within the food we eat.  Fat has 9 calories per gram, protein has 4 calories per gram, carbohydrates (complex) have 4 calories per gram, alcohol has 7 calories per gram.   We measure how many quarts of oil go into our automobiles, how much detergent goes into our washing machines, how much starch we add to our ironing pile, how much bleach we put in our cleaning solutions; why not measure how many calories we consume?  Just as we take care of the appliances we depend on, so should we take care of our own personal human machines!

How many calories do you need to function?  Females: take your weight and multiply it by 100; that number represents how many calories your body needs to run that basal metabolism.  (Men, use 110 instead.)  Activity level dictates how many extra calories you need.  If you are on the move for more than four hours a day you would need about 500 extra calories.  Moderately active specimens need around 300.  Sedentary individuals only need about 200 extra calories.  If you are very active (runner, biker, swimmer, hiker, climber, mom-er, spelunker, farmer, laborer, etc.) you need to replace the calories you use during biking, spelunking or farming.  Count your calories and record your activity if you don't know what you spend or what you bank~  education is key.

I do not believe calories can measure health (nor can it measure the healthiness of a food).  Some health platforms use calories as a counting tools; all calories are equal.  I do not support or promote that belief.   I understand why the amount of calories matter and why it is important to know how many calories your body needs. But instead of believing calories measure of health, I believe food is the foundation and measurement of health.  If you are eating mostly calories from the wrong kind of fat and simple carbohydrates, you are not being nourished by your food.  Think of it this way:  If you are not eating enough nutrients, your body will starve no matter how many calories you eat.

So, eat real food.  Don't be afraid of naturally occurring fat or sugar, just be mindful of how much fat and sugar you ingest (natural or not).  Don't be put off by a plate full of vegetables, just choose the ones that look and taste good to you.  Don't avoid foods because they are high in calories, instead avoid foods that are low in nutrients.  Drink plenty of water, give your vitamins their vitamins, and, as always, remember to wash your hands.

Anna