When it comes to healthy eating, calories are an essential part of the discussion, but how do calories impact your health? We all know we are supposed to limit calories but how much and why?
Calories are the energy our bodies use throughout the day. The more calories you use, the more you need to take in to maintain a healthy energy balance and maintain your current weight. If you are trying to lose weight, you reduce your calorie intake. If you are trying to gain weight, you increase it. Knowing how many calories you need is more complicated.
Several things can impact your caloric needs, including your gender, physical activity, age, height, weight, and more. On average, women need 2,000 calories, and men need 2,500 calories to maintain weight. When you take in more calories than your body needs, it stores it as body fat.
Your body needs at least these six nutrients to stay healthy: fats, proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, and water. Most of the calories come from fats, proteins, and carbohydrates. While managing your weight can be done by changing the number of calories you eat, it is also better to get your calories from healthy foods and reduce the amount of high-calorie, low-nutrition foods in your diet. Exercise is the best way to increase the difference between the calories you eat and burn.
Fresh fruits and vegetables tend to have lower calorie counts and are better for your health. You can also reduce your calorie intake by swapping out sweet, flavored drinks with water, which is calorie-free. You should consult a healthcare professional before making any significant diet changes.
No matter how you plan to improve where your calories come from or how many calories you are getting, working toward your goal in small steps can make things more manageable.
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