What are calories?

So everyone bangs on about calories, but just what are these pesky things that everybody need and consumes.

In layman terms a calorie is a measure of energy, it is the amount of energy it takes to heat 1gram of water 1 degree nothing more, the same as a mile is a measure of distance. A mile is a mile whether it is on grass, roads, uphill or downhill, in the same way a calorie is a calorie regardless of whether it comes in a Carbohydrate, Fat protein or alcohol.

Now what makes a mile harder to walk, run, jog or crawl are the factors above, Carbs, fat protein and alcohol are used differently in the body and contain a different amount of calories per gram of whatever food they are in, this doesn’t take away the fact that regardless of where that calorie comes from it will always be a calorie.

All foods are made up of Macronutrients, these are mentioned above and as I say have a different calorific value per gram of what ever food they are in. There are three macronutrients and we are not recognising a forth in alcohol, mainly due to the increase in data and the fact that there are calories in them – quite a lot.

Carbs (bread, rice, beans, potatoes, pasta, Fruit & Veg) = 4cal per 1 1gram

Protein = (Meat, Fish, low fat Dairy, Tofu) 4cal per 1 gram

Fat (Milk, Cheese, butter, oils) = 9cal per 1 gram

Alcohol (oh I am sure you know) = 7cal per 1 gram

Carbohydrates are the body’s preferred source of energy as they are the easiest for them to burn, especially when doing more intense workouts like HIIT, Boxing, Running etc. they also tend to include fibre and that something the majority of people need to get more of)  

Fat is the body preferred source of energy when performing lower intensity exercises like walking and moving around in general. It also supports cell growth and keeps you blood pressure and cholesterol under control. It also helps absorb vitamins from the foods you eat.

Protein is used to maintain and build muscle and bones as well as making hormones.

Alcohol as I said is not a macronutrient, it is an energy source, I bring this in as it is very easy to consume and the calories (energy) you get from it will always be used first, delaying the body using any of the above as it literally cannot do anything else with it.

So when people talk about ‘good calories’ &’ Bad Calories’ remember, there is no such thing. There are just more calorific foods, or foods that are easier to eat and that won’t necessarily fill you up as much, this does not make them bad, you just need to understand that eating them will cut into the number of calories you need for the day (remember TDEE).

That’s is, there is a lot of people out there, mainly on socials trying to convince you that calories are different and you should avoid this or that, it simply is not the case.