Recognizing Calories as the Key to a He althy Weight

Calorie is a value that shows the amount of energy obtained from food and drink. Meeting the daily calorie needs is very important so that you can perform various activities, besides of course so that the functions and processes in your body run well

The calories obtained from food and drinks will be converted into energy through metabolic processes. The energy will be used to support the performance and function of various organs of the body. The rest of the calories that are not converted into energy will be stored in the body as fat.

That is why eating high-calorie foods can increase weight if not accompanied by regular physical activity or exercise.

How to Calculate Daily Calorie Needs

The number of calories needed for each person is different, depending on gender, age, height and weight, and body metabolism. The average adult male needs around 2,000–2,650 calories per day, while adult women need about 1,800–2,250 calories daily.

The recommended calorie intake above is an estimate of the calorie needs for he althy people with light physical activity levels, such as office workers.

In people who suffer from certain diseases, such as diabetes, cancer, metabolic syndrome, heart disease, and malnutrition, or people who have high physical activity, such as athletes, the calculation of the number of calories needed can be different from that of he althy people.

Therefore, it is necessary to check and calculate the amount of calorie intake by a nutritionist in that group.

Source of Calories in Food

One serving of certain foods can have a different number of calories from other food portions. The calories in these foods and drinks come from the various nutrients in them, such as carbohydrates, proteins, and fats.

Each nutrient has a different number of calories, for example, 1 gram of fat contains about 9 calories, while 1 gram of carbohydrates and protein contains 4 calories on average.

From the explanation above, it can be understood that high-fat foods have more calories than low-fat foods.

When consuming packaged food or drinks, the calorie label is usually printed on the back of the package. This calorie table can be used to make sure that you are not consuming too much or not eating enough calories.

Risks of Excess and Lack of Calories for He alth

The daily intake of calories is important in sufficient quantities, no more and no less. The reason is, excess or lack of calories can both cause he alth problems.

Some he alth problems that arise due to excess calories, including:

• Obesity
• High blood pressure
• Heart disease
• Stroke

On the other hand, some problems that arise due to lack of calories include:

• Body gets tired easily
• underweight or malnourished
• Immunity decreased
• Fertility disturbed
• Decreased bone density

Keep in mind that everyone's calorie intake is different. Calculation of the number of calories in he althy people can be different from people who suffer from certain diseases.

If you want to know the number of calories your body needs, especially if you have certain medical conditions, you should consult a doctor directly.