are all calories equal?

VUA21

Thermodynamically, yes. A calorie is a measurable unit of energy. What isn't the same is the source of the calories - protiens, salts, glucose, and so forth. The various chemicals that make up everything that we put into our bodies is where we see the differences. Our organs require different chemicals in order to function properly, the CNS requires various salts (among other things), particularly chlorides and potassium or our neurons will slowly stop firing (brain shuts down). Muscles require other chemicals in order to function. And so forth.

amusedmonkey

VUA21 wrote: »

Thermodynamically, yes. A calorie is a measurable unit of energy. What isn't the same is the source of the calories - protiens, salts, glucose, and so forth. The various chemicals that make up everything that we put into our bodies is where we see the differences. Our organs require different chemicals in order to function properly, the CNS requires various salts (among other things), particularly chlorides and potassium or our neurons will slowly stop firing (brain shuts down). Muscles require other chemicals in order to function. And so forth.

Yet what some people don't realize is that you don't have to bend over backward and stress over every morsel to get enough of most these chemicals, a reasonable balanced diet is more than enough and majoring in minors or being deathly afraid of certain foods is not necessary or even productive.

stevencloser

VUA21 wrote: »

Thermodynamically, yes. A calorie is a measurable unit of energy. What isn't the same is the source of the calories - protiens, salts, glucose, and so forth. The various chemicals that make up everything that we put into our bodies is where we see the differences. Our organs require different chemicals in order to function properly, the CNS requires various salts (among other things), particularly chlorides and potassium or our neurons will slowly stop firing (brain shuts down). Muscles require other chemicals in order to function. And so forth.

Salts don't have calories.

NovusDies

amusedmonkey wrote: »

Yet what some people don't realize is that you don't have to bend over backward and stress over every morsel to get enough of most these chemicals, a reasonable balanced diet is more than enough and majoring in minors or being deathly afraid of certain foods is not necessary or even productive.

Dieting is one of those things that seems to suffer from too much information. Some people are getting so anxious about nutrition because they fear this or that is happening. Humans have managed to survive on this planet without tracking macros, nutrients, or water for a very long time. The human body is usually quite resilient. The biggest thing we need to provide ourselves is fuel and oddly enough I see so many threads with people undereating because they are worried about nutrition so they eat "healthy" until they have no more appetite and that is backwards.

AnvilHead

NovusDies wrote: »

amusedmonkey wrote: »

Yet what some people don't realize is that you don't have to bend over backward and stress over every morsel to get enough of most these chemicals, a reasonable balanced diet is more than enough and majoring in minors or being deathly afraid of certain foods is not necessary or even productive.

Dieting is one of those things that seems to suffer from too much information. Some people are getting so anxious about nutrition because they fear this or that is happening. Humans have managed to survive on this planet without tracking macros, nutrients, or water for a very long time. The human body is usually quite resilient. The biggest thing we need to provide ourselves is fuel and oddly enough I see so many threads with people undereating because they are worried about nutrition so they eat "healthy" until they have no more appetite and that is backwards.

More like it's one of those things that suffers from too much misinformation. The diet industry makes billions of dollars convincing people that they're missing something in their lives and need supplements, diet programs, etc. to succeed and be healthy.

CarvedTones

AnvilHead wrote: »

NovusDies wrote: »

amusedmonkey wrote: »

Yet what some people don't realize is that you don't have to bend over backward and stress over every morsel to get enough of most these chemicals, a reasonable balanced diet is more than enough and majoring in minors or being deathly afraid of certain foods is not necessary or even productive.

Dieting is one of those things that seems to suffer from too much information. Some people are getting so anxious about nutrition because they fear this or that is happening. Humans have managed to survive on this planet without tracking macros, nutrients, or water for a very long time. The human body is usually quite resilient. The biggest thing we need to provide ourselves is fuel and oddly enough I see so many threads with people undereating because they are worried about nutrition so they eat "healthy" until they have no more appetite and that is backwards.

More like it's one of those things that suffers from too much misinformation. The diet industry makes billions of dollars convincing people that they're missing something in their lives and need supplements, diet programs, etc. to succeed and be healthy.

I have a whole box full of magic bullets.

I wanted so badly to believe I could do this with less effort. Turns out all you have to do is be diligent and patient...