A Calorie is a Calorie

ngwehner
ngwehner Posts: 19
edited September 26 in Health and Weight Loss
There seems to be a great deal of concern on the board about "sugar" calories versus others calories, which I think is odd because a calorie is a calorie. Which leads me to believe that at least some people don't really understand what a calorie is. :smile: Calories and nutrients are separate, but both necessary, things.

A calorie is a unit of energy. It is the amount of energy required to raise the temperature of one gram of liquid water by 1 degree Celsius at standard air pressure. A dietary calorie (let's give it a capital C - Calorie), which is what we are all talking about and tracking, is technically a kilocalorie - for those who are metrically challenged 1000 calories as just defined.

A Calorie is a Calorie regardless on what food stuff it comes from. 100 Calories from a bowl of oatmeal will ultimately be used to give the body the same amount of energy as 100 Calories from pure processed sugar would. Note: Some simplification here in terms of how long to release that energy for use (critical in terms of diabetic potential), etc., but not significant in the overall process.

What really matters is that 100 Calories from pure processed sugar will give you energy and NOTHING else. That 100 Calories in the oatmeal, on the other hand, has all kinds of other nutrients coming along with it that your body needs to function properly. You know - vitamins, minerals, etc. So oatmeal is better for you than pure sugar NOT because the Calories are "different" somehow (other than how fast they are released), but because other nutrients are present.

That said, given different "healthy" foods that have simplier sugars, such as fruit, and those with complex sugars, which is what carbohydrates like you get in the oatmeal are, those with the complex sugars will release the energy to your body in the form of glucose (which gets broken down for its energy) more slowly. This gives a more even blood glucose level and keeps you feeling satisfied for longer.

In the end we need to be eating a MIX of healthy foods that will provide the energy and nutrients we need.

Replies

  • luv2ash
    luv2ash Posts: 1,903 Member
    I think it is far more important to look further than just the caloric content of any given food item. I want to know where the calories are coming from, so foods that I buy must pass my test...must be low in carb for the serving, low in fat, low in sodium, low in cholesterol, low in sugar. This pretty much leaves out everything - LOL. That is why fresh veggies and lean meat is what I eat mostly. I restrict my carbs to 100 g a day and my protein is 110 g a day.
  • donicagalek
    donicagalek Posts: 526
    That's like saying any combustible fuel is a good choice to throw in your car. X-D
  • Coyla
    Coyla Posts: 444 Member
    Absolutely, a calories IS a calorie, and anyone (healthy) can lose as long as the calories in are less than the calories out, even if you're eating Twinkies.

    http://www.cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/11/08/twinkie.diet.professor/index.html

    However, to feed our bodies properly, we need that mix of great nutrition: protein, fiber, calcium. We'll be less efficient and feel more hungry and have less energy if we eat Twinkies all day. And we'll be less healthy as well.

    That said, for those uptight about "clean" intake, as long as you can stick with it, go for it! I applaud you!

    But I'm in this for life, and with a very limited food budget, I have to be realistic. There's no way for me to eat 100% clean. It's not financially possible. Instead, I aim for mostly healthy options.
  • ngwehner
    ngwehner Posts: 19
    "That's like saying any combustible fuel is a good choice to throw in your car. X-D"

    Not at all. I'm saying that from the perspective of the amount of energy you will get from a "fuel", they are the same if they are equal in calories. But the good "high test" stuff is what ALSO has nutrients that you need. So, of course, oatmeal is better for you than pure sugar --- but not because the Calories are somehow different, which is what some people seem to think.
  • DianaPowerUp
    DianaPowerUp Posts: 518 Member
    I think it is far more important to look further than just the caloric content of any given food item. I want to know where the calories are coming from, so foods that I buy must pass my test...must be low in carb for the serving, low in fat, low in sodium, low in cholesterol, low in sugar. This pretty much leaves out everything - LOL. That is why fresh veggies and lean meat is what I eat mostly. I restrict my carbs to 100 g a day and my protein is 110 g a day.

    I agree. I do the same thing. A calorie is not just a calorie. That is a bit simplistic. Sure, you can lose weight by eating only Twinkies and Big Macs, as long as you eat only a certain amt. of calories/day. However, your body will hate you, b/c nothing that you're eating has any nutritional value to it.

    You are what you eat. You want to look like a Twinkie (skinny fat), then eat Twinkies, but only 1200 cal/day of them! If you want to have a strong, lean, healthy body, full of vitality, use those calories to eat veggies, protein, etc.
  • Newmammaluv
    Newmammaluv Posts: 379 Member
    To the OP THANK YOU for adding some science into the mix instead of layman nutritional jargon.

    I think the same difference would be when people say muscle weighs more than fat. It's trying to get people to use more percise language when speaking about the very scientific process of our bodies.
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