For years, we’ve been told consuming too many calories leads to weight gain. While this is certainly true to an extent, there’s much more to it than that. In an ideal world, it would be that simple.
Unfortunately, our bodies aren’t so simplistic that an equation like this (fewer calories = fewer pounds of weight) will work to help you meet your fitness goals. Let’s take a closer look at this issue.
Are All Calories Created Equal?
Counting calories without considering the source of those calories to lose weight is like repeatedly slamming into a road block on the path to success. This is because all calories are definitely not created equal.
Think about candy versus nuts, for example. Maybe one small piece of candy has the same amount of calories as a handful of roasted peanuts, so you think you can get away with snacking on some chocolate without hurting your weight loss efforts. But the nutritional value between the two choices is very different. The candy provides no nutrients or health benefits, while the almonds supply you with protein and energy.
Why Isn’t Cutting Calories Alone Enough?
Weight loss is about spending more calories than you consume, right? On the most basic level, yes. But to really understand how this concept works, you have to consider the varying components of caloric expenditure — in other words, the different ways your body uses calories.
How Your Body Spends Calories
This is what it all boils down to — how your body processes calories from different sources. There are three basic components: resting energy expenditure, thermic effect of food, and active energy expenditure. Let’s break these down.
- Resting energy expenditure: The energy it takes for your body to perform basic physiological functions.
- Thermic effect of food: The energy required to digest different foods and process various nutrients.
- Active energy expenditure: The energy your body uses during movements.
The different ways our bodies burn calories is where the entire “calories in/calories out” weight loss concept crashes and...well, burns. You must consider not only your activity level but also the thermic effect of the foods you consume.
For example, it takes more energy for your body to process and digest whole foods than it does processed foods. This means a whole-food item with the same amount of calories as one that’s processed will actually cause your body to burn more calories, which ultimately leads to more significant weight loss.
What’s The Best Way To Lose Weight?
Going off what we’ve discussed here, losing weight is more about the quality of food you’re putting into your body than simply the amount of calories. Here are a few tips to keep in mind:
- Eat whole, unprocessed foods whenever possible
- Avoid empty-calorie snacks, like candy and chips
- Eat more vegetables, fruits, and protein
- Exercise regularly
When you’re ready to learn more about losing weight or getting healthy, give the pros at Matrix Age Management a call.
