The formal definition of a calorie is the amount of energy released when your body breaks down food via digestion and absorption. The more calories a food product has, the more energy that food may provide to your body. Social media has skewed the mass perception of what a calorie really is by claiming products are either “good” or bad” based on their calorie content. However, calories are just energy for the body. No labeling needed. The body needs x amount of calories dependent on a person’s height, weight, physical activity level, etc. It is very individualized and dependent on a person’s lifestyle. Digging deeper into this, all calories are not created equal. Food products are not composed of just calories alone. The ingredients, the manufacturing process, and the environment of origin play a factor as well.
The idea is to look for the best options that will support you and your body. A 100 calories of candy and 100 calories of fruit can be compared. Both have the same content and both are delicious. However, they differ in nutritional content and one option may be better depending on what someone is looking for. For example, the candy bar may be higher in sugar, additives, and food coloring than the fruit. The fruit, on the other hand, has sugar as well but higher vitamin/fiber content. One option is tasty but not as filling and packed with vitamins as the other. This comparison can be applied when grocery shopping. Looking on the back of the package and seeing what a food product has in terms of fiber and vitamin content goes a long way. Less ingredients, whole grains, and high fiber/vitamin content are some things to take notice of.
