In order for automobiles to move they burn gasoline to produce energy. In order for your body to move it burns (metabolizes) food to produce energy in the form of heat. This heat warms your body and powers every move you make. The amount of heat produced by metabolizing food is measured in units called kilocalories. A kilocalorie is the amount of energy it takes to raise a temperature of 1 kilogram of water , 1 degree on a Centigrade thermometer at sea level.

In common usage, the word calorie is often substituted for kilocalorie. Although this information isn't scientifically accurate. Scientifically speaking, a calorie is really 1/1000 of a kilocalorie. But because the word calorie is easier to say and remember, that's the term you see when you read about energy in food.

Counting Calories in Our Food

When you read about a serving of food, let's say one banana that has 105 calories, that means metabolizing that banana produces 105 calories of heat that your body can use for work. Do you ever wonder what kinds of foods have the most calories?

The amount of calories in 1 gram of food:
Protein: 4 Calories
Carbohydrates: 4 Calories
Fat: 7 Calories
Alcohol: 9 Calories

Basically, ounce for ounce proteins and carbohydrates give you fewer than half as many calories as fat. That is why high fat foods are higher in calories, while low fat foods are not. Sometimes foods that seem to be equally low calorie really are not. You need to pay attention to detail, specifically the amount of protein and carbohydrates. For instance, chicken breast and hamburger are both high in protein. You would assume that both should have the same number of calories per ounce. But if the chicken is without its skin, it contains very little fat while the hamburger is full of it. A 3 ounce serving of chicken breast is about 140 calories, while a 3 ounce burger is about 230 to 245 calories.

James has been a nutritionist for 18 years. Visit his website on rubber car mats that reviews automotive products such as cheap car mats for your car.

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