What the heck, calories?
Calories are units of energy produced from food consumed. The value is different, depending on the type of food consumed. There is a greater calorific value or caloric value. Well, that's why we have to consume various types of food, so that our calorie needs are met.
What are calories for? So, calories are obtained from food consumption, will be used as energy for doing daily activities. The source of calories you use as energy doesn't only come from carbohydrates, fats and proteins. But also from vitamins and minerals that will help the metabolic processes in your body.
High calorie foods and 'empty' calories
Do you like it, do you eat food in fast food restaurants or snacks with high carbohydrate, fat and sugar content? Or do you often eat one type of food and drink that has a high caloric value? Yep, conscious or not, apparently you often eat this one food.
Several factors such as time, taste, packaging and attractive advertising are the reasons for you to choose this type of food. But you know, it turns out that this food is a type of junk food with 'empty' calories. Why is it empty? Because these foods have high caloric value, but the content of micronutrients (vitamins, minerals, amino acids and fiber) is low or even non-existent.
Empty calories are usually derived from foods that contain high fat and added sugar. The content of fat and added sugar in junk food , will make you addicted to consume it, because the combination of sugar and fat causes dopamine increases.
Increased consumption of sugar from these foods, will increase the risk of obesity, tooth decay, and type 2 diabetes mellitus. In addition, consumption of foods high in fat and excess salt will increase the risk of stroke, high blood pressure and heart attacks.
How do you deal with it?
Come on, start reducing and limit consumption from now on. Why? The low amount of micronutrient intake that is in high-calorie foods, will make you only get a little intake of micronutrients. It's a shame, if you eat foods that are high in calories, but they are used up for daily activities, and there are no micronutrients that enter the body to help the process of metabolism?
Start by eating a variety of foods, such as the principle of my dinner plate. One plate that contains 1/3 staple food (carbohydrate source), 1/3 vegetables, 1/6 side dishes (animal / vegetable), 1/6 fruit by limiting sugar, salt and oil intake. Don't forget to drink water and make it a habit to wash your hands before eating.
Remember, healthy friend, you can consume any kind of food as the number one message in balanced nutrition, with a condition to set the pattern of food consumption and nutrient intake that you need. Come on, stay healthy with a variety of food consumption!