(Please note, these tidbits are intended to spark thought and conversation and are by no means all-encompassing)
Did You Know…
All calories are not created equal.
If you’ve tried to lose weight, you’ve probably heard the math that 3500 calories equal a pound. So if you eat 500 calories less per day, you lose a pound a week. Right? Well, sort of. Ever notice that you can eat 300 calories of peanut butter and oatmeal and make it to lunch just fine, but you eat 300 calories of donut and you’re starving in an hour? The nutrient content has a lot to do with. Things like fiber and protein are more satiating- that is, they help keep you full longer by slowing digestion. Essentially, the food stays in your stomach longer, so you don’t feel hungry as soon.
But there’s even more to it than that. Under the theory that a calorie is a calorie is a calorie no matter where it comes from, you would lose the same amount of weight eating 2,000 calories of sugar, cake, and cookies as you would eating 2,000 calories of broccoli, beans, and almonds. But that’s not the case! Doesn’t make any sense right? Well, if you think about how the body processes food, it starts to become a little more clear. The body is very good at digesting simple sugars. They provide immediate energy, and the body needs to be able to use that energy right after consumption. It’s a little more involved to break down fats and proteins. The method of breaking down these nutrients actually uses calories in the process. It’s called the “thermic effect of food”. Granted it’s not a ton of calories, but it does add to your overall metabolic rate- or how many calories you burn without doing anything. This is one of the many reasons why including healthy fats and protein is important!
No wonder my teachers said I was bad at math; 1+1 doesn’t always equal 1!
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{ 15 comments… read them below or chime in }
Love the DYKT! Many people don’t realize that it’s also about the quality of cals not just the number itself. Awesome job!
i put pb in my oats for the first time last night. i don’t think i added enough because when i mixed it in it melted and disappeared! i could taste a hint of it but i was a bit disappointed haha.
and i go back and forth with the calorie = calorie thing. i can convince myself of either side and then confuse myself hah
I leave all the PB on top so I can make sure I get some in each spoonful…that way you can definitely taste it
I think doing a DYKTues is an awesome idea! Can’t wait to hear what you’ll talk about next week!
Ohhh…and you’re right on about how the nutritional content of food is important. I can eat a bowl of cereal for breakfast and be starving by 10. OR, I can eat a bowl of oatmeal and be satisfied all morning!
Yay for DYKT!!! I’m really going to enjoy these segments!
Great thing to point out. A lot of people forget this very important bit of information.
Whole foods always stick with me longer than the refined processed stuff
What a great post with tons of information! I am going to have to go back to your earlier posts and continue reading:)
That is so so true!!!! If you eat a lot of junk vs. a lot of food that is good for you with the same amount of calories, you can still gain weight. But most importantly, you will be EXTREMELY less healthy and your body will suffer. There really is a difference between healthy calories and not so healthy calories.
Good post
I “discovered” a new kind of peanut butter and think you should try it out!
http://www.glucoholic.com/2009/06/29/trader-joes-valencia-peanut-butter-with-roasted-flaxseeds/
Seriously rocking the world of my oatmeal and random dipping (because what isn’t made better by dipping in pb?)!
oooo PB with roasted flaxseeds? That sounds awesome!! Too bad the only trader joe’s is an hour and a half away!
I never get tired of oats either! Interesting facts about the calories. It makes a lot of sense — like you can eat a 250 calorie candy bar and be hungry 30 minutes later, but a 250 calorie salad keeps you full for hours.
Love this post, girl! Thanks for sharing!
I have the same attitude
I think in terms of energy, yes- a calorie is a calorie. But in terms of what your body absorbs and decided what to do with that calorie is not always constant!
Thanks for the tip!!!