The calories appearing on food labels are different from the "calories" used in chemistry.
One Calorie with a capital (also called a food calorie or a kilogram calorie) is equal to 1000 calories (gram calorie).
In science, a calorie is the energy needed to raise the temperature of 1 gram of water through 1 °C
The important word to take away from this definition is ENERGY.
Calories are ENERGY that fuel our bodies
It takes an excess of3500 calories to gain 1 lb. of fat
If you consume one 12 oz Banana Milk Shake everyday, it could add 500 calories to your food consumption per day and in one week you would gain one pound. One day of overindulging does not cause instant weight gain.
While children are growing, rarely is calorie restriction indicated and only under strict medical and nutritional supervision for children with other health related problems. Overweight children are encouraged to meet with a Registered Dietitian to learn how to eat healthier while growing into their weight. As with most things in life, moderation is the key. Moderate caloric intake combined with moderate exercise will help you achieve and maintain your natural, healthy weight, and stay there. So remember: calories are our friends!
Flavia Herzog, MA, RD is a Registered Dietitian specializing in pediatric weight management and eating disorders as an associate with Nutrition Profiles; as well as coordinating two USDA funded Nutrition Curriculum grants through Einstein Medical Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
One Calorie with a capital (also called a food calorie or a kilogram calorie) is equal to 1000 calories (gram calorie).
In science, a calorie is the energy needed to raise the temperature of 1 gram of water through 1 °C
The important word to take away from this definition is ENERGY.
Calories are ENERGY that fuel our bodies
It takes an excess of
If you consume one 12 oz Banana Milk Shake everyday, it could add 500 calories to your food consumption per day and in one week you would gain one pound. One day of overindulging does not cause instant weight gain.
While children are growing, rarely is calorie restriction indicated and only under strict medical and nutritional supervision for children with other health related problems. Overweight children are encouraged to meet with a Registered Dietitian to learn how to eat healthier while growing into their weight. As with most things in life, moderation is the key. Moderate caloric intake combined with moderate exercise will help you achieve and maintain your natural, healthy weight, and stay there. So remember: calories are our friends!
Flavia Herzog, MA, RD is a Registered Dietitian specializing in pediatric weight management and eating disorders as an associate with Nutrition Profiles; as well as coordinating two USDA funded Nutrition Curriculum grants through Einstein Medical Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
