What Are Calories?
Calories are the units of energy your body gets from food and drinks. Everything you eat — from fruits to fries — contains calories.
Your body uses this energy to breathe, think, walk, digest food, and even sleep.
Think of calories as the fuel that keeps your body’s engine running — just like gas powers a car.
⚙️ How Calories Work
When you eat, your body breaks food into nutrients (carbohydrates, fats, and proteins).
Each nutrient provides calories:
- 🥖 Carbohydrates: 4 calories per gram
- 🍗 Protein: 4 calories per gram
- 🧈 Fat: 9 calories per gram
Your body uses these calories for movement, repair, growth, and warmth.
If you eat more calories than your body needs, it stores the extra energy as fat.
If you eat fewer calories, your body uses stored fat for energy — that’s how weight loss happens.
⚖️ Finding the Right Balance
Your calorie needs depend on:
- Age 👶👩🦳
- Gender
- Activity level
- Metabolism
For most adults, the average daily need ranges from 1,800–2,500 calories, but it varies.
Eating the right amount of calories — not too much, not too little — helps you stay strong, alert, and healthy.
🥗 Healthy Calorie Sources
Not all calories are equal. Choose foods that nourish your body, not just fill it up.
✅ Good sources: fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, nuts, and healthy oils.
❌ Limit: sugary drinks, fried snacks, and heavily processed foods.
Fun Fact 🌟
Your brain alone uses about 20% of your daily calories — even when you’re just thinking or resting!