A calorie is defined as "the amount of energy required to raise one gram of water by one degree celsius." Simply stated, it is a unit of energy, more commonly referred to as food energy. Monitoring your caloric intake is an integral part of weight loss and maintaining a healthy body weight. Fat has 9 calories per gram, protein has 4 calories per gram, carbohydrates have 4 calories per gram and alcohol has 7 calories per gram. Fruits and vegetables contain essential vitamins, minerals that can help keep the body fit and strong. They also contain fiber which promotes digestive health. People who consume a generous amount of fruits and vegetables are likely to have a reduced risk of developing chronic diseases. Some of these diseases include stroke, certain cancers as well as cardiovascular diseases such as diabetes.
Find Sources
Step 1
Find reputable sources that provide accurate information on calorie counts. You can purchase books such as "The CalorieKing Calorie, Fat and Carbohydrate Counter" online or from your local bookstore. Online databases such as Mypyramid.gov provide information on serving sizes, portions and the number of calories found in different kinds of fruits and vegetables as well as other types of food.
Step 2
Be aware that calories may vary for the same food depending on how it is prepared. For example, an apple without the skin may have less calories than an apple with skin. Vegetables prepared in a soup may have more calories than vegetables that are prepared steamed.
Step 3
Use a food scale for accuracy. Not only will food scales such as Digiweigh and Newline weigh your food, but they will also tell you the number of calories in each portion.
Things You'll Need
- Food scale
References
- USDA: MyPyramid.gov
- "The CalorieKing Calorie, Fat and Carbohydrate Counter"; Allan Borushek; 2010
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