A calorie count is the total amount of energy units in a serving of food. A calorie is a unit of energy. It is the amount of energy it takes to increase the temperature of a gram of water by 1 degree Celsius. The calories in the diet are required for cellular function. Counting calories helps a person maintain, lose or gain weight.
Count
The amount of calories in a food item is shown on the nutrition label of the product. Near the food nutrition information is the calorie count. This count will tell you how many calories are in the food per serving. Some food manufacturers have several servings in one container, so a 200 calorie item can add up to 1,000 calories if the serving sizes are high.
Diet
Calorie counting and diet go hand-in-hand. The body uses a certain amount of energy every day called the resting metabolic rate (RMR). The RMR is higher with people who are active and exercise. To lose weight, a dieter needs to count calories on food labels. The total number of calories for the day should be less than the RMR. This is the basic method a dieter loses weight. The calorie count can also be used to gain or maintain weight.
Exercise
A dieter who counts calories to lose weight should also incorporate exercise. Exercise allows the dieter to eat more while still losing weight. If the dieter burns off 300 calories in a daily workout, the calorie count for the day is 300 less than the total amount of calories eaten. Muscle also burns more energy than fat cells, so the RMR will be higher.
Time Frame
A calorie count regimen can help the dieter figure out how many pounds he will lose in a week. One pound of fat can equal 3,500 calories. According to Harvard Medical School, a healthy goal for weight loss each week is 1 to 2 lbs. It also states that cutting 500 to 1,000 calories from the total caloric intake for the day will help the dieter lose the weight and make weekly goals for fat loss.
Food
Vegetables are the best foods to cut calories and keep the body healthy. Vegetables like celery, tomatoes, broccoli, romaine lettuce, carrots and cauliflower are healthy ways to fill the body with the right nutrition while keeping the calorie count low. Fruits are also low in calories. Fruits are good for breakfast such as grapefruit or as a snack. Peaches, apricots, melons, grapes and apples are nutritious snacks.
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