You've probably heard of calories, but what is a calorie and why is it helpful to understand it?
Calories are a unit of energy. They measure how much energy is in a food or drink. Calories come from a variety of fuel sources called “macronutrients." Macronutrients provide our body with the energy to function at its best. These macronutrients are:
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Carbohydrates
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Protein
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Fat
We will go into more detail in future videos about each of these nutrients. Making sure to consume the appropriate mixture of macronutrients will help your body to function at its best. Just like selecting the right fuel for your car, it’s important to consistently choose the best fuel for your body.
What should I know about daily calorie needs? The number of calories you need will vary based on:
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Age
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Gender
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Activity Level
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Height
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Weight
The daily recommended intake (DRI) provides guidance on the recommended energy intake based on these factors.
When reading the Nutrition Facts label keep in mind the percentages are based on a 2000 calories per day diet. This means the daily value of each nutrient listed on the label will be based on that 2000 calorie-a-day guideline.
To determine your personal calorie needs, you can click the following link to go to the USDA's daily recommended intake (DRI) calculator: Daily Recommended Intake Calculator
Once you know the amount of calories you need throughout the day, you can read the food label as guidance to track your calories.