A calorie is a unit of energy. Calories are commonly used to measure the amount of energy in food and beverages. Calories are essential for our bodies to function. They give us the fuel we need to stay active and think clearly. When we consume more calories than we need, our bodies store them as fat, which can lead to weight gain. On the other hand, when we consume fewer calories than we need, we can lose weight.

The most common way to measure calories is through the calories in food. Food labels list the amount of calories per serving size, and you can use this information to help you decide what to eat. Even though all calories are the same, just energy, where you get your calories from is a very important thing to consider. For example, a calorie from a sugary snack won’t provide the same nutritional value as one from a piece of fruit or a vegetable. Another way to measure calories is through physical activity. Exercise and other forms of physical activity burn calories, things like walking, running, sprints all have varying levels of caloric burn. Calories are an important part of our diet, but what are they really? A calorie is the amount of energy contained in the food that can be released when it is digested by your body. For example, a banana contains about 105 cal. Calories are used to measure the amount of energy that our bodies need to perform everyday activities. The amount of energy needed for each activity varies depending on your age, gender, and activity level. For example, a 20-year-old female may need around 2000 kcal per day to maintain her body weight, whereas an 80-year-old male may need around 2000 kcal per day to maintain his body weight.