Why the Calorie Is Broken

2/18/2016

This article explains why the concept of a calorie as a unit of energy for food is flawed. It discusses how the traditional method of measuring calories in food, using a bomb calorimeter, overestimates the energy content that our bodies can actually extract. The article also addresses the variation in how different individuals process and metabolize calories, making it difficult to accurately determine the exact impact of calories on weight gain or loss. It suggests that focusing solely on calorie counting may not be an effective approach to managing our diets and maintaining a healthy weight. The article also touches upon other factors that contribute to weight regulation, such as the thermic effect of food and the role of macronutrients. In summary, the article argues that the traditional notion of a calorie as a fixed unit of energy is oversimplified and does not fully capture the complexity of how our bodies process food.

caloric intake ꞏ nutrition ꞏ dieting ꞏ food science ꞏ calorie counting ꞏ health and wellness ꞏ metabolism ꞏ weight loss ꞏ weight management ꞏ energy balance ꞏ food industry ꞏ food labeling ꞏ nutrition facts ꞏ calorie measurement ꞏ dietary guidelines ꞏ obesity ꞏ body weight ꞏ diet culture ꞏ calorie myths ꞏ calorie estimation ꞏ calorie restriction ꞏ dieting trends ꞏ calorie misconceptions ꞏ diet and nutrition ꞏ food marketing ꞏ food packaging ꞏ nutritional labeling ꞏ eating habits ꞏ portion control ꞏ diet industry ꞏ empty calories ꞏ nutritional science ꞏ calorie expenditure ꞏ energy expenditure ꞏ food consumption ꞏ diet psychology ꞏ food trends ꞏ food culture ꞏ weight gain ꞏ weight maintenance ꞏ diet myths ꞏ healthy eating ꞏ eating disorders ꞏ body composition ꞏ macronutrients ꞏ micronutrients