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Everyone needs to consume calories in food in order to function. Different foods have different amounts of calories depending on how many grams of protein, fat and carbohydrates they contain.
Definition
According to Merriam-Webster, a calorie is "an amount of food having an energy-producing value of one large calorie." A large calorie is the amount of energy needed to raise the temperature of one kilogram of water one degree Celsius.
Use
According to KidsHealth.org, the body uses calories for energy. When you consume more calories than your body needs, they are turned into fat.
Calories in Food
Foods high in fat contain more calories than low-fat foods. According to KidsHealth.org, one gram of carbohydrates and protein contain four calories each while a gram of fat contains nine calories.
Calories per Day
The number of calories you should consume each day depends on your current weight and activity level, and if you want to maintain your current weight or lose weight. According to the American Cancer Society, you need to eat 500 fewer calories per day than you need to maintain your current weight in order to lose one pound per week.
Burning Calories
Although the body uses a certain amount of calories for basic functions such as breathing, you can burn additional calories through exercise. According to the American Cancer Association, a 150-pound person can burn 675 calories per hour jogging or 603 calories per hour swimming.
Source:
Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary: Calorie
KidsHealth.org: Learning About Calories
American Cancer Society: Calorie Counter
Resource:
NutritionData
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