The definition of a calorie and what 1 calorie is equal to largely depends on which discipline you are evaluating. According to thermodynamics, 1 Calorie is equal to the amount of energy required to raise the temperature of one gram of water by one degree Celsius.

So, in specific, thermodynamics defines a calorie as a unit of energy. Hence, it is approximately calculated as 4.2 joules. But when you ask the question, “1 calorie is equal to”, more than often, you aren’t addressing the thermodynamic concept of calorie. Instead, you are looking at the biological concept of calories.

So, to answer your question, it is only possible to define what 1 calorie amounts to from the biological perspective by knowing the source of that calorie. Hence, if 1 calorie is equal to 4.2 joules for thermodynamics, 1 calorie is equal to whatever you want it to be in biology. Are you confused? Don’t worry; I’ll fill you in with all the necessary details as we proceed. Just hang on!

1 Calorie is equal to Where it comes from

Are you someone who is attempting to change your diet for good? Then always keep in mind that every calorie has different kinds of effects on you. That means, inside your body, every single calorie you take is differentiated.

Unlike in thermodynamics, the human body’s complex system treats and utilizes every calorie based on its source. This is why you fail to lose weight even after regulating your calorie intake. Counting the calorie you put inside your body is only the first step toward weight loss. Ensuring what type of calories you put inside your body is crucial.

Most people get dissatisfied with the results of their weight loss journey because of this. People get disheartened when they don’t get significant results, even after regulating their calorie intake. This disappointment can jeopardize your whole weight loss journey. Hence, knowing what type of calories you are putting inside your body is important.

Types of Calories

Oh, yes. You heard it right. There are different types of calories. There are differentiated based on their function or what they provide to our bodies. The two major types of calories we get through diet are; empty and beneficial calories. Want to know more about these types of calories?

Empty calories

The easiest way to define an empty calorie is; that 1 Calorie is equal to nothing. That is what you will get when you consume foods with empty calories. Yes, an empty calorie will be 4.2 joules when you convert it to energy. But as I stated before, inside the human body, the use of a calorie is not based on the energy it produces but on what it provides for you.

Food with empty calories has little to no nutritional value to them. Some of the foods that provide you with empty calories are:

Chocolates, candies, and candy bars
Sugary drinks
Processed meats
Condiments and sauces
Cakes, cookies, doughnuts, muffins, and other carb-heavy desserts and snacks
Fast foods and junk foods
Solid fats

Beneficial Calories

Good calories or beneficial calories are foods that contain calories which provide so much more than just energy to our body. Such types of foods aren’t necessarily made up of low-calorie foods. In most cases, beneficial calories are found in high-calorie foods. They can be seen even in high-fat foods.

Don’t be confused. The important thing to consider when you count calories is not solely its energy conversion. Instead, the key is to follow the ratio of calorie count to nutritional value. This will help you to curate a diet that is not simply low in calories. But, it will help you to curate a diet that is low in calories but sufficient in nutritional value.

Lean proteins, healthy fats and complex carbohydrates usually provide good calories. So, determining what is good and what is bad might not be as simple as counting its calorie conversion. When it comes to the human body, it is much more than that. Do you want me to explain it to you with some examples? Ok, then, let’s do that.

The difference between different kinds of sugars

Glucose and Fructose are the two types of sugars present in our diet. As they are basically sugars, both of them provide the same amount of energy. In other words, the number of calories provided by one gram of glucose and one gram of Fructose is the same. But does that mean they are the same?

No. Even with the same nutritional information, our body’s manner of utilization of glucose and Fructose is entirely different. While any body tissue can use glucose, Fructose can only be used by your liver. So, even though they have the same calorie value thermodynamically, theoretically, they perform different functions.

Is 1 calorie of Glucose equal to 1 calorie of Fructose?

Consuming Fructose and glucose doesn’t give you the same effects. Want to see why?

Fructose leads to a spike in the secretion of ghrelin, a hormone that triggers the feeling of hunger within you.
Fructose doesn’t stimulate the satiety centre of your brain like glucose. So when 1 calorie of glucose contributes towards making you feel full, one calorie of Fructose doesn’t.
Consuming a lot of Fructose can lead to insulin resistance. It can also lead to abdominal fat gain, increased blood sugar and triglyceride levels.

But yes, the same amount of glucose will not pose any such troubles for your body. So do you understand why there are better methods of eating healthy than judging your diet by the calories it provides? So as I said before, the concept that 1 calorie is equal to 4.2 joules doesn’t work inside your body. In the complex mechanism of your body, what 1 calorie is equal to will be determined by where that one calorie comes from.

Where should calories come from to make that 1 calorie equal to a healthy you?

If you want to change your life for good, then make sure your calories come from everywhere. No, actually, everywhere else than from empty calories. Calories from carbohydrates, proteins and fats should be supplied to your body in specific amounts daily. And most importantly, don’t shy away from eating high-calorie foods every time.

In most cases, when you compare the number of calories in the food with the nutritional benefits it provides, in the long run, such foods will help you more. Remember, the method to limit your calorie intake is not by avoiding certain food groups other than the ones with empty calories. The key here is portion sizing. Don’t heap your plate with food you believe is less in calorie count, and avoid the ones you believe to be high in calories. Ultimately, avoiding certain food groups entirely can cause you to have nutrition deficiencies.

Nutrition deficiency and diets

You will be alarmed by the correlation between nutrition deficiencies and dieting. Well, it is not a piece of surprising information, right? A person’s diet plays a crucial role in providing essential nutrients needed for the body’s proper functioning. So, when people solely judge their food based on how much 1 calorie is equal to, nutrition deficiencies are bound to arise. Here are some examples of how specific nutrients and dietary choices can contribute to deficiencies:

Macronutrients: Inadequate intake of macronutrients, such as carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, can lead to various deficiencies and health problems. For instance, insufficient protein intake can result in muscle wasting, impaired growth, and weakened immune function.
Micronutrients: Micronutrients are essential vitamins and minerals required in smaller amounts. A diet lacking in these nutrients can cause specific deficiencies. For example, inadequate intake of vitamin C can lead to scurvy, while insufficient iron intake can result in anemia.
Specific dietary choices: Certain dietary preferences or restrictions can increase the risk of nutritional deficiencies. For instance, individuals following a strict vegan or vegetarian diet may need to pay extra attention to sources of nutrients like vitamin B12, which is primarily found in animal products.
Energy-dense, nutrient-poor foods: Consuming a diet primarily composed of highly processed foods, sugary beverages, and snacks can contribute to nutritional deficiencies. These foods often lack essential nutrients while being high in calories, leading to an imbalance in nutrient intake.
Imbalanced diet: A diet that is unbalanced and lacks variety can increase the risk of nutritional deficiencies. Each nutrient has a unique role in the body, and a diverse diet ensures an adequate intake of all essential nutrients.

As one can see, nutritional deficiencies can have significant health consequences. They can impair growth and development, weaken the immune system, increase the risk of chronic diseases, and cause a range of other health problems. So, what can one do in this situation?

How to prevent nutritional deficiencies?

Maintaining a balanced and varied diet that meets the body’s nutritional needs is essential for preventing deficiencies and promoting overall health. So, if you feel your diet can expose you to this risk, then don’t shy away from using nutritional supplements. This may actually help you from contracting diseases and facing severe repercussions. Don’t know what all nutrition you should supplement yourself with? Let me introduce you to Nutriplus DailyHealth.

Nutriplus DailyHealth

Nutriplus DailyHealth is an organic superfood produced from the extracts of Aphanizomenon flos-aquae (AFA). AFA is a species of blue-green algae harvested from the pristine Klamath Lake, USA. It provides our body with the building blocks of healthy nerve cells, thereby boosting our nervous system.

This product also has multiple active ingredients in it. These will help you improve and maintain your health and vitality. In short, wild AFA contains all the other nutrients except vitamins D and E. Some of the natural bioavailable nutrients included in the product are

Vitamins

Provitamin A (Beta Carotene)
Vitamin B Complex
Vitamin C

Amino acids

Folic acid
Inositol

Plant pigments

Phycocyanin
Chlorophyll
Phycoerythrin

Trace element

Phenylethylamine

Phytonutrients

Minerals

Anti-oxidants

Why is this product the best for you?

If you are currently dieting and cannot invest your head in processing anything more complex than how much 1 calorie is equal to, this is the best product for you. Nutriplus DailyHealth will act as your daily dose of health by assuring that your body receives every nutrient in its required quantities daily. Moreover, the fact that you are receiving all these from a single product saves you a lot of time and tension, too, right?

Finally, you can breathe easily. Nutriplus DailyHealth has come to save your day. Get your dose of daily health and concentrate on your diet. Just make sure you are not entirely concentrating on how much 1 calorie is equal to but also looking for what kind of 1 calorie you are consuming. Stay happy and be a healthy you!