Are All Calories Equal? Guest Blog Post by 901 Nutrition

While it’s true that all calories have the same unit of energy, calories from food don’t always have the same impact on our weight and overall health. That’s because foods are more than the calories they provide. The various components that make up foods (macronutrients and micronutrients) impact calorie absorption and utilization.

Let’s pretend that in front of us we have a can of Sprite and ¼ cup of almonds. The can of Sprite technically contains fewer calories than the almonds. Does this mean that the can of Sprite is the healthier option? Of course not. Almonds are full of fiber, protein, monounsaturated fats, vitamin E, and a plethora of minerals.

When we look past calories alone and instead look at the whole package, we see how almonds (or peaches, carrots, sunflower seeds…any foods containing fiber and nutrients) positively impact our health and weight. Foods high in fiber contribute to greater satisfaction and satiety after eating. When we eat almonds and other nutrient-dense foods, our body is getting some of the nourishment it needs, and we are physically feeling more satiated.

Does this mean we can never enjoy a Sprite or a warm chocolate chip cookie ever again? Absolutely not!

Health-promoting and balanced eating can (and should!) include the foods we love.

Far too often we focus heavily on what to eliminate from our food intake. We create unnecessary rules and restrictions around food that can result in disordered eating habits, nutrient deficiencies, and an unhealthy relationship with food in general. When we instead focus on what to add for improved energy and better health, we are more likely to experience the benefits of nutritious, balanced eating.

Weight is reactive to various health behaviors, genetics, and age. Focusing on weight is putting the cart before the horse. Metabolism is complex. Many factors influence the calories absorbed from the foods we eat. We cannot know with 100% certainty how many calories we are consuming anyway. Calorie burning estimations can be off by 30%, and the FDA allows for 20% margin of error on nutrition labels.

Hopefully by now you are beginning to see that calories from foods are not equal in terms of their impact on weight or overall health. Hence, focusing on calories for weight loss or improved health is far from an effective long-term strategy.

For a free resource, called “Understanding Weight”, email 901nutrition@gmail.com or send us an Instagram message. To learn more about 901 Nutrition or to subscribe to our free monthly newsletter, visit our website here.

Blog post written by Kristi Edwards.

Kristi Edwards, co-founder and owner of 901 Nutrition LLC, is a licensed and registered dietitian in Collierville, TN. She has several years of experience in both acute care and outpatient settings, and she is passionate about helping clients ditch dieting for good, eat intuitively, and develop sustainable health behaviors. You can reach Kristi at 901.800.9526 or 901kristi@gmail.com. To learn more about 901 Nutrition or to subscribe to their free newsletter for nutrition tips and meal ideas, visit 901nutrition.com. You can also follow 901 Nutrition on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn.