| It is known that human beings need a certain number | | | | So, what are empty calories? Empty calories are one |
| of calories per day in order to maintain their weight | | | | of the biggest ways that people can go over their |
| and health, but what are empty calories, and how do | | | | recommended daily amount of calories - because |
| they harm us? | | | | empty calories often come into our bodies in covert |
| Calories are units of measure for energy. They are | | | | ways. Empty calories are calories (foods) that we eat |
| primarily used to measure the amount of energy | | | | or drink that do not have a lot of nutrition within |
| found in foods, and the representation of a calorie | | | | them. One of the biggest offenders is soda and |
| (actually, kilocalorie, or C) is the amount of energy | | | | other soft drinks. One eight ounce glass of soda has |
| needed to raise the temperature of 1 kilogram of | | | | about 110 calories in it - and no nutritional value. |
| water by 1ºC. While this is one way to explain a | | | | Considering most people will drink at least 16 ounces |
| calorie, it isn't really that important in terms of | | | | of soda at a time, that is 220 empty calories per |
| everyday usage of the word. It is more important to | | | | glass. |
| understand a calorie in relation to how many calories | | | | There are other foods that are not so great for us - |
| per day we need to consume. | | | | so what are empty calories in these foods? Fats are |
| The average, healthy adult female should consume | | | | often considered empty calories, especially oils that |
| about 2000 C per day. This assumes that she is | | | | are used to fry fast foods and other snacks. They |
| active, does not need to lose or gain weight, and is | | | | add relatively little to your nutritional value, but add |
| not suffering from any illnesses that might affect her | | | | many calories to the end product. Other snacks that |
| metabolism. The average, healthy adult male should | | | | are empty calories include candies, cookies and all of |
| consume slightly more calories, around 2200 C. This is | | | | those snacks that are mostly sugar, with no whole |
| due to the fact that men are usually more active | | | | grains, fruits, vegetables or nuts. |
| than women, their metabolisms tend to be higher and | | | | It is important not to consume too many empty |
| they also tend to be larger in weight and height. The | | | | calories, because they can add up - making it so that |
| amount of calories that we need to consume each | | | | foods you need to eat will bump your calories for |
| day is actually quite small, especially if you think of it | | | | the day up too high. Stick to foods that are low in |
| in terms of food - for instance, one yogurt is about | | | | calories and high in nutrition. |
| 180 calories. | | | | |