When it comes to food, one of the first things you might think of is calories. You hear about it from almost everywhere food is involved- restaurants, nutrition labels, blogs, and even apps!
But when you pick a meal kit service plan, would you know how many calories you need for each meal? That’s what we’ll talk about in this article!
Keep reading to find out more about calories and learn how understanding calories helps you decide on fully prepared meals.
Simply put, calories refer to the amount of energy you can get from food. These are locked in the food and break down once you eat it, later converting it into energy. The body requires this to function, whether you’re on a long run or just breathing.
Almost everything you consume has a calorie count, whether it’s as little as a single calorie to a hundred or thousands. When understanding calories, you should focus on your energy balance, wherein the calories you consume line up with the calories you burn.
Through this, you can determine what steps to take when managing weight while keeping up with a healthy diet.
Energy from food primarily comes from three major sources called macronutrients. Keep in mind that they offer a different number of calories per gram, so the amount of energy you receive will vary.
When you subscribe to a meal prep service, you can expect each meal to come with the necessary nutrients while following a consistent calorie amount. The following are the three macronutrients to look out for:
When focusing on weight loss, many people tend to distance themselves from carbohydrates. But contrary to popular belief, they play a bigger role in fueling your body.
Carbohydrates are broken down into glucose, or sugar, needed for your brain, nervous system, and red blood cells. Depending on the type of carbs you consume, it can provide long-lasting energy.
Moreover, they come from different sources aside from the typical idea of bread and rice. You can find carbs in whole fruits, vegetables, or simple table sugar.
Besides boosting energy, fats contribute to your health by providing vitamins that protect your vital organs and insulate the body. Compared to the carbs, these are packed tightly and stored in larger amounts. This way, they can offer long-term energy storage.
Because of this, fats offer the highest number of calories per gram. Additionally, it makes it ideal for prolonged activities, such as walking or riding a bike.
These can be found in lots of food, including dairy, fish, oil, and more. Keep in mind that healthy fats are different, so it’s best to evaluate the content before you consider them in your meal.
The body can gather energy from protein but generally uses this macronutrient to maintain muscles and repair tissues, among other effects. So, your body will likely use carbs and fats for fuel before moving to protein.
When you consume a good amount of carbohydrates and fats, you can spare protein from being used to fuel your body. A few foods with high protein content are meat, eggs, nuts, dairy, and more.
The Dietary Guidelines for Americans state that the recommended daily calorie intake ranges from 1,600 to 3,000 calories for adults between the ages of 19 to 59.
In most cases, fully prepared meals give you the option to pick your calorie amount and fit your meals accordingly. This way, the service helps you maintain your calorie intake.
However, it’s important to consider that the amount changes based on your age, weight, and height. It can also vary if you experience certain specific health conditions that require you to consume more or less of different nutrients.
Additionally, other factors can determine how many calories you would be best consuming per day based on how much your body burns. It includes your metabolism, physical activity, and body functions.
Some fully prepared meal services allow you to choose a plan based on your daily calorie intake. This way, you can maintain your overall health and weight without feeling too restricted.
Moreover, understanding calories helps you get an idea of what works better for your meals, helping you select a meal prep service that fits your needs.
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