BMI/Calories- So What Are Calories?-

What is a calorie?

A calorie is the unit, or amount of energy that our body pulls out of what we eat. 

So think about a car.  We have to stop at the gas station to fill it with fuel.  The fuel gives it energy to run and take us places.  Calories are our fuel and what we use as energy to get us places (and to live).  The difference is that when the fuel tank is full, it's full.  There is no way to squeeze any more gas into the car.  Our bodies are different.  There is nothing that stops us from over-eating besides our own free will.   It's our choice to eat the correct amount of food, or to squeeze in as much as we possibly can.  Let's think before we eat.  Do we really need to eat more fuel than our bodies can use?

When we eat an excess of calories (food)

• Our bodies use what is needed and store the rest
• The excess is sent to our muscles and liver to be stored as glycogen
• If we have a glycogen overload, then the extra calories will be stored as fat
• Any extra calories that aren't used will be converted and stored as fat in about 8 hours

 ("What Happens When You Pig-Out.")

Why we need calories

• To get energy we need in order to survive
• To pump blood
• To breathe
• To move
• To be able to play sports
• To have energy to talk
• To regulate body temperature

(Layton, Julia. )

Calories can do many different things.  They are used in our bodies to give us energy to do things.  In the world, they can be used as energy to do...

“Calories in these Items Could.” Diagram. How Stuff Works. 2007. 20 Apr. 2007 .

"What Happens When You Pig-Out." Tina Juan Fitness. 17 Apr. 2001. 21 Apr. 2007 http://www.tinajuanfitness.info/articles/041701.htm.

Layton Julia. "How Calories Work." How Stuff Works. 2007. 20 Apr. 2007 <http://www.howstuffworks.com/calorie.htm>.