644400af_et__Nutrition___Healthy_Eating__Description
[Recommended Amount Per Day] The number of calories you should consume per day is based on way too many factors for there to just be a general guideline for everyone. Your height/weight, your gender, your metabolism, your activity level and your goals (weight loss, weight gain, weight maintenance) all play a role. For this reason, your daily calorie intake has to be tailored specifically to you and your body. It's alright though, relax. Everything you need in order to figure how many calories you should consume per day can be found in the Guide To Calories & Weight Control. [Sources] Carbs: 4 calories per gram Protein: 4 calories per gram Fat: 9 calories per gram Alcohol: 7 calories per gram [Description] 
Calories A calorie is the unit of measurement for how much energy there is in a food or drink. We consume calories in the form of carbohydrates, protein and fat (and alcohol) which all contain a certain number of calories per gram (see right column). The calories are used by the body to do literally everything it needs to do (pump blood, walk, etc.). This is why very low calorie diets are dangerous and should be avoided. Calories also play the largest role in weight control. If you consume more calories than your body needs to use for energy, the left over calories will be stored on the body mostly in the form of fat (thus causing weight gain). If you consume less calories than your body needs to use, it does the opposite and uses stored body fat for energy instead (thus causing weight loss). If you consume the same number of calories that your body uses, everything evens out (thus causing weight maintenance).
The Beginner's Guide To Diet, Nutrition & Healthy Eating
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