Calorie counting
Calorie Counting
Calorie counting is a method of tracking the amount of energy (in the form of calories) that is consumed in a day. This method is often used for weight management and nutrition planning.
Pronunciation
Calorie counting: /ˈkæləri kaʊntɪŋ/
Etymology
The term "calorie" originates from the Latin word calor, meaning heat. The concept of counting calories was first introduced in the late 19th century by American chemist Wilbur Olin Atwater.
Definition
Calorie counting involves keeping track of the energy content of foods consumed throughout the day. This is typically done by referring to a food database or nutrition facts label on packaged foods. The goal is to balance the amount of energy consumed with the amount of energy expended through physical activity.
Related Terms
- Basal metabolic rate (BMR): The amount of energy expended while at rest in a neutrally temperate environment.
- Total daily energy expenditure (TDEE): The total number of calories burned in a day.
- Macronutrient: A type of food (e.g., fat, protein, carbohydrate) required in large amounts in the diet.
- Micronutrient: A type of food (e.g., vitamins, minerals) required in small amounts in the diet.
Usage
Calorie counting is often used as a tool for weight loss, weight gain, or weight maintenance. It can also be used to monitor and improve overall nutritional intake. It is important to note that while calorie counting can be a useful tool, it is not a comprehensive measure of diet quality and should be used in conjunction with other methods of dietary assessment.
See Also
This WikiMD.org article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.