What is the difference between calories vs carbs (carbohydrate) and why is it important to limit the intake of food with this content?
Calories and carbohydrates may be vital elements required to maintain a healthy diet, but excessive intake will lead to adding more body weight.
Our body requires calories as it’s the unit of energy. The amount of calories in a food item shows how much energy the food contains.
Carbohydrates or carbs for short, are organic compounds made of carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen. Carbs are food items rich in starch and sugar, such as bread, rice, beans, etc.
Continue reading as we differentiate calories from carbohydrates.
Calorie
Originating from the caloric theory of heat, a calorie is a measurement of energy. The amount of energy a food item contains is measured in calories.
Almost all the food we consume contains valorise. Calories are contained in drinks and everyday food we consume.
Food items that contain huge amounts of calories are mainly processed and sugary foods. The amount of calories in these food items is usually higher than what you would get from natural healthy foods.
If you plan on losing weight, then you should limit your intake of food items containing higher amounts of calories. You may want to avoid consuming processed foods and sugary drinks.
Low-calorie foods such as soda diet can be bad for your metabolism and not offer any nutritional value.
A food item may contain a high amount of calories, but that doesn’t mean it’s unhealthy to consume. For instance, a can of full-fat natural coconut milk may provide you with all its nutritional value, but it contains about 700 calories.
Another example is olive oil and avocado. A tablespoon of olive oil contains 119 calories, while an avocado contains about 322 calories.
Also Read: Vegan vs Vegetarianism: Difference and Comparison
Carbohydrate (Carbs)
Carbs and carbohydrates are a dietary nutrient and the main source of energy to our body. Food items with carbohydrate content include bread, all fruits, grain products, and sugary food items.
When you limit the intake of carbohydrates, your body loses fat. A person on a low-carb keto diet limits their carb intake to the point where their body switches from burning sugar and carbs to burning fats.
When you are on a low-carb keto diet, your body breaks down carbohydrates into sugars like glucose and fructose. The sugar in your body is absorbed into the bloodstream and is used for energy.
Calories vs Carbs: Key Differences between Calories and Carbs
Almost all the food we consume contains valorise. Calories are contained in drinks and everyday food we consume.
Food items that contain huge amounts of calories are mainly processed and sugary foods. The amount of calories in these food items is usually higher than what you would get from natural healthy foods.
In contrast, carbs and carbohydrates are a dietary nutrient and the main source of energy for our body. Food items with carbohydrate content include bread, all fruits, grain products, and sugary food items.
Carbohydrates are a primary energy source that includes sugars, fibres, and starches.
Calorie is a measure of energy and it quantify the energy potential of foods that are essential for body functions. The best way to manage your body weight and energy levels is by balancing the intake of calories and carbs.
Calories play an important role in body weight reduction. Excessive intake will result in gaining more weight. Processed food and sugary drinks contain large amounts of calories and they contribute to weight gain.
Monitoring carb intake is important, especially for those managing metabolic diseases like diabetes. Individuals managing conditions like diabetes should avoid the intake of carbs and opt for a healthier diet.
Also Read: Veganism vs Vegetarianism: Difference and Comparison
Calories vs Carbs: Foods Rich in Calories and Carbs
Every food we consume contains a small or significant amount of calories.
Foods that are rich in calories include animal fat like fish oil, vegetable oil, peanut butter, lard, cheese, salad dressing, fried foods, and processed meat like sausages.
Foods that are enriched with carbohydrates include rice, bread, yam, pasta, noodles, cereal, beans, potatoes, fruits, soft drinks, etc.
Calories vs Carbs: Weigh Loss
If you plan to cut down your body weight, the most reliable way to do it is to limit or completely avoid the intake of carbohydrates for a longer period.
Maintaining a low-carbohydrate diet helps you lose more weight than low-calorie diets. Low-carb diets help in weight loss management and results are achieved within the first few months.
Low-carbohydrate diets are your best option if you need to lose some body weight within a short period.
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Calories vs Carbs: Risk
Processed food items and sugary drinks contain high amounts of calories and you need to avoid these if you want to reduce your body weight.
However, restricting calorie intake completely may lead to malnutrition and deficiencies in vitamins and nutrients. This may also lead to certain health problems such as heart issues, hair loss, muscle cramps, skin irritation, and fatigue.
Also, restricting carbohydrate intake can cause nutrition deficiencies. This can lead to health complications such as diarrhoea, nausea, and constipation.
If the intake of carbs is less than 20 grams per day, this may lead to ketosis, resulting in other health complications.
On the contrary, we are more concerned with the risk of excessive intake of carbohydrates daily.
When we consume food with carbohydrate content, it breaks down into glucose and this causes our body to release insulin. Excessive consumption of carbs causes obesity and if not managed, it can lead to heart disease or Type 2 diabetes.
Calories vs Carbs: Recommended Daily Intake of Calories and Carbohydrates
According to medical experts, the recommended daily calorie intake for men should be about 2,700 cal. Women should maintain a daily intake of 2,200 calories, while children and senior citizens should consume fewer calories to stay healthy.
Additionally, the average amount of calorie requirement daily should remain at 1,800.
Also Read: Sushi Rice vs White Rice: Difference and Comparison
Calories vs Carbs: Comparison Chart
| Calories | Carbs | |
| Definition | A measure of energy content in food | Micronutrient that provides energy |
| Full name | Calories- kilocalories | Carbohydrates |
| Weight management | Excessive intake leads to weight gain | Low-carb diets can help control body weight |
| Recommended intake | The recommended amount for men and women are 2,700 and 2,200. | Normal daily intake for men and women is 225 and 325 grams. |
| Dietary planning | Helps control overall energy intake | Important for managing conditions like diabetes |
| Health impact | Affects overall health | Influences insulin response, and impacts blood sugar levels |
| Risk of extreme diet | Can lead to heart problems, nutrient deficiencies, and chronic health issues. | Can lead to ketosis, diarrhoea, constipation, and nausea. |
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References
- Wikipedia: Calorie
