A calorie is not a calorie, is not a calorie. Huh? Not all calories are created equal. Wouldn't it be great if we could eat 1500 calories worth of chocolate every day and still be healthy?? But alas, our bodies don't need 1500 calories worth of chocolate decadence. What they do need however, is quality calories, not empty calories. Eating foods that have no nutritional value whatsoever (i.e. the 100 calorie packs that are so popular right now) will do nothing for helping us get healthy.
Think about it...would our society look, feel, and have the health issues that we do today if all calories were created equal? Let's do a comparison...going back to the example above (and one of my current pet peeves) the 100 calorie packs.
100 Calorie Packs 1 Medium Apple
Calories 100 (obviously) 80 (roughly)
Fat 2 g 0 g
Sodium 160 mg 0 g
Protein 1g .5 g (roughly)
Fiber 1g 4 g
Okay, so far nutritionally the apple is light years ahead of the 100 calorie packs. So let's compare the ingredients in each one.
Apple 100 Calorie Pack
An Apple Unbleached, Enriched Flour
No seriously, just apple Sugar
Canola Oil
Cocoa
Dextrose
Yep, still apple Cornstarch
Leavening
Color Added
Salt
Vanillin (Artificial Flavor)-that's actually
what the label says!
Now based on those two items, which do you think is better for you to consume? Which do you think your body can process better, use better, and sustain you longer?
I get so fired up about all of the crap that is advertised as "healthy" because it has a lower calorie count. Don't fool yourselves...just because it only contains 100 calories (or whatever they are saying is "healthy" now) does not mean it is good for you!!!!!!
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