Understanding Empty Calories: What Do Empty Calories Mean?

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Understanding Empty Calories: What Do Empty Calories Mean?

Empty calories are a term often used to describe foods that provide little to no nutritional value. These calories come from foods that are high in added sugars, solid fats, and unhealthy ingredients. They may taste good, but they offer little in terms of vitamins, minerals, and other essential nutrients that our bodies need to function properly.

What are Empty Calories?

Empty calories refer to calories that come from foods that have little nutritional value. These foods typically contain high amounts of added sugars, solid fats, and unhealthy ingredients. Examples of foods that are often considered empty calories include cakes, candies, soft drinks, and foods that are high in added sugars and unhealthy fats.

Empty Calories and Children

Children are particularly at risk of consuming empty calories. Many popular snacks and beverages marketed towards children are loaded with added sugars and unhealthy ingredients. This can contribute to weight gain, poor nutrition, and an increased risk of developing chronic diseases later in life.

How to Make More Healthful Choices

To avoid consuming empty calories, it's important to make more healthful food choices. This includes opting for foods that are nutrient-dense and provide essential vitamins and minerals. Some tips for making more healthful choices include:

Choosing whole fruits and vegetables instead of sugary snacks
Opting for lean proteins, such as poultry and fish, instead of fatty meats
Drinking water or unsweetened beverages instead of sugary drinks
Limiting consumption of processed and packaged foods
Reading nutrition labels to make informed choices

Summary

Empty calories are calories that come from foods that have little nutritional value. These foods are often high in added sugars, unhealthy fats, and unhealthy ingredients. Consuming too many empty calories can contribute to weight gain, poor nutrition, and an increased risk of chronic diseases. To make more healthful choices, it's important to opt for nutrient-dense foods and limit consumption of foods high in added sugars and unhealthy fats.

Latest News

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