Many people—especially women—become “professional dieters.” Women go on diets beginning in their teenage years, and it becomes a never-ending cycle of gaining and losing. This cycle causes these women to have a negative relationship with food, and they end up treating it like an enemy instead of a friend.
It does not have to be this way, however. It is not difficult to have a positive relationship with food—it simply means understanding the relationship between food, calories, and the human body.
Just Like Air, They’re Everywhere!
Calories are in just about every food and drink—from lettuce, to hamburgers, to milk, to orange juice. They are inescapable, just like the air we breathe. And, just like air, the human body needs calories for energy. So why do calories in food get such a bad rep? Although many people have the misconception that all calories are bad, the truth is that it is only when calories are consumed in excess that they are bad for you.
When more calories are consumed then are burned off through activity, this causes weight gain. The left over calories are converted to fat, which in turn can lead to health problems. Thus, the key to having a good relationship with food is to consume the same amount or fewer calories than your body burns.
Some Friends (And Foods) Are Better Than Others
The nutritional labels that are on food packages make the consumer responsible for their own caloric intake. It is important to pay close attention to these labels in order to make healthy choices. Certain parts of the label can be very telling. Every food lists how many grams of carbohydrates, fat, and protein are in each food. If you know that each gram of carbohydrate is equivalent to 4 calories, that each gram of fat is equivalent to 9 calories, and that each gram of protein is equivalent to 4 calories, then you can use these tools to determine what portion of the calories in any given food come form what sources.
If one serving of chips contains 6 grams of fat, for example, then 54 calories of the total calories are from fat. Knowing how to complete these mathematical calculations can make you more aware of exactly what you are eating, and how healthy it is for you. Whether you use it when eating at home, or when determining the nutrition facts of fast food, it is sure to be a helpful (and healthy) tool.
It is difficult to overcome old habits and begin a new relationship with food. However, once you understand the relationship that food and calories have with your body, you will never turn back to professional dieting!
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