Terry White Chemists - Weight Loss Science

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Weight Loss Science

Food composition, energy usage and body fat

Almost everything in the food we eat has some impact on our health. Food sustains us, promotes growth and provides our body with fuel to make energy. Food is made up of a combination of the three macronutrients - carbohydrates, proteins and fats – which are needed in large amounts every day to keep your body healthy. Each macronutrient is used by our body in a different way.

Almost all food contains some carbohydrate, protein and fat, but in different proportions. For example, pasta is highest in carbohydrates so we consider pasta to be a carbohydrate food.

The Weight Loss Science section explains the role of these three macronutrients and how we derive energy from them for growth and normal everyday functioning. When we consume more macronutrients than our body needs to function, our body stores the excess in the form of body fat.

Understanding energy

When talking about nutrition, the word ‘energy’ is measured by the number of kilojoules (or calories) in a food type. The more kilojoules, the more fuel (or energy) is available to run the body. Unfortunately, most of us consume more kilojoules than our body needs to function, with the excess being stored as body fat.

Each macronutrient offers a different amount of energy:

1 gram of carbohydrates = 16 kJ (4 calories)
1 gram of protein = 17 kJ (4 calories)
1 gram of fat = 39 kJ (9 calories)

How do Macronutrients affect our body and our weight?

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Food

Quick facts about food

Food sustains us, promotes growth and provides our body with fuel to make energy. To remain healthy, the body needs three types of nutrients.

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