First and foremost: Calories aren’t all terrible. Our bodies transform the calories we ingest into energy, which we utilise for practically every process. We rely on them to function.
Now that we’ve established that, let’s get into it: Are all calories created equal?
The answer is a resounding nay (drumroll please). The source of the calorie influences how it is digested and converted into energy. Furthermore, certain meals promote a healthy metabolism while others inhibit it.
“Typically, the most common mistakes that lead to slow metabolism are either not having enough caloric intake or consuming calories from processed, unnatural foods,” Unspoken Nutrition creator Neeyaz Zolfaghari previously told us. A sluggish metabolism can cause sugar cravings, intestinal troubles, and other problems.
Here are some instances of calorie sources that are beneficial vs those that are detrimental:
SUPPORTIVE
- Avocado
- Leafy greens
- Salmon
- Chickpeas
- Berries
- Kelp noodles
- Oats
UNSUPPORTIVE
- Refined carbohydrates
- Soda and other sugary drinks
- Fast food
- Pizza
- Gummy bears
Consider the difference between ingesting 100 calories of Pepsi and 100 calories of avocado. Soda, for example, is devoid of nutrients and high in sugar (which has been related to a variety of poor health effects). Avocado, on the other hand, is high in nutrients that are beneficial to your health.
But hold on, there’s more! The calories in the soda are swiftly absorbed and converted into energy, giving you a sugar high followed by a fall. Avocado, on the other hand, includes fat and fibre, so its calories are absorbed more slowly and give a more consistent, sustained release of energy.
Of course, this is not mean that we shouldn’t occasionally indulge in certain “unhealthy” calorie sources. A life without fries is not a life we want to live.
