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Showing posts from April 2, 2014

Weight Management

Weight Management – Part 2 Empty Calories The term applies to food that supplies food energy but little or no other nutrition. Foods containing empty calories typically contain processed carbohydrates and ethanol (alcohol), and to some extent fats. Also known as a  discretionary calorie , an empty calorie has the same energy content as any other calorie but lacks many accompanying nutrients such as vitamins, dietary minerals, antioxidants, amino acids, or dietary fiber. The Body requires certain essential nutrients, but food energy intake must be balanced with the physical activity to maintain a proper body weight. People who engage in heavy physical activity need food energy as fuel, which can be supplied by empty calories in addition to foods with essential nutrients. Sedentary person and those eating less to lose weight may suffer malnutrition if they eat food supplying empty calories but not enough nutrients. The following foods are often considered to con