by Angel08

Created on: September 18, 2008

A calorie is used to measure the energy within foods. Energy from calories is also used by the body to sustain normal body functions like digestion and respiration. When the amount of calories we take in is equivalent to the amount of energy we use then we maintain our weight. If a person takes more calories then needed the body will hold on to the additional calories and store them as fat. It takes an additional 3500 calories for a person to gain 1 pound of fat.

The most common ways our body rids itself of fat is through diet and exercise. People who need to lose fat need to get rid of a number of foods; saturated fats, simple sugars, refined flour and drinks with empty calories. Lots of people assume that you need to cut carbohydrates from your diet. This isn't necessary. Carbohydrates are essential providers of energy for your body. Starches and Natural sugars are the most common forms of complex carbohydrates. Naturally occurring sugars are from items such as fruits, vegetables, and milk products. Starches include; whole grain breads, pastas, and cereals. The molecular complexity of these foods requires our bodies to break them down in digestion to obtain simpler forms of much needed energy we get from healthy levels of glucose.

If a person eats simple sugars which are placed in processed foods it can lead to weight gain. These sugars require little digestion and are absorbed by the body quickly this causes glucose levels to shoot up and the body releases the hormone insulin. The release of insulin causes glucose levels to drop rapidly within a few hours of eating and can leave a person irritable and hungry.

Our bodies have a survival mode if we go from eating a lot of food to eating little or no food our bodies respond by holding on to the fat because the body thinks it is starving. In order to avoid this people need to start off gradually reducing their food intake. When the person continually reduces their food to the appropriate level the body begins to use the stored fat for energy which helps you to lose weight.

Exercise is also important. Exercising for at least an hour a day is not only healthy for your heart but can help you lose and maintain a healthy weight. Exercise increases your metabolism which is vital for helping you burn calories even at rest. The more you exercise the better your metabolism will become. Weight training will also help you burn fat because fat is replaced with muscle which will help you burn calories and in turn lose more fat.

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