Why should calories consumed equal calories expended?

Answer 1

If you intake more calories than you expend, you will gain weight. If you expend more calories than you intake, you will lose weight. It isn't exactly that simple, though. For example, 2000 calories in fruits and vegetables are considerably better for you than an equal number of calories in Carbonated Beverages. Calories matter - both those expended and those taken in. If you are at the correct weight for your height and continuously eat more calories than you expend, you will soon be overweight. And if you continuously eat fewer calories than you expend, you will soon be underwieght.

Answer 2

A calorie is just a measure of heat or energy. All things being equal: if you are consuming more energy than you are expending, you will gain weight. If you are consuming less energy than you are expending, you will lose weight. If the amount consumed equals the amount expended, you will neither gain nor lose weight.

Answer 3

That is a good question. What are calories anyways? (I think what's more important to understand is Fat and Carbs and what not.) Calories are a unit of

energy. So, I guess people think they need to understand how many calories they

ate to determine how much exercise they need to do in order to burn the energy because in order to lose weight you must burn more calories then you ate.

Answer 4

A calorie is a unit of energy.

They give you energy and provide nutrients to help the body survive and run efficiently.

Answer 5

if you eat less than 1000 a day you will actually gain weight but other than that im not sure.