Understanding Nutritional Facts Labels and Calorie Intake

Questions and Answers

The amount of energy needed to heat one kilogram of water by one degree Celsius

4 calories

Gender, age, and activity level

BMR (Basal Metabolic Rate) Signup and view all the answers

Increase BMR over time Signup and view all the answers

Muscles require more energy to function than fat tissue Signup and view all the answers

Detail the content of fats, proteins, and carbohydrates in food products Signup and view all the answers

Display information about total fat, carbohydrates, protein levels, and more Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Nutritional facts labels on food products display information such as total fat, carbohydrates, protein levels, and more to help consumers understand the content of the food they are consuming.
A calorie is a measure of energy, specifically a kilocalorie (kcal), which is the amount of energy needed to heat one kilogram of water by one degree Celsius.
Wilbur O. Atwater developed a device in the late 1800s called a respiration calorimeter to measure the precise energy content in food, finding that carbohydrates and proteins provide four calories per gram, while fats provide nine calories per gram.
The daily calorie intake needed varies based on gender, age, and activity level, with metabolism playing a significant role in how calories are produced and used in the body.
Basal metabolic rate (BMR), which accounts for up to 70% of calories used by the body at rest, differs among individuals and can impact weight gain or loss.
Exercise can increase BMR over time, contributing to higher energy expenditure, and individuals with more muscle mass tend to have a higher BMR.
The nutrition label not only indicates calories but also details the amounts of fats, proteins, and carbohydrates in food products, helping consumers make informed choices about their diet to address issues like obesity and high fat/sugar intake.