Understanding calories is like deciphering the code to a secret treasure—the treasure being your ideal body.
The idea is simpler than you think: Protein and Carbohydrates contain 4 calories per gram ands Fat contain 9 calories per gram - making fats the most calorie denses.
If you're following a 2000 calorie diet, here's how you can break it down using the above guidelines:
Target Examples:
Protein: for a 20% protein target, you'd consume 400 calories from protein, equating to 100 grams
Carbohydrates: for carbohydrates, aiming for 50% of your diet, that's 1000 calories, or 250 grams
Fats: for fats at 30%, that's 600 calories or about 67 grams of fats.
Consume fewer calories than you burn, and you'll lose weight. This principle is known as "caloric deficit".