Energy In, Energy Out

Let us try to understand how our body uses the food that we eat.



The food that we eat is converted into energy or calories and is stored in the body.



Calories are converted into Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP), which helps in the various major processes in the body.



The energy that is left over is stored in the body in the form of fat.



The body uses the fat whenever need arise.



The principle that applies here is – Energy in – energy out = Weight gained or lost.

Fat is a very dense source of energy.



Compared to the other 2 macronutrients, protein and carbohydrates, a molecule of fat is made up of chemical bonds that contain large amounts of energy. For e.g., every gram of carbohydrate or protein contains 4 calories, while 1 gram of fat is equivalent to 9 calories.