- What are calories?
• Answer: Calories are a measurement of the energy contained in our food.
Our bodies use energy to move, speak, and think.
Although we may be perfectly still our heart beats, our blood flows, our lungs are taking in oxygen and sending it to the rest of the body, and digestion may be going on in our stomachs and intestines.
We even use energy when we are asleep. Chemicals are continuously being made in our bodies and brain that regulate the functions of our bodies.
All of these processes require energy.
Just as a car or motorcycle burns gas for energy, we need food for energy.