Although you may eat them often, do you really know them?
Our understanding of food calories is often subjective. Most of it is guided by our own subjective assumptions or by following what others say. However, much data shows that the actual calorie content of many foods can be quite different from our preconceived notions.
For example, fruits are generally considered low-calorie, but the result is vastly different if they are dried, pickled, grilled, or canned. After several processing steps, the calorie content becomes much higher.
In fact, the fat in dark chocolate isn't as high as people imagine. A large portion of it is unsaturated fat, which doesn't turn into body fat. Additionally, the process of digesting and absorbing dark chocolate burns some of the body's own fat and calories. Moderate consumption can also be beneficial to health.
Therefore, everyone should understand the calorie content of foods through scientific data rather than subjective assumptions, which lead to many misunderstandings. If we don't clarify their true calorie content, we might think we are watching our diet, but we will still gain weight unintentionally.
Here, I advocate for a balance between eating and exercise. If you consume more calories, you should also increase your physical activity. You can't just eat and not move, as this won't burn off the excess calories. Of course, you shouldn't just exercise and not eat; dieting is a very unhealthy method, so don't abuse your stomach. You can eat whatever you like; the key is what you choose to eat and how you eat it.
For example, if you really want to eat meat while trying to lose weight, and you have to choose between beef, lamb, and chicken, some friends would unhesitatingly choose chicken, which is correct. But don't forget that how the chicken is cooked is also very important. If it's fried, the calorie content will be very high. It is recommended to choose options like white-cut chicken or Shaoxing wine-soaked chicken, as these are low-calorie chicken dishes! And don't forget, don't pour the sauce on top.
For another example, if you really want to drink soda while trying to lose weight, you actually don't need to纠结 (struggle with it). In a previous blog post, it was mentioned that the calorie content of cola is not high. 100 ml of cola has 180 kilojoules of energy, while 100 grams of noodles have 456 kilojoules. The calorie content of an equivalent amount of cola is only about 1/4 of that of an equivalent amount of noodles. Isn't the calorie content of cola much lower? Of course, choosing what to eat is a personal matter; every food exists for its own nutritional value. It's just that before we eat, we should understand its calories to better manage our exercise levels and how to burn off the calories we just consumed. This way, we can achieve a balance between eating and moving. You can enjoy your food while controlling your weight, which is a positive lifestyle!
Let's take another example. Many friends love to eat potato chips but are afraid of the high calories. So, can we make them ourselves? Slice the potatoes thinly, sprinkle with salt (or other seasoning powder if you prefer other flavors), then spread them flat on a plate and microwave for 3 minutes (the time can be adjusted according to the thickness and quantity of the slices). This way, we can enjoy potato chips without consuming excessive calories! (You can also wipe a little cooking oil on the plate to prevent them from sticking.)
As long as we pay more attention to details in our daily lives, our lives will become happier. Maintaining a pleasant mood and enjoying the foods we love is the most important thing. Live a balanced and active life, and remember to maintain a balance between eating and exercise!