The two sides of "empty calories"

The first concept, which is extremely important in a wellness diet, is that of empty calories. Some foods, that we can have today, are almost empty in terms of their nutritional value - they contain a lot of calories, possibly protein and fat, but hardly any vitamins and nutrients. By ingesting such foods, we greatly increase our calorie intake, … Continue reading “The two sides of "empty calories"”

The first concept, which is extremely important in a wellness diet, is that of empty calories. Some foods, that we can have today, are almost empty in terms of their nutritional value - they contain a lot of calories, possibly protein and fat, but hardly any vitamins and nutrients. By ingesting such foods, we greatly increase our calorie intake, without guaranteeing a good supply of nutrients.

Only two consequences can arise from this: either we gain weight (when we eat enough healthier foods in addition to the empty calories), or our body is undersupplied (when we limit our calorie intake, but have too many empty calories with you, that do not transport nutrients).

Both of these effects are uncomfortable and not consistent with the idea of ​​a healthy diet, which is why one should refrain from consuming too many healthy calories.

This so far very simple conclusion is not yet complete, if we want to set up a holistic diet, which does not only relate to the needs of the body. Empty calories are not part of a physically healthy diet, but they can very well be part of a mentally healthy diet.

Chocolate - one of the classic high-calorie and low-nutrient foods - is known to all of us as a "soul comforter".. Women in particular like to go back to chocolate again and again in stressful situations or when they are emotionally tense, which is said to have a "mood-enhancing" effect.

Let's approach chocolate using the standards of a classic eating plan, one can really only say, that you shouldn't eat any of it, or preferably as little as possible.

However, this does not do justice to the full effect of chocolate – it can definitely be part of a balanced diet, if you know how to use them skillfully.

Let's assume, they don't feel well and - perhaps precisely because they don't feel well - have a craving for chocolate. In the interest of a physically healthy diet, it would undoubtedly be, this lust through an apple, an orange or possibly a granola bar to satisfy.

But this cannot change anything about the desire for chocolate - just as little as you can quench your thirst with coffee, Can you substitute fruit for chocolate?.

The result of such a "substitute gratification" would be just that - one would have found a substitute instead of satisfying one's pleasure and the pleasure would no longer be unpleasant, but maybe only feel it latently.

The result is a non-satisfaction of a physical need that is no longer strongly felt, which, in the interest of a holistic diet, should of course not be the goal of food intake.