Counting Calories

You know calories count, especially if you struggle to keep your waistline in shape. But do all calories really count for the same thing?

There's scientific evidence suggesting that calories from some foods are more fattening than the calories from other types of food.

In a nutshell, according to Robert E. Olson, M.D., Ph.D., "If a person is in energy balance and overall nutrient balance, calories whether coming from fat, carbohydrates or protein count equally. One fat calorie equals one protein calorie or one carbohydrate calorie."

But when gaining weight during growth or when getting fat, the fat calories seem to be more efficient for creating new tissue than calories coming from the carbohydrates or protein. This is one of the reasons it's a good idea to limit the fat in your diet if you're prone to weight gain.