'a calorie is a calorie'....

**Jack** · 05-18-2006, 09:37 AM

.....
From Dictionary.com:

cal·o·rie Audio pronunciation of "calorie" ( P ) Pronunciation Key (kl-r)
n.

1. Abbr. cal Any of several approximately equal units of heat, each measured as the quantity of heat required to raise the temperature of 1 gram of water by 1°C from a standard initial temperature, especially from 3.98°C, 14.5°C, or 19.5°C, at 1 atmosphere pressure. Also called gram calorie, small calorie.
2. Abbr. cal The unit of heat equal to 1/100 the quantity of heat required to raise the temperature of 1 gram of water from 0 to 100°C at 1 atmosphere pressure. Also called mean calorie.
3.
1. Abbr. Cal The unit of heat equal to the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of 1 kilogram of water by 1°C at 1 atmosphere pressure. Also called kilocalorie, kilogram calorie, large calorie.
2. A unit of energy-producing potential equal to this amount of heat that is contained in food and released upon oxidation by the body. Also called nutritionist's calorie.

The notion 'a calorie is a calorie' ignores a lot of the important biophysiological details of energy production and absorption of nutrients.

Firewood is an example of how different qualities of wood produce a given amount of heat (BTUs). The resultant ash and byproducts of combustion are of some consequence to the home owner who heats only with wood, such as I do. The amount of heat I can expect out of a similar size pile of wood is signifigant, as is the amount of effort required to manage all phases of getting that wood supply, storing it, burning it disposing of the ashes, and cleaning the chimney, etc. Punk wood may produce a 'calorie' of heat, as does alder, fir, oak, or madrone. Punk wood requires a lot of fuel for a given amount of heat. Alder is fast and hot, fir is slower and cleaner, oak gives a LOT of heat with less ash, while madrone produces a lot of creosote. Some burn fast and furious and are gone rapidly, while others produce heat more slowly. Different fuels have different uses depending on our needs.

The fuels in our personal biosystem all produce the 'calorie' but under vastly different physiological pathways and with vastly differing types of waste products.

Some of those waste products end up adhering to the walls of our arteries. Some produce a chimney fire. Some produce way too much ash for the heat we receive.

While one aspect of our edible fuels results in 'calorie' production, the circumstances of nutritive bioavailability and the digestive processes have many different important layers to consider.

Teresita · 05-18-2006, 09:43 AM

Some calories taste better then others.

**Wheetsin** · 05-18-2006, 09:52 AM

Great analogy!

Cheri · 05-18-2006, 09:53 AM

What an analogy!!! Anyone who doesn't understand the difference in the calories we eat really needs to read your take on it!!! Leave it to you, Jack, to make it clear to all of us!!!!

So, just for my own curiosity, which type of woods do you use? Or are you like me...while I prefer the hot fire/low debris, I often use whatever is convenient. (meaning, I wish I could have steamed veggies and grilled chicken, but I often settle for chicken nuggets and a baked potato??) hehehehe

Love ya, Jack!
~cheri

FunnyDuddies · 05-18-2006, 10:12 AM

I think this is a great analogy. I have been sticking to the same 1000 cals a day, but recently started doing more protein and less carbs. No change in the amount of cals though. And I am dropping now instead of gaining. I was not eating junk before either. I think that different cals do this. they burn differently. I have also done lots of reading on when you should eat your carbs, and if you should eat carbs or protein or ANYTHING before a workout. When you workout, you burn off mainly carbs. Vigorous workouts burn 50/50 carbs eaten and energy from the body. the less carbs you have in your body from eating, the more is burned from your energy cells, ie your fat. This means that eating before a workout can result in less fat burning than eating AFTER a workout. this also means that morning workouts are more effective than afternoon or evening workouts as they are using energy from nothing but the body. Definitely a good carb and protein rich food after wards is good, less carbs and you continue to burn cals throughout the day.

These are just somethings I have read. But I have to completely agree with this point. All calories are not created equal. And while we need carbs, for weight loss we need protein more. it gives us energy that is not transfered into fat, and it helps our body repair from our workouts.

DonnaB · 05-18-2006, 10:33 AM

Jack,

Are you just a genius or what? !

Every time I read your posts I gain a renewed respect for you. I have always maintained the credo of calories in vs. calories out equals specific weight loss or gain. For the most part, I still do, however, you have convinced me that the type of calorie and it's specific waste, or byproduct, could be critical to my overall health. I've long known that certain types of fat are worse for the body than others, but I now realize that by concentrating only on the calorie in/calorie out method of weight loss I'm almost certainly missing out on some very important benefit to choosing a 'cleaner' fuel. It's such a simple analogy that I can't believe I never looked at it like this before. This is definitely a light bulb over the head moment for me.

Thank you Jack.

Don't worry, I'm not going to join ranks with stalker girl! (just kidding Poodles if you're reading this post! lol)

**Jack** · 05-18-2006, 02:06 PM

well....a fleet of stalker Bandsters....hmmmm.....at the very least....with enough motivation we COULD do a 'therapeutic move-the-wood-pile' exercise!!!

FunnyDuddies · 05-18-2006, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jack

'therapeutic move-the-wood-pile'

AAAAAAARRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHH! Painful memories of punishments. Whoever told my dad that moving the woodpile was a good punishment should be SHOT! LOL :D

I think that this thread should also be made a sticky, to go along with the 'enough is enough' thread. they gohand in hand, and I think it is important for people to have an eye opener when it comes to calories. It makes me crazy to hear people talk about how "well I have a band, so I could only eat half a Big Mac for lunch every day. :(

mini_me · 05-18-2006, 02:51 PM

ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, JACK, myyyyyyy herrrrrrooooooooooooooo!

((batting the eyes))

Poodles · 05-18-2006, 10:22 PM

"Stalker Girl"???? Hope that one doesn't stick...

I have often found that I can make it thru the day with protein shakes better than eating "real" food. My sugar levels go off the chart with the smallest bite of the good stuff, and I am off for the day.

Thru my many MANY diets, I have learned that carbs are the enemy and I must avoid them unless they come from fruits and veggies. These are good fuel, so I will keep them.

I still love the way you think Jack. Keep posting...

Stalker girl out...