A calorie is a unit that measures energy content in food and beverages. Every human being needs to consume certain amount of calories for a balanced living. The amount of calorie intake differs for men and women and also differs according to an individual’s situation. For a balanced diet, on an average, a man needs to consume around 2,500 calories and a woman needs about 2,000 calories per day. This number varies according to the individual’s health, lifestyle, age, amount of physical activity done and many such factors.

All the food that we consume contains calories of varying amounts. In today’s day and age many people watch and control their calorie intake in order to lose weight and maintain a healthy living. They do so by monitoring what they eat and how much they eat. Each meal that we consume should ideally contain about 600-700 calories. Snacking between meals can be a good way to control your hunger. But it’s important to adjust the amount of calories you consume with every meal. With changing lifestyles and habits, the youth is very conscious of their calorie intake. Many people who start on a weight loss plan reduce their calorie intake significantly. Calorie management is an essential factor in losing weight and leading a better life. When the intake of calories is high and there is no measure taken to reduce it or to burn them, it could lead to health issues such as obesity, cholesterol, liver malfunction and also heart diseases.

Scientists across the globe are conducting tests and experiments on calorie intake and its effects. Studies show that even if your calorie intake is low, you could still get many health issues if you live a very sedentary life. Getting enough physical activity is as important as the amount of your calorie intake. It is equally important to make sure that you do not compromise on the amount of calories you consume in a day. If your calorie intake is less than the amount required by your body, it could lead to weakness, lethargy, reduced blood pressure, constipation and even something as serious as gall stones.

Balancing your calorie intake is the most essential step towards a healthy life. While all foods and drinks contain calories, not all calories are healthy. It is important to know the difference between these two and change your eating habits accordingly.