Recently, I have been really watching what I eat. I have stopped emptying the salt shaker over my plate, and I have eliminated the salad dressing that I use. To make up for these tastes, I have been squeezing lemon juice over everything, including my salads, vegetables, and even my water. Well, the question arose the other day about the calories that I was adding with each fresh lemon squeeze. My first answer to this question is there are no calories in this juice but before I set my mind to this belief, let’s look at the truth in lemon juice calories.
What are calories, and why are they important?
A calorie, according to science, is the amount of heat required to raise one gram of water one degree Celsius. When you apply it to food, it describes the amount of energy that food contains. The smaller the number, the least amount of energy it provides. The less energy the food provides, the less you have to work to burn it off. Adding up all the energies that your food provides in a day creates your daily intake of food energy.
Keep in mind, though, that this total can come from several bags of chips or a balanced diet. Calories do not measure the quality of nutrients that you have consumed but only the energy.
Now, why are calories important?
The simple reason is it provides a measurable guide to the energy that is going to be required to burn off the calories. If they are not all used through activity, then you will gain weight. On the other hand, if you use all the calories, you will retain your weight, and if you burn more, you will lose weight. Since so many desire to lose weight, the counting of calories and activity level is very important.
Calories in food
While some people may say that certain foods have no calories, this is actually not true. What is essentially meant by this statement is that the “food” has so few calories that it is like it has none.
In general, foods that fall into the fruit and vegetable category fall into this low-calorie category, but this only applies when these foods are eaten in their natural state or cooked in a way that does not add fat. When this happens, the calorie count goes up.
When it comes to the lemon, the lemon juice calories found in one tablespoon of fresh juice are 3.2 calories. Now, this measurement comes from fresh lemons but can also include plain lemon juice from a can or bottle. But when using lemon juice from a container, make sure to read the ingredients to make sure that sugar has not been added.
What else do you get with your lemon juice calories?
All food is made up of other nutritional elements besides calories that need to be considered when you are looking at your food consumption. Fresh lemon juice contains 1% sodium, which may surprise you, along with 1% fiber. It also contains 1% of the daily requirement of vitamin E, vitamin A, and vitamin B6, along with 7% vitamin C.
Ok, I know what does this all mean? In a nutshell, calories from food tell you the food energy, while the vitamin list provides you with a guide to balance your diet for a healthier lifestyle. But how do you know if your diet is not healthy beyond the food label? Well, to answer this question comes in the form of a simple cheek swab.
DNA and diet
We have all heard that our DNA determines our eye color but did you know that understanding your DNA can help you a healthier lifestyle. This may come as a surprise to some but I am sure not to all. The test I am referring to is GxSlim. But it’s not all about your DNA. It is however about losing weight and living a healthy lifestyle so you can keep the weight off.
Cheek Swab Test
Taking a painless cheek swab will answer many questions that you have about your diet. Like how will you get the weight off and can you keep it off. What habits do you have that are actually attributed to your DNA or body makeup?
In this simple test, you can finally find out why your sister seems to be able to eat everything in sight without gaining weight compared to you, who will gain weight by just looking at a succulent piece of chocolate cake.
Now, I have to be completely honest; I feel your pain when it comes to weight loss, so do not feel alone. But understanding that your DNA makeup, for whatever reason, may make it harder for you to lose weight. Just knowing this can help settle your mind and help you come to terms with the fact that it is not your fault.
Or Is It DNA And Exercise?
Other information gathered from your DNA also includes how your body responds to cardio, which is another aspect of weight loss that really is not discussed according to your body’s needs. The concept of increased physical activity equals weight loss is not the full picture. How your body responds to exercise creates a better picture of what is going on, not only on your weight scale but also down to the cellular level.
But wait that’s not all
More information gathered from your DNA includes the likelihood of your body absorbing vitamins and minerals as it should. Just as the lemon has a list of vitamins to help you form a more healthy lifestyle, your body may not always apply these vitamins as it needs to. Your DNA can actually tell you if you tend to be low in some nutrients. And some of these nutrients can prevent you from losing weight.
So when it comes to the never-ending desire to lose weight, the steps to follow are not always to eat less and exercise more but should include an evaluation of your DNA. Eating less and exercising more is what everyone believes is the secret to weight loss. But that isn’t always true. Your DNA holds secrets that will reveal what your body needs and allow you to live a healthier lifestyle.
Your plan to lose weight is truly yours, and no one else’s when you know what your genetic makeup is. What are you waiting for? Put on your detective hat, order your GxSlim kit, and let’s solve the mystery of what it really means to live your best life.