What are calories?
Calories are used to measure the amount of energy that our bodies can obtain from foods.
What is fat?
Fat is one of the six nutrients that provide the nourishment needed to grow, maintain our bodies and stay healthy.
- Fats
- Carbohydrates
- Proteins
- Minerals
- Vitamins
- Water
Of the six nutrients, only Fat, Carbohydrate and Protein provide us with calories. Roughly one gram of Carbohydrate or Protein will provide 4 calories and one gram of Fat will provide 9 calories.
Are calories Fat?
To answer the question, Fat is one of the six nutrients that provides us with calories. Fat contains energy which is measured as calories.
If you eat more calories than your body needs, it will store the excess as fat within the body.
How much Fat should I eat?
Fat is a an essential part of a healthy, balanced diet and a source of essential fatty acids which our bodies cannot produce. Fat allows the body to absorb vitamins.
Public Health England recommends that Fat intake should be around 35% of total food energy with Saturated Fat being 11% or less.
References
Government Dietary Recommendations Public Health England
