What exactly are empty calories, and why are they bad for you?
These types of calories are those that provide energy in the form of calories but offer little to no nutrients. In other words, they’re “empty” of vitamins, minerals, fiber, and other essential nutrients.
Some foods, such as vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and lean proteins, are packed with nutrients.
However, other foods, like processed snacks and sweets, are high in calories but low in nutrients. These are the foods that are referred to as “empty calories.” When these foods make up a large proportion of your diet, it can lead to problems.
Here are six reasons to avoid empty calories.
Free Download: Why You Can't Shift Your Belly Fat6 Reasons To Avoid Empty Calories
Weight Gain
Carbohydrates are necessary to fuel your body but not all carbohydrates are not created equal. Complex carbohydrates are great for your body but simple carbohydrates are not. Simple carbohydrates, like white bread, desserts, pastries, candy and cookies are typically high in sugar and fat, which can contribute to weight gain.
When you consume more calories than you require, your body stores the surplus as fat. Obesity is a chronic disease that causes people to be overweight. Obesity is an enormous health problem linked with an increased risk of heart disease, diabetes, and cancer.
Nutrient Deficiencies
Empty calories don’t contain the minerals, vitamins, and other nutrients your body requires to function. If you consume too many empty calories, you may not receive all of the nutrients you require, resulting in deficiencies. For example, a diet high in unnutritious calories has been linked to vitamin A, C, and D shortages.
Poor Digestion
Empty calories are often low in fiber. Fiber is essential for digestion, as it helps to keep you regular. You may experience constipation, diarrhea, and other digestive problems without enough fiber. They also tend to be highly processed. This means they’re often difficult for your body to digest. As a result, you may feel tired, bloated, and gassy after eating them.
Blood Sugar Imbalance
Empty calories are often high in sugar, which can cause blood sugar levels to rise. Over time, insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes may develop as a result of this. Empty calories also consist of a limited amount of protein. Protein aids in the maintenance of good blood glucose levels by keeping them stable.
Heart Disease
A diet high in empty calories is linked to an increased risk of heart disease. It’s common for empty calories to be high in sugar and harmful fats, which can harm your heart. Furthermore, a diet lacking in nutrients has been linked to inflammation, which is a key risk factor for heart disease
Cancer
A diet high in empty calories may also increase your risk of cancer. This is because empty calories are often high in sugar and unhealthy fats, which can damage DNA and promote tumor growth. A diet lacking in nutrients is thought to contribute to inflammation, which is a major risk factor for cancer.
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