How do you calculate your calorie intake? Know some tips, recipes on how to lose weight with exercise and diet |  Photo Credit: iStock Images

New Delhi: Food and life are indispensable from each other. As important as food is for the body, we often end up gaining weight due to eating too much. However, it is not just about the quantity of what we eat, but also about the quality. If we binge on processed, unhealthy foods, it is inevitable to gain weight, even when you practice portion control. At the same time, a diet on its own can do little for the body if you do not provide the process with regular and consistent physical activity in the form of some or the other exercise.

Since exercise and diet both play such a vital role in weight loss, it is important to know the right amount of exercise, and the right nutrients you must consume to achieve your goal weight.Greata Sherene Robinson, nutritionist, Cloudnine Group of Hospitals, Chennai, shares with us the importance of diet and exercise for a healthy body, how much of each you need, and a healthy recipe to help you in the practicality of the weight loss idea.

The most effective way to achieve a complete fitness goal is to knowthe calculation of what we eat. It is important to know the components of your food, such as how manycarbohydrates, how much protein, fat, calories, etc are you consuming. Excuses burn zero calories is a common statement we come across which can be altered by saying that exercise burns a ton. When your heart says yes toa yummy cheesecake, the mind keeps warning us about the waistline. So, fitness and food gohand in hand. If your left-hand lifts a dumbbell, make sure your right-hand gets a bowl of protein snack.

Food fuels our body. Whether you walk, jump or swim around, you need to eat a nutritious balanced diet to fuel your body. The macros play a major role in this balance.Coming to the carbs, it forms the base of any diet. The body utilizes them as glucose which is used by the muscles for energy. Choose carbs wisely by sticking to more of complex carbohydrates.All your ripped muscles need to undergo repair for which protein is a must.To help access all the stored carbohydrates, healthy fats come in place. Carbs and fats are the main sources of energy during any fitness regimen. Microminerals and vitamins like vitamin C, E, carotenoids and flavonoids helpin healing muscle injury.Water keeps the muscle activated and prevents dehydration.

One calorie is basically the amount of energy needed to raise the temperature of 1 gram of water through 1 C.

To understand it the simple way, (1 g =? kcal) Carbohydrates - 4 Kcal Protein - 4 kcal Fat - 9 kcal

For example, suppose you buy a chocolate bar on which the label reads as: Carbohydrates 58.5 g x 4 kcal = 234 kcal Protein 7.8 g x 4 kcal = 31 kcal Fat 31.1 g x 9 kcal = 280 kcal

Makes a total of 545 kcal/100 g.

This is the way we calculate calories. But remember that calorie intake differs from individual to individual based on factors like age, height, sex and lifestyle. Lets look at how to get the right food in appropriate quantity to keep our fitness goals on track.

Method:

Grind them all together. Sprinkle the seeds on top. The shake makes for a great post-workout meal. It is a good source of potassium, proteins. It contains oats which are aslow digestible fibre that keeps you fuller for a longer duration.

Please note - In pregnancy, exercise caution while taking any type of fasts, as the baby's needs are specific and usually fasting is not encouraged. If you are still keen to know how to modify your diet during Navratri, please contact your nutritionist for safe personalized guidance via a video consultation so that you can reach out from the safety and comfort of your homes.

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Disclaimer: Tips and suggestions mentioned in the article are for general information purpose only and should not be construed as professional medical advice. Always consult your doctor or a dietician before starting any fitness programme or making any changes to your diet.

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How do you calculate your calorie intake? Know some tips, recipes on how to lose weight with exercise and diet - Times Now