What Are the Energy-Producing Foods?

The two main sources of energy for the body are carbohydrates and lipids (fats) and in rare instances -proteins.

While carbohydrate is the major source of energy; the lipid on the other hand is a purer source of energy.

This is because lipids are not polar (does not mix easily with water and other substances) while carbohydrates are polar (mixed easily with water and other substances).

There are various sources of carbohydrates which could act as power energizers. The following are examples:

1. Whole grain rice - A hundred grams of rice gives more or less 310 calories with small amounts of minerals, vitamin A, B, C and iron. This indicates that

2. Brown bread - More or less 80 calories with chapatis having the most calories at about 158. Both rice and bread are rich sources of vitamin B.

3. Potatoes raw potatoes have the lowest calorie (more or less 65) and fried potatoes have the highest at more or less 250 calories.

4. Fruits - monosaccharide, the simplest form of carbohydrate can be derived from fruits. 100 grams of Banana can give at least 65 calories.

The following are sources of calories for lipids:

1. Meat fat - a gram usually gives more or less 32 calories.

2. Dairy products a gram of cheese - will give more or less 40 calories with margarine having the highest at more or less 70 calories.

Milk (skimmed) 0.1 g will give more or less 6.5 calories.

Ice cream is one good source of calories too, for every serving; there is 175 calories available for you.

Examples of proteins are beans, fish, eggs and many more. Protein are actually considered as the building blocks of the body.

These calories from food would determine what diet you would be taking in. If you are greatly mobile and are exercising a lot, then you need to take in calories that would be equivalent to your consumption.

If you're into brisk walking, you'll be spending 235 calories per hour. For aerobics you'll be using 400 calories every hour of exercise.

For quick fixes when you suddenly collapsed because of hypoglycemia, a bar of chocolate, a cup of sweetened coffee or a candy bar can help bring back that energy into your system.

It is very important to learn that taking in energy producing foods should commensurate with your energy output or you will end up gaining weight and becoming obese. Good health is still the utmost priority.