Unpacking the age-old question: Is a calorie just a calorie? As always… it depends!

I’m sure you’ve heard this question before; "is a calorie is a calorie"? As usual, I don’t have a binary answer for you… it’s a yes and a no. On the surface, it seems straightforward – one calorie of strawberries is objectively equal to one calorie of gummy worms. So in that sense, yes, a calorie is a calorie.

But that doesn’t mean that both options will make you feel the same. Let’s say you’re a macro tracker and you've got a hundred calories left for the day. 100 calories of strawberries is going to look very different from 100 calories of gummy worms. You can eat either one and still hit your macros for the day becuase the calories are equal, but that’s about where the similarities end.

If you opt for the fruit, you’ll be able to eat about 25 strawberries! If you opt for the gummy worms, you can have about 4 for 100 calories. The volume of the foods are dramatically different. The strawberries will not only fill up your plate but also fill up your stomach. The volume of food you get with strawberries is leagues beyond what a small handful of gummy worms can offer.

And let's not forget the bonus points for strawberries – they're packed with fiber and a plethora of other nutrients. It's like getting more bang for your caloric buck. Meanwhile, the gummy worms are yummy and might give you a quick sugar rush, but the satisfaction is probably fleeting, and you'll likely find yourself eyeing the candy jar for more.

So, yes, a calorie is a calorie in the strictest sense, but the story doesn't end there. The choices you make within those calorie confines can have a significant impact on your journey – not just in terms of weight, but in how satisfied and nourished you feel. Next time you're thinking about what food you might want to eat, remember, it's not just about the numbers; it's about what those numbers bring to the table – or should I say, to the plate!

Train With Moxie