I was wondering this the other day. It’s similar I think to “How efficient is out digestive system”. Is there an optimal number of calories to take in every X amount of time to maintain a steady…calorie intake? Energy generation?
In: Biology
Depends on the person as well as their metabolism. But in theory, no to your first question; our bodies just do not work like that. The stomach is not like a gas tank in which case one could upgrade to a larger size tank. Yes to the second question however. Because this is more fitting to the human nutritional model. When you consume calories, you usually intend to replace what has been used as well as prepare for what is about to be used. It’s not so much a ‘get to zero (0) then replenish with 500-2000’ and carry on. More like, expend 350 calories then start to replace that amount while you still have roughly 150 left from the previous 500 you already consumed earlier.
As far as optimal number of calories, that depends on the individuals bodily requirements; larger people require more than smaller people. And to this, larger is more proportionate to body mass index; the ratio of fat to muscle that one carries. Even height can be a factor so there really is no prejudice in my statement as far as ‘larger/smaller beings’. We all need our own moderation. Obesity is more of a health issue seeing as one of this nature usually is not really expending calories in a ‘fashionable’ way; eating just to consume what one loves to eat for the sake of satisfying mental craving is just gorging for the most part. Where as body builders eventually push their body beyond their naturally sensible limits for the result of massive muscles. At that point, yes, these individuals require a higher caloric intake simply because some or most of their work outs will burn hundreds of calories in a matter of one of more hours. I would include rather serious athletes sort of in the middle of a ‘normally healthy being’ and ‘body builder’. For instance Michael Phelps, the Olympic swimmer. Not a body builder, but due to the nature of their sport expertise, he really goes through the calories a bit more than normal and thus has reason for higher portion meals.
It’s really a matter of finding that happy balance depending on your body type and the activities performed. An even more honest answer from my own perspective? It’s never ‘perfect’. And honestly, I hardly really pay full attention or track my dieting schedule. Some days I only eat a light breakfast, light lunch, and a moderate-normal dinner. Where as other days I eat like a horse; big breakfast, basically a normal size lunch as brunch/lunch with maybe a snack to get by until dinner, followed by a normal size dinner and perhaps something small later that evening (like a peanut butter jelly with a protein drink). The latter being days where I workout/lift a whole bunch. The best I can do to moderate my diet without feeling like I’m on a weight watchers nazi diet is make sure not to eat too much red meat too often. Breakfast will mostly consist of oatmeal/cereal or perhaps the traditional eggs/bacon/toast. Mid day snacks are normally fruits, yogurt, etc. I like to consume at least one large container of kefir per month which stretches out to, at most, 10 days (small portions usually with breakfast). Lunch is almost always a turkey/bacon/gouda on mini na’an perhaps with more fruit if I’m really that hungry. Or some sort of left over, especially if it’s chicken (or beef on work out days). And dinner is a collective between whatever my family and I can decide on together or I’ll go out/cook my own meal once I know they are taking care of themselves for that evening. And it can be just about anything as long as it coincides with what I’ve had that day/lately. For instance, I rarely eat steaks back to back nights. Same with chicken as it will make me get lazy for some reason. I love some types of fish however I can still get hungry again after dining on fish unless I go to sleep within a timely fashion. Otherwise, I know I am going to wake up hungry which isn’t really a bother to me. Hope this helps!
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