Because the carbohydrates in refined grains — bread, white rice, pasta — come packaged with some fiber, some protein and even a few other nutrients, their calories aren't quite as empty, and the speed with which they're digested varies.
As a rule of thumb, if a food does not contain nutrients or if the calories from sugar and fats outweigh the nutrients found in the food, it's considered to be a source of empty calories. The foods and drinks that contain primarily empty calories are: Soft drinks, sports drinks, sweet tea, lemonade and energy drinks.
A high intake of empty calorie foods may cause weight gain, especially if your calorie intake exceeds your activity levels. In contrast, consumption of nutrient-dense foods helps to maintain a healthy weight, in addition to supplying nutrients that protect against disease.
It is high on the glycemic index, meaning that it can lead to a rapid increase in blood sugar levels (9, 10 ). One 2014 study in 9,267 people found that eating two slices (120 grams) of white bread per day was linked to a 40% greater risk of weight gain and obesity ( 11 ).
Foods with empty calories will still give you energy. However, they offer little to no nutritional benefit. Empty-calorie foods with too much saturated fat, sugar and sodium (salt) can raise your cholesterol and blood pressure, increase the amount of sugar in your blood and put stress on your organs.
The more calories a food has, the more energy it can provide to your body. When you eat more calories than you need, your body stores the extra calories as body fat. Even a fat-free food can have a lot of calories. Excess calories in any form can be stored as body fat.
One of the most effective ways to avoid empty calories is by ensuring your diet is full fiber rich, low calorie fruits and vegetables. Fruits and vegetables not only provide the body with necessary vitamins and minerals but they also contain a wide variety of other nutrients that have many different effects on the body ...
Will all bread make you gain belly fat? It's true that white bread is linked to an increased risk of belly fat, but that doesn't mean that all bread is bad. High-fiber, whole-grain bread is actually linked to less belly fat when consumed with a healthy diet.
Cut the carbs—When you cut out refined carbs like white bread, rice, bagels, pasta, cookies, candy and chips and focus on nutrient- and fiber-rich carbs such as vegetables, and low-glycemic fruits, you start to lose belly fat, because, once again, your body is burning fat for fuel.
In one study, people on a lower-calorie diet that included whole grains, such as whole wheat bread, lost more belly fat than those who ate only refined grains, such as white bread and white rice. Whole grains provide more vitamins, minerals, and fiber than refined. But overdoing whole wheat bread can add pounds, too.
The only truly zero calorie food is water, but low calorie foods are also grouped in. Still, we view eating only zero or negative calorie foods as fad dieting nonsense similar to drinking ice cold water instead of room temperature water (which burns around 5 extra calories per glass, by the way).
Starving your body, whether consistently or inconsistently, can result in weight gain since your body is confused. Your metabolism is slowed so you're not burning through calories, or excess fat. Additionally, starving yourself can lead to fits of binge eating later, since you're so hungry.
For example, a soda gets all of its calories from added sugar, so it gives you quick energy but nothing else. But a pizza, which is also designated as a source of empty calories, delivers a combination of carbs, fat, and protein, plus several important vitamins and minerals (albeit in low amounts).
Consuming at least 1,200 calories per day has often been touted as the minimum for basic bodily functions and to stay out of starvation mode, but the amount is actually too low. A healthy amount of calories for adult women ranges from 1,800 to 2,400 calories per day and for men it's 2,000 to 3,200 calories per day.
Potatoes are available year round from your grocer, and can be a part of a healthy meal plan! One potato, about the size of your fist, has only 110 calories and is loaded with important nutrients like potassium, fiber, vitamin C, and complex carbohydrates.
Since carbohydrates are the main source of energy in the body, when they are lost, the body breaks down fats and produces ketones, and the result is: Bad breath. Dry mouth. Tired.
White Bread
The body does not have to burn any extra calories to try to break down these easy-to-digest-foods, leaving your metabolism operating at a slower level. Foods that are high in fiber like whole wheat bread ramp up your metabolism due to the extra work required to try and break down the indigestible fiber.
One of the primary reasons white bread causes bloating is because it contains gluten, a protein found in wheat. It is not just gluten that causes bloating though. White bread also contains fructans. In some people, lacking certain gut enzymes may contribute to bloat while eating bread.
Studies show that consuming junk food and processed foods with synthetic additives are the leading cause of high belly fat and obesity. Additionally, foods rich in sugar and Omega 6 fatty acids, excessive drinking, smoking and a sedentary lifestyle are equally likely to cause high belly fat levels.
"Convenience foods," like packaged snacks, chips, and sodas, are common sources of empty calories. Nutrient-rich foods, on the other hand, have a lot more nutrients in relation to their calories. A few examples are vegetables, peanut butter, bran cereal with fruit, and fish.
Many people consider white rice an “empty” or “bad” carb since it loses nutrients when the bran and germ are removed. However, white rice is typically enriched with added nutrients such as iron and B vitamins. So while brown rice does have more nutrients than white rice, white rice is still considered nutritious.