Weight management is about balancing the number of calories consumed with the number of calories the body uses or “burns off”. A calorie is defined as a unit of energy supplied by food. A colorie is a calorie regardless of its source. Whether it is carbohydrates, fats, sugars, or proteins, all of them contain calories. Caloric balance is like scale. To remain in balance and maintain your body weight, the calories consumed (from foods) must be balanced by the calories used (in normal body function, daily activities, and exercise).

If you are	Your caloric balance status is ...
Maintaining your weight	“in balance”. You are eating roughly the same number of calories that the body is utilizing. Your weight will remain stable.
Gaining Weight	“in caloric excess”. You are eating more calories than your body is using. you will store these extra calories as fats and you’ll gain weight.
Losing weight	“in caloric deficit”. You are eating fewer calories than you are using. Your body is pulling from its fat storage cells for energy, so your weight is decreasing.

Examples of calories in some foods :