Tag: Calorie myths

A calorie is a unit of energy, and from a strictly scientific perspective, almost all foods contain some form of energy. However, the question "What's something that doesn't have calories?" has a more nuanced answer when looking at nutrition labels and how the human body processes food. The key lies in understanding what the body can and cannot metabolize for energy.

According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), a product can be labeled “fat-free” if it contains less than 0.5 grams of fat per serving. However, this designation leads many people to assume the product is also low in calories, which is a significant misconception that affects weight management efforts. Understanding the full picture of what's inside that package is crucial.

According to a study published in the journal *Nutrients*, blending certain fruits can actually lead to a lower glycemic response than eating them whole. This surprising fact challenges the persistent myth that a banana gains calories when blended, a concern that often misguides people on their health journeys.

A medium banana contains approximately 105 calories, according to USDA data. But does blending increase how many calories are in a banana if blended? The simple answer is no—the total calorie count remains the same, but the process has some surprising nutritional implications that affect how your body uses that energy.

A millimeter is a unit of length, measuring one-thousandth of a meter, and it contains no calories. The question of how many calories are in a millimeter is a classic example of confusing different physical quantities: energy and distance.

According to FDA regulations, a product can be labeled 'zero calories' if it contains fewer than 5 calories per serving. This guideline is why MiO can claim its concentrated liquid water enhancers contain zero calories, as the intense artificial sweeteners provide flavor without caloric impact in the minuscule serving size.

Despite its famously rich and creamy appearance, a pint of Guinness Draught often contains fewer calories than many mainstream lagers, a revelation that surprises many beer drinkers. The deep, dark color is primarily due to roasted barley, not a high sugar or calorie count, debunking a common beer misconception.

A medium-sized banana contains approximately 105 calories, not 200. This common misconception often leads people to wonder, "Is a banana 200 calories?", when the reality is that the number depends on the banana's size and form, making most bananas a relatively low-calorie snack.

A medium apple contains approximately 95 calories, immediately proving that the idea that an apple has no calories is a misconception. This low-calorie, high-fiber fruit is a healthy snack, but its natural sugars and carbohydrates provide energy to the body.

According to U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) guidelines, a product can legally be labeled as "zero calorie" if it contains fewer than five calories per serving. This means that while they are extremely low in energy, not all zero-calorie drinks are technically and identically zero calories.