Yes, by definition a calorie is a calorie, but the effect a calorie has on your health and weight matters. So who cares if by definition a calorie is a calorie if it doesn’t get you closer to your goals?? 🙃
Calories from brown rice will get you down the path of health and weight loss while fries will not.
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Why are the calories not the same?
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100 calories worth of brown rice provides a lot more volume, fiber, and micronutrients than 100 calories of french fries (which provide a good dose of unhealthy fats, refined starches, hormone-disrupting chemicals like phthalates and PDASs). These can have a big impact on your health. ⠀
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What if you only care about weight and not your health? Still, they are not equivalent. Because your weight is determined by your intake over a day (or even a week). Brown rice will be more satiating and controls your blood sugar and hunger hormones, making you less likely to overeat. While the fries are going to mess with your brain circuits that control your appetite and cause you to overeat later on. You also get much less volume for the 100 calories of french fries, therefore making you need to eat more. ⠀
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So technically speaking, a calorie is a calorie, but our body and hunger cues are more complex than that. Filling calories with proper nutrients >>>> empty calories with no substance. ⠀
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I choose the calories that get me closer to my goals. How about you??
