Question:
Yes, I want to know how do u break down calories by the carbs u intake?????

Hi all, I hope all is well. My question is how many calories do u have to burn in order burn 1 carb? I hear people talk about burning caloris but never hear talk about burning carbs or how many carbs u burn up when u burn calories. Thank u all in advance for your answers.    — sexysag37 (posted on October 10, 2003)

October 10, 2003
carbohydrates and proteins have the same caloric load - 4 calories per 1 gram of protein or carbs. Fats have 9 calories per gram. The issue with carbs isn't so much the caloric load as how your body reacts to them. What glycemic reaction do you get from them. Some bodies burn carbs wonderfully and others deposit it quickly to fat storage. It just depends on you. But even then you have the calories in, calories out issue. So much fun to figure this stuff out lol. Good luck!
   — [Deactivated Member]

October 11, 2003
As the poster below stated, a carbohydrate has 4 calories so you would have to burn 4 calories to burn 1 carb! The thing with carbs is these are what our bodies use for energy right away. If you don't burn them the excess goes into storage for future use (aka - fat!) When you first begin your exercise routine the first calories you burn are from carbs, then we tap into our fat stores. By building lean muscle mass you increase your body's resting metabolic rate and boost the rate at which your body burns your carbs; doing this in conjunction with limiting your carb intake is usually a good thing. Hope this helps!
   — Pambylah

October 11, 2003
Carbohydrates and protein give you 4 Cal/gram. So if something has 4 grams of carbs, it has 16 Calories from carbs. Fat gives you 9 Calories/gram and alcohol has 7.5. There is not really a difference in how anyone burns the carbs, but folks with diabetes or insulin resistance may have problems with eating too many simple carbohydrates at once. Remember, carbohydrates are best for when you need very quick/clean fuel, like before exercising or fairly soon before a big exam or presentation. Sorry to offend any Atkins folks out there, but your brain DEFINITELY runs better on carbs than fat or protein.
   — Brittany C.