What are calories

 

Calories are a unit of energy that are contained in food.

we have given some information about calories and how much calories should be consumed on reguler basis.

There are three main caloric sources: carbs (1g = 4 calories), protein (1g = 4 calories), and fats (1g = 9 calories).

These three are commonly referred to as macronutrients or macros.

The energy gained from these macros is used differently by the body.

Carbs are used as your primary energy source – everything from walking to your brain function is powered by them.

Protein calories are used to rebuild and build tissue- from organs, to muscles, to hair.

Calories from fats are used by the body to support cell growth, energy when broken down into fatty acids, protect your organs, promote the production of important hormones, etc.

The calories you gain from these three macros serve a different purpose.

Yes, they all can be technically used for energy to fuel daily activities, but the body has a structure that makes the whole process more efficient and reduces waste.

So, does that mean that when you’re in a caloric surplus that you gain all of those calories just from protein. Is all of that excessive protein calories what drives muscle growth.

 No:

That would be impossible, if you had to be in a 500 caloric surplus that means that you’d have to eat 125 grams of protein ABOVE what you’re already eating.

When you’re bulking, the majority of your calories come from carbs and fats – both of which have NOTHING to do (sort of) with muscle growth.

What you are essentially doing when you’re bulking is introducing a lot more energy in your body than what it needs to maintain your weight. 

And what happens with all of that excess energy?