A Guide to Managing Your Weight

The amount of energy in an item of food or drink is measured in calories.

When we eat and drink more calories than we use, our bodies store the excess as body fat. If this continues, over time we may put on weight.

Our bodies need calories to keep us alive and our organs functioning normally. When we eat and drink, we put calories into our bodies. Our bodies use up those calories through everyday movement, which includes everything from breathing to running.

To maintain a stable weight, the calories in our bodies must be the same as the energy we use through normal bodily functions and physical activity.

An important part of a healthy diet is balancing the calories in our bodies with the energy we use. For example, the more physical activity we do, the more energy we use.

If you consume too many calories in 1 day, do not worry. Just try to take in fewer calories on the following days.