Achieving good health is a journey, and understanding energy balance is an important part of it. But it’s not the only thing that matters!

Energy balance is about how many calories you take in through food and drinks compared to how many calories you burn through activities and metabolism. To keep your weight steady, these two numbers need to be the same.

Let’s look at a simple example:

• If you eat 2,500 calories a day and burn 2,500 calories through exercise and daily activities, you're balanced.
• If you eat 3,000 calories but only burn 2,200, you might start to gain weight over time.

However, only thinking about calories can oversimplify things. The quality of the food you eat is really important too!

Key Parts of Good Health:

1. Nutrient Quality: Choose whole foods like fruits, vegetables, lean meats, and whole grains instead of processed snacks.

2. Variety: Eating different types of food helps you get a wider range of nutrients.

3. Physical Activity: Working out regularly helps your metabolism and keeps your weight healthy.

4. Hydration: Drinking enough water is crucial for your overall health, and it can affect your energy and hunger.

In summary, while knowing about energy balance is important, good health also includes eating quality foods, having a variety in your diet, making good lifestyle choices, and staying active. It’s all about finding a balanced way to feel good!