5 Foods That Have Way More Calories Than You Think

As athletes, we all learn about nutrition within athletics and that sets us above our peers. But our knowledge is so specific, that when we are put in an environment that no longer warrants that type of consumption, most of us will struggle... I know I did. Not until I started to grasp how many calories were in various foods, did I start being able to regulate my weight after I stopped competing. 

At Mpowher we don't promote counting calories, but it is important to understand how much food we are consuming and how many calories are in it. Try tracking your food for a week in an app or notebook, this process will open your eyes to how much you are actually eating and how many calories are in various foods. I would consider myself a very nutritious person, and the results of this little experiment shocked the hell out of me. I was eating healthy food, but way too much of it. Tracking my food for a week, helped me understand what I was consuming.

Throughout this process, these were 5 foods that shocked me the most....

Peanut Butter

Throughout all my years competing in college, peanut butter was the most promoted food of all time. I remember eating it out of the jar before morning workouts, or with a banana before practice. It stuck with me and didn’t make me feel like throwing up when running. But 1 Tbsp has almost 100 calories… which is similar to regular butter.

Guacamole

I lost a piece of my soul when I found out that 1/2 cup of guac contains about 155 cal. That’s typically the amount I spread on my toast, or eat with meals. I definitely am not going to stop eating it, because honestly #guacislife, but it definitely made me cut back a bit.

Olive Oil

Olive Oil is sneaky, as it is easy to slip more than necessary into your meal. Two Tbsp of Olive Oil have more calories (238 cal) than two Tbsp of butter (204 cal). Calories are not everything, as Olive Oil has some amazing antioxidants and it lowers cholesterol, but from a strict calorie perspective make sure you are aware of how much is in a serving.

Granola

Granola is something that you have to watch out for if you are not making it yourself. Most store bought granolas are loaded with sugar and fat, and even some homemade ones! One cup typically ranges in about 400 cal to 600 cal.

Quinoa

While most nutritionists rave about quinoa, it’s surprising that one cup has more calories (222 Cal) than long grain white rice (206 Cal). Calories aren’t everything as quinoa is high in protein, fiber, calcium, and contains all 9 essential amino acids. As with most foods balance is key. Reap all the benefits of this nutritious food without over indulging.