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What is a calorie? - Emma Bryce

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TEDEd Animation

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We hear about calories all the time: How many calories are in this cookie? How many are burned by doing 100 jumping jacks, or long-distance running, or fidgeting? But what is a calorie, really? And how many of them do we actually need? Emma Bryce explains how a few different factors should go into determining the recommended amount for each person.

A portion of our consumed energy goes towards physical activity each day. Make a list of all the daily activities you perform that you think would require this energy.

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TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

  • Educator Emma Bryce
  • Animator Qa'ed Mai
  • Script Editor Eleanor Nelsen
  • Narrator Addison Anderson

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