Calories In, Calories Out

What is it?

Calories In, Calories Out (CICO) is a simple concept that is often used in the context of nutrition, weight loss and overall wellness. It refers to the basic principle that consuming more calories than you expend will result in weight gain, while consuming fewer calories than you burn will result in weight loss.

Examples

• If your daily caloric requirement is 2000 calories, and you consume 2500 calories, you will have a caloric surplus of 500 calories, which can lead to weight gain over time.
• If your daily caloric requirement is 2000 calories, and you consume 1500 calories, you will have a caloric deficit of 500 calories, which can result in weight loss over time.

Synonyms and Antonyms

There aren't any direct synonyms or antonyms for Calories In, Calories Out, but in some cases, it is referred to as energy balance. If you're consuming more calories than you're burning, you're in a state of positive energy balance, which can lead to weight gain. The opposite is true for negative energy balance.

Related Terms

CICO is often associated with other concepts in nutrition and weight loss, such as macronutrients (carbohydrates, proteins and fats), metabolism, and exercise.

Potential Confusion

Calories In, Calories Out is a straightforward concept, but some people may confuse it with other diet or health-related buzzwords, such as low carb, low fat, high protein, keto, or intermittent fasting. While these diets can impact energy balance, they are not synonymous with CICO.