Introduction
Part one. Understanding calories: it all starts with the science. What is a calorie ; The history: from ancient Greece to modern calorie science ; Foods: how scientists count the calories ; Bodies: how scientists measure the use of calories
Part two. Why you need calories: survival, warmth, and work. Metabolism: how the body turns food into energy ; The first use of calories: basic life functions ; The second use: heat losses while metabolizing food ; The third use: physical activity
Part three. Calorie intake and its regulation. How many calories do you need? ; Calorie confusion: the struggle to estimate intake ; Secret calories: alcohol ; Calorie regulation: the body's complex weight management system
Part four. Too few calories. Starvation and its effects on the body ; Individuals, communities, nations: calories and gobal hunger ; Could restricting calories prolong human life?
Part five. Too many calories. An introduction to obesity ; Calories and weight gain: another complex relationship ; Do excess calories make some people gain weight faster than others? ; Are all calories created equal? ; Do some kinds of diets work better than others?
Part six. The politics of calories: a closer look. Today's "eat-more" environment: the role of the food industry ; More calorie confusion: portion distortion, health halos, and wishful thinking ; Calorie labeling: science and politics ; Alcohol labels: industry vs. consumers ; Will calorie labels help fight obesity?
Conclusion: How to cope with the calorie environment
Appendix one. Selected events in the history of calories, 1614-1919
Appendix two. The respiratory quotient (RQ)
Appendix three. Frequently asked questions.