YES.
A calorie is a calorie. How much simpler can it be?
100 calories of fat is still 100 calories, the same way 100 calories of protein is still 100 calories. A dog is a dog, a cat is a cat, and a calorie is a calorie. End of debate.
That being said, does it matter where I get my calories from?
Now this is a much better question, and the answer is still yes. In the simplest terms possible, here's why:
A calorie is a measure of energy. Our bodies need energy to function. Too little and you lose weight, too much and you gain weight.
We get our calories from three macronutrients:
- Protein
- Fat
- Carbohydrates
Aside from the calories these macronutrients provide, they also support our body's functions. Protein is required for muscle growth, fat supports healthy cell function, and carbohydrates.. well, let's just say they make for an excellent source of immediate energy.
The bottom line is this:
Our bodies need calories, but we need to balance out where we get those calories from because our bodies need all three macronutrients as well.
So if you need 2000 kcal to function properly, it's got to look a little something like this:
2000kcal = calories from Protein + calories from Fat + calories from Carbohydrates