Calorie Density Explained
Calorie Density Explained
DENSITY
EXPLAINED
WELL YOUR WORLD
WHAT IS CALORIE DENSITY?
Calorie density defines how CONCENTRATED food is which is very important to know
if you are trying to lose weight. It is usually measured as calories per pound. But you
could also think of it as calories per mouthful or even calories per meal. The relative
difference between the various foods is more important than the unit of measure.
The point of understanding calorie density is to help you feel full and satiated
without consuming too many calories.
VS
more calories than eating over a pound LEAFY GREEN SALAD
of leafy greens. Using oil as an example, OIL
you can visualize the difference in
1 TABLESPOON OVER 1 POUND
volume between these two categories of = =
120 USELESS CALORIES 120 HEALTHY CALORIES
food. On the following pages, we will
break down the chart, category by
category, so you can use this information
to reduce or eliminate overly rich foods
and achieve the weight loss you seek.
CALORIE DENSITY
40x
28x
18-25x
15x
10x
3x 4-6x
1x
Non-Starchy Whole Fruit Whole Starches Animal Dried Carbs Junk Food Nuts +Seeds Oil
Veggies Products + Dried Fruit
NON-STARCHY VEGGIES
The foods with the lowest calorie density,
around 100 calories per pound, are also the
most packed with nutrients. This includes leafy
greens, broccoli, peppers, garlic, onions, herbs,
and much more. This group is responsible for
adding lots of flavor and variety to our dishes,
but they are not rich enough to keep us full and
satisfied for long.
WHOLE FRUIT
Whole fruit in their natural, fresh form such as
apples, berries, bananas, oranges, and pears
are 3 times as calorie dense as non-starchy
veggies (this is where the 3x comes in on the
graph). And yes your taste buds will notice the
difference! This is why fresh fruit makes an
excellent snack enjoyed throughout the day.
WHOLE STARCHES
Whole, cooked, <wet= starches have always
accounted for the bulk of our calorie intake as
humans. This includes potatoes both sweet and
white, whole grains like rice, oatmeal, and
quinoa, and legumes like lentils, beans, and split
peas. These are the foods that keep us full and
satisfied after every meal. Although they are 4-6x
more calorie dense than non-starchy veggies,
they are still much less rich than the junk foods
and animal products most people eat.
JUNK FOOD
Junk food is 18-25 times as calorie dense as non-
starchy veggies, and we all know what this
category includes: chips, cookies, cakes, candy.
The richness of these foods puts them squarely in
the Pleasure Trap category, which makes them
tough to give up. Eliminate them for long
enough and the cravings will go away, plus your
health will improve!
18-25x
15x
10x
3x 4-6x
1x
Non-Starchy Whole Fruit Whole Starches Animal Dried Carbs Junk Food Nuts +Seeds Oil
Veggies Products + Dried Fruit
Salt is tricky because it doesn't have any calories, but it can still hijack your taste buds and
cause you to overeat. Many people avoid salt because it elevates your blood pressure,
causes joint paint, etc. Virtually all whole foods have plenty of sodium and electrolytes, so
eating salt is not needed. The typical western diet includes way too much added salt.
ALWAYS SOS-FREE!
HEALTHY VEGAN PRODUCTS
100% plant-based
no added salt
no added oil
no added sugar
gluten free
nut free
THE KEY TO STAYING ON TRACK
Since it is virtually impossible to eat out while maintaining a healthy diet, almost all of your food must
be prepared at home. For that reason, the key to success is making this as simple to stick to as
possible. That is what Well Your World is all about: remove the complexity, make it really easy, and
you too can reclaim your health! Here are some helpful tips:
AVOCADO
Avocado is roughly 8x as calorie dense as non-starchy
veggies, and its calories come from fat. If you are looking to
add richness to your diet, avocados are a much less calorie
dense option than nuts and seeds. Used as a condiment,
avocados can be enjoyed as part of a perfectly healthy
diet. Some people may choose to eliminate avocado
during weight loss, but we encourage you to find an
appropriate amount that works for you and your goals.
PASTA
Whole grain or bean pasta is also under the category of <dried
carbs= and is a bit more calorie dense than wet carbs, even
when cooked. Whole grain pastas, as well as chickpea or lentil
pastas, are definitely a better option than refined/white flour
pastas because they are much less processed (more whole).
Although these starches start off dry, they absorb a lot of water,
making them very filling. Although pasta is slightly more calorie
dense than other whole starches, we love how easy it is to
prepare a wide variety of meals and don’t find it hinders our
weight loss. People who do choose to replace pasta during
weight loss can enjoy potatoes or whole grains like brown rice.
INGREDIENTS METHOD
1 10-12 oz. bag frozen brown rice Add everything except the zoodles to a
1 10-12 oz. bag frozen peppers & medium dutch oven over high heat. Bring to
onions a boil while stirring occasionally, reduce the
heat, and simmer for 1-10 minutes.
1 10-12 oz. bag frozen artichoke
hearts Then add the zoodles since these are more
2 15 oz. cans diced tomatoes fragile than the other ingredients. Stir to bring
2-3 teaspoons minced garlic it all together, simmer to cook through for a
1 tablespoon Italian seasoning minute or two, and enjoy!
2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
1 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon dried ground thyme
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper
1 teaspoon WYW Date Powder
2 10-12 oz. bags frozen "zoodles"
(zucchini noodles)
INGREDIENTS METHOD
1 small yellow onion, diced Add the onion, garlic, corn, potatoes,
2 garlic cloves, minced zucchini, and green chili to a pot or dutch
3 cups fire roasted corn oven. Sauté over medium-high heat until the
onions are tender, adding a little water or
5 medium red potatoes, chopped
veggie broth as needed to keep from
1 zucchini, diced sticking.
1 green chili, diced (anaheim/hatch,
optional) Then add the remaining ingredients to the
3-4 cups veggie broth pot and stir. Bring the pot to a boil, then
reduce the heat and simmer for about 10
1 cup soy milk
minutes or until the potatoes are tender.
2 teaspoons chipotle chili powder
Next, transfer 2 cups of the chowder to a
fresh chopped basil, to serve high-speed blender. Blend until smooth and
WYW Everything Bagel Seasoning, transfer back the pot.
to serve
Serve with fresh chopped basil and
Everything Bagel Seasoning. Enjoy!
INGREDIENTS METHOD
Chickpea Filling Prepare the Chickpea Filling. In a mixing
1 15 oz. can chickpeas, drained and bowl, add the chickpeas, corn, and BBQ
rinsed sauce. Mash into a coarse texture with a
1/2 cup fire roasted corn potato masher.
1/2 cup WYW BBQ Sauce
Lay down the whole wheat lavash, add
Wrap Ingredients some chickpea filling along with as much of
whole wheat lavash the other wrap ingredients as you like, roll it
Chickpea Filling up, and cut the wrap in half.
1-2 ribs celery, sliced thin
Enjoy this no-heat recipe! This will yield at
1 red bell pepper, sliced thin least a couple wraps.
1 carrot, sliced thin
1/2 cucumber, sliced thin
1 avocado, sliced (optional)
INGREDIENTS METHOD
Pasta Prepare the pasta according to the package
1 8 oz. box whole-grain pasta directions and set aside.
1 yellow onion, diced
1 bell pepper, diced To prepare the sauce, add the ingredients to a
high-speed blender and blend until smooth,
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
adding an additional tablespoon or two of water
(optional)
as needed to reach your desired consistency.
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 15 oz. can black beans, drained and In a separate saucepan, sauté the onion, bell
rinsed pepper, crushed red pepper (if using) and garlic
1 15 oz. can corn, drained and rinsed over medium-high heat for about 5 minutes,
adding a little water or veggie broth as needed
Sauce to keep from sticking.
1 cup raw cashews
1 cup water, more as needed Add the beans, corn, cooked pasta, and sauce
3 garlic cloves, minced to the pan. Stir and continue to sauté for a
couple minutes just to heat the sauce. If the
2 teaspoons smoked paprika
sauce seems thick add a little veggie broth or
1/4 cup nutritional yeast
water to the pan and stir.
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1 teaspoon dijon mustard To serve, sprinkle on your favorite toppings like
1 lime, juiced green onions, cilantro, cherry tomatoes, tortilla
1-2 tablespoons WYW Fiesta Blend strips, and lime wedges. Enjoy!
18-25x
15x
10x
3x 4-6x
1x
Non-Starchy Whole Fruit Whole Starches Animal Dried Carbs Junk Food Nuts +Seeds Oil
Veggies Products + Dried Fruit
Non-Starchy Whole
Veggies Fruit
Whole
Starches
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