kilojoules

[Mimmy]

is it true that the energy from food, measured in kilojoules or kilocalories, is determined by how much energy is released as the food is burned? if so,  if you were to overcook food and therefore already burn some of the energy off, will it be less calories when you eat it than if you had cooked it properly?

[brachiopod]

Yes, of course it's true.

Everytime you eat something, a little fire starts up in your tummy and burns the food you have eaten. The smoke builds up in the millions of little chimneys that lead out through your tummy button faster than the little chimney-sweep antibodies can remove it, and you put on weight.

If you have already overcooked your food by burning it, there is less smoke created and therefore you won't put on so much weight. So remember to really cremate every meal before serving it up.

[Mimmy]

computer says no

[Gef]

Burnt toast contains less energy than 'normal' toast.

[Diddymand]

The downside to the food not containing so much energy is the increase in chance of developing cancer from eating the burnt food. Burnt or barbecued beef being paricularly carcinogenic.

[Hippy]

Burnt toast is slightly radio active. I found this out when playing with a Geiger counter many years ago!

[ahar]

emsip - its not worth the crappy taste. and you risk damaging the nutrients you need from the food, eg vitamins for good skin and immune system etc.

[Hamish]

Stricly speaking yes. However you probably wouldnt be able to digest anything that had been burnt enough to make a signifcant dent in its calorific value. It would be easier to just east less food, which is essencially the same thing in the end.

[Mimmy]

the reason I ask is I like meat well done, especially crispy bacon and thoroughly cooked steak, but my husband likes his bacon  to be uncrispy and steak rare.I wasn`t planning on setting fire to beans and stuff, although on occasion I have eaten burnt offerings, not through choice though.