The Trouble with Counting Calories
- meliscolborne95
- Oct 12, 2023
- 2 min read
Updated: Nov 1, 2023
As a Registered Dietitian, my main goal is to help you make healthy and sustainable lifestyle changes. I believe in balanced nutrition and making informed food choices rather than focusing on counting calories, which can often be misleading.
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All calories are NOT created equal
One of the main reasons I discourage calorie counting is the fact that not all calories are created equal. Calorie counting oversimplifies nutrition by treating all calories as if they have the same impact on your body. In reality, the source of calories matters just as much as the number of calories consumed.
So, what do I mean by this?
1. Nutrient density:
Foods rich in essential nutrients (vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants) offer more nutritional value per calorie. These foods can help improve your overall health and well-being. Fruits, vegetables, and whole grains are great examples of nutrient-dense foods.
2. Satiety:
Different foods affect our feelings of fullness and satisfaction in different ways. Protein and fiber-rich foods keep us feeling full and satisfied for longer, reducing the chance of overeating.
3. Metabolism:
Some foods require more energy for digestion and absorption. This is known as the thermic effect of food (TEF). Protein, for example, has a higher TEF compared to fats and carbohydrates, meaning you burn more calories when eating protein.
The DANGERS of counting calories
1. It can be a trigger:
Calorie counting can lead to obsessive behaviors, unhealthy relationships with food, and even the development of eating disorders. The constant tracking and fixation on numbers can be detrimental to your mental and emotional well-being (for some people).
2. Oversimplification:
Reducing nutrition to a simple numbers game overlooks the complexity of our bodies' needs and the multifaceted nature of food. It ignores factors like hormonal response, nutrient absorption, and individual differences
3. Unrealistic expectations:
Rigid calorie counting often sets unrealistic goals and expectations, leading to frustration and disappointment when those goals are not met. This can be discouraging and counterproductive.
The INACURRACY of calorie counts
Calorie counting apps and food labels are not always reliable. Many factors can lead to inaccuracies, such as variations in portion sizes, cooking methods, and individual differences in metabolism. Relying solely on these numbers can lead to a false sense of control and understanding, which may ultimately hinder your ability to make genuinely healthy choices.
While calories play a role in managing weight, counting calories is not as simple as it seems and should not be the only focus when you are making food choices. It is best to have a more holistic approach to your health by considering the quality and source of your calories, listening to your body's hunger and fullness cues, and making sustainable lifestyle changes.
Instead of counting calories, I want to encourage you to focus on eating a variety of whole, minimally processed foods, and enjoying balanced meals that provide the necessary nutrients your body needs to THRIVE! This will help you build a healthy relationship with food and achieve your goals in a sustainable way.
Are you struggling with weight loss?
Click the button below to find out how I can help you!
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