Why TO or NOT TO count calories.

To count or not to count? That is the question.

Typically, calorie counting is not something we recommend to clients. WE KNOW! Weird since we just did a challenge all about tracking your food.

Some reasons why we will have our clients calorie count is if they are:

• Using it as a reference for portion sizing.

• Looking at specific foods, or just a short term check.

• Prepping for a show (bodybuilding) or doing some sort of competition.

Otherwise, we teach how to utilize the proper portion sizes. This is, in our humble opinion, the easiest, healthiest, and most sustainable way to build healthy habits and achieve sustainable weight loss. Dietitians, the government, and most importantly our clients agree!

There are MANY reasons why I do not recommend calorie counting. Here are just a few:

1. Calorie counting can be very inaccurate. Even if you are weighing or measuring everything you are consuming! First: 100g of salmon is not exactly the same as 100g of another piece of salmon. There are many factors that impact the nutritional content of foods (including how it was raised/grown and how it was stored/cooked). But the FDA also allows inaccuracies of up to 20% on label calorie counts, and research shows restaurant nutrition information can be off by 100-300 calories per food item.

2. It can develop unhealthy habits, dependency, binging, and worst case, disordered eating. This is one of the reasons places like Weight Watchers and Jenny Craig do not work for most people and they have HIDDEN WARNINGS on their website because of problems THEY CAUSED with disordered eating.

3. Not all calories are created equal. Just because you are eating at your calorie goal, you might not be getting the nutrients you need to lose weight and help your body function properly.

For Example:

• Option A: 500ish calorie fast-food hamburger, and 200ish calorie glass of wine

(Total: 700ish calories)

• Option B: 300ish calorie grilled salmon, 300ish calorie rice and beans, and 100ish calorie of mixed steamed veggies

(total 700ish calories)

Option A is highly processed, full of saturated fat, and...well...alcohol.

Option B has more nutrient density (large concentration of various nutrients, a mix of different types of protein, carbohydrates, fats, veggies)

Do you see the difference? One is widely accepted as healthier than the other even with similar calorie counts. Calories in does not always equal calories out.

However, there are some important benefits to tracking your food and looking at calories.

1. It can help you figure out proper portion/serving size for YOU

2. It can be a quick food or self-check

3. Calorie counting can show you nutrient breakdowns (are you getting enough of a certain nutrient)

While there are many other reasons to track, or not to track your calories (insert ANOTHER bloody Shakespeare joke here). I hope this helps you develop a better understanding of what you are doing and why! I am honored to help my clients learn how to reach their goals with habits that are quicker and easier than calorie counting!

For more information on calorie counting check out our infographic:

Calorie Counting Debunked!

Did this post help you? Are you interested in learning more? Feel free to email: Taylor@hfitcollective.com with your thoughts!

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