Most people have been taught that doing simple math is the key to losing weight, you can lose weight by cutting calories. But as it turns out, experts are discovering that this age-old tactic is misguided.
The reality is that not all calorie calculations produce exact results. The kind of food you eat, your body’s metabolism, and even the kinds of microbes that live in your gut all affect how many calories your body burns. You can consume the same number of calories as another person and still experience quite different weight-related results.
The idea of reducing body fat by restricting fat calories is flawed. Counting (fat) calories is the wrong approach. Restricting carbohydrates is the key. Author of Eat Fat, Get Thin, Mark Hyman, explains: “weight management is not a math problem.”
1. It overlooks nutritional value
Calories do not indicate how nutrient-dense a food is.
You can consume 2,000 calories of anything if you use a calorie counting strategy. You might not be aware of the nutritional makeup of those 2,000 calories. These calories could come from packaged, processed, or unprocessed foods.
Although they have the same number of calories, they differ greatly in terms of nutrients. In addition to needing calories for energy, your body also requires antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. Only considering calories in a numerical sense leaves out a significant portion of what improves your health and wellness.
Furthermore, eating foods that are nutritious because they are “high calorie” can make you stop watching calories. Instead of thinking of an avocado or a handful of cashews as a healthful, full food, you may start to see them as ‘high calorie’ foods to avoid.
2. Calories measurements are inaccurate
According to a report in Healthline, the nutrition labels we rely on are not always as accurate as we had thought. The number of calories in a serving of food depends on its size, preparation method, and rate of absorption. Imagine that only 400 of the 500 calories in the hamburger you ate are really absorbed. Accurate calorie counting is tough to estimate and appears impossible with so many variables.
3. It causes you to ignore your own body and needs
In order to let us know what we specifically need, our bodies send signals. Your body uses your hunger and satiety signals to let you know what it needs in order to feel and perform at its peak. It can be hungry because it needs more food for energy or because the amount of food you ate was excessive (feeling stuffed).
It can be simple to over eat or under eat when we’re not tuned in to these cues because we’re strictly adhering to portion guidelines in their place.
3. Calorie counting can lead to disordered eating behaviors
A lot of disordered eating behaviors are regrettably viewed as normal or acceptable in today’s society. You might not be aware of the possibility that these actions point to a problematic relationship with food.
Here are a few examples of disordered eating behaviors:
- Obsessing over your weight or body image
- Making up for “bad” foods eaten or “burning off” calories through exercise
- Skipping meals
- Anxiety around eating certain foods
- Rigid nutrition or fitness routines
- Extreme feelings of guilt or shame after eating
When you’re counting calories, it can be far too easy to develop these unhealthy eating behaviors. You’re so focused on eating a specific amount of calories per day that it can lead you to constantly think about your food choices.
Being so controlling over your food ultimately leads you to feel more out of control. It can feel like eating well is really challenging to maintain, which overall is very negative for your physical and mental health.
If you are having great trouble around your weight and your relationship with food, we advise that you seek medical help.
Also see: Fuel your fitness with eggs
