We all know the old saying. You are what you eat.
If you’ve ever tried to lose weight, you’ll know that many people start by tracking your calories. After all, creating a small calorie deficit is the best way to drop pounds.
These days, calorie counting can be a polarizing topic. Some people are deeply concerned about the psychological consequences calorie counting can have. Others swear by it as an effective way to tune into your body and meet your goals.
The fact is that there is truth to both arguments. Whether or not calorie counting will be beneficial to you relies a lot on your mindset and goals.
Here at Well Citizen, we are breaking down the pros and cons of calorie counting, so you can determine what route is right for you.
Pros:
The Math Is Right In Front of You
Sometimes, it’s just better to know.
If you are at the start of your fitness journey, it can all feel like a guessing game at times. Counting calories is a way to ensure you know exactly what is going into your body and what energy is being expended.
If your goal is weight loss, and you have an analytical mind, calorie counting might be a great strategy for you.
Better Understanding of Macros
Over the years, more and more people have become aware of the importance of tracking macros, rather than just calories.
When people talk about counting macro-nutrients, they are referring to keeping track of what percent of their calories are coming from carbs, protein, and fats. It is a more holistic way of counting calories that can be adjusted based on your goals.
Any good nutrition tracking app will allow you to see the breakdown of your macros. The average human should aim to get about 45-65% of their daily calories from carbs, 10-35% from protein, and 20-35% from fats. This ratio can change based on fitness goals, health conditions, and other personal needs.
Calorie counting can be a great way to determine if your macronutrient ratios are off. You can learn a lot about your diet when you see where you are getting the majority of your calories from. It can help you build awareness, and create a more balanced diet.
Easy to Plan Ahead
Keeping track of your calories can force you into planning out your meals in advance. After all, if you don’t have the option of stopping by your local healthy food chain, you’ll need to have some quick meals ready to go at a moment’s notice.
This can encourage meal prep and other healthy choices that are better for your body and your wallet.
Better Food Choices
Calorie counting can naturally lead to you making better food choices throughout the day. When you are more aware of how many calories each item of food is, it can encourage you to choose healthier, low-calorie options.
Cons:
Can Lead To Fixation
Many nutritionists steer clients away from calorie counting, due to the dangerous effects it can have on mental health.
Calorie counting can lead to an unhealthy relationship with food, and disordered eating behaviors. Things like eating less to make up for a “bad” meal, or feeling guilty after eating certain foods are all often linked to counting calories.
It can also cause you to ignore your body’s natural hunger and fullness cues, in favor of what the numbers say. The truth is that we all have days when we are hungrier than others, and ignoring those cues in order to reach a certain calorie intake isn’t healthy, physically or mentally.
Not All Calories Are Equal
Calorie counting has some fundamental flaws, in the sense that it doesn’t account for the nutritional value of the food you are eating. 2,000 calories of cake and 2,000 calories of fruits and vegetables may add up to the same number, but we all know that they offer us different nutritional benefits.
Additionally, if your focus is to keep your calorie count low, you might find yourself avoiding otherwise nutritious foods simply because they are higher in calories. Things like avocado, coconut, dairy products, potatoes, and bread are all examples of high-calorie foods that should be part of a well-balanced diet. However, if you are too fixated on the numbers, you might ignore them in favor of lower-calorie foods.
Can Skew Focus
While weight loss is, perhaps, a valid goal, we here at Well Citizen believe that the ultimate goal should always be wellness. The health of your body can be measured in so many ways, beyond the number on the scale. Do you wake up feeling energized? Are you free of pain? Are you mobile and flexible?
Calorie tracking discounts all other markers of health. If counting calories is causing you to sacrifice other aspects of your physical health then it is time to reevaluate.
It’s Not Always Practical
Sometimes, you simply will not be able to count how many calories are in a meal. We all lead busy, full lives. When you are at a restaurant or sharing a meal with friends and family, you can’t always know what all goes into the food you are being served. Nor should it matter that much!
Food is not just fuel for our bodies. It’s also a great way to connect with others. If you are focused too much on the number, you may miss out on valuable opportunities to connect with others around you.
Have you tried calorie counting before? Did it work for you? Share in the comments below.
