Counting calories may seem like a way to ensure you’re keeping within range of what you should be eating in order to lose weight but that’s not always the case. There can be some pretty sneaky negative side effects that come with calorie counting if you’re not careful. Let’s dive into why counting calories can hurt instead of help you!
Reminder – we should always listen to our own bodies and do what is best for you!
Why Counting Calories Can Hurt More Than Help
- You Start to Become Obsessive
- Constantly thinking about every single thing that you put into your mouth and how many calories it is can be exhausting. Then you’re stuck having to take time to track the amount of how much food you’re eating. To make matters worse, if you’re using a calorie counting app, the data might not be as accurate as you think. Even on the SAME calorie counting app, if you use “medium apple” vs “spartan medium apple” the calorie count can come up differently. Sometimes ranging a whole 700 calorie difference during the day!
- You may consume more processed foods
- While the 100 calorie packs in the grocery stores may look enticing because it’s easier to track how many calories you’re eating it’s not always a good thing. You’re able to track your calorie count, but the nutritional value is probably likely to be slim to none. Eating more of these “empty calories” may also lead you to not staying full and satisfied. This can lead to a binge later in the day because you just can’t handle the limited food that’s in your body.
- Not enough variety
- While you’re focusing on calorie counting once you get into the routine of what foods have which amount of calories per serving you’re more likely to stick to that routine. By doing so you may not be getting enough variety of fruits, veggies, healthy fats and whole grains in your diet. Our bodies thrive off of different foods to get different nutrients. By not getting enough variety we could be aiding to becoming deficient in certain nutrients.
- Skipping Meals to “Save Calories”
- Going out to dinner with friends or enjoying a bbq at the lakehouse? Well you may start thinking you’re going to skip breakfast and lunch to save the calories for all the yummy food at the party. However, I think we all know how this is going to head. You’re going to show up annoyed and hangry. You go straight to the food because you’re famished. Now you’re stuffing your face, not paying attention to anyone else. You’re so focused on what you’re eating. To top it off, you feel awful after. You ate too much too quickly and just want to go home on the couch to let your food digest.
What to do Instead
Eat Real Food!
- A great goal to aim for is to eat 30 different plant based foods each week.
- This can come from vegetables, fruit, seeds, nuts, healthy fats, protein, whole grains. Focusing on what’s in season too can help rotating different food groups in your house.
- Not a fan of finding recipes you need to create with new food groups? A great way to achieve this is by making Everything But the Kitchen Sink Salads.
- Do you guys remember those cookies!? Everything but the kitchen sink?
- It’s kind of similar to that…just not with all the processed foods haha.
How to Make the Everything but the Kitchen Sink Salad
- We always have some type of lettuce laying around so grab what you’ve got. This will be your base.
- Whatever veggies you have chop them up season with whatever seasonings you have and toss in the oven for about 20-30 min.
- Now to add some bulk. Prep your rice – quinoa – farro – pasta – or add potatoes to your roasted veggie tray.
- We still need those healthy fats. Add in some avocado or cheese.
- Protein is key here! Leftover chicken, pork chops or burgers? Add them on top.
- Add some EVOO, balsamic vinegar, honey, s&P, dried oregano, squeeze of lemon juice whisk together.
- Place everything in one large bowl, toss to combine and bamb! Dinner is done! This is also a great meal to make before going on vacation.
Take Note of when you’re Full / Hungry.
- Embrace that your hunger level will increase / decrease, especially throughout your hormonal cycle.
- Maybe one day you worked out super hard well your body is most likely going to need more calories.
- Or one day you just needed to be one with the couch so not as many calories / energy are needed. There’s no need to be forcing food down your throat if you’re not hungry!
In Conclusion
Counting calories isn’t going to be the saving grace you need in order to lose or maintain weight. While it is important to have some sort of tracking system in the beginning of your wellness journey to get a sense of what you’re eating often, don’t let it control you!
Still not sure how to eat without counting calories? Be sure to click here to apply to work with me 1 on 1 in my Living a Balanced Life Coaching Program! This is the perfect way to gain clarity and hold yourself accountable so you can finally reach those health and wellness goals you’ve been dreaming of.
