Hallelujah: 5 great reasons to STOP COUNTING CALORIES!!

Okay, I know what you are thinking: “weight loss= calories in versus calories out.” One pound of fat= 3,500 calories, to lose one pound per week you need to drop 500 calories per day…..


Yes. This is all true! However, counting calories has not led us to the weight loss success we all dream about. We will lose weight if we count calories, but can anyone really count calories forever??? No way!

The best way to stay healthy, lose weight, and maintain health and weight is to eat: 3-5 fruits and vegetables, 3 servings of grains, 5-6 servings of vegetables, 2 servings of dairy, and 2-3 servings of beans/proteins EVERY DAY!

• Everyone’s pyramid needs differ, for a personalized plan visit: http://www.mypyramid.gov/mypyramid/index.aspx

Below, I listed 5 great reasons why I believe EVERYONE should ABOLISH calorie counting!

1. Gain nutrients: 100 calorie packs, “fat free” crackers, 70 calorie bread….they all make us feel good about ourselves like we are eating “healthy.” But, do any of these products contain “real” food, or nutrients? When we skip the “diet” food and focus on “real” food, we nourish our bodies with more nutrients, vitamins, and minerals which results in: better sleep, improved memory, coordination, concentration, endurance, better skin, cleaner arteries…the list goes on. Diet food and calorie counting will help us lose weight, but what about other health benefits? Is weight all that matters?

Photo From: http://www.nabiscoworld.com/
Not to mention these crazy foods cost WAY TOO much!!

2. Less mental freak outs: Focusing on eating according to the food pyramid is much less stressful because we think “what else do I need to eat today” rather than “what else can’t I eat today?”

3. Lose weight: Believe it or not the chemicals saturated in processed foods impede weight loss. Chemical laden foods trick the hormones in our body that control hunger and appetite; we constantly feel unfulfilled and desire more food. For example, if we fail to eat our daily fruit intake, we will experience cravings for high sugar foods such as ice cream, or candy. This is our body telling us that it needs sugar. However, when we eat balanced meals according to the food guide pyramid, our body functions optimally, we feel fulfilled, we eat less, and YAH we lose weight!

4. Maintain weight loss: Let’s face it, we cannot count calories forever. Can you imagine going out to eat with your friends when you are 60 years old and writing on your napkin: bread 120 calories, cake 500 calories….”looks like I can’t eat tonight?” No, no way! Typically, people who track calories lose weight; however, when the calorie counting stops the weight loss stops and weight gain begins. When we develop the ability to eat balanced, healthy food, we can maintain our success rather than relapse into poor unmanageable eating habits.

5. Decrease sodium and sugar: Natural foods contain minimal sodium and processed sugars which not only helps us lose more weight, but also helps us manage blood pressure, diabetes, cholesterol, ADHD…and seriously, I go could on forever.

When we count calories food becomes a means to weight loss, not a means to healthy living. We could say to ourselves: “this sugar-free, fat-free pudding and fat free whip cream is only 150 calories!!” But, then our body replies: “yeah, but where is the nutrition, how am I to function? How efficient is the 150 calories if I do not obtain any nutrients, energy, minerals, antioxidants…..???”

Photo retrieved from: http://brands.kraftfoods.com/jello/products/pudding/fat-free-sugar-free-instant-pudding/

I recently learned that the number one cause of cancer related deaths is related to an unbalanced diet…WOW!

So, let’s stop counting calories, start counting food groups, and start living healthy lives!

P.S. My dad lost 16 pounds since July 1 without counting a single calorie (although, he is frequently asking about calories. Hopefully, he can let his brain relax about the calorie situation soon).