My dear, are you still counting calories? Living your life by the number you tally up at the end of the day? Equating your worth to whether you go above or below that silly number?
I am *gently* asking you to stop. For your own sanity.
The theory of calorie counting for weight loss offers a dramatically simple approach to a more complex situation. Yes, it is true that reducing your caloric intake can lead to weight loss initially for some (not for everyone). However, this typically doesn’t last long, as the metabolism begins to slow down, and it cannot be maintained (because like hi, we get hungry and then annoyed.
Let me be clear though. Calories do matter, in a sense. Too much healthy food can still be unhealthy and super taxing on the digestive system. *cue eating half of the jar of almond butter…oops*
However, it’s the quality of the calories that you are eating that really makes the difference. Living at a healthy and balanced weight does not come down to simply reaching a caloric deficit.
And here’s why…
Our bodies are way more complex than a single macronutrient. Without us even thinking twice, our hearts beat, our lungs take in air, our blood flows, our livers detox. The body is truly incredible, and quite complex.
Our bodies are also not controlled experiments. We are all at different stages of life, experiencing different things. So how could one hundred calories of food affect all of us the same way? One hundred calories, whether from fat, protein or carbohydrates, are the same in a thermodynamic sense. However, how the body is affected by calories from each of these macronutrients largely varies. Each macronutrient will create a different hormonal and chemical reaction in the body.
For example, take one hundred calories of brussels sprouts (a personal fave) vs. one hundred calories of a coffee frappuccino with whipped cream. The brussels sprouts are going to make you feel satiated (it’s a lot more than a few sips of a drink), blood sugar levels aren’t going to spike much due to the very low carbohydrate and sugar content, as well as the high fiber content, and your body will be thanking you from alll of those good nutrients like vitamin K and vitamin C. The brussels sprouts will support a healthy gut, amp up energy levels, and boost your liver (the main detoxification organ). Sounds pretty good to me, don’t ya think?
Now let’s look at that whipped drink. The frappuccino is going to spike blood sugar levels due to the high carbohydrate and sugar content, trigger insulin production (the fat-storing hormone), and provide little to no vitamins or satiety. You can expect a sugar rush, with a blood sugar drop coming in an hour or so, leaving you “starving” for more. Oh ya, and a spike in inflammation and potentially an upset stomach.
As you can see, these are very different reactions!
Calories from some foods can be addictive too. Think about it. Ever looked up, and before you knew it, you ate the entire pint of ice cream? Been there, trust me. Ever looked up the same way and realized you ate the whole bag of green beans? Probably not.
Food intolerances also play a part in how the body processes food. Me and dairy are a serious no-no. When you eat something that triggers an inflammatory response in your body, your system is going to react differently. This food will cause inflammation, poor digestion, and spark a negative reaction in the body. This does not come down to the food’s calorie content. This reaction comes down to the way that your body processes this food, and this varies from person to person.
This is one of the biggest issues that I see happening today. People following other people’s exact meal plans, even though, their bodies don’t like the meals! But some people just don’t know it. This is why my Gut Health Guide to Happiness is SO important. It allows you to omit the common trigger foods, and then reintroduce one-by-one to see how they make YOUR individual, unique body. You get to learn how to work with your body. It’s magic.
Another reason why all calories are not created equal: calories from different foods aren’t absorbed in the same way. With high-fiber foods, like vegetables, the body absorbs about three-quarters of the calories they contain. The remaining calories are excreted from the body with the help of fiber. Cool, right?
Gone are the days of the vanilla latte for breakfast, chicken salad wrap for lunch, and can of “light” soup for dinner. Over it. These foods will leave your body craving more food and energy all day long. They’ll leave you wanting more, irritable, and hungry, but wanting to stay under that one number. THAT IS NO WAY TO LIVE.
Just as we are much more than our hair color, food is much more than calories. Food contains other macronutrients, vitamins and minerals in different combinations, which provide your body with information that either fights or fuels disease.
So ditch the calorie trackers and “lite food products” (not real food, sorry), start eating more nutrient-dense foods like vegetables, nuts, seeds, fruits, and good-quality proteins, and truly start living your life.
