Calorie counting is one of the cornerstones of diet culture, and many people rely on it when trying to embrace a healthy lifestyle. Unfortunately, this way of tracking your progress can do you more harm than good, and here are a few reasons why you should leave it behind.
Nutritional Values
Not all calories are created equal, and calorie counting will make you forget that fact. Protein, fat, carbs, and fiber don’t have the same effect on your body, nor do they burn an equal amount of energy, but they should all be a part of your diet.
Frequent Inaccuracies
Unless you’re a true math genius, you’ll never be able to guess the number of consumed and burned calories with 100% accuracy because it’s pretty easy to make mistakes.
Ignoring Your Needs
Counting calories will make you forget the importance of listening to your body, and you’ll end up ignoring your needs because you’ll often find yourself restricting your food intake.
Unhealthy Relationship With Food
You’ll struggle to develop a healthy relationship with food if you become too obsessed with calorie counting, embracing harmful habits that can even lead to eating disorders.
Mental Health Effects
In addition to putting a strain on your body, calorie counting can negatively affect your mental health because it’s stressful, time-consuming, and stops you from experiencing the joy of eating food that you truly love.