Maybe, maybe not! There are differing opinions on the subject and truthfully there is no wrong or right answer. The answer is subject to what works best for the person needing or wanting to lose weight.
I will say this however; it is very hard to become overweight or obese if 80% to 90% of your diet is healthy and vegetable based. Nutrient dense foods do not cause weight problems. All the overweight and obese people I know did not get overweight eating healthy. No, they were all on the Standard American Diet (SAD) menu and didn’t move much. Unfortunately, the overweight and obese don’t eat healthy.
If you need to lose say 15 to 20 pounds or do not have a weight problem then calorie counting probably isn’t an issue. So, if that is you, there is no need to count calories. You should eat a wide variety of very healthy foods. I say eat every color available every day as much as your wish!
However, if you need to lose 30 pounds or more, then I believe counting calories is a must, at least until you have established a healthy dietary and lifestyle foundation.
I see a lot of people with weight and obesity issues and there are some common things they share. For the sake of this discussion, when I say overweight I am talking about people that need to lose a minimum of 30 pounds.
Every overweight or obese person I have counseled in the past seven years had the following traits;
- They had no clue how many calories they should be eating or were eating.
- They over consumed or under consume calories. (yes, too few calories and your metabolism will stall preventing weight loss)
- They had sedentary lifestyles.
- They ate from the SAD menu.
- They tried dieting multiple times with no permanent success.
- They wanted a quick fix or a solution without having to change much in their life.
All of these points drastically affect the way we burn calories. If you don’t know how many calories you actually should be eating you will never take charge of losing the weight. Calories from nutrient poor foods equal substantial weight gain.
The mind-set of the obese or overweight person must change. For them every diet approach has been a failure for one reason. It was not a healthy approach they could center their life on forever. They must accept that this isn’t about dieting or even their weight, it’s about living a healthy lifestyle.
They must erase bad habits that have been ingrained in them for years and teach them new approaches that can become ingrained healthy habits over time. Once they have a good grasp of what a healthy diet and lifestyle is and they are living it comfortably, then calories aren’t so much of a concern.
And I know, some people say it stresses them to count calories. However,
for them knowing their calorie budget may be a big part of the solution.
Focus on living a very healthy lifestyle and in most cases the weight issues will take care of themselves. (this does not account for medical conditions, see your doctor)
Just my opinion.
Healthy Wishes
Wally Bishop C.N.C.
The contents of this blog are not and should not be considered medical advice. This blog is for informational purposes only. Always consult with your doctor before making any dietary or lifestyle changes. Never quit taking prescription medications unless advised to do so by your doctor.
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