Every one of us focuses too much on how many calories we consume everyday. This is specifically true for weight loss & fat loss aspirants. All of us focus on reducing the amount of food we eat as a means to reduce our calorie consumption. As a result we end up measuring calories on a mental scale & extending our lunch breaks on analysing how many calories you have consumed or you should consume from each food item. This becomes too much of a stressful experience when you start counting how many calories you have consumed daily. But it does not have to be this way. There are other ways to trim that stubborn fat. You should not be obsessed with counting calories.
We should accept the fact that not all of us have precision to do perfect maths of calorie counting. Focusing on calorie content of the food you eat makes you associate your food with stress & give up on enjoyment you get from your meals.
Reducing your calorie intake should not be equivalent to starving yourself & you cannot assume that all the food products provide the right nutritional information. You have to evaluate foods which you would like to include in your meal plan from a personalised perspective – What your body needs & what works for your body. All of us are unique and distinct & our bodies are of different sizes & shapes. As such each one of us would require a different diet/nutrition. You should consider this while deciding which foods should be a part of your meal.
Another important aspect of calorie counting is that when you get obsessed over how much you can get side tracked from the question “What should be part of your diet when you do calorie counting”. If you are on a calorie counting diet, you must ensure that you are not excluding foods that offer essential nutrients required for your body’s needs & growth. All of us need to maintain a diet having a judicious mix of protein, carbs & fats. Shying away from foods high in fat because they are calorie dense is usually misleading since these foods are a perfect way of staying full. Listen to your body, eat when you are hungry in an economical way. Calorie counting still has a space/importance, however you have to be smart about it. For maintaining a healthy & fit lifestyle, having a nutrient rich diet that works for your body is as important as the amount of calories you are expending. Not all calories are created equal. Some foods such as Avocados or Peanut butter are calorie dense healthy fat foods. However, such foods do offer plenty of nutrients.
Focus on personalising your diet
Your diet should be curated, personalised & aligned with what works for your body. Your genetic make up/composition plays a vital role in your nutritional needs, your dietary history & the exercise you do everyday. Diet & calorie counting should not be stressful for you. Your diet should work for you, it should not be the other way round.
The best way to approach your nutrition is with a personalised framework with your health & fitness goals, psychology & genes. Eat foods that you enjoy but take care of your portion sizes & what you are putting in your body. Calorie counting is also important. But please remember that it is not as simple as consuming less. By adjusting the standard approach to one that makes you feel healthy and positive, you’ll find that having a personalised nutrition is not only beneficial but also easy.
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