Every single day people ask me questions like “What should I eat?” and “How many calories a day should I eat?” At the most basic fundamental level these could be considered really good questions. However, if you truly begin to understand the functionality of nutrition and its powerful affects on our health, these questions can be difficult to answer, and sometimes even more difficult to understand.
Calorie Counting
How many times have you heard the phrase “Calories In Calories Out”? This phrase refers to the philosophy that in order to lose weight you must burn more calories through daily exercise or activity than you consume through your daily intake of food and drink. At the absolute most basic level of nutrition this statement has some truth. Many nutrition professionals have helped people lose weight using this formula. However, there are many other variables that must be considered when calorie counting.
Have you ever thought about the fact that many obese people actually eat less calories than people who are in great shape with sculpted bodies? In my experience I find many people fighting weight issues often eat the following diet:
Breakfast: No time for breakfast, but a coffee with cream and sugar at the office.
Snack: A late morning “low fat” snack at the office which may consist of something like a bagel, granola bar, or a piece of fruit.
Lunch: A sandwich with vegetables, shaved deli meat, and low-fat mayo. A diet soda and some reduced fat potato chips.
Afternoon: Fatigue and sweet cravings usually kick in by this time, and there may be a small “cheat” by grabbing a couple pieces of candy, or other sugar filled carbohydrate.
Dinner: There is usually a long period of fasting between lunch and dinner, and then by the time they eat dinner, it is the largest meal of the day and they are craving pasta, grains, or some sort of complex carbohydrate to satisfy their hunger. This often leads to a small dessert after dinner. A few hours later it is time for bed and the largest meal of the day was just consumed and your body is trying to digest it.
I understand that the example above is very generalized, but it is what I see every single day. While it is most likely true that the well sculpted individuals work out more or more intensely, I believe that the more critical difference is in their respective diets.
So What Really is a "Diet?"
The diet referred to above may only consist of 1,200 to 2,000 calories per day, but they are the wrong calories, at the wrong time, creating the wrong hormonal responses. A well sculpted individual could easily consume more calories, more meals, and far more fat without gaining any weight. To better understand this, I want you to first understand why all calories are not equal.
So many people have adopted a low-fat diet with the intention of losing weight. Unfortunately, this practice generally increases the caloric intake from grains and sugars. These macronutrients can create undesired hormonal responses in your body that all start with spikes in your blood sugar and can only go downhill from there. Here is a great video by Sean Croxton of Underground Wellness to better explain the science behind this:
http://www.youtube.com/undergroundwellness#p/u/43/chXCvduiAbs
The bottom line is that your diet is most likely not as good as you think it is. Too many people are avoiding dietary fats, when they need to be avoiding sugars and starches. Essential Fatty Acids are needed for so many functions in your body, including brain function. They are “essential” because your body does not make them naturally and you must consume them through proper diet in order to achieve sufficient amounts and optimal health.
You are not losing weight because you are eating too much sugar and not enough fat. Don’t be scared of red meat and other healthy dietary fat. You need to fear over consumption of grains, dairy, white flour’s, and even too much fruit. Calories are not calories and your macronutrient ratios control your hormones. This in turn will either promote the burning or storing of fat in your body. Fat loss is all about controlling hormonal responses, therefore counting calories should not be your number one concern.
If you have any other questions or comments about calorie counting, ask me on Facebook!
