Nowadays we are bombarded with the newest health fad, eating trend or dieting gimmick and it is borderline impossible to know if the claims and promises made are anything more than clever marketing. One health claim, which some may say is the oldest in the book, is calorie counting but is it good for you?
We consulted with Dr. Daniel Sheibley, a Medical Expert on JustAnswer, to see what his thoughts were on calorie counting. It turns out, the answer isn’t as simple as yes or no but rather yes AND no.
When looking at eating healthy, your diet should be predominantly composed of high quality proteins such as nuts, oily fish and lean meat. The reason is these foods provide protein as well as healthy omega 3/6 fatty acid. Protein is beneficial for two reasons. First and foremost, protein provides you with longer lasting energy which helps you get through the day without that sluggish feeling. Additionally, protein provides your body with a sense of fullness which allows your metabolism to run a more consistent level. This is one of the key ways to lose weight and keep it off.
While sugars don’t provide the same level of fullness that proteins do, Dr. Sheibley recommends incorporating sugars without overdoing them. If your calories are made up predominantly of sugars (as is the case for most Americans) you’ll find yourself hungry roughly an hour after your last meal which can cause you to overeat. Eating sugars at such a high frequency can result in the consumption of twice as many calories than you actually need.
Leaning towards a protein and health fat diet allows you to have more consistent energy and feel satisfied longer. Adhering to this eating regime will allow you to stay in line with the number of calories you need to eat for weight loss or maintenance without constantly feeling hungry. You don’t need to exclude anything, just focus on specific groups more than others.
Feeling intimidated? Dr. Sheibley says to make small changes, the easiest being replacing your snacks. Replacing the Oreos and potato chips with nonfat Greek yogurt or a handful of nuts (almond or cashews) will allow you to feel fuller throughout the day.
If you want to speak with a Medical Expert about the best way to improve your diet, click here.
