My Take on Calories
Hi everyone!
I wanted to share a video today on the topic of calories.
So many of us play the numbers game when it comes to foods and incessantly count the caloric content of their meals and snacks, feeling shame and guilt whenever they veer off course or consume anything over their recommended daily calorie intake.
This is commonplace for those seeking to lose or avoid putting on weight.
Whilst it is indeed true that being in a calorie deficit is an effective method of losing weight, I really disagree with the mindset behind obsessing over calories because when life becomes a numbers game, it’s a really miserable place to be.
Obsessing over calorie content can cause severe fear, stress and anxiety around food and really takes away the enjoyable experience of eating.
Instead I like to promote something called POSITIVE NUTRITION, which is about viewing foods through their nutritional offering and counting nutrients and not numbers.
Remember, CALORIES ARE NOT ALL EQUAL! 100 calories from a snickers bar does not equate to the same as 100 calories from a banana. Whilst the energy content may be the same, the nutritional value is in fact very different.
For example, a banana is a rich source of potassium and fibre (which slows down the release of fructose into the blood), whilst a sugary chocolate bar sends a surge of sugar into the blood without sufficient nutrients or fibre to act as a buffer.
So the food choices that we make can have an enormous difference on our physiology; from our hormones to our blood sugar, energy levels and cognitive function; don’t ever make the mistake that 100 calories in a banana and 100 calories in a chocolate bar are the same thing – they are definitely not.
Take-home tip: don’t play the numbers game and instead look at the nutrients that are going into your diet by eating whole foods and studying ingredients lists. It’s an easy way to make wise choices when it comes to your diet. This is the key to maintaining a healthy weight as opposed to yo-yo dieting.
Lauren x