Calorie Counting - Good or Bad?
There seems to be a common acceptance among eating disorder communities or body positive movements that counting calories or tracking is a bad thing. In reality, calorie calculators and trackers are just tools. They do not CAUSE eating disorders and body image obsession.
Body image issues and eating disorders stem from an inherent lack of self-worth and are symptoms of childhood core wounding. Fad diets, trending exercises, fitness culture and calorie calculators/trackers certainly do a good job of perpetuating these issues. But they do not CAUSE them.
They are merely tools. Tools are to be used at user discretion. Can these tools be used unhealthily? Of course, just like tools such as social media are misused, and tools such as hammers, knives and screwdrivers can be harmful when misused. But the issue isn’t the tool itself.
“You don’t blame the hammer for ruining your DIY project. It’s just a tool. Just like how when you’re done with the hammer, you put it away until you need it again for a future project. You don’t obsess about the hammer. Well, calorie calculators are tools too.”
I learnt very early on about calories and macronutrients, and thus began my obsession with Calorie King books, which then became apps and calculators. Dieting trends such as “If it fits your macros” or #iifym became my focus, as it meant I could continue with my disordered eating patterns and body image issues all while “eating whatever I wanted.” Those trends are so dangerous and unhealthy — a topic in of itself. Anyone who defends these, or pushes “flexible dieting/eating” doesn’t realise that the reason these diets are a “thing” is because we live in a world where people numb out with food, and are riddled with candida and parasites that actually influence your cravings. Eating healthily seems to be a chore for most, but they don’t realise that this is because their suppressed emotions/inner children, and acidic internal state dictate their food choices and what seems palatable.
Calorie counting tools are useful for various stages in one’s life. Would I suggest it to someone who is in the thick of their eating disorder/body image recovery? Absolutely not. However, there ARE times where checking your food intake is important, as your energy needs and micro- and macronutrient needs change across the lifespan. For example, a developing baby/child will need significantly more fats than adolescents and adults. In contrast, a high fat diet for adolescents and adults is unhealthy (diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hormonal imbalances, etc.).
People who do benefit from checking their caloric needs occasionally are:
Athletes, or people increasing their physical activity: the more you move, the more you need to eat to ensure you are energised through your activities and can recovery optimally. Athletes who are training seriously usually work with a dietician who can calculate their caloric and macronutrient needs based on their profile.
Pregnant and breast feeding mamas: generally need to eat more and need to pay specific attention to WHAT they need more of, and the quality. It is not as simple as “eating for two”. Depending on the trimester and breast feeding phase, nutrition needs will vary. Generally speaking, women who fall into this category need significantly more calories, and need to pay attention to their trace minerals for their own health. Especially iron and calcium.
Mamas who have now stopped breast feeding: it takes some adjusting once you are done supplying for another human, but with time, your body will now only need to be supplying for one (you), and therefore intake needs will alter.
People who are noticing frequent fluctuations in their energy across the day: this may indicate that you are eating too little, food that is not nutrient dense enough, food that is not helping to stabilise your blood sugar levels, micronutrient deficiencies, and more. Assessing food intake across the day to see if you are meeting your biological demands is a great place to start.
People who are noticing changes in their body composition, e.g. getting too lean or putting on weight: this could also be signs of others issues going in. But if you realise that you were actually over-eating or under-eating, and adjust accordingly with better energy levels and body composition, then that is your problem solved. Persisting symptoms can then be more thoroughly investigated.
Menopausal women: nutritional needs change across the lifetime and as the body changes. There are dietary and supplemental changes that can be made to support women who experience discomfort during menopause.
Calorie calculators and counters are not strictly necessary to find what works for you, but they can help take out a lot of the guesswork. They are only a small part of the equation, with micronutrients being most important, followed by macronutrients and calories.
Understanding your nutritional needs is important to ensure that the cells of your organs get what they need to work in harmony and keep you alive. Therefore, checking your calories once in a blue moon, or for some of the reasons mentioned above is important to maintain the highest quality of life possible. Checking your calories obsessively is unnecessary and unhealthy.
If you, or someone you know is doing this, this is a big red flag for underlying body image or eating disorder issues, and needs to be addressed from a physical, emotional and spiritual level.
I have been there, and I have healed that. It is so exhausting to be constantly obsessing about food and appearances. I can now use dietary tools for what they are: tools, and when necessary. Everyone can get to this place too.
Get in touch with me to start your journey towards becoming vibrant, happier and care-free again.