February 6, 2019
3 Things To Do Instead Of Counting Calories
Do you hate counting calories? Me too! There are several problems with counting calories, but, first, we need to understand what calories are and why we need them. Calories are a measurement of energy provided by the food we eat. Our body uses carbohydrates, proteins and fats as fuel and all are essential to a healthy diet.
Some of the problems with calorie counting: if you go over your intended goal, you may feel like you’ve blown your day and you will likely eat more. If you don’t reach your calorie target, you may think you have to eat more even if you’re not hungry. It keeps you focused constantly on food, rather than simply enjoying it.
So what are the 3 things can you do instead of counting calories?
Choose Quality Foods
A calorie is not a calorie. A couple of cookies will feel and be processed differently in your body than an apple. Ditch the processed stuff and take-out foods. Eat whole grains such as brown or wild rice, oats, or quinoa. Eat whole fruits instead of fruit juice. Eat a variety of proteins including poultry and fish, as well as, beans and legumes. Enjoy red meats in moderation. Eat healthy fats, such as nuts and seeds, avocados, and olive oil. Eat your vegetables! Especially leafy greens, like spinach and kale, and cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and cauliflower. And, oh ya, eat your vegetables!
I can tell you from personal experience that changing to quality foods changed the shape of my body even though it didn’t immediately change the number on the scale. It also changed how I felt, meaning, I felt better, healthier, and more energetic.
Stop Snacking
Decrease your eating frequency during the day and eat three meals per day. All those extra calories between meals keep your digestive system in overdrive and it can actually keep you hungry. Choose water or herbal teas between meals without any milk or sugar. Eating three meals a day provides better appetite control over frequent eating.
Have your Largest Meal Earlier
Eat your largest meal earlier in the day and increase overnight fasting time. Studies show that eating the largest meal earlier in the day supports a reduction in BMI (body mass index).
