Ever since the concept of dieting was invented, I'm sure you've heard that counting calories are important if you want ultimate weight loss success. Now doctors are saying that the majority of information out there pertaining to calories is outdated and it mostly depends on the type of food instead. Most of this is also dependent on the way the individual's body processes foods which can make a dramatic difference on how calories are absorbed.
So if calories aren't important, what should we be focusing on instead? The answer is rather simple and less mentally straining than counting numbers!
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Scientists have found that processed foods may often times have MORE calories than the packaging states. The opposite can be said for raw, natural foods, such as almonds which may contain LESS calories per serving than originally stated. In the journal Scientific American, biologist, Robert Dunn says that counting calories is a simplistic way of starting off a diet, but it isn't necessarily "healthy."
Instead he suggests that we follow a diet heavy in raw and whole foods which are not only nutritious, but take longer to digest. Another thing to consider is that our bodies break down food differently. This is dependent on our metabolism and the types of bacteria we carry in our stomachs. One example of this was demonstrated on mice that were fed raw sweet potatoes and lost more weight than those fed the cooked version.
Experts also warn that calories are NOT reliable sources because labeling has ignored important information such as the amount of protein in foods which have been exaggerated by the system. The same applies to fiber filled cereals which fail to mention the extra calories we are eating found in its energy content. Therefore scientists don't find counting calories to be as effective or as healthy as it was once perceived.
When I dieted for the first time, I felt like I was shortchanging myself by counting calories. I didn't feel healthy and didn't like how in control I had to be of what I ate all the time. Then I decided to stop counting numbers and just opted to eat fresher foods and minimized the processed ones. I would say I eat more now but the calories I consume daily come from raw foods and its made a HUGE difference. It just goes to show you the power natural foods have on the body and once you follow that rule, the pressure of dieting comes off.
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