Calories are NOT Just Calories
So, I was reading some articles on nutrition yesterday and I came across something that upset me. The reason it up set me is because it provided false information. Obesity is an epidemic and is causing so many health issues I don't even want to name them all here. There are people that truly want to make changes in their lifestyle but get frustrated because they dont see any progress. Yes, some of it could be their dedication but I think a lot of it is based of what their understanding of something is. Even many mainstream medical professionals and USDA recommendations have it wrong. Because of all of this miss-information it causes people to made bad decisions and give up. Well I want to help you and set something straight.
CALORIES ARE NOT CREATED EQUAL. Nutritional programs should not based on the outdated ideas that are a one-size-fits-all cookie cutter approach to nutrition such as “calories in, calories out, and the programs that I work for people are never that. If someone tries to give you a cookie cutter program be skeptical.
When I hear so called “experts” emphasizing the calories of a meal plan without regard to the quality of the calories, it drives me crazy. If I gave you 600 calories of donuts, fries and a shake (if that’s even possible to be just 600 calories), or lean chicken, broccoli and brown rice, we would have two totally different results.
When you fill your body with nutritionally dense options versus nutritionally deficient options, your body will respond accordingly.
What you put into your body manifests into how you feel, sleep, respond, and look!
I recently came across a great article by Kris Gunners, entitled “Top 5 Contenders For The Worst Nutrition Advice in History” that clearly outlined exactly what I have been teaching…
The excessive focus on calories is one of the biggest mistakes in the history of nutrition.
It is the myth that it is the caloric value of foods that matters most, not the foods that the calories are coming from.
The truth is… calories are important, but that doesn’t mean we need to count them or even be consciously aware of them. Humans were the healthiest and leanest way before they knew that calories existed.
It’s important to realize that different foods have different effects on the hormones and brain centers that control what, when and how much we eat… as well as the number of calories we burn.
Here are two examples of why a calorie is NOT a calorie:
Protein: Eating a high protein diet can boost metabolism by 80-100 calories per day
and significantly reduce appetite and cravings. Protein calories have a different effect than carb or fat calories.
Satiety: Many studies show that different foods have varying effects on satiety (feelings of fullness). You need much fewer calories to feel full from eggs or boiled potatoes, compared to donuts or ice cream.
There are many more examples of foods and macronutrients having vastly different effects on hunger and
hormones.
The myth that calories are all that matters for weight (and health) is completely wrong.
Bottom Line: The idea that calories are more important than food quality is a huge mistake. Different foods directly affect the hormones and brain centers that control our eating habits.
So, if you have any questions pleas let me know. Denette and I would be happy to help you.
