Our most recent regular online survey revealed your opposing views about calorie counting. Here, I explain the results and how to make good use of calorie counting.

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In our western food supply, there are around double the number of calories available that each man, woman and child actually needs to maintain a healthy weight. So, it's no surprise that “calorie counting” might be useful to check that you don't overdo it on your calorie quota.

Boost, bother or burden?

For many people, this survey question prompted an answer that objectively described calorie counting as “keeping tabs on your calorie intake to see if you are eating too many.”

And whilst some described it as more positive, “I think it is one of the best ways to manage weight and teach others”, there were also people who feel calorie counting is a bother, “A pain in the butt for the general population, but an evil necessity for most to avoid portion distortion.”

For another group, calorie counting appears to be a real burden. For example, it is “being obsessed with the absolute calorie content of food with no regard to the nutritional value or requirements of the human body.” And, “Time consuming, dieting and restrictive are the words that spring to mind. I associate those words with disappointment, failure and weight loss.”

Advantages

Survey respondents listed many advantages with the following words and terms popping up frequently: awareness, accountability, focus, control, educating, understanding, track of progress, empowers better choices.

One person said, “The focus on food intake gives you a chance to limit mindless eating.” This comment sums up the major advantage of calorie counting or simply monitoring what you eat. It takes you off autopilot and triggers behaviour change.

Disadvantages

Tedious, time consuming and too much work were the oft repeated words for the survey question about disadvantages. “It can become an obsession”, also warned one person.

The challenge with calorie counting then, is to use it to raise your awareness about what you eat, help you choose better foods, but not get so absorbed in the process that the whole task backfires as an effective weight management strategy.

Your objective

You need to monitor your attitude to calorie counting just as importantly as you need to monitor the calories. It can be a challenge to be honest about your diet, but being aware of exactly what you eat is the first step to creating a healthy diet. You won't need to count calories for too long as your new nutrient-rich diet will run on autopilot.

And the winner is...

Congratulations to Belinda Bam who has won a SmartShape Course and Resource Voucuher valued at $250..

Who responded to the survey?

138 people of which 84% were female

A big thank you to all who completed the survey!

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