Calorie counting is very popular with many people. It is often used as a way to lose weight, because the calculation seems simple: if you consume fewer calories than you burn, you will lose weight. However, this is not always the whole truth. Not all calories are the same. So is counting calories useful or overrated? We get to the bottom of this and other questions in today's blog post!
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What does calorie counting actually mean?
Calorie counting is the process of documenting the calories you consume. In other words, counting the calories you eat with various meals.
One way of counting calories is to use an app, for example. This is definitely the simplest method of counting calories. The app should contain a food database so that it can provide you with accurate results. You simply enter the various meals and the app calculates how many calories you consume each day.
Another method is the food diary. This is the analogue method to the app. It takes a lot of time and dedication because you have to calculate everything yourself. But you also reflect a lot more on the food you have eaten.
Also, avoid lying to yourself at all costs. Counting calories really only works if you are fundamentally extremely honest with yourself. Write down absolutely everything you eat. This includes drinks, because apart from water and unsweetened tea, every little drink you have contains calories. This is the only way to make calorie counting meaningful.
How to calculate your calorie requirement
The question of how many calories a person needs can be answered in different ways. It depends on your build, gender, age, and, above all, on how much exercise and sport you do during the week. A sporty person has a much higher basal metabolic rate than someone who does not do much sport.
If you want to lose weight, you should consume fewer calories than you need. This creates a so-called calorie deficit. However, if you want to build muscle, you need to consume more energy – but that doesn't mean that you only need to consume more calories to build muscle. The basal metabolic rate is also an important part of this calculation.
What's more, it's not just a matter of what calories you consume. 1000 calories from legumes, vegetables or nuts are much healthier and better for your body than 1000 calories from junk food. That's why counting calories isn't always easy, because calories aren't always the same.
Calculate your calorie needs easily here
If you are not quite sure how many calories you can and should consume, we have the solution for you. With our free calorie calculator, you can quickly and easily calculate how many calories you need every day.
Calculate your calorie requirement here with our calorie calculator.
When it comes to nutrition, variety is the key to success. The same applies to calories – for successful weight loss or muscle building, you should really make sure that you follow a balanced diet.
Is calorie counting useful?
Counting calories offers some advantages – although it is often associated with a great deal of effort, it is still worthwhile for some people to count calories.
Calorie counting as a weight loss aid
Counting calories can certainly help you to lose weight. With the right energy intake and the right calorie intake, you can easily achieve your desired goals. You should definitely also make sure that you eat good, high-quality food.
Exercise and sport are also very important for you to achieve your weight loss goals. You should make sure you get a little exercise in your daily routine. Long walks, cycling to work and many other things can indirectly help you lose weight.
Conscious eating – conscious body
By counting calories, you get a great feeling for what you really eat. You pay more attention to your food and this makes you much more aware of what and how many calories you consume.
So calorie labels on products are also misleading. Junk food often has fewer calories than a healthy stir-fry of vegetables, for example. So is it better to choose the junk food alternative? Of course not. Nutrients are just as important and junk food is really not good for the body.
These are the risks of counting calories
We have explained in detail that calorie counting can be partly responsible for your success in losing weight. But all that glitters is not gold – there are also some risks hidden behind calorie counting.
Calorie counting is one-sided
It's true, if you count calories precisely, for example with the help of an app, you always know exactly how much energy you are consuming. However, it only addresses the calories. Not on nutrients and your general well-being. Counting calories will certainly affect your weight, but it often misses the most important part.
What exactly does your body need? Do you have deficiencies in certain nutrients or do you just not feel comfortable with a particular dish? All these things are often neglected in the craze for calorie deficits.
High risk of addiction, stress and a lot of work
Counting calories can cause a lot of stress. You have to be very meticulous with your records if you want to see the desired results. Everyone has their own stress resistance – for some people, counting calories can cause far too much stress.
Thus, nutrition is perceived as more stressful than it actually is. And who wants to be stressed while eating? If you feel stressed rather than comfortable when you eat, your weight loss plan is already doomed to failure.
Your mental state affects your whole body – anyone who has ever been really stressed knows how easy it is to get sick. This also applies to weight loss – if you are in a bad mental state, it will have an extreme effect on your weight.
The risk of addiction when counting calories should not be underestimated. If you only think about how food affects the scales, your quality of life will be severely restricted. Constantly fighting with yourself is simply not healthy in the long run.
Counting calories makes a lot of sense for athletes
Athletes are probably the group for whom calorie counting makes the most sense. This is because athletes often have specific goals, such as building muscle. Counting calories is particularly useful for building muscle. This makes calorie counting really useful.
For building muscle, you should pay close attention to how much calorie surplus you need. It should definitely not be more than 300-500 calories too many, because otherwise the excess energy will not be converted into muscle, but into fat deposits.
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Get the right dose of calories at breakfast time
You can lay the perfect foundation for the rest of the day as early as at breakfast. Our sports porridges, for example, are perfectly designed for athletes – with high protein content, superfood oats and lots of nutrients to help you start the day healthy and full of energy.
For building muscle and body shape, counting calories is your best helper. With our Verival breakfast, you can start paying attention to your calorie intake first thing in the morning and lay the foundation for a balanced and nutritious diet.
