Counting your calories will give you a better understanding of your habits and patterns so you can change them step by step. In this article we explain what calorie counting exactly means, how you can lose weight just by counting your calories and how exactly you do it.
What do you find out?
What is calorie tracking
Calorie counting simply means keeping track of and recording everything you eat. In doing so, you watch what you eat and how much you eat. In doing so, you count the number of calories but also keep track of the macronutrients (carbohydrates, proteins and fats). You can easily do this in a notebook or spreadsheet but there are also many handy foodlog apps these days where you can track your calorie intake. You can count calories to lose weight, but you can also count calories if you want to gain weight.
Losing weight with calorie counting
Do you want to count calories to lose weight? Counting calories and losing weight go hand in hand. You can easily keep track of your food intake and get a clear overview of what and how much you eat. You learn to recognize your eating patterns and habits so you can adjust them more easily. Counting calories does not mean that you have to go on a strict diet.
Often we tend to unconsciously eat things without really thinking about it. By tracking what you eat, you become more aware of what you are eating and are less likely to overeat. In addition, food tracking gives you a better understanding of the distribution of nutrients you are taking in. Are you eating enough protein? And are you getting all the nutrients you need?
Counting calories and gaining weight
Of course, you may not want to lose weight but rather gain it. Even when you want to gain weight, calorie counting is a good solution. Maybe you want to build more muscle mass. Then it is smart to count your protein and calories. You can only build muscle mass if you get enough protein and calories.
How does calorie counting work?
So how exactly does calorie counting work? Keeping track of how many calories you eat does not have to be difficult or very time-consuming at all. In fact, these days you can easily count your calories with an app. There are plenty of free calorie counting apps that give you a better understanding of your food intake. This involves scanning the barcode of the product you ate, indicating how many grams, portions or pieces, for example, you ate. You may want to weigh the products on a scale for this purpose.
Nutrition tracking, what should you pay attention to?
When you start calorie tracking, there are 3 things you need to record. First, of course, it is important to record what you eat. Write down all the different ingredients you use in a meal and also indicate whether it is baked, boiled or fried etc. Also don't forget to add ingredients such as dressings, sauces or toppings.
In addition, it is important to keep track of quantities. It is important to apply the right portion sizes so you don't overeat. Want to know the best way to determine your portion sizes? Read our article on portion sizes. Finally, it is important to keep track of time. Notice that you often grab snacks at night? Then calorie counting will give you a better understanding of this and make it easier for you to change these habits.
Nutrition and calorie counting at Beyondfit
Have you tried 100 different diets and just can't seem to lose weight on your own? At Beyondfit, we help you lose weight sustainably and our coaches will teach you everything you need to know about healthy eating, calorie counting and understanding your eating patterns. Our coaches will teach you a strong foundation so you can start applying it yourself and lose weight long-term. Request a free intake interview and see how we can best help you together with one of our coaches.
