Is Calorie-Counting Dangerous?

Calorie counting has become a popular practice among many personal trainers, dieticians, and health experts, but many technical colleges in Utah are teaching students that the strict method of dieting may not be particularly beneficial. Recent research is proving that while portion control is crucial to losing excess pounds and maintaining a healthy body weight, it is not the lifesaver that many health professionals claim it to be.

There may be danger associated with calorie counting when people begin to take calorie measures to the extreme and sacrifice essential vitamins and nutrients in the process. The issue with fad dieting programs is often the lack of balance. It seems that the majority of fad diets encourage dieters to consume an above average amount of food within certain food groups at the expense of other important groups. The inventors of these diets normally claim that you're safe as long as you're not consuming food that puts you over the calorie limit specified.

In addition to the lack of balance, there are other factors that make calorie counting an ineffective method of weight loss. Below is a list of reasons why counting calories can be difficult to manage and dangerous to your health.

• Calorie Counting Puts Pressure on the Dieter-There more you focus on calories, the more you stress out about them. Stressing about calories can lead to obsessive-compulsive behavior and weight gain. Students at Utah technical colleges are learning that pressure is the greatest enemy of weight loss.
• You Can't Count Calories Forever-Normally dieters will use calorie counting in the short-term to put good habits in place. It is nearly impossible to count calories for the rest of your life, and if you plan to, just look forward to much more stress and headache in the future.
• Eating More Quality Calories Will Shed Pounds-If you really want the secret to weight loss, consider eating more calories. Don't get too excited. That doesn't mean you can go out and gorge on your favorite fast-food items, but it does mean you can eat more calories if the food meets certain qualifications. Quality should always be considered over quantity. If you feed your body healthy food it will use it more effectively.
• Eating Better Calories Will Increase Metabolism-Combining healthy eating habits with a consistent exercise regimen will help you burn fat more efficiently than simply counting calories.

Counting calories will not ruin your health if you remain conscious of the end goal, which is to eat quality calories and burn fat. Technical colleges all over Utah are already teaching prospective personal trainers about the importance of a healthy diet. Students at Utah technical colleges are learning first-hand what it means to help individuals reach their personal fitness goals. If you're considering a new diet program, consult with a medical professional before beginning.

Posted in: Nutrition