It seems the comments about my two recent columns on calorie counting aren’t over yet. Interestingly, the two letters arrived in my inbox on the same day.
Dee V. of Santa Cruz writes, “I’ve found that plain old calorie counting is the easiest and most reliable way to reach and maintain my goals. Just eating less, cutting out sweets, not drinking cocktails, or any other generalizations just don’t work. It may not work for everyone, but it works for me.”
Denise Z., a registered dietitian who works with people struggling with eating disorders and chronic dieting in Montana, takes a different view: “I was very disappointed in your article about you and your husband’s personal issues with weight and your choice to focus so much on counting calories. It’s such a shame because your column is a unique opportunity to share evidence-based information about weight and reduce the guilt and shame that so many people already feel about food and their bodies. After studying the research, I’ve decided to change my philosophy and focus on holistic positive health behaviors like stress management, adequate sleep, hydration, nutrition, and enjoyable exercise, while also helping people practice generosity and compassion in the process. Simply telling people to cut calories and exercise more doesn’t work. I hope someone with influence like you can challenge the diet mentality/health culture and give people more hope.”
While I agree that counting calories isn’t a good option for everyone and can be harmful for those with a history of eating disorders or chronic dieting, healthy habits like sleep and enjoyable exercise are priorities for all of us, regardless of weight.
I also agree with the 2022 evidence-based guidelines published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics for the management of overweight and obesity in adults, which state that there is no single course of action when it comes to weight management, and that for some people, healthy eating habits may be a better goal than weight loss.
However, when weight loss is appropriate and desirable, these guidelines also state that reducing calories is feasible for some people. These experts also emphasize that because there are many factors that affect weight, reducing calories is only one strategy among many that can help you lose unwanted weight safely and effectively.
Nutrition experts recognize that not all people are the same, which is why an individualized approach is so important in the sometimes-complicated field of weight management. If my comments about my husband and I sounded like I was telling everyone to count calories, that was never my intention.
Barbara Intermill is a registered dietitian and syndicated columnist. She is the author of Quinn-Essential Nutrition: The Uncomplicated Science of Eating. Email her at barbara@quinnessentialnutrition.com.
