Does Calorie Counting Really Work?

Chances are, you’ve tried calorie counting at some point in your life. Whether you’re trying to lose weight, gain weight, or just maintain your current weight, counting calories can seem like a good way to achieve your goals. But does it really work? We decided to investigate.

How Calorie Counting Works (or is Supposed to Work)

The premise of calorie counting is simple: if you want to lose weight, you need to consume fewer calories than you burn. If you want to gain weight, you need to consume more calories than you burn. And if you want to maintain your weight, you need to consume just as many calories as you burn.

To do this, most people rely on a calorie calculator or app to estimate the number of calories they should be consuming each day. They then try to stick to that number as closely as possible by keeping track of everything they eat and drink throughout the day.

The Pros and Cons of Calorie Counting

There are both pros and cons when it comes to calorie counting. One of the biggest pros is that it can help increase your awareness of the food and drinks you’re consuming. When you have to track everything you eat and drink throughout the day, you’re likely to pay more attention to what goes into your body and make better choices as a result.

Another pro is that calorie counting can be a helpful tool for people who have trouble portion control. If you tend to overeat or eat too much of certain foods, tracking your calories can help keep you in check and prevent you from going overboard.

On the downside, one of the biggest problems with calorie counting is that it’s not always accurate. The number of calories in a food can vary depending on how it’s prepared, so unless you’re meticulously measuring and tracking everything you eat, it’s impossible to know for sure how many calories you’re consuming on a given day. In addition, most people overestimate how many calories they burn each day, which can lead them to think they’re eating less than they actually are. This can sabotage weight loss efforts and make it difficult to reach your goals.

Another downside is that calorie counting can be time-consuming and frustrating. If You’re not used to tracking everything you eat and drink, it can take a lot of effort to get into the habit—and even more effort to stick with it long-term. It can also be easy to become obsessed with numbers and start fixating on reaching a certain calorie goal each day, which isn’t necessarily healthy either.

Calorie Counting: The Bottom Line

So does calorie counting really work? The short answer is yes—but only if it’s done correctly and in combination with other healthy lifestyle habits. If you’re not carefully tracking your intake or exercises, then chances are it won’t be as effective (if at all). But if you’re diligent about measuring portions and monitoring your intake over time, then it can definitely help with both losing and maintaining weight.

However, remember that no single method works for everyone, so if you’ve tried calorie counting in the past without success, don’t give up hope—there are other options out there.