Calorie Counting – Are All Calories Equal

If there’s one thing that you should be doing as you go about your diet plan if you want to see optimal success, calorie counting is it.

Most people who have been doing some reading on the various requirements for fat loss do realize that in order to burn off body fat, they must consume fewer calories than they take in on a daily basis.

That said, is it just a matter of taking in X amount of calories and weight loss will be yours?

If the truth is told, there is a little more to it than that… keep reading…

Let’s look at why calorie counting isn’t quite as straightforward as you think and why there are additional things to think about.

The Impact On Your Hunger Level

The very first thing that you need to take into account as you go about the calorie counting process is the influence that various types of calories will have on your hunger level.  For example, if you eat dietary fats, this tends to reduce your hunger level.

On the other hand, if you eat a high carb diet plan, you’ll find that your hunger level is higher on an ongoing basis due to fluctuations in blood sugar levels.

Those who are battling hunger pains then, will want to focus more of their total calorie intake on proteins and fats versus carbs.

The Influence On Your Metabolic Rate

The second point to note as you count calories is the influence that various calories will have on your metabolic rate.  Protein rich foods have the greatest impact and can provide a 25% total boost to your metabolism after you consume them.

The same cannot be said for fat or carbs, so this is one reason why you may want to consider these foods.

The Total Amount Of Food Volume

Finally, the third thing to consider as you count calories is how much food volume you get for a given calorie level.  If you’re focusing on high-volume, low calorie food, you’re going to find that you’re fuller much sooner than if you are eating very calorie dense foods.

The more total volume you can put in your stomach, generally the easier controlling hunger will be.

So keep these points in mind. Calorie counting isn’t quite as black and white as some people make it out to be, so if you can remember these, you can be sure that you’re moving in the right direction.

Posted in: Calories