Tracking your calories can really help you make better choices about what you eat and improve your health. It helps you understand what you’re consuming, leading to smarter decisions about your diet.
When people start to track their calorie intake, they usually become more aware of what foods they’re choosing. The National Institutes of Health says that keeping a food diary can boost weight loss success by as much as 50%! When you know what’s in your food, you can spot those hidden calories in sugary drinks and snacks.
Energy balance is important for keeping your body weight just how you want it. To maintain, lose, or gain weight, you need to understand how many calories you take in and how many you burn. Here’s a simple way to look at it:
Calories consumed - Calories burned = Change in weight
For example, if you eat 3,500 calories less than what you burn, you can lose about 1 pound. Tracking your intake helps you make small changes in your diet to reach that goal.
It’s not just about counting calories; the type of calories you eat is important too. Research shows that diets with lots of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains can help prevent long-term health issues. For instance, a 2020 study in Nutrients found that people who ate a plant-based diet lost an average of 4.5 pounds over six months.
Tracking calories also makes you responsible for your choices. A study from the American Journal of Preventive Medicine found that people who used mobile apps to keep track of their calories felt more motivated. This led to better food choices and sticking to their nutrition plans.
In summary, tracking calories helps you be mindful, understand how energy works in your body, make healthier food choices, and stay accountable. These are all critical steps to reach your long-term nutrition goals.
Tracking your calories can really help you make better choices about what you eat and improve your health. It helps you understand what you’re consuming, leading to smarter decisions about your diet.
When people start to track their calorie intake, they usually become more aware of what foods they’re choosing. The National Institutes of Health says that keeping a food diary can boost weight loss success by as much as 50%! When you know what’s in your food, you can spot those hidden calories in sugary drinks and snacks.
Energy balance is important for keeping your body weight just how you want it. To maintain, lose, or gain weight, you need to understand how many calories you take in and how many you burn. Here’s a simple way to look at it:
Calories consumed - Calories burned = Change in weight
For example, if you eat 3,500 calories less than what you burn, you can lose about 1 pound. Tracking your intake helps you make small changes in your diet to reach that goal.
It’s not just about counting calories; the type of calories you eat is important too. Research shows that diets with lots of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains can help prevent long-term health issues. For instance, a 2020 study in Nutrients found that people who ate a plant-based diet lost an average of 4.5 pounds over six months.
Tracking calories also makes you responsible for your choices. A study from the American Journal of Preventive Medicine found that people who used mobile apps to keep track of their calories felt more motivated. This led to better food choices and sticking to their nutrition plans.
In summary, tracking calories helps you be mindful, understand how energy works in your body, make healthier food choices, and stay accountable. These are all critical steps to reach your long-term nutrition goals.