How Many Calories ... ?

The question I get asked the most is a "How many calories ... ?" type of question. " How many calories should I eat to lose 20 pounds, eat per day, etc.

This definitely qualifies as one of the most prevalent myths on weight loss in existence.

When someone asks me that type of question, I ask, "Calories of what?"

In "Calories and Natural Weight Loss", I go over some examples of how calories are such an inadequate tool to assist in your weight loss.

Let me give you a recap. Your metabolism is primarily chemical. The foods you eat are made up of chemicals. The foods and your body create chemical reactions that result in the body you have. The calorie count does not even come close to determining how much weight you will gain or lose.

Asking "How many calories ... ?" means that you are looking at your body as a machine where there is calories in and calories out. Unfortunately, that just isn't how it works.

Example 1:

Joe eats 2000 calories a day and wants to lose weight. He cuts his caloric intake down to 1000 calories a day. BUT he is now only eating donuts and beer. I promise you that Joe is going to get fatter than ever. He can also increase his caloric intake to 4000 calories a day and consume only raw, fresh organic foods that are water rich and nutrient dense. He will lose fat, feel great and his body will change shape.

You have to look at the chemical effects the foods you eat has on your body to determine whether it will help you lose weight.

Example 2:

Joe eats 2000 calories a day in 2 meals a day. If he breaks these two meals into 6 to 8 portions and eats it throughout the day, he will lose fat and speed up his metabolism. He will also have more sustained energy. He will stop roller-coastering with his energy. You can read about how the timing of your nutrition can speed up your metabolism here at "Nutrient Timing".

Here are some solutions:

Instead of evaluating food on the calories it provides, categorize them on the chemical effects they have on your body.

For example, foods that alkalize your body will help you lose weight because the balance your pH. They also provide minerals to your cells. They also provide enzymes. All of which speed up your metabolism.

You can eat more times a day with smaller meals. That will speed up your metabolism.

You can also eat high-moisture foods. Vegetables and fruits for example are high in water content and also have the minerals your cells need to change your body from a fat storing to a fat burning.

You can use the Glycemic Index to evaluate foods. These are foods that are listed by their ability to increase insulin surges in your blood. Insulin causes fat to be stored in the body. By eating low glycemic index foods, you do not increase insulin much.

So the natural question is "Why are calories used so much to solve weight loss problems?"

My answer to that is to follow the money. Calories are easy to comprehend. Manufacturers and marketers can produce and promote a number to induce you to buy something. It is a convenient way of evaluating food.

It may take some time to get used to a new way of evaluating food other than calories. I recommend you start by reading "Speed Up Your Metabolism". By understanding your metabolism a bit better it will help you ask different questions that will lead to better results.

Instead of asking "How many calories ... ?", you will be asking "What food does my body need to burn fat and feel and look amazing?"

Feel free to contact me and ask me a question or two. I also invite you to join my newsletter.