Lifestyle
The Calorie Count Begins!
By
Jul 20, 2008 - 5:36:30 PM

(HealthNewsDigest.com) - Calories count first in the fight against obesity and a law that is now in effect will force us to take a count! The new law in New York City that will affect approximately 2500 establishments, is requiring chain restaurants to list calorie information next to all menu items. It's frightening but as I discuss with my clients, "ignorance is not bliss" when it comes to reading labels and our weight (hence our health too). And the calories add up quickly as do the multitude of diets!

Hardly a day goes by when I am not confronted by one of the popular diets including the different variations of the well-known low carbohydrate, high protein diet (we all know these, don't we?). Every where I turn I see TV commercials, read food ads, and read as I walk down supermarket isles, signs about low carbs, no carbs, net carbs, non fat, sugar free and on and on. I must admit that I'm going a bit crazy! Am I against us eating carbohydrates or fat? Absolutely not! In fact, let me say unconditionally, I'm personally against all the craziness!

So, this week let's remember that "Calories Count First" regardless of the diet we choose. What does this mean? If we eat less calories than we burn over a period of time we will lose weight. It's that simple. Research backs this up. All diets in some manner restrict our caloric intake (some just disguise it better) leading to weight loss. All foods including protein will be turned into stored body fat when our total calories exceed our total need. Fat and alcohol are the easiest type of calories for the body to store as fat. Fat and alcohol are also more calorically dense, which means we get less food for a whole lot more calories. Cutting down on fat and alcohol without adding more food can result in a large decrease in total calories eaten, and over time real body fat loss instead of more water and lean mass.

We do lose weight quickly on high protein diets because we lose lots of water weight first. This can translate into a 3-7 pound loss in one week depending upon our total body weight. Another reason research has shown that high protein diets result in a higher weight loss is boredom. Yes, after weeks and months of eating mostly meats and high protein foods (most of us don't realize it), we start to reduce our portions because we desire less and less of the very limited foods we are eating. This, combined with the fact that we are not eating the foods that we tend to overeat (bread?) leads to an overall reduced amount of food. Reduced food, reduced portions means, you guessed it, less calories hence weight loss. But how long can we keep up any one specific diet? Even a once new fast food diet outlined how to stay within 1500 calories (no big Macs for us on this!) to lose! If we're on one of the food delivery programs, then I'm sure you noticed the small portion sizes, hence less calories too.

So, we're back to less calories eaten than burned, equals weight loss regardless of the diet. Perhaps we need to think of a specific way to save a few calories everyday while eating from all the food groups, because a few saved here and there does add up to weight loss and maintenance.

Getting back to the new law, I do think that it is important (if we take the time to read the info, that is) because it can help us make more informed choices. Keep in mind that the average caloric intake for women and men for losing is 1800 and 2000 calories respectively per day, so let's read labels and let the calorie count begin!

Goodbye to supersize perhaps?

June M. Lay M.S.
www.junefit.com
Look for my "Fruit Boat" recipe made with watermelon still posted at http://www.junefit.com/tips_recipehp.htm

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(c)Junefit, 2008

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