Contrary to the notion that “a calorie is a calorie”, we believe what we’re putting into our bodies is more important than counting calories. Plus, some foods help us regulate our appetites, while others send us into a feeding frenzy – find out what this means for you and why it might be time to ditch the count.

Counting calories is disheartening

It’s hard to get motivated when you’re worrying about adding up calories and tracking every piece of food you put on your plate. It can also lead to guilt, shame and stress, and considering many of us already associate these negative feelings with food, it can be counterproductive to continue on in this manner. We believe in reframing the way we look at food – it’s nutrition, nourishment and our key to a healthy life. It’s important to unpack the guilt and shame we associate with food in order to fight cravings, poor dietary choices and self-criticism.

The goal is moderation

Sometimes counting calories needs to take a backseat to other factors, especially when considering how certain types of food make us ravenous – while others regulate our appetite. Fructose belongs to the former category, with researchers finding it dysregulates our hunger signals. Another study found that fructose actually stimulates our appetite instead of satisfying it, which goes against the very purpose of eating! So, it’s no wonder that many of us learned to count calories so as to reign in our sweet tooth – but there’s another way.

With our 8-Week Program, we enjoy low-sugar foods in moderation, with an emphasis placed on nutritious, whole foods that actually satisfy us. The result? No more midnight chocolate binges. It is possible to break the cycle of insatiable hunger and sugar cravings, and it starts with what you eat, not by counting calories. When we aim for moderation and a balanced diet, numbers aren't everything. We believe focusing on what you put on your plate is more important than meticulously measuring calories.

Eating whole foods helps you meet your body’s needs

Considering sugar is one of the major drivers of obesity, it’s no surprise that cutting it out can reduce our chances of developing visceral fat, which then puts us at risk for metabolic syndrome. When you eat whole, satiating foods, you’ll find yourself naturally feeling fuller and craving sugar less. Your body will be your guide, and that’s why you won’t even need to count calories.

Healthy fats: These are one of the keys to long-lasting satiety, less frequent eating and a balanced appetite. These include omega 3s, which are essential for heart and brain health – you can find them in eggs, fish and walnuts – but they also include monounsaturated fats. These are found in foods like avocado, eggs and coconuts, and studies have found they help balance blood sugars and prevent insulin resistance. Medium chain triglycerides are another type of fat which helps regulate our eating habits, having been found to decrease appetite.

Fibre: When you up your intake of fibre, any natural sugars you’re eating – like those which are found in fruit and veggies – will be absorbed slower, thereby reducing the strain on our livers. By slowing the speed at which food moves through our gut, our hunger levels are reduced – unlike fructose, which only stokes the flames of our appetite. With only 5% of us getting enough fibre, is it any wonder so many of us are hungry all the time? High-fibre foods include whole grains, whole fruits, veggies, nuts and seeds.

Probiotics: Eating probiotics is your ticket to a healthy gut – and did you know your gut is responsible for the foods you crave? So, if your gut microbiome is unbalanced, it could be to blame for your midnight junk food cravings. When you eat a balanced diet, including probiotic-rich foods like yoghurt, kimchi and kombucha, you’ll kick those good gut bacteria into gear.

The takeaway

The foods you choose to eat play a major role in regulating your appetite – and this means you’ll get to know your body’s signals, allowing you to eat intuitively – without the trouble of counting calories. When you join us for our 8-Week Program, we’ve done all the work for you of preparing meal plans, shopping lists and recipes. This will help you get started on the journey to transform your health, along with learning to listen to your body and provide it with the fuel it needs.

Sound good? Sign up HERE.