Calorie counting isn’t the answer
Content.
“Should I calorie count?” is a question that pops up frequently in clinic.
And I get it. We’ve been taught the calorie model for so long that it can feel like the default - a way to create control when things feel uncertain.
But honestly, I’m not a fan (with nuance, of course - nothing is ever completely black and white, and for some, there may be a time and place).
Here’s why:
It can create (or reinforce) an unhealthy relationship with food. I so often hear about the food guilt that creeps in after going “over.”
It shifts the focus away from tuning into our bodies and what they’re asking for, and instead relies on external numbers to dictate how much we eat.
We’re not robots. No two days are the same, which means our energy needs aren’t either. And especially for women - we’re cyclical. Pre-period hunger? A whole different level (IYKYK).
It can encourage monotony over variety. I’ve had too many clients say, “I just end up eating the same things because I can’t be bothered logging new recipes.”
And honestly… the math ain’t mathing. Foods like nuts, avocado, and EVOO - all incredibly nourishing — can easily “blow out” a calorie budget. When we zoom out, nutritional quality matters far more than just the calorie number.
All of this to say: we’re complex humans. Reducing our needs down to a single number often doesn’t serve us in the way we hope it will.
Instead, there are so many other areas that can support more sustainable change - like our relationship with food, our food choices, and how we eat.
Balance over restriction, always.
Nutrition Tip. Ingredients list.
When it comes to food labelling, it’s very easy to feel overwhelmed. A helpful starting point? The ingredients list.
Ingredients are listed in order of weight, so the first three can give you a pretty good idea of what the product is mostly made up of. It’s a simple way to get a quick snapshot without overthinking it.
Product Recommendation. Silicone Oven Rack Shield.
Two things I’m notoriously guilty of:
Burning my hands/arms on the oven (SOS), and
Having a slightly unhealthy relationship with Amazon deliveries.
So, to say this is one of my best Amazon purchases of 2026 is a big call.
After my latest burn, my mum put me onto silicone oven rack shields… and they actually work! I don’t want to jinx it, but so far - no more accidental oven injuries. Honestly, so worth it :D
Quote.
“Mistakes are part of the dues one pays for a full life”
- Sophia Loren
