Why You’re Still Gaining Weight When You’re Counting Calories, Says Expert — Eat This Not That

No Comments

Photo of author

By Ghuman

Introduction

If you’re trying to lose weight, counting calories is a great way to start. But if you’re still gaining weight despite counting calories, you may be wondering what’s going on. According to Eat This Not That, an expert in nutrition and weight loss, there are several reasons why you may be gaining weight even when you’re counting calories. From not eating enough of the right foods to not getting enough exercise, there are a variety of factors that can contribute to weight gain. In this article, we’ll explore why you’re still gaining weight when you’re counting calories and what you can do to get back on track.

Why You’re Still Gaining Weight When You’re Counting Calories, Says Expert — Eat This Not That

If you’re counting calories and still gaining weight, you’re not alone. Many people struggle to lose weight despite counting calories, and it can be incredibly frustrating. But don’t give up hope — there are some simple changes you can make to your diet and lifestyle that can help you reach your weight loss goals.

According to nutrition expert and registered dietitian, Dr. Lisa Young, the key to successful weight loss is to focus on quality, not quantity. “It’s not just about counting calories, it’s about eating the right kind of calories,” she says. “You want to make sure you’re getting enough of the right nutrients, like protein, fiber, and healthy fats, and avoiding processed foods and added sugars.”

Dr. Young also recommends focusing on whole, unprocessed foods, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats. “These foods are more nutrient-dense and will help you feel fuller for longer,” she says. “They also provide essential vitamins and minerals that your body needs to stay healthy.”

In addition to eating the right kinds of foods, Dr. Young suggests making sure you’re getting enough physical activity. “Exercise is an important part of any weight loss plan,” she says. “It helps to boost your metabolism and burn calories, and it can also help to reduce stress and improve your overall health.”

Finally, Dr. Young recommends getting enough sleep. “Sleep is essential for weight loss,” she says. “When you don’t get enough sleep, your body produces more of the hormone ghrelin, which can increase your appetite and make you crave unhealthy foods.”

By following these simple tips, you can start to see results and finally reach your weight loss goals. Remember, it’s not just about counting calories — it’s about eating the right kinds of foods and getting enough physical activity and sleep.

Have you ever committed to counting calories in order to lose weight, only to grow frustrated and give up after a lack of results? If this has happened to you, you’re not alone.

Counting calories leaves many people disheartened and confused, and when people do lose weight with this method, it’s common for the pounds to creep back after the counting is done. And yet, this method of weight loss is still very popular.

In order to get to the bottom of this mystery, we spoke with Cambridge geneticist and obesity researcher Dr. Giles Yeo, author of Why Calories Don’t Count: How We Got The Science of Weight Loss Wrongabout the science behind calories and why counting them doesn’t always work for sustainable weight loss.

According to Dr. Yeo, the number one thing that people get wrong is the assumption that as long as we are counting how many calories we consume, it doesn’t matter where they come from. This assumption, however, is not true.

RELATED: Sign up for our newsletter to get daily recipes and food news in your inbox!

Not all calories are created equal

Many people believe they have to count calories in order to effectively lose weight, but experts are saying that it’s much more complex than just the number.

In fact, according to Harvard Health Publishing, there are three main factors when it comes to how your body processes the calories you eat: your metabolism, your gut microbiome health, and the type of calories you’re consuming.

This is exactly why Dr. Yeo believes that not all calories are created equal.

We don’t actually eat calories, rather, we eat food from which our body then extracts the calories,” says Yeo, “and your body has to work more or less to extract calories depending on the type of food you eat.”

Dr. Yeo says this is called “caloric availability” and is why it makes a difference whether your calories come from steak, carrots, or a donut.

nutrient rich foods
Shutterstock

Caloric availability is the actual amount of calories that your body can extract from the food you eat, compared to the total calories a food holds. So proteins, fat, and carbohydrates are all digested using different amounts of energy and therefore require different lengths of time.

“For every 100 calories of protein we eat, we are only able to use 70 calories because it takes 30 calories of energy to process 100 calories of protein, which means protein is 70% available,” says Yeo, “and this is one of the reasons why a calorie of protein makes you feel fuller than a calorie of fat or carbohydrate.”

To compare, fat has a caloric availability close to 100%, complex carbohydrates (like whole grains) have about 90%, and a refined carb (like white bread) has 97%. This means your body is using very small percentages of energy to process fats and carbs compared to protein.

This is all related to the thermic effect of food (TEF) that your body experiences when digesting and metabolizing different macronutrients. The TEF for protein is much higher compared to carbohydrates or fats, causing your metabolism to work harder as you digest it. This is why many medical experts recommend adding good sources of protein to one’s diet for weight loss.

How to lose weight without counting calories

Because not all calories are created equal, Dr. Yeo suggests leaving the calorie counting behind and instead focusing on improving the quality of your diet. He recommends increasing the amount of protein you consume from both animal and plant-based sources, increasing your fiber intake, and trying to keep added sugars to less than 5% of your total daily intake.

If counting calories hasn’t worked for you, the good news is that there are plenty of healthier, more sustainable ways to lose weight. For some who still like tracking their food, an alternative method like counting macros may work, but you should talk with a doctor or dietitian before starting any new dietary plan.

For more weight loss tips, read these next:

Leave a Reply