If calories are king, why does portion size matter? The traditional diet focused on calorie intake and how the foods you ate contributed to weight gain or loss. Today, the focus has shifted from calories to how portion size contributes to weight loss and management. We debunk health and diet myths by looking at the question: if calories are king, why does portion size matter?
Calories are the energy you get from food, and portion size is the amount of food you consume.
Foods high in calories, particularly sugars and fats, are more likely to cause weight gain. The question is whether you can still lose weight. To determine if calories matter more than portion size, we need to look at the research on weight loss. Also, whether we still need to be pedantic about tracking calories?
Studies concerning dieting have shown improvements in fat loss and weight management when individuals are mindful of how much they eat. In addition, regardless of the type of calorie, when you control the portions and exercise, you achieve your fitness and body goals much faster.
Base the principles of weight loss on the calories consumed and spent.
If you burn more than what you eat, you can start losing weight quickly. For example, even if you consume foods dense in calories, you can still reduce your overall fat and weight loss by reducing the portion size of “unhealthy” food groups.
Regardless of the type of food, you can lose weight if you manage the portion size. The problem is that an unbalanced diet leads to other health problems, such as high cholesterol, the risk of diabetes, and poor fitness. Thus, when you choose better quality foods that are not high in unhealthy fats or sugars, you lose weight and improve your energy levels, strength, and overall well-being.
Eat healthy foods in the correct portions and calories, and exercise.
Reducing the intake of calories through daily exercise and portion size can produce the most significant reductions in waist circumference and body fat percentage. However, if you don’t have the time to exercise every day, reducing how much you eat to lose weight is better.
While you should not forget calorie counting, it should not be the only strategy to reach your health and wellness goals. If you consume foods dense in calories, keep the portion size small to avoid added fat and weight gain. Healthy calories in vegetables and fruits provide better nutrition than sugar or processed meals. But you should still monitor whole grains.
Maintain a healthy lifestyle with calories and portion sizes.
When you eat more than what you spend, you gain weight, monitor your portions, and include healthier calories. A balanced approach is the easiest way to improve your long-term well-being. But while calories are king, portion size may be the new queen! You can reach your health and fitness goals faster by eating a healthy diet, drinking more water, and exercising at least 30 minutes daily.