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What Should You Know About Counting Calories To Start A Healthy Diet?

Counting calories without stress

By Taisiia DobrozorovaPublished 3 years ago Updated 3 years ago 3 min read
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How do you count calories?

For me, it was always kind of stressful, trying to figure out what way is the best to count calories. What type of calorie counter should I use? Or how to create a healthy diet plan taking into consideration my everyday calorie consumption?

I've done some research and written down what was important to know to count calories accurately. I came across such words as BMI and meal plan. This is what I've highlighted for myself.

What is BMI?

BMI (or Body mass index) is a value that allows you to assess the degree of compliance of a person's mass and height. Its results are the most significant indicator for charting your calories. BMI is used to screen for weight categories that may lead to health problems.

To calculate it, you need to use any app based on personal users’ data or, as a last resort, to do it manually.

BMI is the way to define your health condition

Calorie counters

There are plenty of alternatives for body fat testing, including:

  • Scales
  • Logging a workout journal
  • Calipers or a tape measure
  • Online calculators
  • Medical tests once a month
  • Hydrostatic weighing
  • Special apps

Each of them has its own pros and cons. For example, scales are very good at calculating pounds but poor at measuring internal body metrics, making health analysis less accurate. Calipers also do not always measure accurately, and their formulas are too complex to use. It’s no time to rely on luck here. We deal with health – a responsible approach should be in every detail. The workout logs are no longer reliable as well. Their indicators and activities are not well-founded without careful analysis and comparison.

Scales aren't the best way to count calories

My verdict – the best types of body fat testing are online calculators, special applications, and, of course, medical tests. The last-mentioned shows the state of human health as accurately as possible. Their only drawbacks are the cost and frequent visits to the hospital.

At home, the best thing with the calorie shedding task is automated resources. BMI calculators or apps with built-in personal surveys and calorie counting are the best tools to help you plan a healthy diet. They usually require just a little information about your metrics and habits to figure out which approach is right for your body. You can even try a personal eating plan without going through complicated medical tests to know what food is the best choice for you.

A meal plan is the first step to a healthy diet

Healthy diet components

A balanced diet is the foundation of a healthy weight. But what essential elements does it contain? What makes it so effective at burning calories? In addition to simple rules such as eating smaller amounts of food but frequently and at the same mealtime, it is important to know what types of food must be prevalent. What do you need to add to your diet to get your weight back?

1) Fruits and vegetables. There is no way to start healthy eating without natural ingredients. Pay special attention to berries and cruciferous vegetables.

2) Calcium-rich foods. For example, low-fat milk and yogurts. They have different tastes and can be a great dessert substitute.

3) Beans and Legumes. They also include peas and lentils.

4) Meats. But not to take fatty types of meat. Chicken breast works best.

5) Fish. For instance, you can think of many delicious salmon and tuna dishes.

6) Comfort Foods. Always choose what will make you feel good. The more you enjoy a healthy meal, the more likely you are to cook it again.

Pick your favorite healthy diet component

Summing Up

There are plenty of methods to track your calorie consumption and to create a suitable meal plan. Some of the dishes you can easily predict by reading the list of the most healthy food.

Try to develop your strategy and use it regularly. For instance, get a scale and a calorie counting app. Check the data with your BMI and draw up, manually or in the application, a nutrition plan that will delight you and saturate the body with useful elements. Start today, and in a week, you will have the first result!

wellness
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About the Creator

Taisiia Dobrozorova

Content Creator in HitBerry Games, interested in game development, gaming news, and branded games

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