Why Counting Calories Isn't an Exact Science

The Calorie Countdown

Think that burger contains x-number of calories each time it pops off the grill? Let's think again.

If you're a Diet Bites reader, you're aware that I've held my trim shape for years now after dropping over 100 pounds by counting calories. However, flaws do exist in the Calorie Counting Method and the individual must allow for such.

The following effects the calories in foods:

- The method used to determine calories;

- Fast food recipes may change without warning OR the portions may increase or decrease. In addition, fast food - as well as all foods of the same variety do not weigh equally. A small apple pitted against another small apple will produce a variance in weigh. One fast-food hamburger isn't going to weigh exactly the same as another - and so forth.

- Animals base their diet on the foods available. In the case of beef, poultry, pork and lamb, the feed that the rancher provides may vary according to budget. In addition, even a particular feed may vary in nutrients due to the forces of nature. If there has been a poor year, there will be a variance in calories as well as in nutritional values.

In Summary

Although I strongly feel that counting calories is the best method for not only reducing weight, but for maintaining weight, it's important to recognize that the Counting Calorie Method does have flaws. Allowing for calorie variances is key to maintaining weight.

So if you strive to manage your waistline using the calorie method, the next time that you splurge on an ice cream cone and it comes out extra tall, you know within your heart-of-hearts that it isn't going to equal the 150 calories stated in the fast-food restaurant's nutrition guide - so allow for such by either enjoying a brisk walk or by reducing your food intake for the day to compensate.

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