By Rod Silva
If you are counting calories to maintain or lose weight, it’s important to also consider the nutritional benefits of your food choices. Whether you are eating food that’s rich in protein or one filled with sugar and fat – they all have calories. However, you should always choose foods that have a higher nutritional value rather than eating smaller portions of food with empty calories.
Here’s a simple example: On one plate is a portion of food that is 100 calories. On another dish is portion of food that has 130 calories. Based on calorie content alone, you would choose the first plate. But what if the lower calorie plate was of cookies and the higher calorie food was lean grilled chicken? Cookies are high in sugar and fat and have refined white flour that can raise blood sugar levels and may lead to food cravings. Therefore, although the cookies are lower in calories, the chicken, which is rich in protein and a good source of vitamins and minerals, is the healthier choice.
What this simple example shows is that calorie-counting on its own will not make you healthy. Choose calories that count! Instead of blowing your calorie budget on foods that lack nutrients, fill your diet with nutrient-dense choices like lean grilled chicken, vegetables, beans and whole grains.
