How to count calories when using a meal delivery service?

Meal delivery services often provide detailed calorie counts for each meal. Use their nutrition labels or app to track calories. If you customize meals or add extra ingredients, be sure to account for those additions. Many services also offer meals tailored to specific calorie goals, making tracking easier.

Is calorie counting a good way to lose weight?

Calorie counting can help create a calorie deficit for weight loss , but it shouldn’t be the only focus. It’s also important to consider food quality, portion control, and balanced habits. While it can be effective, it’s essential not to become overly obsessed with numbers for sustainable results.

What is the proper way to count calories?

Use a reliable app or journal to track everything you eat, including drinks and snacks. Weigh or measure your food for accuracy. Track your meals consistently and review your progress regularly. Check out our handy step-by-step guide for more details.

How do I calculate my calorie intake?

To calculate calorie intake , use a Total Daily Energy Expenditure (TDEE) calculator. This gives you the calories needed to maintain weight, considering factors like activity level. For weight loss, subtract 300-500 calories from your TDEE, and for weight gain, add calories to your TDEE, focusing on nutrient-dense foods.

How to count calories without getting obsessed?

Count calories without obsession by focusing on consistency, not perfection. It’s important to find a balance . Track the basics, like meals and snacks, and take breaks when needed. Prioritize nutrient-dense foods and listen to hunger cues. Tracking should be a tool for awareness, not a source of stress, and shouldn’t dominate your eating habits.

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The Truth About Counting Calories 2025: What Actually Works

Plate of food next to a calorie counting app on a phone and some scales

Counting calories sounds simple enough. Eat less than you burn, right? But in reality, it’s rarely that straightforward. Labels can be wrong, portion sizes are tricky, and tracking every bite can quickly turn from helpful to overwhelming.

Strict calorie tracking also has its downsides. It can lead to obsession, stress, and a focus on numbers over nutrition quality. You might hit your calorie target but still miss out on important nutrients your body needs to actually feel good.

Modern eating habits don’t make things easier either. Between meal delivery kits, eating out, and the occasional late-night snack at home, tracking every calorie with precision takes serious time and energy – and most of us just don’t have that kind of bandwidth.

The good news is you don’t have to track every calorie to manage your weight or stay healthy. Unless you have a specific weight or fitness goal, simple, low-stress strategies can help you stay on track without making food feel like a math project.

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What Are Calories? 🧮

Calories are simply a way to measure energy¹. Your body needs energy to do everything – from running marathons to scrolling on your phone. When you eat food, you’re giving your body the fuel it needs to function, grow, and repair itself.

Each macronutrient provides a different amount of calories:

Macronutrient	Calories per Gram
Carbohydrate 🌾	4 calories
Protein 💪	4 calories
Fat 🥑	9 calories
Alcohol 🍷	7 calories

Author’s Tip: For a more detailed breakdown of how calories work and why they matter, check out our complete guide to calories. It's packed with everything you need to know!

That’s why high-fat foods like cheese, nuts, and oils pack more calories into smaller portions. Fat is essential for your health, but it’s easier to overeat without realizing it. This can lead to weight gain over time.

Your body also burns calories even when you're doing absolutely nothing. This is called your Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) – basically, the number of calories you'd burn if you stayed in bed all day. BMR is influenced by things like your age, weight, height, and muscle mass.