The Calorie Myth

You probably recognize that 200 calories worth of pasta isn’t exactly the same thing as 200 calories of salmon. Without even thinking about it, your body can probably feel the difference between an afternoon snack of an apple and almond butter versus a super-size candy bar.

“The calorie myth” acknowledges that a calorie isn’t just a calorie.

Allie Nowak is a Physician Assistant at Clinic Sofia, a women’s clinic known for providing full-circle healthcare in a welcoming, supportive environment. She shares some insight about calories and howcalories from nutrient-dense whole foods impact our bodies and moods differently than those from nutrient-poor processed foods.

How to Make Calories Count

Quality really matters, and the more people focus on quality foods, the better they feel. By being mindful about what you eat, you tend to turn to whole foods that make you feel good from the inside out.

Following are some tips for making your calories count in a healthy way:

• View calories as fuel. Bodies need energy, and high-quality calories provide that. Just like you fuel a car with gasoline, your body needs sustenance for everything it does all day. Calorie restriction can actually backfire.
• Sometimes you need to eat more instead of less. Some people restrict calories to the level that their metabolism slows and they reach a “fight-or-flight” response that negatively affects thyroid and adrenal function as well as hormones. Eating more may seem counterintuitive, but it can lead to weight loss for some individuals who have been restricting calories below their body’s core needs.
• Track your calorie intake for a couple days. While we don’t necessarily recommend doing this every day, keeping track of calories for a week will give you a ballpark idea of what you’re consuming and where you might need to make changes.
• You do not have to be perfect. Everyone is human, and we like to go out to eat, celebrate special occasions and enjoy an ice cream cone. To that end, consider an 80/20 rule where 80 percent of food intake is nutritious whole foods, allowing 20 percent for food freedom to ensure that the diet and lifestyle are sustainable.

If you have questions about calories, diet, nutrition and other lifestyle issues for Allie, you can call Clinic Sofia at 952-922.7600 and note that you are interested in a functional medicine consultation. You do not need to be a current Clinic Sofia patient.

About Allie Nowak:

A Physician Assistant for Clinic Sofia in Edina and Maple Grove, Allie has completed her training with Kresser Institute, the only functional medicine and evolutionary health training company, and is an ADAPT Trained Practitioner.