Does a Calorie Deficit 'work'?
Well, it depends what you're trying to achieve. A calorie deficit will assist with weight loss, but we want to do it right.
By creating a gradual deficit we can help protect our metabolisms and body compositions. Fat loss will be achieved (which is normally the goal) with a gradual calorie deficit, if the deficit is too harsh, we risk losing our lean tissue, muscle, and compromising our body composition.
What's the best way, and do we need to meticulous calorie count?
By incorporating whole foods, rather then processed foods (often used for 'calorie convenience') we can help maintain our intake of lovely nutrients, whilst most likely reducing our toxic load of unwanted nasties.
Wholefoods are also more balanced in terms of satiating macronutrients, plus, opting for a diet centred around good quality wholefoods, can often mean we can cut out the need for meticulous calorie counting which can have be detrimental, for some, in my opinion.
Nutrients over calories in my opinion, the calories will always be there, but will fall into place with sensible choices. Listen to your body, your hunger cues, and eat slowly, deliberately and in a relaxed fashion - so we can really hear the cues! The nutrients might not always be there, depending on our choices, so this is why wholefoods and eating the rainbow is key! ????
