In our digital age, calorie-counting apps have become the go-to tool for health-conscious individuals looking to lose weight, maintain fitness levels and gain better insight into theireating habits. But are these apps helping or hindering your progress toward your health and fitness goals?
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What Are Calories and How Many Do You Need?
Given that many users often regard the data from these apps as definitive, it’s jarring to discover the inherent risk of relying on them for healthy weight management. Researchers in a 2019 study published in theHealth Informatics Journalnoted that while calorie-tracking apps may work well as guidelines, they shouldn’t be used as a stand-alone tool for nutritional guidance or used in place of healthy eating habits andhealthy lifestyle habits.
By becoming over-reliant on these digital tools, you risk losing connection with your body’s natural hunger and fullness cues. Over time, this can lead to an unhealthy relationship with food and discourage intuitive eating. Moreover, like all technology, calorie-tracking apps aren’t immune to the occasional malfunction or glitch, leading to potential misinformation or lost data.
“If you’re calorie counting, this is just one of many reasons I suggest using it more as a ballpark or guideline rather than an absolute mathematics equation,” said Sharp. “Like just about everything else to do with our body, including our natural size, everyone’s calorie absorption will be unique.”
The Bottom Line
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