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Are Calories Most Important Factor in Weight Loss?

Yes, calories are the most important part of weight loss.

To lose weight, you need to create a calorie deficit by burning more calories than you eat.

This can be done by following a healthy diet and exercising regularly. But that is not all. Read on to find out why calories are most important for weight loss.

There are a lot of myths out there about weight loss and calories.

Some people believe that you can eat whatever you want as long as you exercise enough, while others think that counting calories is the only way to lose weight.

But the truth is that both of these things are important.

You need to eat a healthy diet if you want to lose weight, and you also need to exercise regularly for your good health.

But calories are still the most important part of weight loss. This is because your body needs a certain number of calories to function properly.

And the number of daily calories we need is different for you and me. If you eat too few or too many calories, it can affect your health.

So it’s important to find a healthy balance and to make sure that you’re not eating way more than you need daily too. There are a lot of different opinions about how many calories you should eat per day to lose weight.

In my opinion, you should aim to create a calorie deficit of 500 calories per day. This is not an extreme way to lose weight.

You’ll lose about 1 pound of fat per week and it can be done by simply eating a healthy diet, meal prepping and exercising regularly.

Related Article: Want to create a Calorie Deficit for Weight Loss? Use our Smart Calorie Calculator

How Many Calories Should You Eat In A Day?

According to NHS, the recommended daily calorie intake is 2,000 calories a day for women and 2,500 for men.

But these numbers are the general guidelines for men and women.

You can get a more accurate estimate of how many calories you should eat, by inputting your age, height, and activity levels into our smart calorie calculator.

How Many Calories Should You Eat For Weight Loss?

Once you’ve used the calorie calculator to get an estimate of your daily calorie intake. You should eat at a 500 calorie deficit per day.

This means removing 500 calories from your current calorie intake and what’s left is your new daily calorie intake until you’ve lost weight.

By doing this you’ll be able to create a calorie deficit of 500 calories per day so it can help you to lose weight.

This is all possible if you eat a healthy high protein diet and exercise regularly.

While calories are the most important part of weight loss; there’re other factors involved as well.

The science behind weight loss isn’t just about the number of calories you consume.

The macronutrient that is most important in weight loss is protein.

In fact, a study published in the National Library of Medicine showed that those who increased their protein intake to 30% of their diet lost the most weight and body fat.

Another factor that is important when it comes to weight loss is fiber.

Fiber helps to keep you feeling fuller longer so you can eat less food and drop body fat.

A study published in the Journal of Nutrition showed that those who increased their fiber intake lost more weight and body fat than those who didn’t.

While protein and fiber are both important when it comes to weight loss, remember, calories matter more.

How Do You Create A Calorie Deficit for Weight Loss?

The best way to create a calorie deficit is to combine a healthy diet with regular exercise. When you’re in a calorie deficit, it’s easier to drop body fat.

After cutting 500 calories from your daily calorie intake, try to follow a structured exercise plan or adopt a physical activity that you can do consistently to make you more active.

For example, you can go for long walks daily, do more chores around the house, join a dance class, try Zumba.

Any one of these types of activities will help you lose weight alongside eating at a calorie deficit of 500 calories per day.

Your goal is to burn more calories than you consume on an ongoing basis till you lose weight.

Once you’ve lost the weight, you can adjust your calories for maintenance and you’ll keep the weight off.

Once you’ve achieved your weight loss goal, go back to the calorie calculator and input your new details in the calculator.

Your bodyweight should be lower now and it’ll give you an estimate of calories you should consume to maintain your new bodyweight.

Then all you have to do is match the calories you consume from your diet with calories you burn to keep the weight you lost off permanently.

Related Article: How To Lose Weight: 3 Proven Methods You Don’t Know About (Diet Plan Included)

Benefits Of Creating A Calorie Deficit

You should only create a calorie deficit if you want to lose weight.

Being in a calorie deficit will not help you build muscle because building muscle requires you to eat more while in a slight calorie surplus.

However, here are some benefits to being in a calorie deficit:

  • You will lose weight: You’re guaranteed to lose weight if you’re in a calorie deficit.

While you’re in a calorie deficit you’ll burn more calories and give yourself the best chance of losing weight.

  • Burn belly fat: Studies suggest you have a better chance of getting rid of your belly fat if you’re eating fewer calories than you consume.

The fact is you can’t exercise your way into a flat stomach. You can only get rid of your belly fat by being in a calorie deficit and losing weight.

This leads us perfectly to the next step on the way to your weight loss journey…

Calories vs Protein: Are Calories Most Important In Weight Loss?

Are calories more important than protein in weight loss? In short, yes your overall calorie intake is still the most important factor for weight loss, but protein is up there too.

Calories are the most important because they are the only thing that you can directly control and use to create a calorie deficit.

The fact is if you eat fewer calories than your body needs on an ongoing basis, then you will lose weight.

For example, this is what naturally happens when you’re sick and you notice you’ve dropped down in bodyweight.

The reason you lose weight when you’re sick is because you’re not eating and drinking as much so you’re naturally in a calorie deficit for weight loss.

However, protein also contributes to helping you drop body fat because it has the highest thermic effect of foods.

This means when you eat protein it boosts your metabolism and increases the number of calories you burn.

Also, protein is important because it keeps you fuller for longer and helps you build muscle if you regularly exercise. This will also help you get into a calorie deficit.

The filling effect of eating protein is unlike any other macronutrient.

By increasing your protein intake, you can lose weight naturally, if you’re in a calorie deficit, of course.

The Importance of Protein and Fibre for Weight Loss

Protein and fibre are the two main nutrients most people don’t eat enough of.

If you’re trying to lose weight, you can’t ignore protein because it helps keep you fuller between meals and fibre keeps you fuller during meals.

If you are not eating enough protein and fibre, your weight loss diet is not going to be as successful as it could be.

Both nutrients, especially protein; helps you stay satiated while eating less food.

Without eating a high protein diet you will not stick to your weight loss diet long enough for it to work.

Related Article: 5 Smart Ways to Build Muscle Faster in 2023 (Use our Protein Calculator)

Conclusion

Calories are a unit of measurement for energy.

It’s an important factor to consider when you’re trying to drop body fat but they’re not the only thing that matters.

Other factors include macronutrient ranges, micronutrients, hormones, a person’s current health state (such as if the person a diabetic), how much fibre is in your diet and more.

But with calories, you can control how many calories you consume by cutting calories from your diet if you’re trying to lose weight.

So while factors like protein and fiber are important, they’re not as important as the number of calories that you consume or burn daily, when it comes to weight loss or even weight gain.

Do you agree with this article? Why or why not? Tell me in the comment section below!

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