Calorie Counting is Fueling Your Binges—Here’s Why

April 22, 2024

The Pitfalls of Calorie Counting in Binge Eating Recovery: A Detriment to True Healing pic

Hey There, I'm Ryann Nicole.

I’m a recovered binge eater who changed the story from something that happened to me to something that happened for me. Now, I’m a licensed therapist teaching you to do the same.

My mission? To help you ditch food stress and live your life with mental peace and freedom every single day!

Oh, calorie counting—it feels safe, doesn’t it? It feels like that thing you can rely on to keep things in check. You punch in the numbers, see where you’re at, and it gives you this illusion of control. But here’s the thing—if you’re being totally honest, is it actually helping you? You’re still bingeing. You’re still feeling trapped. So, what are you really controlling?

I get it. I truly do.

That desperation to stop the binges, to lose weight, to feel like you’re in charge of something when everything else feels chaotic—it’s overwhelming. Sitting in your current body feels unbearable, and calorie counting feels like the solution. But let me ask you—has it worked? Has it ever really helped you long term, or is it just pushing you further into the cycle?

I used to think calorie counting was the answer.

It gave me hope that this time, I’d finally change. But it never worked. If anything, it fueled my binges even more. It took a long time for me to realize that if I truly wanted to recover, I had to let go of that app telling me what and when to eat and start listening to my body again. But first, I had to understand why calorie counting wasn’t helping. Here’s why:

Calorie Counting Fuels Obsessive Thinking

You can’t deny it. When I was below my calorie limit, I’d obsess over what I could eat with my extra calories or stress about making it through the day with so little left. It was a constant mental battle, a recipe for a binge.

Let’s break it down:

Scenario A: You have extra calories left, so you relax a bit with your eating. Then the doubt creeps in. Did I eat too much? I shouldn’t have had that. Guilt sets in, followed by shame and blame. “Forget it, I’ll do better tomorrow”—and then, bam, a binge.

Scenario B: You have fewer calories left, and panic sets in. Every thought revolves around food. You watch the clock, feeling hungry and stressed. You resist, resist, resist… until you can’t take it anymore. You binge.

Either way, it’s a losing battle. You become too emotionally invested, tracking every detail. The more you track, the closer you edge towards a binge. Just look at your history—can you honestly say this isn’t true?

Calorie Counting Keeps You In Diet Mentality

Calorie counting keeps you locked in that diet mentality. It’s like you’re constantly on a diet treadmill, running but never really getting anywhere. Every meal becomes a calculation, every bite a judgment. You’re either winning or losing, and there’s no middle ground.

Think about it:

Every time you open that calorie tracking app, you’re reinforcing the idea that your worth is tied to a number. It’s not just about nourishing your body anymore—it’s about hitting that magic calorie goal. And what happens when you inevitably go over?

You beat yourself up, feeling like a failure. You promise to do better tomorrow, but deep down, you know it’s just a matter of time before you spiral again.

The diet mentality keeps you trapped in a cycle of restriction and guilt. It convinces you that happiness and worthiness are just a few pounds away, if only you could stick to the plan perfectly.

Calorie Counting Overcomplicates Eating

Instead of enjoying a meal, you’re focused on numbers—how many calories are in this? How much can I eat to stay within my limit? It takes the joy out of eating and turns it into a mathematical equation.

You start second-guessing every food choice. Is this too high in calories? Should I choose something else? It creates anxiety around food that shouldn’t be there.

And what about social situations? Dining out with friends becomes a minefield of choices.

  • Do you skip meals earlier in the day to save up calories?
  • Do you stress over not having enough left for dessert?
  • What is everybody else eating? Are you eating more calories than them?

Calorie counting also ignores the complexity of food itself. Not all calories are created equal. A hundred calories of broccoli isn’t the same as a hundred calories of chocolate. Yet, the focus remains solely on the number, disregarding nutritional value and how different foods affect your body.

This obsession with counting can lead to a distorted view of food. It’s no longer about nourishment but about hitting a target. It disconnects you from your body’s natural cues and fosters a mindset where food is reduced to numbers on a screen.

Calorie Counting Ignores Emotional Aspects of Food

Food isn’t just fuel; it’s tied to our emotions, memories, and social connections. When you reduce food to numbers, you ignore the comfort of a warm meal on a cold day, the joy of baking with loved ones, or the celebration of birthdays with cake.

Emotional eating is a real part of life. We eat to celebrate, to comfort ourselves, to connect with others. But calorie counting doesn’t account for these emotional triggers. It doesn’t address why you might crave certain foods during stressful times or turn to ice cream after a bad day.

Instead, it imposes rigid rules that don’t leave room for the natural ebb and flow of life. You may find yourself battling guilt when you eat for reasons other than physical hunger, as if enjoying food for pleasure or emotional support is somehow wrong.

Ignoring the emotional aspects of food also ignores the root causes of binge eating. It’s often not just about calories; it’s about soothing emotions, seeking comfort, or coping with stress. When you focus solely on numbers, you miss the opportunity to explore these deeper issues and find healthier ways to respond to your feelings.

Calorie Counting Sets Unrealistic Expectations

Our bodies are dynamic and ever-changing. Some days, we’re more active; other days, we’re more sedentary. Our energy needs fluctuate based on factors like exercise, stress levels, and even the weather.

Yet, calorie counting treats every day as if it should fit into a neat, predetermined calorie limit. It doesn’t account for days when you might need extra fuel due to physical activity or stressful events. It doesn’t allow for natural variations in appetite or metabolism.

This rigid approach can lead to frustration and guilt when you inevitably don’t meet your calorie goals every day. You might feel like you’re failing or not disciplined enough, when in reality, your body is simply responding to its own unique needs.

So now what?

It’s your choice. Do you want to spend the rest of your life tracking, counting every calorie? Or are you ready to take that next step towards healing your relationship with food?

You don’t have to track calories to maintain a stable weight. You don’t have to track calories to overcome binge eating. And you certainly don’t have to track calories to be healthy.

Imagine a life where food isn’t about numbers, where meals are enjoyed without guilt or anxiety. Picture trusting your body to tell you what it needs, eating when hungry and stopping when satisfied—no app needed.

It starts with a decision—a decision to break free from the cycle of tracking and restriction. It’s about reclaiming your power over food and embracing a more intuitive approach to eating.

So, what’s your choice? Are you ready to let go of calorie counting and begin your journey towards true food freedom and a healthier relationship with yourself?


Keep Reading

Understanding Why Intuitive Eating Might Not Work for Everyone (Because It Doesn’t!)

Your Guide To Getting Started With Intuitive Eating: What It Is And How To Do It

Unpacking the Paradox: Why a Calorie Deficit Can Increase Food Obsession

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Ryann Nicole

Licensed Therapist, Certified Nutritionist, and Virtual Wellness Coach

Ryann is a licensed therapist and virtual wellness coach who has assisted individuals worldwide in establishing a healthier relationship with food and their bodies.

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Ryann is a licensed therapist and virtual wellness coach who has assisted individuals worldwide in establishing a healthier relationship with food and their bodies.