Why It’s Time to Move Away from Calorie Counting: A Sustainable Alternative for 2025
If 2025 began with big wellness goals, you’re not alone. Many people turn to calorie-counting apps like MyFitnessPal or Noom to track their food intake and try to gain control over their eating. And while these tools might seem helpful at first, they often lead to frustration, burnout, and even harm.
For busy women like calorie counting often becomes just another stressor—adding pressure to already-packed schedules and creating guilt around food choices. Worse, it doesn’t deliver sustainable results.
Let’s explore why calorie counting isn’t the solution you’ve been looking for and introduce a kinder, more intuitive approach to eating that focuses on long-term health and well-being.
The Dark Side of Calorie Counting
1. It Can Lead to Disordered Eating
Research shows that calorie counting isn’t just ineffective—it can also be dangerous. Studies have found that apps like MyFitnessPal are associated with increased rates of disordered eating and eating disorders.
A 2017 study published in Eating Behaviors found that 75% of participants who used calorie-tracking apps reported disordered eating behaviors, such as binge eating, restriction, and guilt around food choices.
Another study published in JMIR mHealth and uHealth (2022) revealed that app users were more likely to develop obsessive behaviors around food and exercise, leading to negative impacts on mental health.
2. It’s Unrealistic for Busy Lives
For most of us, tracking every bite of food just isn’t practical. Between work deadlines, family responsibilities, and the need for flexibility, calorie counting quickly becomes a chore that feels impossible to keep up with.
3. It Misses the Bigger Picture
Calorie counting reduces food to numbers, ignoring the complex role food plays in our lives. Food is about nourishment, connection, and enjoyment—not just “calories in, calories out.” This reductive approach often backfires, leading to cycles of restriction and overeating.
A Better Way: Intuitive Eating and the RAVES Framework
If calorie counting doesn’t work, what does? Enter intuitive eating and the RAVES framework. These approaches focus on reconnecting with your body’s natural hunger and fullness cues, promoting balance and flexibility in a sustainable way.
What is Intuitive Eating?
Intuitive eating is an evidence-based approach that encourages you to listen to your body, honor your hunger, and enjoy food without guilt. Studies have shown that intuitive eating leads to improved mental and physical health, including lower rates of disordered eating, better body image, and sustainable weight management.
What is RAVES?
The RAVES framework, developed by dietitian Fiona Willer, is a structured way to move toward intuitive eating while creating balance and consistency. It stands for:
Regularity: Eat regular meals and snacks throughout the day to stabilize energy levels.
Adequacy: Ensure your meals are filling and nourishing enough to sustain you.
Variety: Include a wide range of foods to meet your nutritional needs and keep things interesting.
Enjoyment: Choose foods you genuinely like—pleasure is a key part of a healthy relationship with food.
Self-compassion: Approach eating with kindness and without judgment, even when things don’t go perfectly.
Why This Approach Works for Busy Women
1. It’s Flexible and Realistic
Intuitive eating and RAVES don’t require tracking or rigid rules, making them ideal for busy lives. You can focus on balanced meals without feeling overwhelmed, and the Mums out there can model a positive, guilt-free relationship with food for their kids.
2. It Prioritises Mental Health
Unlike calorie counting, which can fuel guilt and anxiety, intuitive eating encourages self-compassion. This approach supports mental well-being, which is just as important as physical health.
3. It’s Sustainable
Instead of chasing short-term results, intuitive eating helps you build habits that last. No more starting over every January—this is about creating a lifelong relationship with food that feels good.
The Bottom Line
Calorie counting isn’t the answer. It’s time to step away from the numbers and embrace a kinder, more intuitive way to approach food and health.
If you’re ready to leave the apps behind and explore a sustainable, guilt-free relationship with food, I’m here to help. Together, we can create a plan that fits your busy life, supports your well-being, and feels good for the long haul.
Morgan x
