Count calories or portions?

[PheonixJo]

Is it possible to lose weight by counting portions or am I better off counting calories?

[JacksonPollock]

Hi there, I portion control instead of calorie count and I'm losing weight, but you have to be sensible otherwise it's back to calorie counting!

[Hidden]

I am calorie counting - never done portion control

This is the first time I have been calorie counting and I am loosing weight

My suggestion would be to try which ever you think and see how it works for you

[MrNiceGuy]

While it’s certainly possible to reduce weight by simply reducing portion sizes, attempting to solely lose weight through such a method is heavily reliant upon you already knowing the calorie content of the food upon the plate.

Without already knowing the calorific difference between equal amounts of quinoa and brown rice, for example, how do you know that reduced portion sizes are sufficient enough to create a daily calorie deficit, allowing weight to be lost?

While reduced portions may ensure that no extra weight is gained, they may still be too large, leaving you frustrated at the lack of progress. Moreover, it may prove to be something else you’ve tried but hasn’t worked as you hoped it would.

By opting to lose weight through the tracking of calories, not only will you gain an appreciation for your recommended minimum and maximum allowances (also referred to as BMR & TDEE), you can ensure that the calorie intake is adjusted accordingly as weight is lost, thus, reducing the risk of plateau along the way (the body requires fewer calories as it weighs less).

However, you can only achieve the above by knowing your numbers every step of the way (BMR & TDEE), ensuring that the correct daily calorie deficit continues to be maintained from maximum allowance. Re-assess your numbers with each 7lb reduction in weight.

Additionally, by developing a habit of measuring portions, you’ll gain an appreciation for what 50g of nuts, oats, pasta or rice looks like, while also taking note of the nutritional information on the packaging, particularly the sugar content of carbohydrate.

[miopus]

Useful to weigh something like nuts, which are healthy but can be calorific too, so you know how much a portion is. Very easy to wolf far too many if you are trying hard to lose weight.

[Biscuit0107]

I admire people who count calories, points, etc. That's never lasted more than a week or two with me, I just don't have the patience. Portions and more importantly, proportions have worked for me so far. ( 3 stone gone and one to go). Plenty of veg and salad, which I don't limit, protein around the size of one or two packs of cards and very small portions of carbs (if at all).

I have a slice of toast with my cooked breakfast after Parkrun on Saturdays and really enjoy it 😀 !!

[IndigoBlue61]

This is very similar to the plan I follow and I find it successful, easy to follow and stops me becoming obsessed 😊 But you do still need to weigh things, at least initially, and stick within the limits!! (See my post on Calorie creep!!!) 😳

It also works well if you are away from home on holiday etc

Both ways reduce overall calorie intake which is the important part.

Good luck

[Seuzan]

I just log all food I eat on to the myfitnesspal ap and it does the calorie counting for me...

[PheonixJo]

I'm considering this plan