Bring Back Calorie Counting

Counting calories has come in and out of fashion. It’s in again now and many experts say it’s useful for keeping track of daily food intake. But be aware that eating the right nutrients is top priority.

The public health England guidelines recommend that a moderately active man needs 2,500 calories a day to maintain weight and women need 2,000 – although most people at least 300 calories more than this (about the amount in a large latte or a flapjack). Cutting even that amount could result in weight loss.

If you want to lose more weight, the NHS recommends most men sticking to no more that 1,900 calories a day and women 1,400. Most people have an unrealistic idea of what this amount of food looks like and just how little they should be eating. 100 calories is equivalent to a matchbox slice of cheese or a punnet of tomatoes or one biscuits.