Dirty Thirty #8: Counting Calories

So many so-called "diet" programs are based on counting Calories* and, thus, based in the belief that a Calorie is a Calorie no matter what its source. A thousand Calories of cookies is not the same in your body as a thousand Calories of kale (even if you can eat that much kale). It's not just because the kale fills you up more or even because of the nutrients in the kale. The sugar Calories in the cookies lead to obesity, diabetes and other inflammatory diseases, while the Calories in the kale are anti-inflammatory and will help to heal your body. So, the next time you think you can eat that cookie and not the salad you brought for lunch, think again! Choose nutrient-dense, anti-inflammatory foods, and you will not only lose weight but also have more energy and better overall health.

* The word Calorie is capitalized because the measurement on food labels is actually in kilocalories. Calorie with a capital C indicates the measurement is in kilocalories.

Check back tomorrow for another Dirty Thirty!