Question for you…What do you think of nutrition tracking apps, like My Fitness Pal and Lose it?
I have a very clear position on these apps that I am excited to share.
When coaching clients one-on-one, they are usually eager for me to grab my calculator and calculate their nutrition needs. I take into account lots of important information (height, weight, weight goals, activity level, and health concerns). Calculating their carb and protein needs at each meal and snack is not rocket science but it is a very helpful guideline when optimizing their metabolism.
When my client and I create menu plans together, we are able to evaluate which meals and snacks fit their needs and adapt recipes as needed. It’s a beautiful thing to understand what your nutritional needs are and plan balanced menus with confidence.
For my clients who never dieted before, they flourish with personalized menu plans and simple recipes to explore. When they follow the guidelines and menus, they feel more energy, less inflammation, and minimal cravings. For them, it’s a simple decision to stick with their nutrition plan.
For my clients who were long-term dieters, this is a tough point for them. Even though they have a personalized menu plan, their dieting instincts kick in. Many of my past dieters feel a strong urge to track their food on an app. It’s kind of like a security blanket.
So what’s your thoughts?
Are nutrition tracking apps helpful?
We are taking a poll on our Facebook Group (Weight Loss Support for Women who are Done with Dieting). We’d love to hear your feedback!
🤔 You are probably assuming that I am against these apps, but I am not.
Here’s my take on it…
💁🏽♀️ When used short-term, I think nutrition tracking apps can be helpful.
I realize that most of my clients are insecure with all this new knowledge about how to eat properly. In the beginning, they will need to get out their measuring cup so they can see what a portion of cooked oatmeal or rice looks like. But not everything will be clear cut. Nutrition tracking apps can be very helpful for figuring out the Nutrition Facts for new foods and recipes. They can help clarify if a meal or snack is balanced for their needs. They can identify if a food has too much sugar. Very helpful!
💁🏽♀️ When used long-term, I think nutrition tracking apps sabotage your progress.
Learning how to menu plan properly to fit your needs is not as hard as you think. Once you learn the key balancing concepts and bring more mindfulness to your portions, it’s actually quite easy. So when you truly learn how to menu plan properly, why waste your precious time second guessing your every move (so much wasted time)? You could use this extra time for meditation or exercise or fun. And when you overthink and document all your meal decisions, you are living in your head. This makes it impossible to eat intuitively. In my opinion, when you use these tracking apps on a regular basis, you are basically dieting non-stop.
🌈 So where are you in this spectrum?
I understand that it’s hard to not second guess yourself if you are confused about nutrition… If you have no clue if you are eating the right portions or balance for your needs. Totally get it! Our society is filled with too much conflicting dieting information! That’s why we offer a free consultation. Together, let’s dive in and figure out if you are on track (or not at all). Click here to schedule a free call. 📞
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