Counting calories in Paleo?

geekypianist

I don't know if this question has been asked before, I checked and didn't see it.

I decided to try Paleo today. So in this diet you don't exactly have to count calories. If I follow a meal plan like in the sample menu, do I also need to count calories? I really don't like counting them, but I will if I have to.

Please answer! Thanks.

Aaron_K123

I don't know if this question has been asked before, I checked and didn't see it.

I decided to try Paleo today. So in this diet you don't exactly have to count calories. If I follow a meal plan like in the sample menu, do I also need to count calories? I really don't like counting them, but I will if I have to.

Please answer! Thanks.

To lose weight you have to eat at a caloric deficit. If you don't count your calories you are just guessing as to whether or not you are at a deficit. If you count them, then you know.

So...do you want to know if you are eating at a deficit that will ensure you lose weight? If the answer is yes then count your calories. Doesn't matter what the name of the diet you are on is its the same for everything and everyone.

kuolo

If you want to make sure you lose weight, count the calories. It is easy to gain on Paleo unless you currently have a diet based on grains and just cut them out (hence cutting the majority of your calories), which is why some people lose on it. You'd lose on any diet that cut out several of your major food groups.
It's not magic, don't believe the hype.

SezxyStef

of course...it ensures you are in a deficet.

Paleo isn't a cure for obesity and it would be easy for me to go over my goals eating paleo...I love me some protien...and I could easily eat an 8oz steak in one sitting.

Chaskavitch

I think part of that rationale is that if you're eating more protein and fat, and getting most of your carbs from vegetables, you will feel full for longer, and with fewer calories, than if you're eating bread or pasta or sugary desserts. Also, many paleo advocates cite research linking grain intake to insulin spikes and resistance, which will make you hungrier; no grains/legumes should equal fewer cravings and hunger swings.

I have (mostly) cut out all grains, but I still track my food because I could easily eat multiple cups of almonds or pecans or sweet potato fries, which would obviously make me gain weight. I feel like I am less hungry on this diet than I was before, even if I am in the same calorie range, and I actually feel better overall (digestive system, skin quality, alertness). I've also lost more weight on a semi-high fat / low carb paleo diet than I did before just counting calories. Just make sure to eat a LOT of fruits and veggies, and don't only replace the calories you were getting from your grains (pasta, rice, bread) with meat. If you're prone to binge out on things, or even just mindless snacking, though, I'd still track your food.