I'm my own worst enemy. I'm obsessed with the calorie content of practically everything.

I've relaxed a bit but at one point I wouldn't put anything in my mouth unless I knew how many calories it contained.

Silly really I know, I'm sure the nutritional information printed on packets isn't accurate.

Are you conscious of calories or do you just eat what you fancy?

I eat whatever I fancy but not daily and not in excess and I exercise several days a week.
I've lost over a stone in 12 months just through applying moderation and not dieting.

Never!
If I look at anything on a food label, it will be carbs, not calories.

Never,

Always. And I suspect the nutritional information is usually pretty accurate.

It can't be: different people will extract different amounts of energy from the same food. It depends on things like your intestinal flora, and how long your intestines are. Some people don't digest lactose well, is another example. We're all different. Also, the calorie numbers are derived from burning (some of) the ingredients, which probably releases more energy than our digestive systems can. And the energy that is available will depend on how the food is prepared/cooked. You'll probably get more calories from a cooked carrot than a raw one, for example.

Still, it's probably good enough.


I'm fairly conscious but in a high level way. For a while I did the 5:2 diet which means having under 600 kcal for two non-consecutive days a week. Initially I consumed ready meals which had a calorie count marked. Then I started estimating for my own meals. Generally I could have a small amount of meat, a moderate amount of potatoes and any amount of veg. Nowadays on a fast day I skip breakfast and lunch and just try not to over-eat to compensate in the evening.

I am very conscious of it, but I have an eating disorder.

I actively don't calorie count anymore, because I know if I go back to it I will be straight back on the road to obsession. But it's hard to stop being aware of it.

I do a lot of exercise so although I am mindful of calories I try to get good protein, fibre and carbohydrates

I spent many months on a calorie controlled diet, counting everything to a target of 1500kcal.

It worked, but having yo-yo'd from diet to diet over the years I've learned some strange ways my mind works.
1- The more I obsess over food (eg calorie tracking), the more I think about it, the more I want it and the more I crack!
2- The less I make a big deal out of it, the more sensibly I seem to eat!
3- I boredom eat, so the more I keep my mind busy with work or hobbies, it just becomes food for the sake of it and not such a big deal
4- Found the best diet of all - got a dog to walk!