Ignorance Is Not Bliss: Know Your Calorie Count

Given the propensity for bulging waistlines and heart disease in this country, you would think that Americans would pay more attention to what goes into their mouths, both in content and calorie count, but you couldn’t be more wrong. Only one in eight adult Americans knows how many calories they should consume in a day. In this case, ignorance is not bliss.

In a survey conducted by the International Food Information Council Foundation (IFICF) respondents provided weight status: 57 percent considered themselves overweight and 8 percent considered themselves obese. However, in reality, 33 percent of Americans are overweight and 34 percent are obese, meaning people are clueless not only about what and how much they should be eating, but on their own health and weight status. A dangerous combination, and one of the reasons that the cost to the nation for obesity-related illnesses could soon reach $147 billion per year and account for 9.1 percent of total medical spending.

While approximately two-thirds of Americans have recently changed their eating habits, primarily on a quest to lose weight, many may be fooling themselves into thinking they are eating less than they really are. IFICF Senior Vice President Marianne Smith Edge said, “Despite the amount of information out there, people still don't understand.” Compounding the problem is the fact that 77 percent were not meeting the Health and Human Services Department’s physical-activity guidelines, based on how much and what type of exercise they do. This double whammy means they are eating too many calories and not getting enough exercise.

Recommended daily calorie count varies according to age and sex, but 2000 calories is typical for adults and children above the age of 4. More if you are active or trying to gain weight, less if you are sedentary or trying to lose weight. Just as important, but often overlooked, are the USDA recommendations for salt and fat consumption: individuals should consume less than 2,300 mg (approximately 1 tsp of salt) of sodium per day and limit saturated fat to 16 grams.

Calorie counters are available online in numerous places and are now readily available in iPhone, Android and Blackberry applications. There is no reason to not to carry one around on your phone, for daily use and as a reminder that the wedge of chocolate cake you are contemplating will count as more than half your calories for a whole day.

If you are trying to lose weight, there are a number of weight loss programs that do not require you to count calories.

• The Biggest Loser, Denise Austin Diet Program, Duke Diet, and SparkPeople—programs with specific menus and meal plans—have calorie counts included so you don’t have to calculate them.
• Bistro MD, eDiets, Jenny Craig and Nutrisystem provide portion-controlled meals leaving you free from both the kitchen and calorie count
• Atkins and South Beach diets require protein and carb counting, but not calories

For more information about these diets visit the HealthNews diet pages and test out our Individual Diet Selection tool, which can help find the right diet for you lifestyle.