Goodbye Calorie Counting: Fitness Enthusiast Maddi Cerasuolo Advocates for Intuitive Eating

Maddi Cerasuolo, a 24-year-old wellness influencer known as @madswellness on TikTok, is voicing her strong opposition to calorie counting. She believes that the common advice to watch what we eat should not be taken too literally. In her viral TikTok video, Maddi explains why she 'hates' calorie counting, a popular method many use to lose weight. Her perspective is gaining attention as more people seek sustainable approaches to health and fitness.

For seven years, Maddi meticulously tracked her food intake, believing it would help her maintain control over her health. Initially, this method gave her a sense of discipline and structure. However, over time, the constant focus on calories became overwhelming. Maddi found herself developing unhealthy habits, becoming obsessed with numbers instead of listening to her body's natural signals. This shift led to a more complicated and stressful relationship with food.

After years of calorie tracking, Maddi transitioned to intuitive eating, a more relaxed approach to food. She now listens to her hunger cues, eating only when she's hungry and stopping when she's full. This method eliminates the guilt associated with consuming more calories than planned and removes the anxiety of constant tracking. Maddi believes that intuitive eating fosters a healthier, more sustainable relationship with food, free from obsession and stress.

While calorie counting is a common strategy for weight loss, it comes with potential downsides. A 2021 study by Deakin University's School of Psychology found that a significant number of people use calorie-tracking apps, with 71 percent having tried them and 39 percent still using them. The study highlighted a troubling link between these apps and symptoms of eating disorders, especially among those tracking calories for weight or body shape reasons.

Francesca Lyon, a lead nutritionist at Future Woman, shares her perspective on calorie counting. She acknowledges that while it might help with short-term weight loss, it's not effective for long-term health or hormonal balance. Lyon points out that weight management is more complex, involving metabolism, hormone levels, and nutrient balance. She warns against the yo-yo dieting pattern caused by calorie restriction, which can slow metabolism and lead to weight regain.

Calorie counting has its advantages and disadvantages. On the positive side, it can increase awareness of portion sizes and be effective for quick weight loss when needed for health reasons. However, the drawbacks include a lack of focus on nutritional value, which can lead to nutrient deficiencies and hormone imbalances. Additionally, it often results in undereating, causing health issues like low hormone levels and fertility problems. The method can also foster an unhealthy obsession with food, negatively impacting mental health.

Maddi Cerasuolo's experience highlights the challenges and limitations of calorie counting as a weight loss strategy. Her shift to intuitive eating underscores the importance of a balanced and sustainable approach to health. Experts agree that focusing on nutrient intake and overall well-being is more beneficial in the long run. By prioritizing a healthy relationship with food over rigid calorie tracking, individuals can achieve lasting health and fitness goals without the stress and complications associated with calorie counting.