Browse all topics • See what's new
7 Clever Ways to Make Counting Calories Easier (However Busy Your Day)
Counting calories is important for weight loss, but it shouldn’t become another chore.
Researched, written by Amber & The Team
Updated on September 20, 2023

// We recommend helpful products in our articles. Read our full disclosure here.
Counting calories can often seem like a daunting task, especially when you have a hectic schedule.
However, with the application of smart strategies, clever tools, and active approaches, maintaining an eye on your calorie intake may not be as difficult as it first seems.
The following helpful article will guide you through seven clever ways to make counting calories simpler and more manageable, regardless of how busy your day might be.
1. Use Apps and Online Tools
Keeping an eye on your calorie intake has never been easier due to the wide range of apps and online tools that are available.
They can help you track not just your calorie intake, but also the amount of nutrients you are consuming.
Thus, you can gain a holistic view of your diet.
All you need is a smartphone or computer.
One useful feature of many apps and online platforms is the calorie calculator.
A calorie calculator can take factors like your age, gender, physical activity level, and weight loss goals into account to provide a rough estimate of how many calories you should be consuming each day and to keep track of your calorie intake.
By using such a calculator, you can tailor your diet plan to suit your individual needs rather than relying on vague averages.
This customized approach enables precision in counting calories while ensuring optimal energy intake for your lifestyle.
Not only do calorie calculators help set up an initial roadmap for you.
They also adjust along with any changes in your weight or lifestyle.
Just input the relevant information periodically and the tool recalibrates your daily caloric needs based on that data.
Counting calories does not get much easier than that.
2. Utilize Smart Kitchen Tools
Modern kitchen gadgets like digital food scales, measuring spoons, and cups provide a more accurate gauge of portion sizes compared to eyeballing.
So, ensure you make full use of smart kitchen tools that enable you to intake the right number of calories.
For example, you could use a scale to measure your chicken breast in grams and then look up the calories online or on an app.
Knowing the precise weight or volume helps you to maintain an accurate count without second-guessing your serving.
3. Use Low-Calorie Meal Kits
With low-calorie meal kits delivery, you can significantly simplify your calorie counting.
These pre-prepared kits come complete with nutrition facts and typically include the calorie content per serving.
Furthermore, with a meal kit, which provides you with the ingredients and recipe to cook a perfect dish, you get to save a lot of time.
All you have to do is cook and enjoy, without having to spend any time considering what you put on your plate.
4. Journal Your Meals
Maintaining a food journal can make a big difference when it comes to counting your calories.
By recording everything that you eat throughout the day, you become more mindful of what you consume and how many calories it holds.
This method promotes responsibility and keeps you accountable for every bite.
5. Outsmart Your Plate
Being clever with your plates can actually help manage your calorie intake as well.
Going for smaller plates tricks our brains into thinking we are consuming more than we really are.
In turn, we can feel full sooner while eating fewer calories without feeling deprived.
6. Read Restaurant Menus Ahead of Time
Eating out can often be problematic for keeping count of calorie intake.
But planning ahead can remove a lot of the stress and guesswork.
Before eating out, look up the restaurant’s menu online and decide what you will order in advance.
Most establishments now provide nutritional information for their dishes.
If that is not available, compare similar items from other restaurants to get a rough idea of the calories contained in your chosen meal.
7. Focus on What You Can Have
Instead of dwelling on what you cannot eat, focus on what you can when trying to count calories effectively.
This positive mental shift allows for a healthier attitude towards food, making it easier to maintain a low-calorie diet without feeling overwhelmed by restrictions.
By keeping this mindset, counting calories becomes a more empowering process, however busy your day.
"We love to research problems, examine studies, analyze solutions, and present to you the best ideas that make life healthier. You can learn about our editorial standards here.
Have suggestions or feedback to share? Send us a message."