I guess I agree with the book (and you) -- calorie counting is not so important, nutrient counting is (when we're talking about overall health. If we're talking about weightloss then I'd probably have a different answer). This book sounds very interesting; I'd be curious to read how he breaks it all down.

yes, i agree too!

it is about the nutrient that really counts. feed your body what it deserves~

the book sounds really great

I'm huge on counting fiber and protein, because pooping and building muscle are very important to me.

Counting calories kind of makes me crazy though. I don't want to feel guilty when I eat a whole avocado.

I think to some degree they are both important. Everything in moderation :) Your body will probably get more use from 100 nutritious calories than 100 non-nutritious calories though!

I think they are both important - i do them both! otherwise i would be top heavy on carbs and low on protein and no where near a healthy calorie intake (or way over). Counting them both helps me stay healthy and balanced! and i would Love this cookbook!!

I am not going to lie...I like knowing the nutrition information in my food. Maybe that's a crutch but I still like knowing. Good thing I have recipe software to figure all that out...haha!

I think both are important. Thanks for hosting the give away, Sarena.

I think both are important but I think a person who counts nutrients rather than calories will be healthier and possibly even have less weight problems than someone who counts calories and disregards the amount of nutrients.

I think for those trying to watch their weight, calories are an important part of the equation, but for long-term diet, a diet mostly made up of real foods is the way to go :)

I like the idea of nutrient counting. But I'm very uneducated in it.... Would LOVE to read this book.

I think that if you focus on nutrients, you wouldn't be eating so many "empty calories," hence lessening your need to count them!

I switched from calorie counting to focusing on nutrients- not necessarily counting nutrients, but being more aware of them :)

I don't know much about nutrient counting but would love to learn!

I saw this cookbook on another blog and am really curious about it (even though I'm not big into following recipes for most of my cooking).

I don't really calorie count for my daily diet. I think there may be a really generaly running estimate in the back of my head, but I do try to basically cover all my bases and call it a day...

Awww... why can't Cananda be included :( I think a bit of both is the way to go, but if you had to pick one, nutrient counting... I started not eating anything very processed and primarily vegan, and lost almost 20 lbs in 2 1/2 months.

Oh my gosh, this cookbook sounds like it would be perfect for me right now. I'm always stressed about calories since I had to gain weight. This would help me focus on nutrients which is what I'm supposed to be doing at this point. What a fantastic book!

totally equally important -- 100 calories of a milky way bar is different than 100 calories of olive oil or 100 calories of lentils -- all have different nutritional makeups. I want to know everything about the food I eat, so I love when cookbooks include tons of nutritional information.

Interesting. I guess I can see the point - if you're eating super healthy, nutrient dense foods, then you're probably less likely to overeat, thus no need to count calories.

I think overall, counting nutrients is more important than counting calories, but you want to be balanced out. There are a lot of calories in healthy foods, but instead of focusing entirely on the calories, we should be weighing the pros and cons

I don't count either per se, but I try to include nutrient-dense foods for most of my meals!

I count calories and I find it helps me to stay focused on clean eating and not to go overboard. I know my portions because I learned how to count calories. I track them on livestrong.com and it will show me how much fat/carbs/protein/sugar is in a meal. So I know my next snack or meal I need to up my fat or protein. So at the end of the day everything is balanced!

This book sounds like something I'd enjoy and maybe I can stop counting calories!

you can delete this post since i know im not eligible to enter but i just wanted to say that ive heard some great reviews of this book and theres quite a lot of buzz about it. what a fabulous giveaway!!

xoxo

I try to aim for nutrient counting. Eat the rainbow!

Looks like a book with lots of useful information, and a viewpoint I stand by, too. I can't say I count anything, but I definitely side with the nutrient-counting theory while acknowledging that both are important, if that makes sense? I try to keep nutrients in mind, but can't say I make a point to count them, either.
Thanks for the great review and hosting, Sarena!

What a great giveaway! I'd love that book :) (especially since I JUST posted today about making healthier snack choices!!)

I am aware of calories, and approximate calories in any given food, but I don't count or stress over the calories I consume. If you're going to focus on one or the other, focusing on getting all your nutrients is much more important!

I haven't tried just nutrient counting, BUT my initial reaction soley based on my own body is no, no, no. I need to count calories consumed and burned because it seems like I so easily gain weight. But hey I'd be willing to try!

deep in my heart I know nutritent counting is the smartest, though when I find something that is low calorie, even if it is high in sodium, I will choose the lower calorie option.

I think nutrient counting is very important, and more so than calorie counting...to a point. So I agree with you...and it makes sense...if you are eating nutrient rich foods, usually you are full faster and consume less calories, but I don't think that a person should follow the mentality that if they are counting nutrients, then it doesn't matter how many calories they consume. :)

Thanks for the review, Sarena! I tend to agree with you - calorie counting isn't the most important thing. I tend to focus on nutrients over calories - even though there may be fewer calories in something like a handful of gummy bears, I'll go for the almonds... I guess it depends on the person and what their health and diet situation is.

Hope you're having a great weekend!

I think both types are important, but that we are already getting to be calorie-savvy; we need to be aware of WHAT we put in as well as how much...

thanks for the giveaway!

I've heard such great things about that cookbook! I always go for nutrient counting versus calories. I feel so much better that way!!
LC

Nutrient counting is more important but I usually keep calories in mind. It's important to remember that every body is different! Nutrient recommendations are exactly that...recommendations. My body may function better on a high-fiber, low-protein diet...your body may function on high-protein. You have to read the research, listen to your body and use common sense.

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Awesome book! Im on the fence...I still think you have to be aware of calories to a point. I think you can go to far with it..I think a balance of the two is good. As long as your aware of how much your eating and the quality your ok.

I don't know. I guess I'm in the fence. Calorie counting is good, but it can also be addicting. I think they're both important, and it depends on what you're ultimate goal is. However, nutrients are what does a body good!!

I don't really believe in counting calories, but I do believe we should portion sizes and not over or under eating should be a factor taken into account.

On the other hand, I definitely believe nutrients should be closely watched. Especially for vegetarians, I think it's important that proper nutrients are being obtained :)

I have been a clean eater for a while now, and I will quickly tell anyone that calorie counting is out. As a clean eater, calories do not matter. It is all about the nutriets that we put in our bodies that matter the most.

I feel like nutrient counting is a bit more important. Everyone's body needs different things. In terms of weight loss though, calorie counting is very important.

I feel both nutrient and calorie counting are important. I am trying to learn more about the nutrient counting and would love to read a new cookbook!

I feel both nutrient and calorie counting are important. I am trying to learn more about the nutrient counting and would love to read a new cookbook!

I have counted and carbs and points more times than I can count (lol) and have finally realized that the true secret to being healthy is to listen to my body and eat foods that are fresh, tasty and full of all that is good for my body. Moderation is very important, but once you get used to it feeding your body nutritious foods, it really does start to crave them.

I have counted carbs and points more times than I can remember and at some point I give up because I just HATE to count. In the past few weeks I have started to listen to my body and feed it foods that are tasty and fresh. To my surprise, my body actually can crave salads and fruits and not oreos!