Dieters who try to lose weight by cutting something other than calories may succeed - but that may be because cutting calories is a byproduct of their method, she says. For example, fat has nine calories per gram compared with carbs and protein, which each have four calories per gram, so reducing fat will mean people are cutting calories.
Counting calories can also have its own problems, because science aside, people are people, says registered dietitian Heather Bauer, co-author of "The Wall Street Diet."
"If you start to count calories, it becomes monotonous and time consuming," she says.
She says a food diary can help people spot eating patterns, but her advice to her clients is to eat less and make healthier choices.
Gillian Hood-Gabrielson, a fitness and intuitive eating coach agrees, adding that restricting calories can lead to overeating, resulting in feelings of guilt.
She points out that most of her clients at the Chico, Calif.-based Healthier Outcomes are "walking calories guides," and are still overweight.
Her approach focuses on helping people learn to eat when they are hungry and stop when they are full. Most of her clients are emotional eaters and she works with them to give up the diet mentality.
Mark Trowbridge, president and CEO of the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce in Florida, says calorie counting didn't work for him. He has lost 70 pounds since Christmas, 13 pounds in the first two weeks, limiting carbs.
"I wasn't doing any counting other than carbs," he says.
Even for non-calorie counters, posting calories on menus can help people make healthier choices, says Jampolis.
"I certainly don't see it as a solution," she says. "The people who are always really calorie conscious probably are making the better choices in the first place. The people who aren't are probably going to ignore the calories. But it is a good start."
