Ask Mary

Your personal nutritionist

By Mary Hartley, RD
Director of Nutrition

Can I eat whatever I want as long I stay in my calorie count?
Asked by anonymous on May 15, 2008 in Nutrition

 

I eat my veggies and my fruits every day and I drink a lot of water, so I know I’m good there, but can I have whatever I want to eat as long as I stay in my calorie count which is 1200 or is there a limit to the carbs and proteins I should be having daily? Help! I'm confused.

Answer

Everyone needs to follow a balanced diet with servings from all of the food groups. That’s how you get all of the nutrients you need. Visit My Pyramid to see how many servings you need from the grain, fruit, vegetable, meat/bean, dairy, and oil groups. After you’ve eaten a balanced diet, you can choose whatever else you want. See an example of a balanced 1500 calorie diet in the Advice section on Calorie Count Plus.