Hi Reader,
I’ve been in full spring-cleaning mode these past couple of weeks—decluttering my space, refreshing my routine, and embracing all the vibrant flavors this time of year has to offer. But one thing I won’t be doing? “Cleaning up” my diet with a food tracking app.
Every year, the start of spring brings another heightened season of diet culture. Reminiscent of the chatter we hear every January, there's just so much pressure to "reset" and control what we eat this time of year. And while tracking calories or macronutrients might seem like a perfect solution, it can actually cause more harm than good, especially if you have perfectionist tendencies.
In both my personal experience and the work I do with clients in private practice, I've seen calorie-counting apps lead to intense feelings of guilt, obsession, and disordered eating.
So Should You Delete Your Calorie Counting App?
You might want to consider stepping away from tracking if any of these feel familiar:
✅ You feel stress, guilt, or anxiety around food.
✅ Forgetting to track a meal leaves you feeling on edge.
✅ The app’s recommendations don’t fit your real life long-term.
✅ Tracking sometimes makes you feel like you're failing or “doing it wrong.”
✅ You avoid social situations because they interfere with your tracking goals.
✅ You don’t feel like you can trust yourself around food without it.
If food tracking helps you feel informed without causing any stress, it may be harmless for you. But if it’s leading to guilt, obsession, or rigidity, it might be time to step away and explore a more intuitive way of eating.
Alternatives to Tracking
If letting go of tracking feels scary, you’re not alone! Here are some ways to support your health without relying on an app:
✨ Use a food & mood journal – Notice how different foods make you feel physically and emotionally.
✨ Plan balanced meals (without rigid calculations) – Aim for a mix of carbs, protein, fat, and fiber, but with flexibility and self-compassion.
✨ Embrace gentle nutrition – Focus on adding nourishing foods rather than restricting them. If you feel "out of control" around food, check out my free guide on Breaking Free From the Binge-Restrict Cycle here.
✨ Learn more about intuitive eating – You can enroll in my free email course or check out my book recommendations in this post.
✨ Get support – If you’re ready for more guidance, I’d love to help. You can book a free 15-minute call here.
This season, I’m all about nourishing meals that feel good—without the stress. If you’re looking for easy, satisfying spring recipes, I’ve put together a few ideas below to help you enjoy fresh seasonal ingredients without overcomplicating things.
📌 Read the full blog post on food tracking here →
And if food rules and tracking have been weighing you down, just know that you can have a peaceful, trusting relationship with food. I’d love to support you on that journey. 💛
Wishing you a joyful and nourishing start to spring!
—Stephanie
