8 Myths About the CICO Diet
The CICO (calories in, calories out) approach to weight management is popular because it seems straightforward. The idea is simple: consume fewer calories than you burn to lose weight, consume more to gain weight, and meet your calorie needs to maintain your weight. While this approach works for many, several myths have oversimplified CICO, leading to misconceptions about weight management.
In this article, we’ll debunk some of the most common CICO myths and provide a clearer understanding of how it works so you can use this tool effectively.
The Myth: CICO is Simple
CICO is often seen as a basic energy balance equation—eat less, lose weight; eat more, gain weight.
The Truth: Weight loss is complicated.
While the CICO method is simple in concept, it doesn’t account for the complexities of the human body. Factors like genetics, age, hormones, and how your body processes nutrients influence weight loss. As Melissa Jaeger, RD, LD, Head of Nutrition at MyFitnessPal, explains, “CICO isn’t the whole picture of safe and sustainable weight loss.”
The Takeaway:
CICO is an informal way of expressing energy balance, but weight management involves more than just calories in and out. The quality of your food, metabolic rate, and individual differences all play a role.
