Headquarters

CaloriesCount.com

Calorie Control Council

5775 Peachtree Dunwoody Road

Atlanta, GA  30343

  (404-252-3663)

Summary

CaloriesCount.com is brought to you by the Calorie Control Council, a non-profit trade association established in 1966. The Council is comprised of companies that make low-calorie, reduced-fat and lighter versions of your favorite foods and beverages. Since its inception, the Council has fostered communication among a wide variety of audiences about the importance of "sensible dieting" - controlling calories, increasing physical activity and making permanent changes in eating and exercise habits.

Since 1989, the Council has conducted national surveys of consumers to track dieting trends in the Unite States. In 1997 the Council introduced a new website targeted primarily toward weight-conscious consumers - www.caloriecontrol.org. This website regularly attracts an average of 350,000 visitors per month.

CaloriesCount.com is a natural evolution of the caloriecontrol.org site. Visitors to that site have expressed a need for more enhanced weight management tools, 24/7 online access and support, more meal plans and recipes, more exercise tips, more frequent tips and information, and access to expert advice through chats, feature articles, etc. As a means to cover additional costs for these expanded services, visitors have indicated a willingness to pay a nominal fee.

The staff of CaloriesCount.com consists of highly trained and experienced food, health and nutrition professionals, including registered dieticians, food technologists and health nutrition writers. The team is headed by Lyn Nabors, Executive Vice President of the Calorie Control Council, Keith Keeney, Vice President of Communications, and Beth Hubrich, M.S., R.D., Director of Health and Nutrition Communications. The staff does not offer personal (one-on-one) health or nutrition advice nor medical or psychological counseling.

The calorie control food and beverage industry, through the Calorie Control Council, has made this site possible. In addition, a number of interested food companies have provided incremental contributions to not only make CaloriesCount.com possible but to assist in keeping the membership fees low. No advertising is accepted on the website.

How The Program Works

CaloriesCount.com, whose motto is: "Healthy Eating and Exercise for Life." is dedicated to teaching and helping consumers achieve and maintain a healthy weight for life. The CaloriesCount program emphasizes their importance of losing weight gradually and adopting healthy eating and exercise habits that can be maintained long-term. This basic principle will guide all the information published in the site, while dissuading consumers from looking for quick fixes. The variety of diet pills, gimmicks, fad diet books and other schemes being promoted to the public can be unhealthy and only set people up for ultimate failure. The CaloriesCount program guidelines are consistent with those of the American Medical Association, American Heart Association, American Diabetic Association, American Diabetes Association and other trusted health/medical groups, as well as the federal government (and in particular its Partners for Healthy Weight Management principles.)
 

Tools & Calculations

Use the online food diary to track your progress and record what you've eaten throughout the day as well as your activity. Use the Diet Assessment Calculator to determine your healthy weight and daily calorie level to help you achieve your goal. You'll also be able to track the number of pounds and inches you've lost while using the CaloriesCount.com program.

Recipes & Meal Plans

* Chose from various appetizing meal plans based on your personalized
calorie level.

* Meal plans, including recipes, are devised for an entire week. Printable  shopping lists are provided for your convenience.

Win By Losing

* Receive tips and information-packed articles from health and fitness experts.

* "Substituting light products for full fat and calorie products is very effective.

Let's Get Physical - Exercise Tools

* Use the Get Moving Calculator to find out what type of physical is right
for you, how long you need to do it and how often.

* Talk with fitness experts about your successes and problems and learn how to optimize your exercise program.

* Receive e-mail "reminders" about the importance of and how to include
physical activity in your day.

Chat & Support

* Are you looking for expert advice about dieting and exercise? Among the thousands of other members of CaloriesCount.com, you'll find 24/7 access 365 days a year to people like you who have similar needs or experiences.

* Would you like to find a "buddy" ?

* Talk with experts about health, diet and exercise issues. Meet a "diet buddy" online.

Motivation

* Read real-life success stories that worked for others like you.

* Receive inspirational messages from experts and measure your weight
loss success through various tools.

Fees

Six Month Membership: $25
One Year Membership:  $45

CaloresCount.com is Not For Profit - it will only charge the minimum amount necessary to cover expenses. CaloriesCount.com offers discounted membership fees for corporations and corporate wellness programs.

BestDietForMe.com analysts think that, for the money ($4.80 per month), this diet website is a real bargain. Our analysts have know about the Calorie Control Council for as long as we've tracked the diet "industry" (since 1989), and this is a well-known and respected trade group. It may not be as well known among the general public as other commercial sites such as eDiets.com, but the features and tools offered are comparable. However, if you are looking for personalized one-on-one counseling, this may be where the website falls a little short. It also does not address the all-important area of psychological support that so many dieters require--it's mainly focused on the nutrition and food component. Nevertheless, overall this is a very good website for dieters that want a do-it-yourself plan, and one not overly influenced by commercial interests and advertisers.