Shawn Stevenson explains that by focusing on adequate protein intake, we prompt more calorie burning because protein digestion utilizes the most energy. He advises against isolating macros, saying we evolved eating whole foods not calories; real ingredients build better tissues and gene expression. Stevenson notes calorie counts are rough estimates, not precise lab measurements, so quality matters more than quantity for metabolic health. Though calories can loosely guide appropriate intake, he stresses we should ultimately judge food as human fuel versus processed non-food.