The need for accuracy in a diet

an understanding is key, being anal is not

if you fcuk up, just learn by mistakes and progress from there, trial and error, there is enough info on here to guide you not too far of the mark

The only thing I count and pay any real attention to is making sure I get my daily protein requirements. Just becomes second nature after a while. I would recommend getting a set of digital kitchen scales

I think you need to be anal to start with, but obv keep a sense of perspective......a beginner cant train instinctively so you can expect a beginner to eat instinctively either.

I plan my diets by counting and weighing portions etc.....but once my goal is set and my foundation for said diet is in place, I am expereinced enough now to be able to accurately guesstimate portion sizes etc to meet my daily requirements

I still weigh out portions of frozen veg etc.....but not to the obsessive level where I have to be acurate to the gram

I often weigh foods like rice and pasta to prevent over-eating. I certainly add daily protein up. I have never once totaled my calories for one day, have never felt it necessary.