Yes, it is not necessary to count calories. Most people however eat close to the same calories or even less on this diet than before they began. Since this diet is higher in fat, than a typical diet, your body tends to feel full quicker. The policy on this diet is "If you are hungry then eat"! There are a number of people who still count calories as a gauge. Some want to make sure they are not over eating (which is hard to do on this diet), while others are rarely hungry and they want to be sure they are getting enough calories to be healthy. The key to this diet is the total number of carbohydrates you are eating, not fat, protein, or calories.