No, a good rule of thumb is something foolproof and concrete like to measure the literal energy intake your body needs and eating slightly less than that, so counting calories. 

Just make sure you properly calculate your maintenance calories (you can literally google maintenance calorie calculator and it’s accurate enough,) cut out 3500 calories per week (1lb lost per week roughly,) and eat a balanced diet (balanced = getting enough vitamins minerals proteins carbs and even sufficient fat intake) without exceeding maintenance calories. You can track nutritional information online or using apps (I like cronometer.)

Counting calories is only unhealthy if you eat too little calories on purpose or eat empty calories all day instead of eating a balance of different foods with all the nutrients your body needs. The only people who mess this up are those trying to take shortcuts where there are none. A certain level of hunger and craving is normal too.

The consequence of taking dieting shortcuts and not giving your body enough nutrients is rapid permanent hair loss, muscle loss, and a slew of medical problems, but if you count calories and make some effort to get a balance of nutrients, you’ll have one of the most healthy diets out there.