A calorie is a calorie is a calorie

TX_Aggie_Dad
TX_Aggie_Dad Posts: 173
in Food and Nutrition
I know this is a common sentiment on MFP but I just really struggle to see how eating a bunch of processed crap is no different from a healthy well-balanced diet (assuming calories and macros are the same) I would really like to see a study comparing a diet of all processed junk compared to a diet of natural, healthy foods and see what the results are over time. I don't think you can just dismiss the impact that micronutrients have on your health and weight loss success. Maybe I'm wrong but I know that I feel completely differently when eating all natural as opposed to heavy processed at the same caloric intake. This sentiment does not seem logical to me.

Let the bloodbath begin.

Replies

  • LoosingMyLast15
    LoosingMyLast15 Posts: 1,457 Member
    I know this is a common sentiment on MFP but I just really struggle to see how eating a bunch of processed crap is no different from a healthy well-balanced diet (assuming calories and macros are the same) I would really like to see a study comparing a diet of all processed junk compared to a diet of natural, healthy foods and see what the results are over time. I don't think you can just dismiss the impact that micronutrients have on your health and weight loss success. Maybe I'm wrong but I know that I feel completely differently when eating all natural as opposed to heavy processed at the same caloric intake. This sentiment does not seem logical to me.

    Let the bloodbath begin.

    i'll bite (HA!) and forgive me if i'm not understanding your point here. yes a calorie is a calorie regardless however you need to factor in all the other "stuff" that comes along with eating a lot of processed foods. example: marinara sauce (plain ole spaghetti sauce no meat) i (okay hubby) make mine from crushed tomato, fresh garlic, basil, onion, olive oil, red pepper flakes, salt, pepper or i could go out and buy a jar that's LOADED with sodium and other stuff my body does not need. so even if the calories were the same what is the point of me eating all the other stuff that's in that jar of spaghetti sauce - there is no nutritional added value so i prefer to eat healthy food
  • MG_Fit
    MG_Fit Posts: 1,143 Member
    i'll bite (HA!) and forgive me if i'm not understanding your point here. yes a calorie is a calorie regardless however you need to factor in all the other "stuff" that comes along with eating a lot of processed foods. example: marinara sauce (plain ole spaghetti sauce no meat) i (okay hubby) make mine from crushed tomato, fresh garlic, basil, onion, olive oil, red pepper flakes, salt, pepper or i could go out and buy a jar that's LOADED with sodium and other stuff my body does not need. so even if the calories were the same what is the point of me eating all the other stuff that's in that jar of spaghetti sauce - there is no nutritional added value so i prefer to eat healthy food

    This 47b20s0.gif
  • kitka82
    kitka82 Posts: 350 Member
    And that's why I take an 80/20 approach to my diet. Yes, I see results faster and I feel better when I eat clean. But I also like to not worry about what's in every single thing I eat all the time. So I eat my 5 clean meals a day during the week, and I eat 2-3 substantial meals on the weekends when I'm too busy to plan my life around my eating schedule. As long as I get plenty of protein... no harm, no foul.

    I've never seen impressive progress pics from anyone who eats junk food exclusively. I don't think it has to be all or nothing.

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