Do you lose more when you eat less processed food?
beth0277
Posts: 217 Member
From a strictly losing weight standpoint, do you find that you lose more with cleaner foods? I agree with calories in vs calories out for the most point, but I seem to lose a bit more when my calories are made up of lean proteins, fruits, veggies, etc., then when I allow myself to have some processed treats, like fiber one bars. I'm still losing either way, just not as quickly with more processed foods. I wonder if it is my body hanging onto something longer? Anyone had a similar experience?
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Most likely a difference in sodium, if not calories. Fat loss will be substantially identical.0
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Nope. Water weight aside.0
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I lost weight mostly eating microwave meals, take outs and pub food everyday, then towards the end of my diet started cooking for myself more. Didn't notice any change in my weight loss on either diet.
Processed food tends to have more salt in it which will make you retain water, so that could be making it look like you're losing less when when actually you're not. Also if you're just going by the packaging on processed food then it's quite common to find that the food is actually more calories than it says on the packaging (since it only has to be correct within a certain margin), so you may be eating more calories than if you're cooking and weighing everything yourself.0 -
Nope.0
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No but I weigh the processed foods as they are often heavier than what the package says.0
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Yes.
Eating potato chips, or chocolate chip cookies (my two main downfalls) adds a LOT of calories to my diet but neither one keeps me full for very long. So therefore not only am I eating the chip/cookie calories but then I'm starving and eating a bunch of other stuff. By simply eliminating those things -- and white bread, certain cold cereals (especially for breakfast), etc. -- I'm replacing them with foods that have protein and that keep me full till the next meal time. So I don't have any binges or that shaky type of hunger.
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One of the reasons why I'm not a fan of Weight Watchers (I know - Totally unrelated but hear me out) is because one particular week, I got on the scales and had gained 3lbs despite tracking absolutely every thing and not changing my work-out routine. The 'leader' took a look at my 'food diary' (Basically, a piece of paper I wrote every thing down on to show her that I hadn't been naughty during the week) - and called me out for eating a Ready-Meal 2 evenings that week. She said that was the reason for my weight gain - the processed ready-meal's I'd consumed.
Being a few years younger and clueless about the process, I trusted in the leader and from that day on, decided to completely shun all processed foods thinking it would help me reach my goals. (Another reason I'm not a fan of WW - The adverts claim you can eat whatever you like but the leader told me otherwise..).
Anyway, point in case is - as soon as I started on a straightforward CICO plan and exercising regularly, I have dropped 30lbs and I'm not too far off considering maintenance. Do I still eat the occasional ready meal? You bet I do. Do I eat processed foods? YES. It's all about moderation (and yes, I totally get the salt issue in Processed foods). I'm not an expert so if what I'm about to say is wildly inaccurate then forgive me but - eating ready meals at a deficit will not make you 'put on weight'.0 -
Monklady123 wrote: »Yes.
Eating potato chips, or chocolate chip cookies (my two main downfalls) adds a LOT of calories to my diet but neither one keeps me full for very long. So therefore not only am I eating the chip/cookie calories but then I'm starving and eating a bunch of other stuff. By simply eliminating those things -- and white bread, certain cold cereals (especially for breakfast), etc. -- I'm replacing them with foods that have protein and that keep me full till the next meal time. So I don't have any binges or that shaky type of hunger.
But then a slower weight loss is still caused by the extra calories you're eating, not by the fact that you're eating processed food. OP was talking about if you're eating the same amount of calories.0 -
OP was asking about the content of the calories, not the amount. Please don't derail.Monklady123 wrote: »Yes.
Eating potato chips, or chocolate chip cookies (my two main downfalls) adds a LOT of calories to my diet but neither one keeps me full for very long. So therefore not only am I eating the chip/cookie calories but then I'm starving and eating a bunch of other stuff. By simply eliminating those things -- and white bread, certain cold cereals (especially for breakfast), etc. -- I'm replacing them with foods that have protein and that keep me full till the next meal time. So I don't have any binges or that shaky type of hunger.
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Monklady123 wrote: »Yes.
Eating potato chips, or chocolate chip cookies (my two main downfalls) adds a LOT of calories to my diet but neither one keeps me full for very long. So therefore not only am I eating the chip/cookie calories but then I'm starving and eating a bunch of other stuff. By simply eliminating those things -- and white bread, certain cold cereals (especially for breakfast), etc. -- I'm replacing them with foods that have protein and that keep me full till the next meal time. So I don't have any binges or that shaky type of hunger.
I don't think anyone would deny that fats and proteins tend to be more satiating than chips/cookies, cereal, etc.
But that wasn't the question.
From a weight loss standpoint, equivalent calories of food with equivalent caloric output will result in the same weight loss/gain results, regardless of the make up of either the calories in or calories out.0 -
Our household loses weight every time we eat at home more. I credit this to lower fat/lower calorie portions.0
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OP said, "I wonder if it is my body hanging onto something longer?"Monklady123 wrote: »Monklady123 wrote: »Yes.
Eating potato chips, or chocolate chip cookies (my two main downfalls) adds a LOT of calories to my diet but neither one keeps me full for very long. So therefore not only am I eating the chip/cookie calories but then I'm starving and eating a bunch of other stuff. By simply eliminating those things -- and white bread, certain cold cereals (especially for breakfast), etc. -- I'm replacing them with foods that have protein and that keep me full till the next meal time. So I don't have any binges or that shaky type of hunger.
It still comes down to self control. Don't blame proceeded foods for the lack of self control.
I'm not. But the OP asked if we lose more from eating less processed food and my answer is "yes".
It clearly wasn't about the way of eating question you're using to derail the discussion of whether processed calories cause slower loss than whole calories.
OP understands that eating more will make the situation different. You're just derailing to your low-carb, whole foods hobbyhorse, which has nothing to do with the OP.
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I could see being hungrier on a diet with a lot of processed stuff, leading to more eating over your goal. Possibly. That and sodium. But not necessarily since it still depends on what those processed foods are.0
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The OP wasn't about whether you could do it. The question was whether weight loss be different if the OP does it.Monklady123 wrote: »Monklady123 wrote: »Yes.
Eating potato chips, or chocolate chip cookies (my two main downfalls) adds a LOT of calories to my diet but neither one keeps me full for very long. So therefore not only am I eating the chip/cookie calories but then I'm starving and eating a bunch of other stuff. By simply eliminating those things -- and white bread, certain cold cereals (especially for breakfast), etc. -- I'm replacing them with foods that have protein and that keep me full till the next meal time. So I don't have any binges or that shaky type of hunger.
It still comes down to self control. Don't blame proceeded foods for the lack of self control.
I'm not. But the OP asked if we lose more from eating less processed food and my answer is "yes".
Not trying to derail the thread at all (to reply to whoever said that above). But if I eat certain types of things I cannot stay within my calories because it makes me too hungry. So from a purely calorie point of view I couldn't do it.
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Nope.
Calories in Calories out.
To much calories you gain, less calories you lose.
Science.
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DeguelloTex wrote: »
The OP wasn't about whether you could do it. The question was whether weight loss be different if the OP does it.Monklady123 wrote: »Monklady123 wrote: »Yes.
Eating potato chips, or chocolate chip cookies (my two main downfalls) adds a LOT of calories to my diet but neither one keeps me full for very long. So therefore not only am I eating the chip/cookie calories but then I'm starving and eating a bunch of other stuff. By simply eliminating those things -- and white bread, certain cold cereals (especially for breakfast), etc. -- I'm replacing them with foods that have protein and that keep me full till the next meal time. So I don't have any binges or that shaky type of hunger.
It still comes down to self control. Don't blame proceeded foods for the lack of self control.
I'm not. But the OP asked if we lose more from eating less processed food and my answer is "yes".
Not trying to derail the thread at all (to reply to whoever said that above). But if I eat certain types of things I cannot stay within my calories because it makes me too hungry. So from a purely calorie point of view I couldn't do it.
Okay. Sorry for misunderstanding. The OP did say "do YOU lose more..." but I guess she meant the general "you".
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DeguelloTex wrote: »
OP said, "I wonder if it is my body hanging onto something longer?"Monklady123 wrote: »Monklady123 wrote: »Yes.
Eating potato chips, or chocolate chip cookies (my two main downfalls) adds a LOT of calories to my diet but neither one keeps me full for very long. So therefore not only am I eating the chip/cookie calories but then I'm starving and eating a bunch of other stuff. By simply eliminating those things -- and white bread, certain cold cereals (especially for breakfast), etc. -- I'm replacing them with foods that have protein and that keep me full till the next meal time. So I don't have any binges or that shaky type of hunger.
It still comes down to self control. Don't blame proceeded foods for the lack of self control.
I'm not. But the OP asked if we lose more from eating less processed food and my answer is "yes".
It clearly wasn't about the way of eating question you're using to derail the discussion of whether processed calories cause slower loss than whole calories.
OP understands that eating more will make the situation different. You're just derailing to your low-carb, whole foods hobbyhorse, which has nothing to do with the OP.
lolololol. Go find my reply in the Krispy Kreme donuts thread if you think I'm on a "low carb, whole foods hobby horse". I regulate my carb count because my doctor told me to. And I do eat a donut every once in awhile if I want it.
OP, I apologize for what some have called "derailing" your thread. Not intended. I misunderstood your use of "you" and assumed you were asking for our experiences.
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i completely agree with this post on @Monklady123 's previous postMonklady123 wrote: »
Not trying to derail the thread at all (to reply to whoever said that above). But if I eat certain types of things I cannot stay within my calories because it makes me too hungry. So from a purely calorie point of view I couldn't do it.Monklady123 wrote: »Yes.
Eating potato chips, or chocolate chip cookies (my two main downfalls) adds a LOT of calories to my diet but neither one keeps me full for very long. So therefore not only am I eating the chip/cookie calories but then I'm starving and eating a bunch of other stuff. By simply eliminating those things -- and white bread, certain cold cereals (especially for breakfast), etc. -- I'm replacing them with foods that have protein and that keep me full till the next meal time. So I don't have any binges or that shaky type of hunger.
while a calorie is just a calorie, the nutrition content made a huge difference.0 -
No. I haven't seen a difference. Even with processed foods I don't eat a high sodium diet, though. If you chose processed options that are high in sodium it might make a difference with water weight.0
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I could see being hungrier on a diet with a lot of processed stuff, leading to more eating over your goal. Possibly. That and sodium. But not necessarily since it still depends on what those processed foods are.
Even on the hunger issue, exactly this. I eat some processed stuff (as does just about everyone), but the processed stuff I eat (say, adding some smoked salmon to breakfast) is satiating--that's one reason I choose it. But like others have said, OP is asking about keeping calories equal, and there I've seen no difference.
My understanding is that there's some thought that calories from some items, like meat and nuts and higher fiber foods, may be overstated, at least as in what most of us can take from them, so if there's a big shift between these types of foods vs. others, maybe some people actually are getting fewer calories. If OP is talking about eating mostly the same stuff but just having a FiberOne bar or not, though, I can't see how that would make a difference.0 -
I thought OP was asking for people's experiences. I eat a lot of "processed" food and I've lost a lot of weight. Other people have lost a lot of weight eating less "processed" food.Monklady123 wrote: »DeguelloTex wrote: »
OP said, "I wonder if it is my body hanging onto something longer?"Monklady123 wrote: »Monklady123 wrote: »Yes.
Eating potato chips, or chocolate chip cookies (my two main downfalls) adds a LOT of calories to my diet but neither one keeps me full for very long. So therefore not only am I eating the chip/cookie calories but then I'm starving and eating a bunch of other stuff. By simply eliminating those things -- and white bread, certain cold cereals (especially for breakfast), etc. -- I'm replacing them with foods that have protein and that keep me full till the next meal time. So I don't have any binges or that shaky type of hunger.
It still comes down to self control. Don't blame proceeded foods for the lack of self control.
I'm not. But the OP asked if we lose more from eating less processed food and my answer is "yes".
It clearly wasn't about the way of eating question you're using to derail the discussion of whether processed calories cause slower loss than whole calories.
OP understands that eating more will make the situation different. You're just derailing to your low-carb, whole foods hobbyhorse, which has nothing to do with the OP.
lolololol. Go find my reply in the Krispy Kreme donuts thread if you think I'm on a "low carb, whole foods hobby horse". I regulate my carb count because my doctor told me to. And I do eat a donut every once in awhile if I want it.
OP, I apologize for what some have called "derailing" your thread. Not intended. I misunderstood your use of "you" and assumed you were asking for our experiences.
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But not if eating more of one than the other, because that's a different question. Yeah, if what you're eating leads to your eating more, there will be a difference in outcomes. But, again, that wasn't the question.0
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i completely agree with this post on @Monklady123 's previous postMonklady123 wrote: »
Not trying to derail the thread at all (to reply to whoever said that above). But if I eat certain types of things I cannot stay within my calories because it makes me too hungry. So from a purely calorie point of view I couldn't do it.Monklady123 wrote: »Yes.
Eating potato chips, or chocolate chip cookies (my two main downfalls) adds a LOT of calories to my diet but neither one keeps me full for very long. So therefore not only am I eating the chip/cookie calories but then I'm starving and eating a bunch of other stuff. By simply eliminating those things -- and white bread, certain cold cereals (especially for breakfast), etc. -- I'm replacing them with foods that have protein and that keep me full till the next meal time. So I don't have any binges or that shaky type of hunger.
while a calorie is just a calorie, the nutrition content made a huge difference.
I wonder how I lost 121 pounds, lol!!
Calories in Calories out, science, read up on it!!0 -
Yes and no. Yes I lose a lot of weight eating healthy foods, but No, it's not the quality of the food that causes it, I don't think. Plenty of anorexics eat junk food and still lose weight...because they eat so very little!
It's a lot easier to stay full when you eat healthier fare because you can eat so much more of it for so few calories. So, that helps with weight loss, I guess.
I choose to eat healthier food because it's good for me. I watch my calories because I'm losing weight.0 -
i completely agree with this post on @Monklady123 's previous postMonklady123 wrote: »
Not trying to derail the thread at all (to reply to whoever said that above). But if I eat certain types of things I cannot stay within my calories because it makes me too hungry. So from a purely calorie point of view I couldn't do it.Monklady123 wrote: »Yes.
Eating potato chips, or chocolate chip cookies (my two main downfalls) adds a LOT of calories to my diet but neither one keeps me full for very long. So therefore not only am I eating the chip/cookie calories but then I'm starving and eating a bunch of other stuff. By simply eliminating those things -- and white bread, certain cold cereals (especially for breakfast), etc. -- I'm replacing them with foods that have protein and that keep me full till the next meal time. So I don't have any binges or that shaky type of hunger.
while a calorie is just a calorie, the nutrition content made a huge difference.
To how much you lose, all calories kept equal? I'm not sure what the scientific explanation would be for that.
The main reason I'm responding, though, is that processed doesn't mean "low nutrient" or not satiating, and that's where I disagree with Monklady. My smoked salmon example is a good one, or greek yogurt or cottage cheese are other examples of processed foods that I think have a good nutrition to calorie ratio and tend to make me less hungry. Some people even find Quest bars quite filling.0 -
Yes, you will probably lose more weight if you eat less "processed" food.
Not because of anything magical about non-processed food.
But simply because most "processed" food is an engineered product that has been designed to be very tasty, very convenient, cheap, and is usually calorie-dense.
So cutting out "processed" foods generally means cutting out calorie-dense foods, which can help with weight loss. Think of it this way: You can eat one Snicker's Bar for 250 calories or two apples for 220. About the same number of calories, but one is a whole lot more compelling for most people to eat, which can lead to self-control issues where you want to eat another one and another one. Not many people binge on apples.
That said, there is nothing "bad" about the Snicker's bar and you could lose weight eating only Snicker's bars.0
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