Does It Matter What You Eat?
mandymaurine
Posts: 9 Member
Hello!
I am just curious. I eat mostly healthy but sometimes I get a sweet craving and indulge in yummy dessert but I am always under my calorie goal. Does it matter if I got a bit over my set Sugars/Carbs/Protein as long as I am under my calorie goal? I have read several things on it and there are mixed feelings. Curious what you all think!
I am just curious. I eat mostly healthy but sometimes I get a sweet craving and indulge in yummy dessert but I am always under my calorie goal. Does it matter if I got a bit over my set Sugars/Carbs/Protein as long as I am under my calorie goal? I have read several things on it and there are mixed feelings. Curious what you all think!
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It's all about CICO(calories in/calories out).
http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/1080242/a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants/p10 -
I have been tracking my weight since the end of June and tweaking it according to different ideas on carbs, proteins, fats. I work out weights and stretching every other day with a trainer. In between those days I swim lengths for 1-2 hours. My calorie deficit is usually 2-3000 a week but I don't lose very much weight. I'm a large woman about 240lbs. and I stick pretty good to 1400 calories before the exercise. Since the end of June I've lost about 10-11 lbs. I don't get it. I'm getting very frustrated. I am very careful with my food tracking usually choosing over rather than under calorie entries, when unsure. I also wonder if what I'm eating is stopping me even though I count everything I eat. I'm thinking also I'm pre-menopausal so am wondering if hormones could be stopping the weight loss. My clothing is not even getting loose. Any insights?0
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From "the end of June" to today is 11 weeks. It takes a 3500 calorie deficit per week to lose one pound per week. If you've lost 10-11 pounds, you are right on track or even a bit ahead considering that you estimate that you have a 2-3000 calorie deficit per week. What you are doing is working the way it is supposed to work.I have been tracking my weight since the end of June and tweaking it according to different ideas on carbs, proteins, fats. I work out weights and stretching every other day with a trainer. In between those days I swim lengths for 1-2 hours. My calorie deficit is usually 2-3000 a week but I don't lose very much weight. I'm a large woman about 240lbs. and I stick pretty good to 1400 calories before the exercise. Since the end of June I've lost about 10-11 lbs. I don't get it. I'm getting very frustrated. I am very careful with my food tracking usually choosing over rather than under calorie entries, when unsure. I also wonder if what I'm eating is stopping me even though I count everything I eat. I'm thinking also I'm pre-menopausal so am wondering if hormones could be stopping the weight loss. My clothing is not even getting loose. Any insights?
Keep it up and you'll get there!0 -
No, but it matters what I eat.
If all you're after is weight loss, then calorie restriction by any means will get you there. You may lose more muscle mass as part of that weight by eating mostly low nutrition junk, but it's all the same to the scale.
If you're concerned with your long term health and lifespan, then getting all your nutrients and eating less junk and processed food is a gamble that just could pay off big in the long run. You could also get hit by a bus tomorrow, so, there are no guarantees, but I'd rather take the chances on eating clean than finding out ten years from now that some of the many chemicals we ingest in our highly processed food turns out to not be as safe as the food industry currently claims it is.0 -
No offense to you the OP but it makes me sad people still need to ask these kinds of question. Of course it doesn't matter, CICO is the only thing you need to worry about for weight loss. To feel generally well, you should aim to eat nutritious foods but you are already doing that so no need to worry.
mike_ny for the record, there are chemicals IN ALL FOODS, literally everything.. getting nutrition is important but worrying about 'chemicals' in food is just silly.0 -
Sure, it matters what you eat, for health and energy and satiety and all of that. But does it matter whether you eat a mostly healthy diet with some lower nutrient treats vs. cutting out the treats? No, generally not.
Macros can be healthy in a really wide range -- there's no magic to the MFP defaults. MFP sugar goals are kind of a rough estimate to help you meet the goal of a balanced diet -- if you have higher sugar due to lots of fruit or dairy or veg, generally not an issue0 -
This is all that you need to pay attention to:mandymaurine wrote: »Hello!
I am just curious. I eat mostly healthy but sometimes I get a sweet craving and indulge in yummy dessert but I am always under my calorie goal. Does it matter if I got a bit over my set Sugars/Carbs/Protein as long as I am under my calorie goal? I have read several things on it and there are mixed feelings. Curious what you all think!
1 total calories for the day
2 total protein0 -
No, but it matters what I eat.
If all you're after is weight loss, then calorie restriction by any means will get you there. You may lose more muscle mass as part of that weight by eating mostly low nutrition junk, but it's all the same to the scale.
If you're concerned with your long term health and lifespan, then getting all your nutrients and eating less junk and processed food is a gamble that just could pay off big in the long run. You could also get hit by a bus tomorrow, so, there are no guarantees, but I'd rather take the chances on eating clean than finding out ten years from now that some of the many chemicals we ingest in our highly processed food turns out to not be as safe as the food industry currently claims it is.
This ^^0 -
I'd say also keep an eye on sodium, as it helps you retain more water. That's why staying under calories while still eating fast food may make those pounds come off a little slower. Or you 'whoosh'.0
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honkytonks85 wrote: »No offense to you the OP but it makes me sad people still need to ask these kinds of question. Of course it doesn't matter, CICO is the only thing you need to worry about for weight loss. To feel generally well, you should aim to eat nutritious foods but you are already doing that so no need to worry.
mike_ny for the record, there are chemicals IN ALL FOODS, literally everything.. getting nutrition is important but worrying about 'chemicals' in food is just silly.
I think mike_ny was talking about artificial chemicals such as coloring, flavorings, preservatives etc. Much better eating whole fresh foods such as fruit, veg, meat, grains, dairy that haven't been pumped full of artifical ingredients. Much better for long term health, keep you full longer and in the end will help with weightloss. So yes it is very important what you eat, as well as Cico.0 -
mandymaurine wrote: »Hello!
I am just curious. I eat mostly healthy but sometimes I get a sweet craving and indulge in yummy dessert but I am always under my calorie goal. Does it matter if I got a bit over my set Sugars/Carbs/Protein as long as I am under my calorie goal? I have read several things on it and there are mixed feelings. Curious what you all think!
It does not matter for weight loss purposes. If your in a deficit you will ultimately loose weight. For health/energy levels etc the micro and macronutrients become a little more important and can be played around with to suit lifestyle requirements etc. Enjoy your Yummy desserts lol.0 -
Calories are king for weight loss. You can eat absolutely anything and still lose weight, if you keep the calories low enough.
Healthy food will help you stay full because you can eat so much more of it, so it helps with weight loss in that way. It is good for you, too! But it isn't necessary. You don't need to eat a single healthy food item to lose weight.0 -
You don't need to eat a single healthy food item to lose weight.
But of course that wasn't OP's question. She said she's eating a mostly healthy diet but wants to know if it's an issue to go a bit over sugar/carbs/protein. I don't know why people always default to this notion that people are wanting to eat unhealthy diets.0 -
honkytonks85 wrote: »mike_ny for the record, there are chemicals IN ALL FOODS, literally everything.. getting nutrition is important but worrying about 'chemicals' in food is just silly.
^^not to mention the precipitation that falls on the same crops, whether or not chemicals, fertilizers, and pesticides are used, or the air we breathe and the water we drink. Who is to say what is better or worse for each of us.
The fact is, being at a healthy weight is beneficial to all of us. How each of us achieves this is up to each of us and our physician. Go ahead and have your treat. In order for this to be sustainable, you have to do what works for yourself for the long term.
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honkytonks85 wrote: »No offense to you the OP but it makes me sad people still need to ask these kinds of question. Of course it doesn't matter, CICO is the only thing you need to worry about for weight loss. To feel generally well, you should aim to eat nutritious foods but you are already doing that so no need to worry.
mike_ny for the record, there are chemicals IN ALL FOODS, literally everything.. getting nutrition is important but worrying about 'chemicals' in food is just silly.
I think mike_ny was talking about artificial chemicals such as coloring, flavorings, preservatives etc. Much better eating whole fresh foods such as fruit, veg, meat, grains, dairy that haven't been pumped full of artifical ingredients. Much better for long term health, keep you full longer and in the end will help with weightloss. So yes it is very important what you eat, as well as Cico.
Please tell me how your body distinguishes between a chemical made artificially and a naturally occurring chemical?0 -
Thank you for all the replies. I eat a lot of fruit and healthier dessert alternatives (organic almond milk chocolate pudding as an example) and with all the fruit I consume I am almost always over my allotted sugar amount for the day. Other than that I eat healthy. No junk.0
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"Junk" is what keeps me losing weight. Without the ability to eat what I want in smaller portions, I would likely give up on trying to lose weight and go back to eating what I want.mandymaurine wrote: »Thank you for all the replies. I eat a lot of fruit and healthier dessert alternatives (organic almond milk chocolate pudding as an example) and with all the fruit I consume I am almost always over my allotted sugar amount for the day. Other than that I eat healthy. No junk.
If you feel satisfied and can stick to what you are doing, that's great. I'm glad that you've found what works for you. That's the important thing.
No diet works if you won't stick to it. Any diet works if you will stick to it.0 -
honkytonks85 wrote: »honkytonks85 wrote: »No offense to you the OP but it makes me sad people still need to ask these kinds of question. Of course it doesn't matter, CICO is the only thing you need to worry about for weight loss. To feel generally well, you should aim to eat nutritious foods but you are already doing that so no need to worry.
mike_ny for the record, there are chemicals IN ALL FOODS, literally everything.. getting nutrition is important but worrying about 'chemicals' in food is just silly.
I think mike_ny was talking about artificial chemicals such as coloring, flavorings, preservatives etc. Much better eating whole fresh foods such as fruit, veg, meat, grains, dairy that haven't been pumped full of artifical ingredients. Much better for long term health, keep you full longer and in the end will help with weightloss. So yes it is very important what you eat, as well as Cico.
Please tell me how your body distinguishes between a chemical made artificially and a naturally occurring chemical?
It's interesting you brought this up, because there are many additives that don't exist in nature (or at least not in large numbers) and the body doesn't know how to handle them. Trans-fats are a good example. So are the left handed fats like Olestra, and we all know how well that worked out.
Most additives are not foods. Some like sugars and starches are, but many other are not nutrients in any sense of the word. They are there to extend the shelf life and the stability of the product for transportation and storage. Chemicals that aren't classified as drugs and haven't already been identified as harmful can be added with no oversight whatsoever. Many of them do not even have to listed in the ingredients if the quantities are below the minimum threshold. There are thousands of additives in food and many other products that have never been tested for effects on health. I think the odds are pretty good that given the number of additives we already have and more being developed, that at least a few of them will be found to have some bad effects and some will be withdrawn from being used.
I just prefer to have food that was make in a kitchen instead of a laboratory.0 -
They don't. That's something you invent in your head,lemurcat12 wrote: »You don't need to eat a single healthy food item to lose weight.
But of course that wasn't OP's question. She said she's eating a mostly healthy diet but wants to know if it's an issue to go a bit over sugar/carbs/protein. I don't know why people always default to this notion that people are wanting to eat unhealthy diets.
We've had this conversation before. If you'd just stick with what is actually written instead of things you (or others) have invented, you'd be less confused about these non-existent notions.
Just stick with what is actually said and it all gets much easier.0 -
No one eeeeeever equates eating some non whole foods to eating nothing but hamburgers and twinkies. No sir, that never happens, ever. It's all in our heads.
They don't. That's something you invent in your head,lemurcat12 wrote: »You don't need to eat a single healthy food item to lose weight.
But of course that wasn't OP's question. She said she's eating a mostly healthy diet but wants to know if it's an issue to go a bit over sugar/carbs/protein. I don't know why people always default to this notion that people are wanting to eat unhealthy diets.
We've had this conversation before. If you'd just stick with what is actually written instead of things you (or others) have invented, you'd be less confused about these non-existent notions.
Just stick with what is actually said and it all gets much easier.
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lemurcat12 wrote: »You don't need to eat a single healthy food item to lose weight.
But of course that wasn't OP's question. She said she's eating a mostly healthy diet but wants to know if it's an issue to go a bit over sugar/carbs/protein. I don't know why people always default to this notion that people are wanting to eat unhealthy diets.
This. OP specifically asked about a small treat in the context of a mostly nutrient dense diet and at least two people in this thread made comments like above, "you don't need to eat a single healthy thing to lose weight" and "calorie restrictions are all that matter, sure you can lose weight by eating nothing but processed junk but if you're concerned with long term health then it matters what you eat".
Why even bring "junk" or "processed" foods into the discussion when the OP didn't?
Oh wait but it's @lemurcat12 who needs to read more carefully...
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They don't. That's something you invent in your head,lemurcat12 wrote: »You don't need to eat a single healthy food item to lose weight.
But of course that wasn't OP's question. She said she's eating a mostly healthy diet but wants to know if it's an issue to go a bit over sugar/carbs/protein. I don't know why people always default to this notion that people are wanting to eat unhealthy diets.
We've had this conversation before. If you'd just stick with what is actually written instead of things you (or others) have invented, you'd be less confused about these non-existent notions.
Just stick with what is actually said and it all gets much easier.
I would give you the same advice.
OP asks about eating a generally healthy diet vs. cutting out all treats and you go on about how you can lose eating an unhealthy diet but it's not good for you and you will be hungry.
Unless you are suggesting that OP is wanting to eat an unhealthy diet because she is interested in including some treats or occasionally goes over her sugar, what does the stuff about the unhealthy diet have to do with anything?0 -
The OP asked two questions.lemurcat12 wrote: »
They don't. That's something you invent in your head,lemurcat12 wrote: »You don't need to eat a single healthy food item to lose weight.
But of course that wasn't OP's question. She said she's eating a mostly healthy diet but wants to know if it's an issue to go a bit over sugar/carbs/protein. I don't know why people always default to this notion that people are wanting to eat unhealthy diets.
We've had this conversation before. If you'd just stick with what is actually written instead of things you (or others) have invented, you'd be less confused about these non-existent notions.
Just stick with what is actually said and it all gets much easier.
I would give you the same advice.
OP asks about eating a generally healthy diet vs. cutting out all treats and you go on about how you can lose eating an unhealthy diet but it's not good for you and you will be hungry.
Unless you are suggesting that OP is wanting to eat an unhealthy diet because she is interested in including some treats or occasionally goes over her sugar, what does the stuff about the unhealthy diet have to do with anything?
1. Does it matter what you eat?
2. Does it matter if you exceed protein/sugar/carb goals as long as you're under your calories?
Then the OP asked for thoughts.
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And so you chose to opine about some hypothetical situation not applicable to OP where someone is eating absolutely no healthy food.
I see.0 -
lemurcat12 wrote: »And so you chose to opine about some hypothetical situation not applicable to OP where someone is eating absolutely no healthy food.
I see.
No, see, that's in your head. I didn't say that or even think it. That's something you have invented.
Carry on. I'm done with this.0 -
Go ahead. I eat chocolate and two cookies every day. As long as I stay in my range I'm fine and I also work out pretty much daily.0
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They don't. That's something you invent in your head,lemurcat12 wrote: »You don't need to eat a single healthy food item to lose weight.
But of course that wasn't OP's question. She said she's eating a mostly healthy diet but wants to know if it's an issue to go a bit over sugar/carbs/protein. I don't know why people always default to this notion that people are wanting to eat unhealthy diets.
We've had this conversation before. If you'd just stick with what is actually written instead of things you (or others) have invented, you'd be less confused about these non-existent notions.
Just stick with what is actually said and it all gets much easier.
I know. There's never any subtext, other meaning, or passive implications in anyone's writing.0 -
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mandymaurine wrote: ».... I eat a lot of fruit and healthier dessert alternatives (organic almond milk chocolate pudding as an example) and with all the fruit I consume I am almost always over my allotted sugar amount for the day.
Yup. I eat very nearly no added sugar. Specifically, I commonly eat 2T all-fruit spread at breakfast (a whopping 30 cal total, but it contains apple juice concentrate as its 2nd ingredient, so that's 'added sugar'
).
I'm always over MFP's basic sugar recommendation because of (unsweetened) milk products and 1-2 servings of fruit. I'm not worried about it, and don't see why you should be either.
Oh - and I've lost 40 pounds since mid-April. If you're at/under goal calories, and logging accurately, you'll lose weight.
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