What foods to avoid??

Hey I'm working on losing weight trying to get 20 lbs down by October... Let's just say I do weigh 220lbs now and I'm 5'9" at age 22... I'm trying to figure out what foods I should be avoiding to get this weight off.. Or what foods will help to lose the weight!! I have start incorporating some exercise in my day too just a little limited on what I can do because of major lower back pains... Any help or advice would be very much appreciated?!?!
«1

Replies

  • kommodevaran
    kommodevaran Posts: 17,890 Member
    You don't have to avoid any foods. No foods helps you lose weight. You lose weight by taking in fewer calories than you burn/expend.

    Talk to your doctor/get a referral to physical therapist for back pain. Pain can also resolve itself by weight loss alone (that happened to me), but it depends on the reason for the pain.
  • TavistockToad
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member
    Mycophilia wrote: »
    Stop labeling food as either "good" or "bad" and instead look at any food as a source of calories and macros.

    This
  • fr33sia12
    fr33sia12 Posts: 1,258 Member
    edited August 2016
    You don't have to avoid any food if you don't want to and just concentrate on getting a calorie deficit. Personally I'm in this for good and made the decision not just to lose weight but to change to a healthy lifestyle. I avoid meat (except for fish) I've cut down on added sugar and salt and am in the process of cutting out dairy. I also cut out alcohol for now too. This is just my personal choice, but you have to find what works for you and what you are happy with.
    I've noticed a big difference in my energy levels, my fitness, my digestion, sleep and my mind. Also hormonaly too.
  • Bxqtie116
    Bxqtie116 Posts: 552 Member
    You don't have to avoid any foods. No foods helps you lose weight. You lose weight by taking in fewer calories than you burn/expend.

    You can eat whatever you like so long as you reduce the amount of calories you consume. Stick to your calorie goals and whatever you like to eat fits into it, that's it.
  • BrettWithPKU
    BrettWithPKU Posts: 575 Member
    Ignore anyone who tells you you can't do it.
    Answer this question: If you succeeded in losing 20 pounds in a bit over 6 weeks (3+ pounds a week), HOW would you have done it? I think the average person has a pretty good idea of how to lose weight. But to lose 3+ pounds a week you'll have to be relentless.

    - Take my word for it: You will HAVE to exercise however you can, almost every day, to lose weight that fast.
    - Focus on portions, and focus on meeting a calorie goal. There's too much testing your will power for you to also be selective about the foods you eat; so JUST focus on calories.
    - Drink lots of water. You'll need to drink extra to rehydrate after all that exercise.
    - NO cheat days. In fact, keep cheat meals to an absolute minimum. There is very little margin for error.
    - Be satisfied with whatever you lose, even if you don't quite make it to 20 pounds. Most people want to be "seen" as having lost weight. And there's almost no difference, visually, between weighing 200 and 205.
  • Alluminati
    Alluminati Posts: 6,208 Member
    edited August 2016
    There are no foods to avoid to get your weight off.
    However if certain foods trigger you to eat too much to where you are overeating your calories then cut them out for now or learn to moderate. (this used to be Oreos for me)
    There are no foods to eat that cause more weight loss
    However, if there are certain foods that you might find more filling that fit into your calories so you don't overeat and are able to stay within your limit which in turn causes you to lose weight then eat those (this is potatoes,protein, and vegetables for me)

    As you can see, this varies from person to person. There are no good or bad foods (unless allergy or spoilt)
  • AlisonH729
    AlisonH729 Posts: 558 Member
    Mycophilia wrote: »
    Stop labeling food as either "good" or "bad" and instead look at any food as a source of calories and macros.

    Agreed. You don't have to eat anything in particular or cut anything out, just eat less. That said though, there are definitely foods that offer more bang for their calorie buck. All those lists you find around the internet about the best foods for weight loss (take them with a grain of salt but...) they usually contain a lot of the same players: eggs, salmon, lean meats & poultry, beans, leafy greens. There's no magic recipe though.
  • caradack1985
    caradack1985 Posts: 254 Member
    Avoid any foods that encourage you to binge, if you don't feel you have the willpower to take a controlled amount and then put it down it might be best to avoid it, for now.

    Do eat, whatever you like really, make sure you incorporate foods you really love so you don't feel restricted. I like to eat a chocolate bar every day, it makes me happy.
  • afort001
    afort001 Posts: 45 Member
    I have a question and I'm not trying to provoke because I'm new to this, but when people say 200 calories of protein is the same as 200 calories of carbs and it won't affect your weight loss how you get those calories ..... But it takes more energy for you body to burn off protein than carbs. So your metabolism increases if you eat 200 calories of protein over 200 calories of carbs. So you would lose weight eating the protein..... Am I wrong here or misunderstanding ?
  • StaciMarie1974
    StaciMarie1974 Posts: 4,138 Member
    Avoid foods you're allergic to, or food that is spoiled. Or foods that lead you to binging. Personally I cannot open a bag of cherry flavored Twizzler nibs without eating the whole thing. And the I-can't-believe-I-ate-the-whole-bag/sugar overload stomach-ache comes on about 5 minutes after the last one is gone.
    Hey I'm working on losing weight trying to get 20 lbs down by October... Let's just say I do weigh 220lbs now and I'm 5'9" at age 22... I'm trying to figure out what foods I should be avoiding to get this weight off.. Or what foods will help to lose the weight!! I have start incorporating some exercise in my day too just a little limited on what I can do because of major lower back pains... Any help or advice would be very much appreciated?!?!

  • StaciMarie1974
    StaciMarie1974 Posts: 4,138 Member
    The calories burned due to food digestion is already accounted for in your BMR. And realistically you need some of each macro for health & well-being. Some macro-combinations may make you feel full longer or have a varied impact on your energy levels, muscle retention, etc., but in the question of weight loss CICO is the answer.
    afort001 wrote: »
    I have a question and I'm not trying to provoke because I'm new to this, but when people say 200 calories of protein is the same as 200 calories of carbs and it won't affect your weight loss how you get those calories ..... But it takes more energy for you body to burn off protein than carbs. So your metabolism increases if you eat 200 calories of protein over 200 calories of carbs. So you would lose weight eating the protein..... Am I wrong here or misunderstanding ?

  • Packerjohn
    Packerjohn Posts: 4,855 Member
    Don't have to avoid anything. But most likely need to significantly restrict foods that are calorie dense and nutritionally sparse to get adequate nutrients on a weight reduction diet.

    Best of luck.
  • Need2Exerc1se
    Need2Exerc1se Posts: 13,575 Member
    afort001 wrote: »
    I have a question and I'm not trying to provoke because I'm new to this, but when people say 200 calories of protein is the same as 200 calories of carbs and it won't affect your weight loss how you get those calories ..... But it takes more energy for you body to burn off protein than carbs. So your metabolism increases if you eat 200 calories of protein over 200 calories of carbs. So you would lose weight eating the protein..... Am I wrong here or misunderstanding ?

    That's true, but really how many extra calories burned are we talking about? It's not going to make any measurable difference for most people.
  • cerise_noir
    cerise_noir Posts: 5,468 Member
    Spoiled/off foods, burned foods, foods covered in dirt/flies,foods that you're allergic or intolerant to, foods that don't taste good to you.

    Weigh all your food and log it all.
    BDonjon wrote: »
    You will HAVE to exercise however you can, almost every day, to lose weight that fast.
    No. A calorie deficit is for weight loss.. Many have lost weight without doing any.
  • afort001
    afort001 Posts: 45 Member
    It seems I read burning protein 20% and burning carbs was like 9%
  • AnvilHead
    AnvilHead Posts: 18,343 Member
    edited August 2016
    afort001 wrote: »
    I have a question and I'm not trying to provoke because I'm new to this, but when people say 200 calories of protein is the same as 200 calories of carbs and it won't affect your weight loss how you get those calories ..... But it takes more energy for you body to burn off protein than carbs. So your metabolism increases if you eat 200 calories of protein over 200 calories of carbs. So you would lose weight eating the protein..... Am I wrong here or misunderstanding ?

    It's called TEF (Thermic Effect of Food). Yes, the TEF of protein is higher than fats or carbs, but it's majoring in the minors to concern yourself with it. People don't usually eat meals (or have an overall diet) consisting of 100% protein, 100% carbs or 100% fats, so looking at the macronutrients in isolation is overthinking it. It's "neat to know" stuff, but in the big picture it doesn't make a significant difference.

    [ETA:] Here's a research review worth reading which explains it more thoroughly: https://bretcontreras.com/is-the-thermic-effect-of-food-higher-if-you-are-lean/
  • afort001
    afort001 Posts: 45 Member
    But I am doing the calories in and calories out . But I haven't been eating a lot of carbs or sugar. High protein foods make me not so hungry , and sugary stuff just makes me want more sugar.
    Thanks for the responses , I have been doing this almost 3 weeks and have lost 8 pounds . And I'm excited bc I really , for once , don't walk around hungry all the time . Sometimes I have trouble trying to get all my calories in .
  • Mycophilia
    Mycophilia Posts: 1,225 Member
    edited August 2016
    afort001 wrote: »
    I have a question and I'm not trying to provoke because I'm new to this, but when people say 200 calories of protein is the same as 200 calories of carbs and it won't affect your weight loss how you get those calories ..... But it takes more energy for you body to burn off protein than carbs. So your metabolism increases if you eat 200 calories of protein over 200 calories of carbs. So you would lose weight eating the protein..... Am I wrong here or misunderstanding ?

    They would be wrong. Your metabolism is the sum of four things: Basal Metabolic rate, Thermic Effect of Food, Thermic Effect of Exercise and Non-exercise Activity Thermogenesis.

    Pulling the percentages of how much of the energy is spent digesting the different macros from Wikipedia:

    Carbohydrates: 5 to 15%
    Protein: 20 to 35%
    Fats: at most 5 to 15 %

    So your metabolism would be higher if you replaced carbs with protein, but it would only make you lose fat if it also made your calorie intake exceed your calorie expenditure.
  • afort001
    afort001 Posts: 45 Member
    Thanks for your answers , I was curious about that
  • nowine4me
    nowine4me Posts: 3,985 Member
    I would look at it more like to what add versus what to take away to get the most satiety from those precious calories. A good start might be to steer clear of fried foods and lean towards lean protein, fruits and veggies.
  • callsitlikeiseeit
    callsitlikeiseeit Posts: 8,626 Member
    rotten foods and ones you are allergic to
  • geneticsteacher
    geneticsteacher Posts: 623 Member
    afort001 wrote: »
    It seems I read burning protein 20% and burning carbs was like 9%

    The only source I can find for this is Authority Nutrition, not the best source for nutrition information. How about this:

    N Engl J Med. 2009 Feb 26;360(9):859-73. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa0804748.
    Comparison of weight-loss diets with different compositions of fat, protein, and carbohydrates.
    Sacks FM1, Bray GA, Carey VJ, Smith SR, Ryan DH, Anton SD, McManus K, Champagne CM, Bishop LM, Laranjo N, Leboff MS, Rood JC, de Jonge L, Greenway FL, Loria CM, Obarzanek E, Williamson DA.
    Author information
    Abstract
    BACKGROUND:
    The possible advantage for weight loss of a diet that emphasizes protein, fat, or carbohydrates has not been established, and there are few studies that extend beyond 1 year.
    METHODS:
    We randomly assigned 811 overweight adults to one of four diets; the targeted percentages of energy derived from fat, protein, and carbohydrates in the four diets were 20, 15, and 65%; 20, 25, and 55%; 40, 15, and 45%; and 40, 25, and 35%. The diets consisted of similar foods and met guidelines for cardiovascular health. The participants were offered group and individual instructional sessions for 2 years. The primary outcome was the change in body weight after 2 years in two-by-two factorial comparisons of low fat versus high fat and average protein versus high protein and in the comparison of highest and lowest carbohydrate content.
    RESULTS:
    At 6 months, participants assigned to each diet had lost an average of 6 kg, which represented 7% of their initial weight; they began to regain weight after 12 months. By 2 years, weight loss remained similar in those who were assigned to a diet with 15% protein and those assigned to a diet with 25% protein (3.0 and 3.6 kg, respectively); in those assigned to a diet with 20% fat and those assigned to a diet with 40% fat (3.3 kg for both groups); and in those assigned to a diet with 65% carbohydrates and those assigned to a diet with 35% carbohydrates (2.9 and 3.4 kg, respectively) (P>0.20 for all comparisons). Among the 80% of participants who completed the trial, the average weight loss was 4 kg; 14 to 15% of the participants had a reduction of at least 10% of their initial body weight. Satiety, hunger, satisfaction with the diet, and attendance at group sessions were similar for all diets; attendance was strongly associated with weight loss (0.2 kg per session attended). The diets improved lipid-related risk factors and fasting insulin levels.
    CONCLUSIONS:
    Reduced-calorie diets result in clinically meaningful weight loss regardless of which macronutrients they emphasize.
    (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00072995.)
  • TeaBea
    TeaBea Posts: 14,517 Member
    edited August 2016
    Hey I'm working on losing weight trying to get 20 lbs down by October... Let's just say I do weigh 220lbs now and I'm 5'9" at age 22... I'm trying to figure out what foods I should be avoiding to get this weight off.. Or what foods will help to lose the weight!! I have start incorporating some exercise in my day too just a little limited on what I can do because of major lower back pains... Any help or advice would be very much appreciated?!?!

    Just eat regular foods. But measure & log your portions. That's the best way to learn. You will figure out what foods are "sometimes" foods & what foods are...."never mind, it's not worth the calories."

    I won't eliminate chocolate, but potato chips....so not worth it (to me). But your choices might be different....that's ok.

    Fruits & veggies are always good additions. High in fiber & nutrients.....often a "bargain" for the calories.
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,972 Member
    Stale and rotten would come to mind.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

    9285851.png
  • organizedrxhck
    organizedrxhck Posts: 24 Member
    Hey everyone. I'm trying to lose30 pounds started p 90x yesterday. I've read many talking about good and bad foods. I personally crave more junk food when I tell myself I can't have it. I truly hope I'm not the only one
  • kermax39
    kermax39 Posts: 149 Member
    for me its any food that is less than 3 mouthfuls that equals the same calories as 15 mouthfuls of something equally as tasty,i hope that makes sense? . I like big portions.....so iv banned pastry, butter, deep fried and battered food, double cream, full fat hard cheese. Its easier to ban it completely than to be tortured with just a tiny bit.
    Everyone is different, with some theyd rather have a little of what they love and can stop at a couple of spoonfuls......I cant!
  • ouryve
    ouryve Posts: 572 Member
    No food is problematic, but trying to lose 20lb in 6 weeks is a wee bit ridiculous.