Can you truly eat whatever you want as long as it's under your goal?

emilyvictoria7

I tend to try and eat relatively well most days, and I've been losing steadily the whole time. I've mostly be at or ~100kcal under my goal but some days like today I've eaten mostly junk. Stopped at Tim's for a late breakfast and munched a serving and a half of kettle chips for a snack instead of making something. I still have plenty of kcals for supper and don't anticipate going over by nutritionally I've had a very high carb day. So is that really all it needs to be - under your calorie goal? It almost seems too easy...

janjunie

it's not complicated, although there are companies who take advantage of the fact that people are usually poorly educated on nutrition. Carbs, fats, protein (and micronutrients too) matter, but not for weight loss. Last night I had some calories left at the end of the day and chose to use them for a serving of cheetos and two treat size chocolate bars. I regularly eat cinnamon buns, cookies and cakes and I'm not gaining weight because it fits in my calorie goal.

malibu927

Yep, that's it!

allyphoe

That's all it needs to be.

metalmeow1

If it will help in some way, I've been using MFP for 28 days and I've eaten whatever I wanted providing it's stayed around 1200 calories/day. If I go over 1600, I do cardio for 1-2hrs (whichever I feel like.)

The last 28 days I've "lost" almost 5lbs (but due to PMS I'm expecting the scale to read 8lbs within the week as my trend has been going.)

I always stay well hydrated. Each day I have at least 50oz of water (usually 70oz.)

Ofcourse, I lose a lot faster when I don't eat anything bad at all, but that's not fun, nor sustainable. Never punish yourself for being healthy.

macgurlnet

Yep! Calories are all that matters when it comes to fat loss.

Keep in mind that if you eat out more than usual and/or eat a higher number of carbs that usual, you may see a higher number on the scale next time. That's 100% normal due to water retention - it doesn't mean you need to cut cals or make any changes. Just stick with it!

~Lyssa

elisa123gal

The wording.. 'eat what you want" is false... because most of us want to keep eating what we want..that's the problem. Also .. for me, when I eat yummy junk it leaves me hungry and feeling horrible and i have to eat something sensible on top of the junk later and it wrecks my calorie goal.

Maybe my blood sugar is unstable and some of you don't reel from eating like that.

But if you can eat a piece of chocolate cake for dinner and feel great ..go to bed..and still lose weight. Go for it!

JaydedMiss

yup

crzycatlady1

In terms of weight loss you will lose, regardless of what kinds of foods you eat, as long as you're in the correct calorie deficit for your weight loss goals. However, you should focus on what's a sustainable way of eating-an all Twinkie diet will cause weight loss, if you're at a calorie deficit, but it would get old pretty quick, (and the same goes for an all Brussels sprouts diet, shudder lol).

No need to cut anything out that you like, or make drastic changes to your diet-but pay attention to what foods make you feel fuller, longer. Also, what foods do you currently eat that have lower calorie substitutes? What foods do you eat now that are calorie bombs and you won't miss cutting back on? And what lower calorie foods, and foods that have a high satiety level for you, can you add to your menu?

genpopadopolous

Yup.

I've had wine, cookies, and pizza in the last week and actually lost a bit more than my goal.

emjam99

Honestly you can but for me personally my abs don't show if I eat junk (I only have like 2-4 cuts anyway) and I get bloated and feel bad and stuff. Once in a while doesn't hurt though

ninerbuff

If you're trying to lose weight, yes.


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

emilyvictoria7

Thanks everyone! I do lots of low calorie replacements - cauliflower rice, zuchinni noodles, low far everything from milk to cheese and yogurt. Vegetable straws over chips. Halo Top vs. Ben and Jerry's. So on days when I do eat out and still maintain a deficit, or even just eat at maintence (once in 85 days so far I believe) I'm going to let myself relax a bit!

24clouds

crzycatlady1 wrote: »

In terms of weight loss you will lose, regardless of what kinds of foods you eat, as long as you're in the correct calorie deficit for your weight loss goals. However, you should focus on what's a sustainable way of eating-an all Twinkie diet will cause weight loss, if you're at a calorie deficit, but it would get old pretty quick, (and the same goes for an all Brussels sprouts diet, shudder lol).

No need to cut anything out that you like, or make drastic changes to your diet-but pay attention to what foods make you feel fuller, longer. Also, what foods do you currently eat that have lower calorie substitutes? What foods do you eat now that are calorie bombs and you won't miss cutting back on? And what lower calorie foods, and foods that have a high satiety level for you, can you add to your menu?

Literally the best advice! Calorie bombs. That's my problem. I eat normally then have a calorie bomb or two go off but don't notice it as the big big to look at and that's how I e gained weight. Last week I couldn't believe how many calories in tahini! I never had a clue. Assumed it was healthy. Being Greek Ive found Greek bread/pittas and dips are the reason Greeks have curves! Culturally we have learnt to often have dips and bread and olives in addition to dinner and we don't count it. ERROR!!!! No more dips for me lol

Sara1791

Not under your goal, but up to your goal. The deficit is already accounted for by MFP.

Ming1951

If I go over on say my sugar or fat and remain under calorie I don't seem to lose weight but I do maintain. So I'm watching that now also.

Gallowmere1984

That's all there is to it. I have both bulked and cut on a wide variety of foods, and only really started narrowing down food choices for two reasons: preference, and ease of prep.

BrettWithPKU

Two extremes here:
1. Eating "perfectly healthy" (whatever you decide that to mean); and
2. Eating your calorie goal in Twinkies.

We're human; we're not going to eat perfectly healthy. It's just not going to happen.
By the same token, eating 1X00 calories in snack cakes is just unsustainable.

But I believe that, beyond strictly 'CICO', which some people swear by, food choices DO matter--to an extent.

When it comes to weight loss, especially with people with considerable weight to lose, food choices are less important than controlling portions. But if you do it right, healthy options mean you can eat until you're full and not have to worry as much about blowing your calorie goal.

I personally do what I call 'paleo-ish', and I personally recommend that everyone at least entertain it as an eating plan, though you don't have to adopt it fully; I don't. I try to eat reasonably close to paleo, but I draw the line at their fancy, overpriced paleo-friendly alternatives to condiments, seasonings, dressings, etc. Also, when there's something I really want to eat that's not paleo-friendly, I just eat it, making sure I don't deviate more than once every few days. To be totally honest, sugary things don't even cross my mind--if they did I'd allow myself a small indulgence, but again, no more than once or twice a week.

BrettWithPKU

BDonjon wrote: »

Two extremes here:
1. Eating "perfectly healthy" (whatever you decide that to mean); and
2. Eating your calorie goal in Twinkies.

We're human; we're not going to eat perfectly healthy. It's just not going to happen.
By the same token, eating 1X00 calories in snack cakes is just unsustainable.

But I believe that, beyond strictly 'CICO', which some people swear by, food choices DO matter--to an extent.

When it comes to weight loss, especially with people with considerable weight to lose, food choices are less important than controlling portions. But if you do it right, healthy options mean you can eat until you're full and not have to worry as much about blowing your calorie goal.

I personally do what I call 'paleo-ish', and I personally recommend that everyone at least entertain it as an eating plan, though you don't have to adopt it fully; I don't. I try to eat reasonably close to paleo, but I draw the line at their fancy, overpriced paleo-friendly alternatives to condiments, seasonings, dressings, etc. Also, when there's something I really want to eat that's not paleo-friendly, I just eat it, making sure I don't deviate more than once every few days. To be totally honest, sugary things don't even cross my mind--if they did I'd allow myself a small indulgence, but again, no more than once or twice a week.

I should clarify before I make someone mad by appearing to not bow at the 'CICO' altar:
CICO is king. But food habits (that is, repetition of healthy food choices) can make it easier to meet your calorie goal.

elpint0r

Yes. Calories in VS Calories out!