Can you really eat whatever you want?

damdam96

I started my weight loss journey/life style change in about April. I did really well for the first few months through sticking to 1,200 calories a day, regular walks/jogs and low carbs.

But I fell of the wagon over summer when I went backpacking and struggled to sort myself out when I got back...but I'm now on week 2 back at it!

Basically I'm trying the low carbs combined with general healthy eating thing again. Mainly, because it makes it easier to maintain my calorie deficit and protein makes me feel fuller...

But every so often I find myself craving hot wings from the chicken shop (lol), popcorn, burgers and cake....

So what I want to know is...does it matter what you eat, if you can fit it under your calorie count? Will I still lose weight if were to, for example, eat a bag of popcorn for dinner if it fit in my daily calorie consumption? Does low carbs make you lose weight faster?

cwolfman13

Weight management is about energy (calories)...you consume less energy (calories) than your body requires to maintain the status quo, you burn fat (stored energy) to make up the difference. Weight management has nothing to do with a particular food or carbs. When you low carb, you lose a bit faster in the beginning because you dump water weight...but that doesn't have anything to do with fat loss. Carbs aren't readily converted to fat anyway.

malibu927

It doesn't matter. SHOULD you eat whatever you want? Probably not if you want the less nutritious stuff only. But having a treat here and there won't be a problem if you stick to your calorie goal.

Low carb, if at the same amount of calories, will not make you lose fat faster. You'll lose more water weight than eating higher carb, but that's it.

brittneyalley

I had a (homemade) burger this morning! I also eat popcorn pretty frequently (as a whole bag is like 270 calories and SO filling). As long as im under my calories, it's a free for all. Obviously I don't only eat junk because I'd end up starving (calorie dense food=less bang for your buck). I ate sushi last night from my favorite restaurant, just shared the portion with my husband.

It makes weight loss a lot more sustainable when you stop restricting yourself!

SteamPug

Yeah absolutely. It’s way less miserable if you don’t be so hard on yourself with types of food. The only trouble I have with junk food is that there’s so many empty calories in it. If I’m restricting I really need to go for food that’s both lower in calories and gonna fill me up.

Unknown

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PAV8888

You should be aware that when you switch back and forth from low carb to non low carb you will experience gain and loss of glycogen replenishment related water weight.

Basically when you first start eating low carb you deplete your easy access carb stores, i.e. glycogen in the muscles and liver. Each carb gram you use up was stored with 2-3g of water that also gets released at the same time.

When you eat carbs again after a period of low carb eating your glycogen stores get replenished and you store each gram of carb with 2-3g of water.

So during these transactions you are losing and gaining scale weight; but you are not actually losing and gaining FAT.

Low carbers who do not understand this look at these weight changes as confirmation that the killer carbs are out to get them, not realising that the initial weight loss was "borrowed" against this equal subsequent regain to normalise glycogen stores.

Nevertheless, underlying fat loss was not affected either going down or going up.

jgnatca

If you are sticking, say, to 1,200 calories a day, you could have one of these.

https://goo.gl/images/vVv9Sh

If you can’t live on one burger a day, you will have to spread it out a little. Like restraining yourself to eat one of these.

https://goo.gl/images/YsT244

I habitually order my fast food burger with the maximum veggies. Because veggies good.

I eat one slice of pizza with leafy salad.

cmriverside

I have popcorn for dinner a couple times a month. I love popcorn, and it has to have butter and there has to be a big bowl of it. Sometimes I even put parmesan or sugar on it. It doesn't affect my weight...sometimes it even pushes me OVER my calories.

pamfgil

Depends on whether you do better by abstaining or moderating. Once you figure that out you can choose your best course of action. If you do better by abstaining, then stick to your eating plan, if you're better at moderating then experiment with adding different foods that fit your calories

kommodevaran

Weight up/down is 100% about CICO, and a calorie is a calorie. This is true for everybody, always. Your weight also fluctuates form day to day, depending on intake of sodium, carbs, waste in your system. Fat gain/loss is a slow process.

For me, eating whatever I want is necessary in order to not eat too much. I have to feel that I'm free to make my own decisions, that I'm eating tasty and delicious food, I have to understand why I'm doing what I'm doing, what I'm aiming for, and how it's supposed to feel when I'm doing it right. I need simple and practical everyday solutions, and I can't be afraid of food. Feeling full is not the end goal, but to be well nourished, energetic and happy. So I aim for a varied and balanced diet, which is actually very easy to plan and execute. But no matter how well I eat, I sometimes get urges to eat more, and I have to say no to some of those urges - but it's so much easier when I'm well nourished, relaxed, and feel in charge, and avoid as many temptations as I can.

Machka9

damdam96 wrote: »

But every so often I find myself craving hot wings from the chicken shop (lol), popcorn, burgers and cake....

So what I want to know is...does it matter what you eat, if you can fit it under your calorie count? Will I still lose weight if were to, for example, eat a bag of popcorn for dinner if it fit in my daily calorie consumption? Does low carbs make you lose weight faster?

When I started with MFP, I decided that if my net calories was going to be 1250, I was going to eat ONLY foods I liked.

So during the week, when I exercise less, I eat a somewhat more limited diet. But when I get more exercise on the weekend, I'll have some of those extras like pizza, fish and chips, Indian take-away, etc.

tess5036

Yep, this is the apprach I use, with an if it fits your macros (IIFYM) apprach. I do make sure I have a lot of protien, but ither than that have a very eclectic diet, which at times includes pizza, chocolate, and fish and chips. I have lost a lot of weight doing this, and the good thing is that it will make it easy transistioning to maintanance

nickbullett

There are other health benefits to eating a well balanced diet but as far as weight loss goes it's pretty basic cico. Try to avoid deficiencies. I find drinking nutritional shakes and eating protein bars helps me. Find the things you enjoy and allow you to keep Inside your target. Technically you could lose weight eating nothing but twinkies but that might cause other health problems in the long run. Air popped popcorn that isn't drenched in butter really isn't that bad.

deputy_randolph

I eat chocolate every morning for breakfast, so it is possible to lose/maintain weight and "eat whatever you want."

You need to keep in mind though that 1200 calories of potato chips, cookies, etc. is going to be significantly nutritionally different than 1200 calories of lean meat and vegetables. The volume of 1200 calories of chicken breast and broccoli is going to be more than 1200 calories of "junk."

Which scenario is more likely to keep you feeling fuller longer?

rainbow198

Yes. With planning (looking at menus ahead of time, planning my treats), being aware of my calorie intake (spacing out my calories) and staying in control (not overeating, stop eating when I'm close to getting full) I've been able to eat regular pizza once a week, candy, ice cream etc and still lose a lot of weight and keep off.

True, I can't eat all of the pizza and bread sticks like I used to, but 3 good slices and a big salad is perfect for me now.

On a typical week I usually eat a little more strict Monday - Thursday and I will have planned treats Friday night - Sunday. However if I really want something during the week I will work for it and plan for it.

Francl27

Yes and no.

I can eat what I want... just not in the quantity/frequency I want. If I'm craving cheese and bread, it's pretty easy to fit in my days as long as I stick to one or two servings of each, because at least it's filling. On days I only want pie/croissants/chocolate? I can't eat what I want then, because it won't fill me up for the calories.

Unfortunately I have a sweet tooth and would live off desserts if I could, but I just can't get away with it because I get blood sugar/cravings issues and just get too hungry if I spend more than 250 calories on sweet stuff.

So no... I can't eat what I want. I do have to make good choices every single day (I've been on MFP 5 years, lost 80 lbs, gained 15 back that I want to lose again, but it's hard to do because I'm feeling too deprived after 5 years of 'better choices').

estherdragonbat

Why not try making desserts that come in at 250/fewer calories per serving?

tinak33

Honestly, I am now down to 1500 calories, but I buy lunchables nachos and eat that for lunch like 2-3 times a week. I love nachos. And this way I can have them, already with the calories calculated, and it fits in my daily calories. I eat what I want. I try to make healthier decisions, but for the most part, I eat whatever I want. I just make sure it fits. As I get to a lower weight, I will have to change that. But if I make too many changes in the beginning, I won't stick to it.
I guess a big part of all this, is to know yourself. Know what your limits are. Know how you follow weight loss plans. I have to go a little at a time. I have lost 36 lbs so far just eating what I want, but keeping in my calories. Soon I will have to start exercising. haha But for now..... it's all about the food.
Eat what you like, and what fills you up. if you eat the "fun" foods, but they don't fill you up, you may eat more than you wanted because you are hungry. I can't focus when I am hungry. I need to eat all the foods. haha

85Cardinals

You can't eat a wrench! But if you can dodge a wrench, you can dodge a ball.

damdam96

Thank you all for the advice so far! Just to clarify - I really do enjoy the "healthy" foods I cook. And I've stuck to low carbs so far mainly because I find it easier to stay under 1,200 that way.

I genuinely want to be healthier but I'm talking about the few times a week I get cravings for stuff. It's currently popcorn, it's literally all I can think about haha.

I was looking at the calories on things like donuts, granola bars or even crisps and because my lunch&dinners are usually so low calorie, I could fit in some other stuff on some days....I was just worried that the fact they are "unhealthy" would hinder my progress.

I know CICO, but it's sometimes hard to believe that any calories that are less than what you expend will lead to a loss. I guess, I just wanted some clarification...

kommodevaran

It IS hard to believe that weight loss is so simple, we have been brainwashed to think that we have to eat in a special way, and exercise, and that certain foods are fattening, and that eating at the wrong times makes it impossible to lose weight, and so on. There's a nugget of truth in most things - so yes, some foods are easier than others to overeat, and yes, being more active overall makes us burn more calories, and yes, bored and mindless eating is more common at night - but if you log your food intake correctly, and stick to your calorie target, you WILL lose weight, as long as you have weight to lose. It will be slow if you have little fat on your body, but your body doesn't have a will of its own, or any such nonsense. Weight management is actually pretty straightforward and logical, almost boring. You can't speed it up, but you can decide if it's going to be torture, or fun, or at least not be constant torture.

janejellyroll

damdam96 wrote: »

Thank you all for the advice so far! Just to clarify - I really do enjoy the "healthy" foods I cook. And I've stuck to low carbs so far mainly because I find it easier to stay under 1,200 that way.

I genuinely want to be healthier but I'm talking about the few times a week I get cravings for stuff. It's currently popcorn, it's literally all I can think about haha.

I was looking at the calories on things like donuts, granola bars or even crisps and because my lunch&dinners are usually so low calorie, I could fit in some other stuff on some days....I was just worried that the fact they are "unhealthy" would hinder my progress.

I know CICO, but it's sometimes hard to believe that any calories that are less than what you expend will lead to a loss. I guess, I just wanted some clarification...

I sometimes had foods like donuts, granola bars, and potato chips when I was losing weight. It never hindered my progress.

One thing I will note is that if you're eating generally lower carbohydrate, increasing your carbohydrates on a given day can lead to a temporary jump in water weight because going lower carbohydrate tends to result in less water in your body and increasing the carbs will result in more. But this isn't the same thing as actually gaining fat. So you might see a temporary increase on the scale for a day or two, but it doesn't mean that your plan isn't working.

chnkysoup

kommodevaran wrote: »

It IS hard to believe that weight loss is so simple, we have been brainwashed to think that we have to eat in a special way, and exercise, and that certain foods are fattening, and that eating at the wrong times makes it impossible to lose weight, and so on. There's a nugget of truth in most things - so yes, some foods are easier than others to overeat, and yes, being more active overall makes us burn more calories, and yes, bored and mindless eating is more common at night - but if you log your food intake correctly, and stick to your calorie target, you WILL lose weight, as long as you have weight to lose. It will be slow if you have little fat on your body, but your body doesn't have a will of its own, or any such nonsense. Weight management is actually pretty straightforward and logical, almost boring. You can't speed it up, but you can decide if it's going to be torture, or fun, or at least not be constant torture.

Yes yes yes!!!

estherdragonbat

Wait. Why are you eating under 1200 calories/day? That's the bare minimum for someone small and sedentary.

Tacklewasher

85Cardinals wrote: »

You can't eat a wrench! But if you can dodge a wrench, you can dodge a ball.

Can you eat a ball?

scarlett_k

I've lost over 20 kilos so far and I've eaten chocolate/cake/ice cream etc. every day. No it doesn't matter at all.

damdam96

estherdragonbat wrote: »

Wait. Why are you eating under 1200 calories/day? That's the bare minimum for someone small and sedentary.

I'm eating roughly 1,200 calories a day, this is the figure MFP generated for me based on my height and weight loss goals

Jackibrazil

For weight loss sure, as long as you're burning more calories than you consume. For health? probably shouldn't lol

damdam96

janejellyroll wrote: »

damdam96 wrote: »

Thank you all for the advice so far! Just to clarify - I really do enjoy the "healthy" foods I cook. And I've stuck to low carbs so far mainly because I find it easier to stay under 1,200 that way.

I genuinely want to be healthier but I'm talking about the few times a week I get cravings for stuff. It's currently popcorn, it's literally all I can think about haha.

I was looking at the calories on things like donuts, granola bars or even crisps and because my lunch&dinners are usually so low calorie, I could fit in some other stuff on some days....I was just worried that the fact they are "unhealthy" would hinder my progress.

I know CICO, but it's sometimes hard to believe that any calories that are less than what you expend will lead to a loss. I guess, I just wanted some clarification...

I sometimes had foods like donuts, granola bars, and potato chips when I was losing weight. It never hindered my progress.

One thing I will note is that if you're eating generally lower carbohydrate, increasing your carbohydrates on a given day can lead to a temporary jump in water weight because going lower carbohydrate tends to result in less water in your body and increasing the carbs will result in more. But this isn't the same thing as actually gaining fat. So you might see a temporary increase on the scale for a day or two, but it doesn't mean that your plan isn't working.

Oh, interesting, I did not know this. I'm not too caught up in daily fluctuations on the scale but thanks for the heads up!

kommodevaran

damdam96 wrote: »

estherdragonbat wrote: »

Wait. Why are you eating under 1200 calories/day? That's the bare minimum for someone small and sedentary.

I'm eating roughly 1,200 calories a day, this is the figure MFP generated for me based on my height and weight loss goals

But is your weight loss goal realistic? No more than 1% of your body weight per week, on average, is realistic. A bigger deficit than that, is pointless.