Is it ok to eat a chocolate or 2 while trying to lose weight?
SparklesFer097
Posts: 27 Member
Is it ok to do this as long as it fits in your calorie goal? Maybe the carb and fat macros will go up than usual. Will this have any problems on my progress? I know weight loss is about calories in vs out but I just wanna know to double check. Usually when I eat a chocolate and few other sweet things my carbs go up by 30grams and fat by like 10grams but protein is under the goal. End of the day I’m under my calorie goal. Should I avoid sweets completely while trying to lose weight or should I keep doing what I’m doing right now?
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Replies
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Eating chocolate is fine.
Trying to eat at least the minimum protein is also important... If you have calories left, perhaps consider having a protein based snack or plan better in the future so you aren't short on cals and protein6 -
You have gotten a great answer - all I can add is that with the correct information, you're able to actually do, not just try. Weightloss is, a you say, about calories in vs out, and while there are things you should be aware of, none of those things change that fact.3
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I have one or two Hershey's minis each day, about 50 calories a piece.4
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As long as you are able to stay within your calorie goals, you can eat whatever you want. The whole point is to create a sustainable plan that you want to stick to for the long-term. If you deprive yourself of the things you want, it will make it that much harder to stay motivated.
The only caveat to that is if there is a particular reason you need to eat fewer carbs (if you are diabetic, for example), but even then, there are ways to fit cravings into one's goals. It just takes a little more work.3 -
Do you intend to never eat chocolate and sweets for the rest of your life? No? Then why fully eliminate them now while losing weight? Isn’t it better to learn how to work in all the foods you love AND still achieve your weight loss goals?
As you mention and it’s good you already know this even if it’s still something you want to confirm - weight management comes down to CICO. You can absolutely lose weight and still eat chocolate, if it fits in your calories.
You mention macro levels - these can be important also - they each play a role and are important for overall health but the specific levels or ratios can be varied by individual. Many people look at protein as a minimum level for helping preserve lean body mass. Some people focus on particular levels for carbs and fat, I never did.
Overall nutrition is obviously very important too, as is satiety (eating foods that fill you up while in a calorie deficit is important).
So yes, it’s ok to have chocolate when you can fit it into your calories. Many of the successful members here who have lost weight and kept it off, do so with flexible dieting or all things in moderation. I lost ~35 lbs and have kept it off for 3+ years and never gave up chocolate, pizza, wine, etc.7 -
If I were to try to give up chocolate completely, for any length of time, eventually I would crack and eat massive amounts.
Whereas if I just have a little bit, when I want some, I'm much less bingey. Same applies to pizza, cake etc. I am trying to develop and maintain good, balanced eating habits- which means a little of everything occasionally.5 -
Perfectly okay. Just make sure the majority big your calories come from wholefoods.3
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I eat cookies, peach cobblers, bear claws, doughnuts, chocolate, you name it! And I have had no trouble losing weight. As long as you are in a calorie deficit you will lose weight. Moderation is key
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Thank u everyone!0
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I have an open diary. I'm losing weight and eat all kinds of treats, last night I had Popeye's Chicken for dinner!2
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I have chocolate every day. I lost 100 pounds by staying in a calorie deficit.0
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DoubleUbea wrote: »I have one or two Hershey's minis each day, about 50 calories a piece.
Yummmmmm0 -
Theoretically, you could eat a diet composed of 100% chocolate and lose weight, as long as you were consuming less calories than you expended. Weight loss comes down to calories.
But you’d be hungry all the time, lacking adequate macro and micronutrients and it generally wouldn’t be a healthy idea. A much better idea would be to fit it into your calorie goals in moderation, within the context of an overall balanced diet.2 -
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SparklesFer097 wrote: »Is it ok to do this as long as it fits in your calorie goal? Maybe the carb and fat macros will go up than usual. Will this have any problems on my progress? I know weight loss is about calories in vs out but I just wanna know to double check. Usually when I eat a chocolate and few other sweet things my carbs go up by 30grams and fat by like 10grams but protein is under the goal. End of the day I’m under my calorie goal. Should I avoid sweets completely while trying to lose weight or should I keep doing what I’m doing right now?
What do you mean by "a chocolate or two"? Do you eat whole chocolates at one go?
I think the main issue for you would be portion control. You can eat chocolate, but it doesn't have to be massive amounts at a time.0 -
I love dark chocolate, and CarbZero makes my very favorite dark chocolate. It is macro-friendly!
In agreement with a few posters here, it's potion control that is key. One sweet a few times a week won't hurt at all! Especially if you are within your caloric/macro goals and aren't eating an excessive amount of sugar. You should be fine!0 -
Pffffft. Totally had two Oh Henry bars last night...2
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I usually eat one or two squares of dark chocolate a day, equalling about 50 calories. Down 125 lbs at present. Not only will chocolate not keep you from losing, dark chocolate contains micronutrients which can benefit you, and eating a small amount of what you love can keep you from losing it and binging on larger amounts.
You can lose weight while eating nothing but Twinkies - one researcher did this! The main reasons not to eat sweets all the time while trying to lose weight are that for most people, sweets are not very filling since they digest quickly, and they can be hard to fit into a restricted calorie diet while still getting all the nutrition you need. But that doesn't apply to eating reasonable amounts within your calorie goals while eating plenty of other good food.1 -
Yep... just weigh and track it...0
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SparklesFer097 wrote: »Is it ok to do this as long as it fits in your calorie goal? Maybe the carb and fat macros will go up than usual. Will this have any problems on my progress? I know weight loss is about calories in vs out but I just wanna know to double check. Usually when I eat a chocolate and few other sweet things my carbs go up by 30grams and fat by like 10grams but protein is under the goal. End of the day I’m under my calorie goal. Should I avoid sweets completely while trying to lose weight or should I keep doing what I’m doing right now?
What do you mean by "a chocolate or two"? Do you eat whole chocolates at one go?
I think the main issue for you would be portion control. You can eat chocolate, but it doesn't have to be massive amounts at a time.
Yes, my brain sees both 3-4 oz bars of chocolate and a half ounce chocolate square as one serving, so what helps me with portion control is a Ghiradelli chocolate square or weighing out chocolate chips.
OP - I have chocolate every day, but usually about 70 calories worth.1 -
I have a 95 cal small chocolate frog most days. Lost and losing. Enjoy your little treats!0
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All foods in moderation.
I have a Dove dark chocolate caramel with sea salt Promise every day (38 calories per piece) for staying with in my calories for the day.0 -
of course! I like to aim for 80/20 - that's 80% great nutrition, 20% whatever the heck I fancy lost the weight I needed to and 5 years on have still kept it off. 0
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Yes. Eat the chocolate & log it. If you restrict too much and don't treat yourself within your calorie allowance, the chances you'll give up/struggle are much higher.0
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I eat a little chocolate as well- I eat a individual bag of chips every night-140-160 cal.0
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SparklesFer097 wrote: »Is it ok to do this as long as it fits in your calorie goal? Maybe the carb and fat macros will go up than usual. Will this have any problems on my progress? I know weight loss is about calories in vs out but I just wanna know to double check. Usually when I eat a chocolate and few other sweet things my carbs go up by 30grams and fat by like 10grams but protein is under the goal. End of the day I’m under my calorie goal. Should I avoid sweets completely while trying to lose weight or should I keep doing what I’m doing right now?
I agree with other posters on moderation. But since you did not list the amount nor type, it's hard to accurately respond. If the sweets you are eating add up to 30g of carbs, then there must either be a huge amount of sugar or you're eating more than just "a chocolate". For me, 30g is a full days supply of carbs.
I will say however, that eating the darkest chocolate is much more beneficial than eating milk chocolate. I have a square of Lindt 85% chocolate every now and again. Very high in cocao and very low in sugar. The 90% stuff is like eating a wood chip.1
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