Welcome to Debate Club! Please be aware that this is a space for respectful debate, and that your ideas will be challenged here. Please remember to critique the argument, not the author.
Low calorie or low carb what really works?
DMTlovesyou
Posts: 1 Member
Im so confused about what really is the best and healthiest way to eat for weight loss and health.
2
Replies
-
eat less calories than you burn
low carb works for some because they find fat satiates them; high protein works for others for same reason13 -
It isn't really low calories OR low carb. Not mutually exclusive or inclusive.
That's a bit like science fiction or library books?
Ie you could have both or a book ( diet) that is neither.8 -
If "low calorie"=calorie deficit, that works.
Of course, if "low carb"=calorie deficit, that also works.
Low carb and low cal are not really different and opposing things, inherently.
Are you desiring to do low carb? Is there something about it that appeals to you? If so, try it (but know many people successful at low carb also count cals and anyone successful has reduced cals and created a calorie deficit, with or without counting).
Also, know that calorie deficit does not require "low cal" in the sense of 1200 (or, worse, lower), but just lower than whatever your maintenance may be.6 -
If you have a specific health condition such as diabetes or PCOS you may see health benefits from a low carb diet. If you are just seeking to lose weight what matters is a caloric deficit which can be achieved by whatever type of diet works best for you.10
-
Chicken or the egg... 🙄2
-
The best way to lose weight is to find a way of eating that allows you to consistently hit a calorie deficit. For some people, low carbohydrate is a way to do this, but other people prefer moderate or even high carbohydrate plans. It's just personal preference.
The healthiest way to lose weight is to eat a variety of foods that meet your nutritional needs while you're at that deficit. You can do this on a low carbohydrate diet, but you can also do it with other ways of eating.11 -
just_Tomek wrote: »deannalfisher wrote: »eat less calories than you burn
low carb works for some because they find fat satiates them; high protein works for others for same reason
Too easy. Simple not possible.
Keto works, also vegan works. Since they both work, keto vegan and you will lose weight double fast.
I thought I was sarcastic...😉9 -
just_Tomek wrote: »psychod787 wrote: »just_Tomek wrote: »deannalfisher wrote: »eat less calories than you burn
low carb works for some because they find fat satiates them; high protein works for others for same reason
Too easy. Simple not possible.
Keto works, also vegan works. Since they both work, keto vegan and you will lose weight double fast.
I thought I was sarcastic...😉
You have no idea
at least you know how to read unlike couple others that pressed the wrong button 
I think getting the sarcasm requires someone to be at least a little familiar with your posts.10 -
DMTlovesyou wrote: »Im so confused about what really is the best and healthiest way to eat for weight loss and health.
All macronutrients (carbohydrates, fats, and protein) have calories.
Carbs and protein are 4 calories per gram.
Fat is 9 calories per gram.
By going "low carb", you are cutting carbs to reduce the amount of calories you are ingesting. By going low calorie, you are reducing the overall amount of calories you are ingesting. It's really up to you what will be easier for you to sustain for the long game.
I love carbs. Going low carb is a guaranteed way to cause a binge, for me. I just eat at a lower calorie target, and allow all the foods.10 -
just_Tomek wrote: »psychod787 wrote: »just_Tomek wrote: »deannalfisher wrote: »eat less calories than you burn
low carb works for some because they find fat satiates them; high protein works for others for same reason
Too easy. Simple not possible.
Keto works, also vegan works. Since they both work, keto vegan and you will lose weight double fast.
I thought I was sarcastic...😉
You have no idea at least you know how to read unlike couple others that pressed the wrong button
Vegan Keto? I'm not one to put down an eating style, but that just sounds horrid! Right up there with carnivore!😱8 -
Once again, I'm going to "advertise" the way that worked for me:
http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10636388/free-customized-personal-weight-loss-eating-plan-not-spam-or-mlm/p1
I suppose it's low calorie, if "low" means a little below the calories that would maintain your current weight. It might be low carb, if that works best for you - or not, if it doesn't.
For sure, it's simple and straightforward, a way to gradually remodel your eating in a calorie-appropriate, reasonably healthy direction, while keeping the process manageable, and foods mostly tasty/satisfying.
Easy? Not always. Pretty much none of the approaches are easy every minute, in every possible way.
Best wishes!6 -
Oh, it's a hot new thing. We've had a few threads about it.4
-
-
BarbaraHelen2013 wrote: »
LOL2 -
BarbaraHelen2013 wrote: »
Nothing but beyond burgers and soy chicken nuggets... I cringe...😩2 -
BarbaraHelen2013 wrote: »
(Warning: Cynic mode on.)
I think it's just another instance of the sin and retribution model of weight loss. We got fat; we are bad people; we must suffer to expiate our sins; we must eat WFPB carnivore keto on an 23:45/00:15 intermittent fasting schedule cutting out all white foods, alcohol, and anything we personally think tastes good; while hitting the gym 6 hours a day to do HIIT and the heaviest possible lifting to failure!
Lasts about 5 minutes, confirms sense of sin and failure, "fall off wagon" for a few months and eat/drink All The Things, . . . then rinse and repeat.
(/cynic).
Sigh.
For clarity: No criticism of specific food regimens intended, to the extent that people find those regimens let them eat a well-rounded balanced diet in a way that's easier and pleasant for them. Or exercise regimens that are enjoyable, and provide some semi-rational route to health and fitness. It's the "suffer to pay for sin" model I'm railing about.15 -
CI<CO for weight/fat loss.
Variety, exercise, rest and recovery for health...2 -
DMTlovesyou wrote: »Im so confused about what really is the best and healthiest way to eat for weight loss and health.
Weight management is about calories (energy). When you consume fewer calories (less energy) than your body requires, you burn fat (stored energy) to make up for that deficiency. How you get there is up to you. Cutting carbs is one of many ways to reduce calorie intake. It also doesn't have to be "low" calories...your consumption just has to be less than you require to maintain the status quo. I lose about 1 Lb per week eating 2300-2500 calories for example...hardly "low" calorie...just lower than what I require to maintain my weight.3 -
BarbaraHelen2013 wrote: »
(Warning: Cynic mode on.)
I think it's just another instance of the sin and retribution model of weight loss. We got fat; we are bad people; we must suffer to expiate our sins; we must eat WFPB carnivore keto on an 23:45/00:15 intermittent fasting schedule cutting out all white foods, alcohol, and anything we personally think tastes good; while hitting the gym 6 hours a day to do HIIT and the heaviest possible lifting to failure!
Lasts about 5 minutes, confirms sense of sin and failure, "fall off wagon" for a few months and eat/drink All The Things, . . . then rinse and repeat.
(/cynic).
Sigh.
For clarity: No criticism of specific food regimens intended, to the extent that people find those regimens let them eat a well-rounded balanced diet in a way that's easier and pleasant for them. Or exercise regimens that are enjoyable, and provide some semi-rational route to health and fitness. It's the "suffer to pay for sin" model I'm railing about.
It's this exactly I think. I also think there is an element of thinking that the average American diet is terrible, therefore the more different your diet is from the average, the better it is.4 -
While I've never posted here in all the time I've used MFP, I felt that I had to jump in, here. I started a Keto diet 10 days ago. It's easy, but expect to cook your own food, and make those WHOLE foods! Meals can be so simple...today I had a grilled center-cut pork chop and sauteed spinach. Grilled chicken wings are DIVINE and I find it easy to stay, "low carb". The one drawback is that while everything I eat now is delicious, my appetite has diminished to the point that I'm struggling to make my daily minimum. As a result, I've lost 8 lbs in ten days. My waistline has been the most dramatic change, although I typically lose weight from the top down. I do need to add that as it's springtime in southwest Mississippi, I have been working outside nearly every day, sometimes logging 19,000 steps a day. I'm probably not typical, but I feel fantastic with more energy than I know what to do with!
But to answer your question, yes, CI/CO is the trick, however a low-carb diet will cause your appetite to decrease and while you'll eat healthier, you may struggle to take in enough calories. I've added multi-vitamins and drink only water or lemon-ginger tea. The first couple of days saw a few light cravings, but those passed after the first week. Hey, I can do ANYTHING for a week!
I'd like to lose about 10 more lbs and once I accomplish that, re-introduce a few old favorites back into my diet such as a glass of wine or slice of bread. Even still, Keto will always be a part of my life, maybe a week out of every month just to make sure I don't go off the deep end.
Good luck, you!
2 -
While I've never posted here in all the time I've used MFP, I felt that I had to jump in, here. I started a Keto diet 10 days ago. It's easy, but expect to cook your own food, and make those WHOLE foods! Meals can be so simple...today I had a grilled center-cut pork chop and sauteed spinach. Grilled chicken wings are DIVINE and I find it easy to stay, "low carb". The one drawback is that while everything I eat now is delicious, my appetite has diminished to the point that I'm struggling to make my daily minimum. As a result, I've lost 8 lbs in ten days. My waistline has been the most dramatic change, although I typically lose weight from the top down. I do need to add that as it's springtime in southwest Mississippi, I have been working outside nearly every day, sometimes logging 19,000 steps a day. I'm probably not typical, but I feel fantastic with more energy than I know what to do with!
But to answer your question, yes, CI/CO is the trick, however a low-carb diet will cause your appetite to decrease and while you'll eat healthier, you may struggle to take in enough calories. I've added multi-vitamins and drink only water or lemon-ginger tea. The first couple of days saw a few light cravings, but those passed after the first week. Hey, I can do ANYTHING for a week!
I'd like to lose about 10 more lbs and once I accomplish that, re-introduce a few old favorites back into my diet such as a glass of wine or slice of bread. Even still, Keto will always be a part of my life, maybe a week out of every month just to make sure I don't go off the deep end.
Good luck, you!
But what is a whole food? A whole loaf of bread? A whole pumpkin? A whole head of lettuce? If I did that diet, I'd still be gaining weight!
1 -
While I've never posted here in all the time I've used MFP, I felt that I had to jump in, here. I started a Keto diet 10 days ago. It's easy, but expect to cook your own food, and make those WHOLE foods! Meals can be so simple...today I had a grilled center-cut pork chop and sauteed spinach. Grilled chicken wings are DIVINE and I find it easy to stay, "low carb". The one drawback is that while everything I eat now is delicious, my appetite has diminished to the point that I'm struggling to make my daily minimum. As a result, I've lost 8 lbs in ten days. My waistline has been the most dramatic change, although I typically lose weight from the top down. I do need to add that as it's springtime in southwest Mississippi, I have been working outside nearly every day, sometimes logging 19,000 steps a day. I'm probably not typical, but I feel fantastic with more energy than I know what to do with!
But to answer your question, yes, CI/CO is the trick, however a low-carb diet will cause your appetite to decrease and while you'll eat healthier, you may struggle to take in enough calories. I've added multi-vitamins and drink only water or lemon-ginger tea. The first couple of days saw a few light cravings, but those passed after the first week. Hey, I can do ANYTHING for a week!
I'd like to lose about 10 more lbs and once I accomplish that, re-introduce a few old favorites back into my diet such as a glass of wine or slice of bread. Even still, Keto will always be a part of my life, maybe a week out of every month just to make sure I don't go off the deep end.
Good luck, you!
But what is a whole food? A whole loaf of bread? A whole pumpkin? A whole head of lettuce? If I did that diet, I'd still be gaining weight!
Actually bread would fall under nova class 3. So, it's not exactly a "whole" food. If you ate a whole pumpkin with a whole head of lettuce, doubtful you would gain much body fat. Might gain weight and a little stomach discomfort though. I suggest to the poster that a whole foods low carb diet can, in many people, reduce appetite. So can a whole foods high carb vegan diet. Or a whole foods paleo...insert "diet" here. It's not magic.... we have seen in multiple studies, that a more whole foods based diet people generally spontaneously eat less... why? The mechanisms are still being worked out. Trouble I see with these diets are that the practitioners never learn how to flex when they need to.1 -
While I've never posted here in all the time I've used MFP, I felt that I had to jump in, here. I started a Keto diet 10 days ago. It's easy, but expect to cook your own food, and make those WHOLE foods! Meals can be so simple...today I had a grilled center-cut pork chop and sauteed spinach. Grilled chicken wings are DIVINE and I find it easy to stay, "low carb". The one drawback is that while everything I eat now is delicious, my appetite has diminished to the point that I'm struggling to make my daily minimum. As a result, I've lost 8 lbs in ten days. My waistline has been the most dramatic change, although I typically lose weight from the top down. I do need to add that as it's springtime in southwest Mississippi, I have been working outside nearly every day, sometimes logging 19,000 steps a day. I'm probably not typical, but I feel fantastic with more energy than I know what to do with!
But to answer your question, yes, CI/CO is the trick, however a low-carb diet will cause your appetite to decrease and while you'll eat healthier, you may struggle to take in enough calories. I've added multi-vitamins and drink only water or lemon-ginger tea. The first couple of days saw a few light cravings, but those passed after the first week. Hey, I can do ANYTHING for a week!
I'd like to lose about 10 more lbs and once I accomplish that, re-introduce a few old favorites back into my diet such as a glass of wine or slice of bread. Even still, Keto will always be a part of my life, maybe a week out of every month just to make sure I don't go off the deep end.
Good luck, you!
I'm glad you found something that works for you
However, while low carb may have caused YOUR appetite to decrease, this is not universally true.
For example, while I love fat, I don't find it especially satiating.
I've never had such a high percentage of carbs in my life as when I was in Costa Rico, living on rice & beans, tropical fruit, and veggies. I had mangoes and bananas several times a day, every day. Never-the-less, I found this filling, effortlessly and unconsciously created a calorie deficit, and dropped a size without even trying.
However, foods made from flour, like bread and pasta, I don't find filling at all, and can eat and eat and eat them.7 -
kshama2001 wrote: »While I've never posted here in all the time I've used MFP, I felt that I had to jump in, here. I started a Keto diet 10 days ago. It's easy, but expect to cook your own food, and make those WHOLE foods! Meals can be so simple...today I had a grilled center-cut pork chop and sauteed spinach. Grilled chicken wings are DIVINE and I find it easy to stay, "low carb". The one drawback is that while everything I eat now is delicious, my appetite has diminished to the point that I'm struggling to make my daily minimum. As a result, I've lost 8 lbs in ten days. My waistline has been the most dramatic change, although I typically lose weight from the top down. I do need to add that as it's springtime in southwest Mississippi, I have been working outside nearly every day, sometimes logging 19,000 steps a day. I'm probably not typical, but I feel fantastic with more energy than I know what to do with!
But to answer your question, yes, CI/CO is the trick, however a low-carb diet will cause your appetite to decrease and while you'll eat healthier, you may struggle to take in enough calories. I've added multi-vitamins and drink only water or lemon-ginger tea. The first couple of days saw a few light cravings, but those passed after the first week. Hey, I can do ANYTHING for a week!
I'd like to lose about 10 more lbs and once I accomplish that, re-introduce a few old favorites back into my diet such as a glass of wine or slice of bread. Even still, Keto will always be a part of my life, maybe a week out of every month just to make sure I don't go off the deep end.
Good luck, you!
I'm glad you found something that works for you
However, while low carb may have caused YOUR appetite to decrease, this is not universally true.
For example, while I love fat, I don't find it especially satiating.
I've never had such a high percentage of carbs in my life as when I was in Costa Rico, living on rice & beans, tropical fruit, and veggies. I had mangoes and bananas several times a day, every day. Never-the-less, I found this filling, effortlessly and unconsciously created a calorie deficit, and dropped a size without even trying.
However, foods made from flour, like bread and pasta, I don't find filling at all, and can eat and eat and eat them.
Kinda what I was getting at ma'am. 😉1 -
Calories in vs Calories out is how most people loose weight. Roughly 3500 calories is equivalent to a pound. If you have a 500 calorie deficit everyday; you would loose a pound per week.
MFP calculates your calories based on basal metabolic rate + activity levels. BMR is your calorie expenditure at rest; based of your weight/age/height. Generally the heavier you are; the more you need to maintain.
If you get meet your nutritional needs and have a deficit~ You will loose weight. If you don't~ Then you either haven't given it enough time ;have miscalculated in some manner or if all us fails you "Might" have a metabolic disorder that needs to be diagnosed by a doctor.
1 -
Calories in vs Calories out is how most people loose weight.
I would go further than 'most' ..........10 -
JoeyTheWanderer wrote: »Calories in vs Calories out is how most people loose weight. Roughly 3500 calories is equivalent to a pound. If you have a 500 calorie deficit everyday; you would loose a pound per week.
MFP calculates your calories based on basal metabolic rate + activity levels. BMR is your calorie expenditure at rest; based of your weight/age/height. Generally the heavier you are; the more you need to maintain.
If you get meet your nutritional needs and have a deficit~ You will loose weight. If you don't~ Then you either haven't given it enough time ;have miscalculated in some manner or if all us fails you "Might" have a metabolic disorder that needs to be diagnosed by a doctor.
In general, someone with a metabolic disorder would still lose weight in a calorie deficit. (I'm hypothyroid, speaking from that perspective, but it is true in at least some other cases as well.)
However, that person with a metabolic disorder might or might not lose weight at a number of calories that some online calculator (including MFP) or fitness tracker estimates would give them a calorie deficit. (This is true even for metabolically normal people, BTW, it's just a little more likely with someone with a relevant health condition.) It's possible that they might need to eat somewhat fewer calories than is estimated for an average person in the general population. That's not guaranteed, though, either, so they should still start with the regular estimate, and stick with it for 4-6 weeks, to see what happens.
Like anyone else, they may find that in order to create a true calorie deficit, they may need to eat a different number of calories than the estimate says.
It's also the case that someone with a metabolic disorder might see wilder scale fluctuations and stalls than someone without such a disorder, which can be frustrating and misleading. This can happen because some such disorders can cause more extreme/lengthy or unpredictable water retention.
Someone with a metabolic disorder might find compliance with reduced calories more difficult than an average person, because some such disorders may affect appetite/satiation hormones. (Special diets, such as low carb/keto or high-volume/low-cal, some food eliminations, or other strategies, may help these people.)
There are a few disorders that involve more dramatic fluctuations in what most people would call metabolism, via (for example) wild swings from hypo to hyperthyroid states. Weight loss for these people can be especially difficult for these people, because their energy level, appetite, TDEE, etc., swing through varying states quite unpredictably.
Weight loss can be complicated for anyone. It's very tempting for people with a known disorder to leap, first, to the assumption that the disorder is the reason they're not losing weight while calorie counting. More often, the reason is some standard reason: Not realizing "calculator" calories are estimates, not tracking eating accurately, over-estimating exercise, misinterpreting water weight as fat, not understanding the conditions under which water weight is likely to fluctuate, "cheat days", and all that regular stuff.
Am I saying the above is true for every, every, every person with a metabolic disorder? No. Some people need serious medically-supervised programs, possibly including medications or even surgeries. But the above is true for a lot of people, especially those with fairly common, non-cycling kinds of conditions.
P.S. As a severely hypothyroid person (though properly medicated), I suspected I had a "slow metabolism", especially after I became very active, even competing as an athlete, and yet stayed obese for a decade even doing that, and while eating mostly whole foods as a long-term vegetarian. I was wrong. Despite my health condition, it turned out - once I started calorie counting - that I actually have a NEAT around 25-30% higher than MFP estimates for people in my demographic. What was wrong was my perception of how much food it was normal to eat, and how many calories a high activity level actual burns (i.e., not nearly as many as most people think).
Just my opinions, as always, and YMMV. :flowerforyou:11 -
I've noticed, for myself, that when I try to eliminate or drastically reduce any one part of my diet I'm usually unsuccessful. I get frustrated and give up. But when I don't think of foods as what I can or can't eat and count my calories using macronutrient guidelines I'm WAAAYYY more successful and see results!7
-
And to go along with what Anne says, there are a lot of different calculators out there that can give you different estimates - sometimes as much as 200-300 calories different, so finding that appropriate calorie intake to lose weight is definitely a process and shouldn't just automatically be assumed to not be working just because the initial calculated estimate is off.3
-
Low carb because more volume more satiety... also trying to eat every 3 hours( waiting more if ure not hugnry) works. but i love carby foods i have them too sometimes.0
This discussion has been closed.
Categories
- All Categories
- 1.4M Health, Wellness and Goals
- 393.6K Introduce Yourself
- 43.8K Getting Started
- 260.3K Health and Weight Loss
- 175.9K Food and Nutrition
- 47.5K Recipes
- 232.6K Fitness and Exercise
- 431 Sleep, Mindfulness and Overall Wellness
- 6.5K Goal: Maintaining Weight
- 8.6K Goal: Gaining Weight and Body Building
- 153K Motivation and Support
- 8K Challenges
- 1.3K Debate Club
- 96.3K Chit-Chat
- 2.5K Fun and Games
- 3.8K MyFitnessPal Information
- 24 News and Announcements
- 1.1K Feature Suggestions and Ideas
- 2.6K MyFitnessPal Tech Support Questions