How important is WHAT you eat?

x_stephisaur_x
x_stephisaur_x Posts: 149 Member
in Food and Nutrition
I've recently started an online physio course aimed at women who have had children in order to help with pelvic floor and diastasis recti.

Part of the programme includes advice on what you "should" and "shouldn't" eat.

As the main focus of the programme is to improve the visual appearance of women's stomachs, I am wondering - are there really foods that I should restrict?

Will giving up chocolate and the occassional convenience food actually affect the appearance of my stomach?

I've always been an advocate of eating what you enjoy as long as it is within your calories/macros/whatever, but I'm wondering if that is actually the case?

I'm sure it's true of those people looking to get defined abs and drop their body fat % to a level that they can be seen, but what about the average woman on the street? I just don't want to look pregnant 2 years after having had my son! :lol:

Just curious on other people's thoughts :)

Replies

  • sijomial
    sijomial Posts: 19,809 Member
    Alternatively......

    Will giving up chocolate and the occasional convenience food actually affect the calorie balance of people that don't typically track their calorie intake and put them into a calorie deficit that reduces their overall body fat?
    Maybe yes, maybe no.

    Unfortunately, the average woman (and man) on the street is increasingly overfat and underfit. Tackling both of those issues in a rather more holistic fashion would appear to be far more productive - the whole of someone's diet and the entirety of someone's activity and exercise.
  • jenthejinx
    jenthejinx Posts: 2 Member
    I agree with the above: a calorie in is a calorie out.

    But there's something about eating nutritional, high quality foods that makes me feel mentally, if not physically better.

    I feel that if i eat well, I am taking care of myself inside and out... but that's just my personal feelings!

    Whatever works for you and makes you feel good :)
  • kshama2001
    kshama2001 Posts: 28,052 Member
    x_stephisaur_x wrote: »
    I've recently started an online physio course aimed at women who have had children in order to help with pelvic floor and diastasis recti.

    Part of the programme includes advice on what you "should" and "shouldn't" eat.

    As the main focus of the programme is to improve the visual appearance of women's stomachs, I am wondering - are there really foods that I should restrict?

    Will giving up chocolate and the occassional convenience food actually affect the appearance of my stomach?

    I've always been an advocate of eating what you enjoy as long as it is within your calories/macros/whatever, but I'm wondering if that is actually the case?

    I'm sure it's true of those people looking to get defined abs and drop their body fat % to a level that they can be seen, but what about the average woman on the street? I just don't want to look pregnant 2 years after having had my son! :lol:

    Just curious on other people's thoughts :)

    Giving up convenience food, if it is hyper-palatable, high calorie, and not especially satiating, could indeed help one stay in a calorie deficit, but you are correct that if it fits in your calories you'll be fine.
  • goal06082021
    goal06082021 Posts: 2,130 Member
    Chocolate doesn't make or break abs.
  • Speakeasy76
    Speakeasy76 Posts: 961 Member
    Well, I still look pregnant at times almost 10 years after having my kids, so....I also had c-sections, so I think there's an little hope in me regaining pre-pregnancy abs without surgical intervention. Actually, the actress Jennifer Garner just said the same thing recently, and she still looks great!

    Anyway, back to your original question: While yes, the main thing that's going to impact weight loss will be being in a calorie deficit, I choose not to view food for only that reason. For me, I also focus on higher protein (especially important if trying to build or maintain muscle), fiber and overall nutrient density. Also, as someone else said, I also focus on how I physically feel after eating certain foods. Sure, theoretically I could eat a donut for the same amount of calories as my typical protein/fruit and/or veggie smoothie, but I can pretty much guarantee that one donut will not leave me feeling satisfied...and I'll probably feel like I need a nap!

    The other thing to keep on mind is bloat,which women are especially more prone to due to hormonal fluctuations. I'm highly sensitive to bloating, and even if I didn't have that belly flap from the c-sections, often times the bloating as triggered by certain foods and hormones would mask what ab definition I do have (and I do have some). It's individual as far as what can cause bloat, but for me, it's higher carb, salt (pretty standard for most people), and cruciferous vegetables. I think whey protein powder also does it a bit, too.
  • lemurcat2
    lemurcat2 Posts: 7,885 Member
    edited March 2021
    x_stephisaur_x wrote: »
    As the main focus of the programme is to improve the visual appearance of women's stomachs, I am wondering - are there really foods that I should restrict?

    Will giving up chocolate and the occassional convenience food actually affect the appearance of my stomach?

    I've always been an advocate of eating what you enjoy as long as it is within your calories/macros/whatever, but I'm wondering if that is actually the case?

    No, having some chocolate and the occasional convenience food won't affect your stomach's appearance. Some people may find that some foods make them bloat, and if so, those would be things to avoid (or limit to specific times) or, if it is fiber-related or otherwise related to highly nutritious foods, one might want to work on easing in those foods (usually any reaction to increasing fiber is temporary and can be avoided if one increases more gradually).

    Also, one would probably look and feel better overall (not stomach-specific) if one eats an overall healthful diet, of course, but obviously there's no need to choose between occasional convenience foods and some chocolate and eating an overall healthful diet -- to the extent that people suggest that's an either/or, I never understand it. Eating a healthful diet doesn't mean I can never have chocolate (or can't include a little chocolate daily if I want) or may never order pizza again or whatever it is. Plenty of people with very healthy diets (often IMO healthier than those who focus on nutrition as being about NOT eating things ever) also do find ways to include occasional more indulgent foods.
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,982 Member
    Separation or widening of the abs has NOTHING to do with what you eat to correct it. It's a physical response from trauma on the muscle.
    Train the transverse abdominus. Will make a difference

    https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10824708/what-you-may-not-be-doing-to-get-a-flatter-stomach/p1

    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
  • x_stephisaur_x
    x_stephisaur_x Posts: 149 Member
    Thanks all, you've just echoed what I was thinking really :)

    I'll stick to the exercises and ignore the meal plan, I'm happy with my current eating and am losing weight at a steady, sensible pace anyway.
    ninerbuff wrote: »
    Separation or widening of the abs has NOTHING to do with what you eat to correct it. It's a physical response from trauma on the muscle.
    Train the transverse abdominus. Will make a difference

    https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10824708/what-you-may-not-be-doing-to-get-a-flatter-stomach/p1

    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

    I will check that out, thanks ninerbuff :)

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