Calories

sweetie1975
sweetie1975 Posts: 154 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
Is a calorie a calorie when trying to lose weight?

Replies

  • michellekicks
    michellekicks Posts: 3,624 Member
    Mostly. But no.
  • Sean_The_IT_Guy
    Sean_The_IT_Guy Posts: 168
    A calorie is a calorie in a controlled lab environment (less the slight metabolic difference caused by the fact that your body has to work harder on protein than it does on sugar, for example).

    The biggest argument against "a calorie is a calorie" is that if you ate nothing but your calorie allowance in simple carbs, you'd be constantly hungry, miserable, and would probably eat more to compensate.

    If you ate mostly high fiber and protein rich foods like meats, vegetables, and good fats like fish oils, and such, you'd feel more full, happier, and less likely to binge, making your efforts more likely to be successful.
  • michellekicks
    michellekicks Posts: 3,624 Member
    ^ This.

    Plus, just because a 500 calorie daily deficit may be good doesn't mean a 1500 calorie daily deficit is better.
  • bridgie101
    bridgie101 Posts: 817 Member
    Yes. A calorie is a calorie.

    how long it takes you to release that calorie is a different issue, eg protein versus carbs as mentioned above. But the reality of dieting is that calories in, minus calories used, leaves calories stored. And same the other way around.

    it's very basic 3rd form physics if I remember.

    also however, you need to note that your body needs micronutrients. So to choose foods low in micronutrients will leave you having cravings which will cause binges. So try and spend those calories as wisely as you know how. :)
  • Naomi0504
    Naomi0504 Posts: 964 Member
    A calorie is a calorie in a controlled lab environment (less the slight metabolic difference caused by the fact that your body has to work harder on protein than it does on sugar, for example).

    The biggest argument against "a calorie is a calorie" is that if you ate nothing but your calorie allowance in simple carbs, you'd be constantly hungry, miserable, and would probably eat more to compensate.

    If you ate mostly high fiber and protein rich foods like meats, vegetables, and good fats like fish oils, and such, you'd feel more full, happier, and less likely to binge, making your efforts more likely to be successful.

    Thanks for this, well put :-)
  • magerum
    magerum Posts: 12,589 Member
    Calorie is a unit of measurement. So, yes.

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