250 calories per day on chocolate?
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Is it acceptable to eat 250 calories worth of chocolate per day when you are trying to lose weight, as long as you are still in your calorie limit? I have tried to have just one small piece or swap it for dark but it just isnt working and i keep failing! I was reading somewhere that eating chocolate or other junk food is really bad for weight loss as a calorie is not just a calorie, but i always thought it didn't matter in terms of weight loss as long as you are at a calorie deficit. Have any of you had chocolate daily and managed to use a significant amount of weight? I have 100 pounds to lose and chocolate is my nemesis
250 calories worth of chocolate a day? Not worth it to me. I think that's a bit excessive.
You have a lot of weight to lose and are going to need to have strong will-power and the ability to say no when the time calls for it.
I'd suggest buying Skinny Cow chocolate. I personally like the caramel filled chocolates. One pouch has 130 calories, 7 g fat, 18 g carbs, and 15 g sugar. Much better option than 250 calories and it is still delicious and satisfying.0 -
Thanks for this post . Yesterday I got a message berating me because I ate 400 cal of " junk " food mind you I only ate 1500 all day and exercised 700 of those off ( i do not eat them back ) I was told I'll never loss eating like this woke up this morning to a .04 loss WTF I'll take it!0
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If you can control it to that 250 and stay within your calorie goals for the day, it's perfectly fine. Just be sure that you are able to stop at 250 calories worth of chocolate. For me, Reese's Peanut Butter Cups of any shape or size are my kryptonite. If I start, I can't stop, so unless I have a limited amount available, or a lot of extra calories, I can't even get started with eating them.
Have you tried buying the single cup servings they sell around holidays and storing them in the freezer? Having them wrapped individually can help with teaching your brain to note portions, and that can help with control. It migth not work now, but you can use it as a tool.
This is kind of what I meant by "limited amount available." I only eat them if what is available to me is a single serving size. Unfortunately right now, waiting for them to thaw is not going to stop me. But if I don't have access to more than a serving size, I can eat it.0 -
Thanks for the reply everyone. From what I can see there are very varied opinions! I think I will try this method out and see how I go...0
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Summary of thread: everyone says "eat it if it fits your macros and calories." Someone comes in and says "BUT YOU HAVE TO WATCH YOUR MACROS!" Fight ensues.
Only on MFP.0 -
Actually, this one was refreshingly different. A kind sir noted the correct order in which energy sources are utilized by the body and folks defended that a calorie deficit causes weght loss. It actually made less sense.0
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I set aside 20% of my calories for 'bad foods' I think this is a good way to sustainably lose weiight as you are not depriving yourself every day which leads to binges. Since I decided to do this I have stopped binging and I have lost weight more predictably and positively than ever before
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Personally, I am trying to completely change my lifestyle so I have a forever weight loss story. You can look in my diary and see that I indulge. Not often but I do. I want to create new habits and tastes for myself, so that food is not in charge of me, but I am in charge of what I eat. Honestly, the more weight I lose and the healthier I eat, the less junk/sweets/unhealthy stuff I want. I've even lost a taste for beer which is amazing!
The point in all that is to encourage you to strive for the best for yourself. If you think 250 calories a day is the best for yourself, then do that. If you don't think it is, look and find ways to replace that habit with a new and healthier one. 0 -
Yep, she is.0
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Actually, this one was refreshingly different. A kind sir noted the correct order in which energy sources are utilized by the body and folks defended that a calorie deficit causes weght loss. It actually made less sense.
I hope there's at least nice weather in whatever world you're in.0 -
Well, personally I am trying very hard to not eat chocolate everyday. I love Jersey Milk Chocolate... the only way this is going to work is if I can have what I want once in a while for the rest of my life. I don't mind slowing the weight loss in the name of favorite food every so often. My lifestyle has to include healthy food and exercise... and a tiny bit crap. I submit most of the time.
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I had chocolate for breakfast! ; ) In a probiotic snack mix! Dark Chocolate of course. There is always a way to fit in some chocolate!
Good luck to you OP! ; )0 -
Actually, this one was refreshingly different. A kind sir noted the correct order in which energy sources are utilized by the body and folks defended that a calorie deficit causes weght loss. It actually made less sense.
I hope there's at least nice weather in whatever world you're in.
Oh, reality is not nearly as fantastical as that magical place where folks need to pretend 250 calories of chocolate furthers fitness the same as 250 calories of beef, but at least I don't have to look ignorant and rationalize - or completely fabricate a disagreement over nothing.
This poster gets it, and without deluded thinking. She's making a conscious choice. Go figure.Well, personally I am trying very hard to not eat chocolate everyday. I love Jersey Milk Chocolate... the only way this is going to work is if I can have what I want once in a while for the rest of my life. I don't mind slowing the weight loss in the name of favorite food every so often. My lifestyle has to include healthy food and exercise... and a tiny bit crap. I submit most of the time.0 -
Chocolate gives me superpowers. I eat it daily or else my power fades. What power you might ask? It makes me go hella fast on my bike - sometimes blisteringly faster than those silly menz (bwahaha, wheelsuck *this*.)
Eat chocolate. Discover your superpower. Then go burn it all off using your newfound superpower (biking, rock climbing, alpine slalom, marathon sex, whathaveyou.)
And please embrace your sense of humor, folks. Life is too damn short to bicker on MFP.0 -
Actually, this one was refreshingly different. A kind sir noted the correct order in which energy sources are utilized by the body and folks defended that a calorie deficit causes weght loss. It actually made less sense.
I hope there's at least nice weather in whatever world you're in.
Oh, reality is not nearly as fantastical as that magical place where folks need to pretend 250 calories of chocolate furthers fitness the same as 250 calories of beef, but at least I don't have to look ignorant and rationalize - or completely fabricate a disagreement over nothing.
I guess it depends on your fitness goals. Personally, 250 calories of beef aren't going to put me that far ahead of 250 calories of anything else. I get enough protein and fat.0 -
Not denying yourself is one of the things that will keep you eating right in the long run. If you starved yourself of chocolate every day you would just break down and eat the entire Hershey factory. So go ahead and eat your chocolate, I know I do.0
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Oh, reality is not nearly as fantastical as that magical place where folks need to pretend 250 calories of chocolate furthers fitness the same as 250 calories of beef, but at least I don't have to look ignorant and rationalize - or completely fabricate a disagreement over nothing.
I guess it depends on your fitness goals. Personally, 250 calories of beef aren't going to put me that far ahead of 250 calories of anything else. I get enough protein and fat.
Actually 250 cals of nearly pure simple sugars *does* put me ahead. Miles ahead. I hit my macros most days, but before a big endurance event, I (modestly) carb load. Endurance athletes often suck down mixtures & gels of glucose during events - cuz the body metabolizes - and then utilizes - glucose very rapidly. And if you are dragging *kitten*, that's the jolt you might need. Believe it or not, sometimes sugar is a good thing. I wish people would please quit demonizing sugar. It ain't the Beelzebub of the food pyramid.0 -
I love my chocolate.
I probably have that amount of calories on hot chocolate and little sweets daily. I'm looking forward to warmer months when I tend to drink less of the hot chocolate, though...more calorie and sugar wiggle room.0 -
I'm stocking up on Dove chocolate eggs at Easter. One or two fit nicely in my goal and they are delicious.0
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Oh, reality is not nearly as fantastical as that magical place where folks need to pretend 250 calories of chocolate furthers fitness the same as 250 calories of beef, but at least I don't have to look ignorant and rationalize - or completely fabricate a disagreement over nothing.
I guess it depends on your fitness goals. Personally, 250 calories of beef aren't going to put me that far ahead of 250 calories of anything else. I get enough protein and fat.
Actually 250 cals of nearly pure simple sugars *does* put me ahead. Miles ahead. I hit my macros most days, but before a big endurance event, I (modestly) carb load. Endurance athletes often suck down mixtures & gels of glucose during events - cuz the body metabolizes - and then utilizes - glucose very rapidly. And if you are dragging *kitten*, that's the jolt you might need. Believe it or not, sometimes sugar is a good thing. I wish people would please quit demonizing sugar. It ain't the Beelzebub of the food pyramid.
Gatorade before a run and chocolate milk for recovery!
I wouldn't put chocolate before beef nutritionally. But, sweet potato, grapes, bananas or apricots would all do more for me than meat - both from a macro perspective and because potassium and iron are things that I focus on.0 -
Chocolate is necessary for survival. Not mine, everyone else's...
Eat it, savor it, log it, carry no shame about it.
^^^^I love this response. YES! This, lol. ^^^^0 -
YES:
SNICKERS® Bar
Serving Size 1 unit (52.7g) Calories 250
Servings Per Container 1 Calories from Fat 110
Amount/Serving %DV*
Total Fat 12g 18%
Sat. Fat 4.5g 23%
Trans Fat 0g
Cholest. 5mg 2%
Sodium 120mg 5%
Total Carb. 33g 11%
Dietary Fiber 1g 4%
Sugars 27g
Protein 4g
Vitamin A *
Vitamin C *
Calcium 4%
Iron 2%0 -
Oh, reality is not nearly as fantastical as that magical place where folks need to pretend 250 calories of chocolate furthers fitness the same as 250 calories of beef, but at least I don't have to look ignorant and rationalize - or completely fabricate a disagreement over nothing.
I guess it depends on your fitness goals. Personally, 250 calories of beef aren't going to put me that far ahead of 250 calories of anything else. I get enough protein and fat.
Actually 250 cals of nearly pure simple sugars *does* put me ahead. Miles ahead. I hit my macros most days, but before a big endurance event, I (modestly) carb load. Endurance athletes often suck down mixtures & gels of glucose during events - cuz the body metabolizes - and then utilizes - glucose very rapidly. And if you are dragging *kitten*, that's the jolt you might need. Believe it or not, sometimes sugar is a good thing. I wish people would please quit demonizing sugar. It ain't the Beelzebub of the food pyramid.
No one demonized sugar - at least not in this discussion. I've made the point repeatedly that simple sugars have a place, especially for endurance athletes. I've also made the point that started the "You're not taking away my sugar" crazies on their Defense of Sugar, that the body burns fuels in a basic ranking of order. Ergo, if you're fueling with sugars because you'll be engaging in eactivity long enough to go well beyond your glycogen stores, you are not burning body fat unless and until you've run through the dietary sugars. You can fuel for endurance with sugars or you can burn significant fat for fuel, but you cannot do both simultanously.
I go through plenty of gels in races. I go through fewer during training (because if you're fueling with gels you're not training the body to store maximum glycogen). I do not consume the same amount of sugars in rest periods or breaks in training. Why? Because I don't need it for fuel and it will use that before it uses body fat.
Although, if you're fueling with glucose rather than maltodextrin, you're missing out.0 -
^^^^^ this0
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calories are calories as long as you are within your goal0
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calories are calories as long as you are within your goal
Very simplistic.
But not every foods calorie benefits your body in the same way.
So whilst technically a calorie is a calorie, it doesn't really mean anything in the world of food and what we eat.0 -
Dear God...0
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OMG... I am a chocoholic and have managed to maintain my weight. However I do use MFP to keep track of my calories, fat, sodium etc. If I didn't do that then I could EASILY go over. I think if you stay on track eating healthy all day and exercise, etc. that there is nothing wrong with a little chocolate. You deserve it!0
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Oh, reality is not nearly as fantastical as that magical place where folks need to pretend 250 calories of chocolate furthers fitness the same as 250 calories of beef, but at least I don't have to look ignorant and rationalize - or completely fabricate a disagreement over nothing.
I guess it depends on your fitness goals. Personally, 250 calories of beef aren't going to put me that far ahead of 250 calories of anything else. I get enough protein and fat.
Actually 250 cals of nearly pure simple sugars *does* put me ahead. Miles ahead. I hit my macros most days, but before a big endurance event, I (modestly) carb load. Endurance athletes often suck down mixtures & gels of glucose during events - cuz the body metabolizes - and then utilizes - glucose very rapidly. And if you are dragging *kitten*, that's the jolt you might need. Believe it or not, sometimes sugar is a good thing. I wish people would please quit demonizing sugar. It ain't the Beelzebub of the food pyramid.
No one demonized sugar - at least not in this discussion. I've made the point repeatedly that simple sugars have a place, especially for endurance athletes. I've also made the point that started the "You're not taking away my sugar" crazies on their Defense of Sugar, that the body burns fuels in a basic ranking of order. Ergo, if you're fueling with sugars because you'll be engaging in eactivity long enough to go well beyond your glycogen stores, you are not burning body fat unless and until you've run through the dietary sugars. You can fuel for endurance with sugars or you can burn significant fat for fuel, but you cannot do both simultanously.
I go through plenty of gels in races. I go through fewer during training (because if you're fueling with gels you're not training the body to store maximum glycogen). I do not consume the same amount of sugars in rest periods or breaks in training. Why? Because I don't need it for fuel and it will use that before it uses body fat.
Although, if you're fueling with glucose rather than maltodextrin, you're missing out.
Okay, true. I kinda jumped the fence with the "demonizing sugar" statement. I think I/we lost track of the whole point of this tread anyway (a common demise of most threads.) I guess the roundabout point I'm trying to get to (rather aimlessly) is that 250 cals from a high sugar and fat food (most chocolates) isn't going to upset most folk's catabolic processes. And I could see that even folks who only run at the gym can easily metabolize the extra sugar, along with their other macronutrients over the course of an average day.
Generally speaking, we aren't dealing with elite athletes here on MFP. We're dealing with normal folks who - with or without chocolate - will do just fine in the long term with mild fluctuations in their macro distributions… Okay, many will fail completely. But it won't be because they chose 250 cals of chocolate vs 250 cals of wild Atlantic salmon. It's because of gross dietary indiscretion leading to failure.
And speaking of replenishing glycogen during events… I detest gels myself. I'm more of a Shot Bloks girl. Plus some Accelerade in the bottles for good measure (yes, it contains protein - hush.) Bloks are mostly brown rice syrup, which is 45% maltose, 3% glucose, and 52% maltotriose. I think I might suffer from dumping syndrome (egads) if I mainlined glucose. So, no pure glucose is not recommended (except for diabetics having an episode).0 -
The good news: a moderate amount of DARK chocolate has good nutrients and less sugar than crappy chocolate bars. Like having a small serving of red wine with dinner, it's probably good for you or at least not bad for you.
The rest of the reality: if you're eating a minimum of 250 calories of it a day, that's probably too much of your overall daily intake. Worse, if it's milk chocolate or otherwise low quality junk, you're sabotaging yourself big time.
The folks who say "a calorie is a calorie" and those who say "all carbs are evil" are both oversimplifying, and the science doesn't agree with them. It DOES absolutely matter what you eat, not just how much. Yes, you can loose fat in a calorie deficit with plenty of your intake being sugar and booze and transfats (and you might as well smoke some cigarettes there, too). But you'll loose more fat more quickly if you minimize any sugars you eat (and highly refined foods like white rice and flour, too). More importantly, you'll feel better if you eat more whole foods and fewer processed foods, many more vegetables, more greens and less grains, and minimize processed and refined foods. Sure, have some treats (everything in moderation), but they're TREATS, not staples.0
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