Does it matter what you eat?

MissKimi22

Does it matter what you eat as long as your under your calorie goal??
Im so confused...
And please no smartass replies...

viglet

In short, no. You can eat twinkies all day and still lose weight.

BUT, if health is a bigger priority then just losing weight, then yes, it matters.

EmbraceTheDarkSide

Yes, it does. Your body metabolizes different "macros" differently which means that they provide energy to your body at varying speed and intensities (sugar high vs that rib sticking feeling of over-indulging in something greasy).

Furthermore, your body needs a healthy supply of micronutrients (vitamins, minerals, etc.).

So yeah... kinda matters

mschicagocubs

Depends on who you ask....

But I believe it does not matter, you will lose weight.

Now do you want to just eat junk food your whole life? No .. that's probably not healthy. But as long as you have a balanced diet of fruits, veggies, protein, fiber, etc ... there is no reason to not eat ice cream, fast food, soda, etc.

It's all about moderation. You will still lose weight if you eat a bag of chips every day as long as you don't go over your calorie goal.

a_stronger_me13

For weight loss only, no, not really.

When goals get more specific, like for training and body composition, macronutrient ratios (fat, protein and carbohydrates) make more of an impact. But still, the source of those macros isn't really a huge deal.

AmyRhubarb

Great post here from a guy who was "eating clean" and got fatter. He started eating Subway and ice cream and lost the fat. http://www.healthylivingheavylifting.com/how-clean-eating-made-me-fat-but-ice-cream-and-subway-got-me-lean/

The difference - calories in/calories out, but also what we eat does matter to a certain extent - hitting those macro targets to get the proper amount of carbs/fat/protein can make a big difference as well, and it's also addressed in the post. It's a good read.

zeal26

In my experience, no. It's good to get in a lot of veg, fruit, lean meats etc from a nutritional point of view. But I have ice cream every day, and fit plenty of other treats into my week and it hasn't affected my weight loss. I try to eat "healthy" foods because that means I can eat more and I do feel better because of it, but as long as you're under your calorie goal you should be losing weight.

Youretheoneformefatty100

No. I have lost a lot of weight whilst still eating some utter rubbish...it's not big, its not clever. but it makes no difference to weightloss. I have lost the same amount of weight eating clean. However eating better certainly made me feel better whilst losing weight and you can usually eat bigger quantities of good stuff so you feel fuller e.g fruit and veg yum!

EmbraceTheDarkSide

P.S. Losing "weight" is a dumb term that I wish would die away. Reducing body fat percentage is more apt.

Left4Good

Well yes. You need to eat healthy.

fitnessbabe90

Yes and no. Moderation is the key.

ndj1979

for weight loss, no..

for body recomp/gaining muscle = yes..

depends on what your goals are..

but at the end of the day a calorie is a calorie, is a calorie...

Akimajuktuq

There are going to be many, many people who tell you it doesn't matter. But for me, it absolutely does matter what I eat. Micronutrients and food quality do matter. But maybe not for you. Why not experiment? Hopefully you haven't been fooled by the "fat is bad" propaganda either. Fat is a necessary macro and it is delicious and satiating.

happysherri

Yes! It does!

With that said this is also not suppose to be thought of as a "diet" but something you can keep up long term. Can you go the rest of your life eating lean protien, fruits, veggies and water (etc)? I can't.

All In MODERATION :-)

mrsfeldt

I tend to believe that while there are plenty of discussions out there about a calorie being a calories, that whole, healthy foods are what you should be choosing most of the time. Clean eating is easier for our body to digest...and it provides the most nutritional bang for your buck. For instance, a 500-calorie bowl of pasta doesn't do the same thing that 500 calories of veggies, fruit and lean meats do. Yes, you may lose weight by cutting back calories and eating processed food, but there's so much more to health than simply a low weight.

MissKimi22

I mean im not gonna eat junk all day but if i eat a small bag of chips for a quick snack is it going to hurt my diet?

ironrat79

Yes, it does. Your body metabolizes different "macros" differently which means that they provide energy to your body at varying speed and intensities (sugar high vs that rib sticking feeling of over-indulging in something greasy).

Furthermore, your body needs a healthy supply of micronutrients (vitamins, minerals, etc.).

So yeah... kinda matters

^This^

EmbraceTheDarkSide

I mean im not gonna eat junk all day but if i eat a small bag of chips for a quick snack is it going to hurt my diet?

No.

SezxyStef

Yes, it does. Your body metabolizes different "macros" differently which means that they provide energy to your body at varying speed and intensities (sugar high vs that rib sticking feeling of over-indulging in something greasy).

Furthermore, your body needs a healthy supply of micronutrients (vitamins, minerals, etc.).

So yeah... kinda matters

^This^

naw...

To lose weight (which most people want) it's about calories in vs calories out...simple easy.

For health the types of food is important.

Iknowsaur

It doesn't actually matter so far as weight loss.
But it does so far as your health and nutrition.

thegilly6

I mean im not gonna eat junk all day but if i eat a small bag of chips for a quick snack is it going to hurt my diet?

Not if you account for its calories (and macros if you're a healthy).