Does it matter what you eat as long as you are under your ca

mommyhas4boyss

so i exercise and i stay below my cal defecit. i dont ever eat cookies or cake or anything really sugary like ever. MAYBE once a montha and thats just a maybe. but everything else like anything else as long as im under my goals and exercise id lose weight? or be doing good at least. im just curious as to if i should change stuff i eat. like say people say "oh your supposed to stay away from bread while your dieting" things of that nature or does it not matter as long as im not above my calorie goal?

lol i hope this makes since. :P

biologic

you can lose weight just eating twinkies, but it isn't healthy (despite the weight loss) because you are depriving yourself of important vitamins and nutrients that you get through a balanced diet.

mauryr

A good question - I'd think that it's all calories in vs. calories out, as far as weight loss. However, I'd imagine that you'd not be too healthy if you ate your calorie allotment in solely cotton candy, so nutrition is important.... but I'm not a nutritionist.

tecallahan

I think the answer is "that depends". As a general rule, your body will respond better the more nutrients you give it. That means healthy fats, green/leafy veggies, lean protein, etc. For me personally, I have to restrict carbs, but might not be the case for you. Best to avoid sugar.... it is hiding in so called healthy places like fruit juice and cereals.

If you are brave enough to share your food diary, and have friends that will give you honest feedback about what you eat, you will have a better chance.

Exercise is part of it too -- although losing weight is probably 80-90% about what you put in your mouth.

pretty_ribbons

i find i'd rather eat healthier foods because they are less in cals and fat i can have more of it, but if i have one fatty meal or a big peice of cake it only pleases my taste buds and i end up eating more, i think its ok to treat yourself though as long as your going to put in the work to burn it off

mommyhas4boyss

yea that is what i was wondering. i dont ever eat sweets the sweetest thing that im addicted to is chocolate milk and i havent had that in prolly 2 months. so thanks guys thats what i was lookin for. i was always curious as if it really is WHAT you eat or HOW MUCH you eat. as in weight loss i know nutrition is important but i was wondering for weight loss. i think im pretty good on the nutrition part

mommyhas4boyss

I think the answer is "that depends". As a general rule, your body will respond better the more nutrients you give it. That means healthy fats, green/leafy veggies, lean protein, etc. For me personally, I have to restrict carbs, but might not be the case for you. Best to avoid sugar.... it is hiding in so called healthy places like fruit juice and cereals.

If you are brave enough to share your food diary, and have friends that will give you honest feedback about what you eat, you will have a better chance.

Exercise is part of it too -- although losing weight is probably 80-90% about what you put in your mouth.

yea i have it where my friends can see my food diary but no one ever comments. on it.

terrie_k

I think it all depends on you. I know some people that feel wheat is a big problem, it causes the excess stomach weight (the tire tube if you will) that they don't want. I have never personally found it a problem. You'll get to eat more if you choose better foods, for me that is a big thing since, in my head, I believe quantity fills you not calories.

I think calories are calories and you will lose weight with the deficit, but you will probably feel better (wanting to exercise more) with a healthy diet. Also, you may target problem areas and lose inches instead of just weight (which could just be water loss).

o0sunshine0o

I think it matters a lot! You can just limit your calories but it won't do much to your form. You might lose all your weight but still feel unhappy. It's important, esp. if you are working out, to maintain a diet that is full of protein and veggies. Your body will change a lot faster if you eat correctly.

Shoechick5

I think if you fill your days with healthy nutrious food you'll have an easier time sticking with it rather than eating stuff that's just going to suck your calories and not fill you up.

hispraiseinme

I would focus more on whole foods. It truly is calories in, calories out. Your body will function and release weight better with the whole foods. Such as protein, whole grains, fruits and veggies, good healthy fats. I tend to hold onto weight if I'm eating sugar or processed foods. Now my focus is on whole foods. Foods are healing.

rainbowbow

Question: what is your goal? To lose weight or to get healthy?

Also "healthy" foods are generally lower in calories and higher in protein and fiber. These usually keep you full longer and allow you to eat more for your calorie goal.

seehawkmomma

If all you ate was twinkies which is 150 cals(I think). So you ate 8 twinkes a day and thats it Do you think thats enough to lose weight?

amandavictoria80

It depends. Are you only concerned with weight loss? Or do you want a healthy eating lifestyle. That's the difference I think.

I like to eat completely healthy and the pounds are just a huge bonus!

And my body is very picky. It holds on to weight if I eat too much sugar. Even fruit.

killagb

If all you ate was twinkies which is 150 cals(I think). So you ate 8 twinkes a day and thats it Do you think thats enough to lose weight?

It is, assuming you don't get hungry from eating only that and binge because of it and that it's under your TDEE.

ishallnotwant

However, I'd imagine that you'd not be too healthy if you ate your calorie allotment in solely cotton candy,

*runs away sobbing*

killagb

I think if you fill your days with healthy nutrious food you'll have an easier time sticking with it rather than eating stuff that's just going to suck your calories and not fill you up.

This is more so what it comes down to. You should eat things higher in protein as a way to keep yourself sated and not in danger of binge eating.

sbrooks0387

well you should take out all carbs cause if you ever go back to them you will gain wait plus since you were deprived for so long. just limit them. i feel better when i eat healthy than if i eat junk. but i do allow myself that one piece of junk a day. today was a cinn roll (i called it lunch) but usally it's something smaller for a snack like a glass of ch. milk or a smidgen (83 cals each). that way i do not feel total deprived. and i don't feel like i have to binge at a latter date. if i want something like birthday cake/icecream or to eat out or what ever i try to plan a few days in advance so i can work my calories out for that day maybe throw in an extra gym workout.

MoooveOverFluffy

Technically..... yes, buuuuuuuut......

There are a million different answers we could all give you. For instance, if you are a runner, you should probably keep lots of carbs in your diet. Or, if you're lifting alot of weights you should eat your body weight in grams of protein everyday.

Like others above said, it's a numbers game. You'll lose weight eating garbage OR the good stuff (as long as you are burning more calories than you take in), but you'll be lacking in nutrients your body needs to fuel you through workouts. So it's best to eat lots of lean protein (helps you stay fuller for longer), veggies and fruits, and whole grains.

nashtyone

YES it does matter. Eating the correct foods will help your metabolism cook up high. You need a lot of protein, low sodium, and low fat and carbs. It's too complex to get into specifics, if you want an example, my food diary is public, take a peek.

rea21

this is all great information as i just eat my calorie intake,its great to read eveyones views::laugh: thanks eveyone

Jeff92se

YES it does matter. Eating the correct foods will help your metabolism cook up high. You need a lot of protein, low sodium, and low fat and carbs. It's too complex to get into specifics, if you want an example, my food diary is public, take a peek.

Too low of fat is actually dangerous. Same with carbs and sodium.

Everything in proper porportion.

Technially you can lose (as mentioned). But it's hard to just eat 1 supersized McDonalds meal vs 3 other meals with better nutritional value

em9371

You can lose weight by eating anything within your calorie allowance, but to be healthy you should eat a balanced diet with everything in moderation you will get a load more food for the same calories by choosing fresh healthy foods like fruit and veggies, lean meat, healthy fats, whole grain bread, rice, pasta etc and occasional treats.

Candy42adore

As long as you use your common since, as it seems you are you should be fine. As you log your food you will be able to see what foods are more helpful to you and what foods are not. For me its cheese, its also my favorite food! You will figure yours out as the weeks go on. BEST WISHES!!!:flowerforyou:

mommyhas4boyss

Thank you everyone. i dont think i eat unhealthy. i used to. i NEVER cooked. i just get take out or buy some pizzas to stick in the oven. but i have changed all that and i cook every night and try to get veggies in there and if i dont i will have a salad during the day. i think im doing quite well for myself now that i have joined mfp. i was just curious about all this though cause alot of people tell me while im dieting i cant have this and this and this and this. and i was just wondering if WEIGHT LOSS and DIETING really is so much punishment. lol. but you all have really helped me understand all this more clearly. Thank you!! and good luck to everyone on their journeys!!

nashtyone

YES it does matter. Eating the correct foods will help your metabolism cook up high. You need a lot of protein, low sodium, and low fat and carbs. It's too complex to get into specifics, if you want an example, my food diary is public, take a peek.

Too low of fat is actually dangerous. Same with carbs and sodium.

Everything in proper porportion.

Technially you can lose (as mentioned). But it's hard to just eat 1 supersized McDonalds meal vs 3 other meals with better nutritional value

Agreed, but most people don't realize the insane amount of sodium they put in their body, you should try to stay under 2k a day. I also think that the default carb goal on mfp is high. Again, moderation, I don't condone no carbs or fat.

UponThisRock

Assuming your diet has a reasonable amount of macro and micro nutrient balance, no it doesn't.

Jeff92se

I've come to the conclusion that weight loss as it pertains to calories isn't always the same as eating healthy. But I've also found that eating healthier allows you to eat more quantity per calorie plus get your micronutrients in at the same time.

Yvonne6928

There's an old saying "You are what you eat"...I believe that!

hollyeverhart

I eat whatever I want, I think moderation is key in weight-loss & a healthy lifestyle. It's bad to restrict yourself from everything, you would probably just end up bingeing (my experience) I just try to make the things I want the healthiest way possible. I avoided eating wheat bread or any bread for so long but recently I decided I needed more fiber etc, I found out natures way or natures own? 100% whole wheat bread is only 50 calories per slice (not bad) I was always using the 100 cal bread which isn't gross but is not near as tasty as a slice of good wheat bread. Anyways... I love baking, so If I bake I use splenda's baking sugar and baking brown sugar, 0 calories! and vegetable butter country crock light. So it cuts calories/fat/sugar in half! You can still have the things you want if you are willing to look into alternative products and get creative with you're cooking. Also I don't count sugar in fruit because I don't care what anyone says, Fruit is healthy! I only take processed/added sugars into consideration. But I think you should try to eat as healthy as you can while still enjoying your food. Luckily I love all veggies & I'm vegetarian & 90% of the time vegan. So besides my sweet tooth I do pretty well with using my calories on healthy food.

ishallnotwant

Thank you everyone. i dont think i eat unhealthy. i used to. i NEVER cooked. i just get take out or buy some pizzas to stick in the oven. but i have changed all that and i cook every night and try to get veggies in there and if i dont i will have a salad during the day. i think im doing quite well for myself now that i have joined mfp. i was just curious about all this though cause alot of people tell me while im dieting i cant have this and this and this and this. and i was just wondering if WEIGHT LOSS and DIETING really is so much punishment. lol. but you all have really helped me understand all this more clearly. Thank you!! and good luck to everyone on their journeys!!

I don't really think you should think of it as dieting, but more of a lifestyle change. It sounds like you are starting off with some great changes by adding veggies, cooking at home, eating salads. For now, I would say keep doing what you're doing-just stay under your cal intake, watch your portions, and keep trying to make healthy choices. See where that gets you, and in a month or two, re-evaluate. I know I can usually lose a good amount of weight with just calorie counting, but I eat a lot of whole foods. If I want to get down to a lower weight than usual, I often have to tweak my diet a bit more. See what your body responds to, and tweak your plan accordingly. :flowerforyou: