Does it REALLY matter where calories come from?

lukeout007

Ok...I constantly see posts about how it doesn't matter where cals come from...but I'm finding either I have a grave misunderstanding of this or its just not true. Last week I stayed under my cals the majority of the week and lost no weight. But I ate a lot of sugary things (something I didn't think about until this morning).

So I guess the question is...even if you're under your cals can too much sugar negate the cal deficit?

Cindym82

you don't want to go over sodium cause it makes you retain water and so does sugar, which will make you bloated and actually weight more even if you stay under your calorie goal. Do you track your sugar and sodium?

UponThisRock

No, it can't. To "negate the deficit," sugar would have to have some kind of magical power to produce energy beyond it's caloric value.

killagb

you don't want to go over sodium cause it makes you retain water and so does sugar, which will make you bloated and actually weight more even if you stay under your calorie goal. Do you track your sugar and sodium?

This is completely worthless unless you actually care about losing and gaining water weight. I think most of us actually prefer fat loss.

lukeout007

you don't want to go over sodium cause it makes you retain water and so does sugar, which will make you bloated and actually weight more even if you stay under your calorie goal. Do you track your sugar and sodium?

Interesting...I don't track sugar really because the first 6 weeks I was always over by like noon...it was all pretty much coming from fruit so I stopped worrying about it. I try to keep an eye on my sodium but I guess I didn't pay a lot of attention last week. That could have something to do with it as well I suppose.

lukeout007

you don't want to go over sodium cause it makes you retain water and so does sugar, which will make you bloated and actually weight more even if you stay under your calorie goal. Do you track your sugar and sodium?

This is completely worthless unless you actually care about losing and gaining water weight. I think most of us actually prefer fat loss.

This is true...but I do also care about the number on the scale (which I probably should learn to stop caring about).

elsinora

This pretty much sums it up.....

http://edition.cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/11/08/twinkie.diet.professor/index.html

mandy_freeman

Yes, it matters. When you are eating healthier foods, you can eat more of them and have more energy which then will burn more!

Dan112358

From an energy in, energy out standpoint - No, it does not matter. Your weight loss, or lack thereof may be due to fluid retention or other factors which could explain the numbers on the scale. For example, 2 cups of water weighs about a pound. If you're retaining water or experiencing any swelling it's easy for weight to "hide" there. Personally, I feel that if I've only got "x" calories to play with, I'm going to make sure they're packed with as many nutrients as possible so I'm not staring at the cupboard at the end of the day.

Cindym82

you don't want to go over sodium cause it makes you retain water and so does sugar, which will make you bloated and actually weight more even if you stay under your calorie goal. Do you track your sugar and sodium?

Interesting...I don't track sugar really because the first 6 weeks I was always over by like noon...it was all pretty much coming from fruit so I stopped worrying about it. I try to keep an eye on my sodium but I guess I didn't pay a lot of attention last week. That could have something to do with it as well I suppose.

I looked at your journal (sorry for the stalking). But def let up on some sodium. Sugar is hit or miss because fruit sugar isn't so bad but certain fruits should be eatten earlier in the day (like grapes). Sodium is def kep though. I know if I go over sodium by just a little I gain 3lbs....

15in8

Only from a nutritional point of view. There are small variations in the way the body will process molecules, but in the end a calorie is a calorie is a calorie. Aim for the healthiest eating that fits into your lifestyle, move around a bit, be honest with yourself and educate yourself and you will be fine.

Syreeta6

If 1/2 junior burger = 150 cals and 1/4 c. almonds = 150 cals, I think I'm gonna go w/the almonds!

lukeout007

you don't want to go over sodium cause it makes you retain water and so does sugar, which will make you bloated and actually weight more even if you stay under your calorie goal. Do you track your sugar and sodium?

Interesting...I don't track sugar really because the first 6 weeks I was always over by like noon...it was all pretty much coming from fruit so I stopped worrying about it. I try to keep an eye on my sodium but I guess I didn't pay a lot of attention last week. That could have something to do with it as well I suppose.

I looked at your journal (sorry for the stalking). But def let up on some sodium. Sugar is hit or miss because fruit sugar isn't so bad but certain fruits should be eatten earlier in the day (like grapes). Sodium is def kep though. I know if I go over sodium by just a little I gain 3lbs....

Lol it's not stalking...that's why my journal is open

Thanks!

mallory3411

you don't want to go over sodium cause it makes you retain water and so does sugar, which will make you bloated and actually weight more even if you stay under your calorie goal. Do you track your sugar and sodium?

Interesting...I don't track sugar really because the first 6 weeks I was always over by like noon...it was all pretty much coming from fruit so I stopped worrying about it. I try to keep an eye on my sodium but I guess I didn't pay a lot of attention last week. That could have something to do with it as well I suppose.

I looked at your journal (sorry for the stalking). But def let up on some sodium. Sugar is hit or miss because fruit sugar isn't so bad but certain fruits should be eatten earlier in the day (like grapes). Sodium is def kep though. I know if I go over sodium by just a little I gain 3lbs....

Why should certain fruits be eaten earlier in the day?

MinnesotaManimal

Ok...I constantly see posts about how it doesn't matter where cals come from...but I'm finding either I have a grave misunderstanding of this or its just not true. Last week I stayed under my cals the majority of the week and lost no weight. But I ate a lot of sugary things (something I didn't think about until this morning).

So I guess the question is...even if you're under your cals can too much sugar negate the cal deficit?

Funny, I just found this article this morning while surfing msnbc.

• Researchers found that people who consumed extra fructose baked into breads or sprinkled into drinks didn't gain any extra weight compared to those who had other types of carbohydrates instead -- when they ate the same number of total calories. On the other hand, when study participants supplemented a standard diet with extra calories in the form of straight fructose, they did gain weight.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/46465104/ns/health-diet_and_nutrition/

The article goes on to explain that while body weight did not change, body composition was not tracked and that while eating more sugar and carbs than other macros such as protein may not change body weight, it might be linked to having a higher level of body fat at the same weight.

Cindym82

you don't want to go over sodium cause it makes you retain water and so does sugar, which will make you bloated and actually weight more even if you stay under your calorie goal. Do you track your sugar and sodium?

Interesting...I don't track sugar really because the first 6 weeks I was always over by like noon...it was all pretty much coming from fruit so I stopped worrying about it. I try to keep an eye on my sodium but I guess I didn't pay a lot of attention last week. That could have something to do with it as well I suppose.

I looked at your journal (sorry for the stalking). But def let up on some sodium. Sugar is hit or miss because fruit sugar isn't so bad but certain fruits should be eatten earlier in the day (like grapes). Sodium is def kep though. I know if I go over sodium by just a little I gain 3lbs....

Lol it's not stalking...that's why my journal is open

Thanks!

You're welcome. Try throwin in a salad at some point during the day, or some protein shakes. They keep you full and are good for weight loss. Walmart sells six star protein powder with is 150 calories a scoop and only 3g of sugar. Not too bad, and doesn't taste terrible. Also, green tea will help with flushing out excess water

kennethmgreen

We like to argue without context and details. Often threads are really 3-4 different points being argued. Of course calories matter where they come from if you are talking about nutrition. Where the calories come from do not matter if you are strictly talking about weight loss.

There are some corollary benefits to eating "good" calories: you will feel better, feel fuller, etc. So you could say that eating "better" calories can help weight loss because it may make it easier to stay under your calorie goal. I think this is where people confuse the issue sometimes.

Unless you have some health issues where you body is processing things differently, what kind of calories you consume should not affect your weight loss. However, there are MANY reasons why you should consume calories consisting of healthy foods with macros you need.

Asking whether is matters where calories come from is a bit like asking if I need to wear a jacket today. You need to know some other information - like maybe how cold is it? - before you can give an informative answer. Well, most people need more info. There are plenty of us that will post about why you don't ever need a jacket, that early man didn't wear jackets, or how you should always wear a jacket because your body needs the protective layer of a jacket. And there will be people that swear by their Members Only jacket, even though it has been debunked since 1986.

vim_n_vigor

Well, it depends on what you are trying to do. Is losing weight the only thing you are concerned about? Then you just need a caloric deficit.
Do you have any metabolic issues? diabetic? allergies?
Generally speaking, you can eat more of foods that are less processed for the same calories as the processed stuff and you will get more vitamins and nutrients that your body needs.
Finding the balance that works for you is what you need to do. Your body needs sodium to work properly. Some people need more, some less.

Cindym82

you don't want to go over sodium cause it makes you retain water and so does sugar, which will make you bloated and actually weight more even if you stay under your calorie goal. Do you track your sugar and sodium?

Interesting...I don't track sugar really because the first 6 weeks I was always over by like noon...it was all pretty much coming from fruit so I stopped worrying about it. I try to keep an eye on my sodium but I guess I didn't pay a lot of attention last week. That could have something to do with it as well I suppose.

I looked at your journal (sorry for the stalking). But def let up on some sodium. Sugar is hit or miss because fruit sugar isn't so bad but certain fruits should be eatten earlier in the day (like grapes). Sodium is def kep though. I know if I go over sodium by just a little I gain 3lbs....

Why should certain fruits be eaten earlier in the day?

Because of the sugars and how your body burns them off. Grapes have 35g of sugar for 15, which is only a serving. Plus you don't want to spike your sugar's up before bed. They also say before yoga or stuff like that that banana's are good.

CuteBlondie

Think so, get calories from healthy things, not sugar chocolate or fat!

vim_n_vigor

We like to argue without context and details. Often threads are really 3-4 different points being argued. Of course calories matter where they come from if you are talking about nutrition. Where the calories come from do not matter if you are strictly talking about weight loss.

There are some corollary benefits to eating "good" calories: you will feel better, feel fuller, etc. So you could say that eating "better" calories can help weight loss because it may make it easier to stay under your calorie goal. I think this is where people confuse the issue sometimes.

Unless you have some health issues where you body is processing things differently, what kind of calories you consume should not affect your weight loss. However, there are MANY reasons why you should consume calories consisting of healthy foods with macros you need.

Asking whether is matters where calories come from is a bit like asking if I need to wear a jacket today. You need to know some other information - like maybe how cold is it? - before you can give an informative answer. Well, most people need more info. There are plenty of us that will post about why you don't ever need a jacket, that early man didn't wear jackets, or how you should always wear a jacket because your body needs the protective layer of a jacket. And there will be people that swear by their Members Only jacket, even though it has been debunked since 1986.

So this is what I really wanted to say...

stormieweather

Mostly it does not matter. If you eat at a deficit, you should lose. If you eat excess calories, you will gain.

There is a great deal of fine tuning that can be done, but bottom line is you WILL lose weight if you eat at a deficit (note I didn't say how much of a deficit or how much you'll lose or if it will be fat or muscle or both). I also didn't mention how you'll feel or how long you can sustain the deficit/dieting thing.

All factors that can be affected by your food choices and size of your deficit.

Cindym82

Think so, get calories from healthy things, not sugar chocolate or fat!

Well, not all fats are bad for you and your body does need some fat. Also, dark chocolate is healthy when eatten in moderation. Also, wont make you want to go out and eat every little thing because you cut it completely out of your diet.

lisabstrong

No, it can't. To "negate the deficit," sugar would have to have some kind of magical power to produce energy beyond it's caloric value.

Apparently you have never heard of the glycemic index?????

Srdking

It really does matter when I first started in Nov I will still eating some sugar and drinking diet soda and eating lots of fruit. I found out not all fruit is what it's cracked up to be. I stopped all sugar as much as I can and stopped drinking anything but water. That got me 32 pounds lost.

DannyMussels

For the most part, I'd say for weight loss it doesn't matter.

But the further you dig into fitness and nutrition, the more you realize other things come into play to achieve the health/fitness goals you're after.

The things you consume can very well affect other aspects of your life, not just your weight.

Dave198lbs

Why should certain fruits be eaten earlier in the day?


Because of the sugars and how your body burns them off. Grapes have 35g of sugar for 15, which is only a serving. Plus you don't want to spike your sugar's up before bed. They also say before yoga or stuff like that that banana's are good.

no offense but this idea of eating certain things at certain times of the day has no foundation. It doesnt matter.

Rae6503

<- I eat a LOT of sugar and salt.

bethvandenberg

I suddenly put on a bunch of weight (15lbs in weeks) went back and looked and I was eating a very high fat diet. Like 48% of my cals were coming from fat. I'm working on my macros and have dropped 6 lbs by staying (or trying) to stay within.

I am going to keep working on it and see what happens in the next week and I'm thinking if the first week was an indication that it will help.

Good luck to you and stay away from the gummy bears

BondBomb

No, it can't. To "negate the deficit," sugar would have to have some kind of magical power to produce energy beyond it's caloric value.

Apparently you have never heard of the glycemic index?????

What does the GI have to do with calories?

UponThisRock

No, it can't. To "negate the deficit," sugar would have to have some kind of magical power to produce energy beyond it's caloric value.

Apparently you have never heard of the glycemic index?????

The hypoglycemic index is for people that have a medical condition that impairs their ability to metabolize carbohydrates. I was assuming that the OP was referring to the 90% of the population that doesn't have diabetes.