Does it REALLY matter where calories come from?

David1178

Trying to over complicate it and re-engineer the wheel is only going to lead to frustration and headaches.

Simple science: If you deplete more calories than you take in, you will lose weight. Period.

As far as your situation Luke, I wouldn't worry too much about not losing one week. You need to take measurements and scale by that. Forget the scale. It is just a number. Your actual measurements are what you feel within your clothes. The weight scale is only one tool to measure your progress with. Don't get so deadset on your weight#

Keep up the good work.

Zarienz

Interesting information, cheers.

tsh0ck

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

yeah ... I'll probably choose the burger. but can I add cheese?

Rayman79

Wow, this got really heated... I can't resist adding my 2c before this badboy is shut down though...

The way I look at it is a calorie is a calorie. I calorie (kilojoule/joule) is a unit of energy. How/where that energy comes from is inconsequential. If you have a negative balance of energy (cals out>cals in) you will lose weight.

Where the debate gets a little more complicated is when we start talking about health. Do you want to give the body the nutrients it needs to function at a high level? (I'm talking both about a reasonable distribution of macronutrients and reasonable doses of necessary micronutrients).

If you want to just lose weight - eat whatever you like within your calorie limit, if you want to be healthier - put a little more work into your diet.

BTW, I eat icecream or chocolate or pizza or evil white carbs just about every day, but I do it within my calorie limit and as part of a reasonably healthy but sustainable diet overall. I really don't think I need to complicate things any more than theat for me to be successful!

SergeantSunshine_reused

I have also read more books, and less papers. I am a dietetics student studying everyday and learning more about nutrition as I go along. What we learn in the FIRST nutrition class I had to take. Prepare yourselves.

Calories in has to be less then you consume. Golden!

Of course you should not just eat junk for every meal. Eat to prevent any diet related diseases. We are taught the 2-1 rule. 2 good things, 1 treat. As long as you hit a lot of your micros then you are doing great. Does not have to be daily. And we do a lot better than you think

I eat a sweet treat everyday. They are yummy. Now try and tell me I am unhealthy and weak o.O

SergeantSunshine_reused

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

yeah ... I'll probably choose the burger. but can I add cheese?

I probably would do. 1/4c almonds keeps me full for like 20 minutes :C

bpurc22

I agree with a lot of things in this thread..

Eating "unhealthy foods" (foods with high sugar, calorie-dense, etc.) I would argue, is good for you. I can't speak for everybody but when I restrict myself the foods that I enjoy the most, when I relax from healthy eating, I always start filling up on the "unhealthy foods" and eat way too much of them. Allowing myself some "unhealthy food" helps me stay under calorie limits for extended periods of time.

That being said, for Lent I'm giving up those unhealthy foods...Should be interesting

JennieAL

Wow, this got really heated... I can't resist adding my 2c before this badboy is shut down though...

The way I look at it is a calorie is a calorie. I calorie (kilojoule/joule) is a unit of energy. How/where that energy comes from is inconsequential. If you have a negative balance of energy (cals out>cals in) you will lose weight.

Where the debate gets a little more complicated is when we start talking about health. Do you want to give the body the nutrients it needs to function at a high level? (I'm talking both about a reasonable distribution of macronutrients and reasonable doses of necessary micronutrients).

If you want to just lose weight - eat whatever you like within your calorie limit, if you want to be healthier - put a little more work into your diet.

BTW, I eat icecream or chocolate or pizza or evil white carbs just about every day, but I do it within my calorie limit and as part of a reasonably healthy but sustainable diet overall. I really don't think I need to complicate things any more than theat for me to be successful!

:flowerforyou:

Daily ice-cream eater here... and I'm maintaining my weight while losing inches still.

David1178

I'm not even sure what the argument is here.

Of course eating whole grain, vegetables, salads, fruits, etc., etc., etc. is healthier for you than eating pizza, french fries, donuts, burritos to some standard, but it has no effect on actual weight loss. 2000 calories of apples are the same calories as 2000 calories of pizza. Different nutrients, which some may argue are better for you, but it is still the same amount of calories. From reading some of the earlier posts, I get the impression that some are saying that if I eat 2000 calories of "clean" food, I will lose more weight than if I ate 2000 calories of whatever. There is no science backing that up and is pure speculation and nonsense.

SergeantSunshine_reused

I'm not even sure what the argument is here.

Of course eating whole grain, vegetables, salads, fruits, etc., etc., etc. is healthier for you than eating pizza, french fries, donuts, burritos to some standard, but it has no effect on actual weight loss. 2000 calories of apples are the same calories as 2000 calories of pizza. Different nutrients, which some may argue are better for you, but it is still the same amount of calories. From reading some of the earlier posts, I get the impression that some are saying that if I eat 2000 calories of "clean" food, I will lose more weight than if I ate 2000 calories of whatever. There is no science backing that up and is pure speculation and nonsense.

chicago_dad

Yes, it totally does.

http://drhyman.com/new-study-finds-secret-to-a-faster-metabolism-8363/

http://blog.massivehealth.com/infographics/Carbs_are_killing_you/

tsh0ck

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.

This is exactly what my doc told me. He said you can eat 1500 calories of snickers or of clean foods and you'll lose, it's about how crappy you'll feel eating snickers...and how hungry you'll be, and sluggish...

weird. I love snickers. and after eating one ... I think, 'man, I loved eating that snickers.' I may work out for an extra 20 minutes today. that'd give me a snickers.

lissamok

weird. I love snickers. and after eating one ... I think, 'man, I loved eating that snickers.' I may work out for an extra 20 minutes today. that'd give me a snickers.

This made me chuckle. I should start incorporating this philosophy as well. Everything I have read so far in my research proves that a calorie is a calorie, regardless of its source. Ultimately you probably want to consume healthier foods for a healthier lifestyle, but I know many people who still eat pure junk in small portions and still lose weight. They just feel more sluggish than I do on a daily basis.

Rayman79

Nicely said David!

meerkat70

Thats absolutely wonderful! When I find people I come across on here who are informed and carry tact so that their message can be heard- I totally save them or at the very least- look forward to reading their posts when I encounter them.

But people who assume everyone that havent spoken to is a retard that has no idea what they are talking about, well, I tend to do my best not to waste energy trying to discuss things with them.

Some people love to hear what others know, some people love to share information, some people love exploring opposing sides...

and some people learn how to argue so that even if the other person's point is valid, they still want to make them look as though they cannot argue a point- so they attack grammar- or placement of sources, or want a link instead of names.

And some people just like to join a weight loss site- so they can steal before photos and make memes from those who are here trying.

I dont know which he is, and if I come across him several times and he seems to me like someone who is well informed and wants to be helpful- then awesome. If not- awesome as well- he owes me nothing.

But there are trolls on this site. And there are troll groupies.

Forgive me, but how is this remotely relevant to the content of the thread?

(I'm neither a troll nor a groupie, and found this little rant a bit bemusing.)

lilojoke

I lived for twenty five years eating a loaf of white bread and a jar of peanut butter almost every day, I used to eat about a dozen donuts a week. I did not exercise, I did not drink my 8 cups of water and I was fat not mobile but I WAS DANG HAPPY!!! I lost 100 pounds and somewhere between I lost 100 pounds and now I realize that who the F**K cares if I gain weight or eat cake or a pizza weekly or just sit in front of the tube watching netflix stuffing my face with 100 calorie packs of oreos or mixed nuts and figs. Life as we know it now will change and I rather die happy then die starving because I did not enjoy food.

Saying that just like the twinkie diet I think its important to incorporate a little junk in your diet if not daily but maybe weekly. A friend of mine told me this.... Year back we would eat cake batter, sour dough, tubs of lard and weren't as fat as we are today... Could the secret to staying fit healthy and lean be in how much we move as opposed to what we eat?

If your goal is optimal nutrition good luck in that department because I think even science hasn't figured that one out.

lilojoke

Life is too damn short. You could get hit by a bus, you could end up with cancer even though you do everything right, there are way too many variables. Enjoy your friggen life, eat the birthday cake, eat some ice cream, in moderation and profit. Life is WAY more fun when not orthorexic (coming from a past orthorexic). I my sugary blessed life.

Help us all from this woman! Right on the money if you ask me!

Wallaby2

Hi!

Yes it does matter where you calories come from. Food is fuel for your body so eating a well balanced diet full of fresh and colourful food is important.

I heard a quote recently that went something like this "The western world eats huge quantities in order to feel full yet nutritionally they are starving". That really impacted me.

All the best!

Huffdogg

Calories consumed < calories burned = weight loss

weight loss =/= health

Here endeth the lesson.

lilojoke

I'm not even sure what the argument is here.

Of course eating whole grain, vegetables, salads, fruits, etc., etc., etc. is healthier for you than eating pizza, french fries, donuts, burritos to some standard, but it has no effect on actual weight loss. 2000 calories of apples are the same calories as 2000 calories of pizza. Different nutrients, which some may argue are better for you, but it is still the same amount of calories. From reading some of the earlier posts, I get the impression that some are saying that if I eat 2000 calories of "clean" food, I will lose more weight than if I ate 2000 calories of whatever. There is no science backing that up and is pure speculation and nonsense.

Different foods may make you fuller but 2000 calories is 2000 calories there are no magically foods!

TazzytheMotivator

It depends on your body what work well for someone may not work well for someone else. I do believe that sodium destoy many good intentions. As to sugar i eat cookies on a regular basis and it has not impede my weght lost. In fact i reach my goal and decided to lose 25 more and reach that goal. But exercising and eating food that is fill with nutriention is the key to a healthy lifestyle. Drink your water and exercise and you will be in the best shape of your life in no time at all. .

killagb

Calories consumed < calories burned = weight loss

weight loss =/= health

Here endeth the lesson.

Many people seem to miss this point.

tsh0ck

...
Thats absolutely wonderful! When I find people I come across on here who are informed and carry tact so that their message can be heard- I totally save them or at the very least- look forward to reading their posts when I encounter them.

But people who assume everyone that havent spoken to is a retard that has no idea what they are talking about, well, I tend to do my best not to waste energy trying to discuss things with them.

...

and I tend to completely ignore anyone who decides to use the bolded term. please read this link ... and please choose a new word to insult people with.

http://phoebeholmes.com/2011/12/23/being-retarded/

lilojoke

Hi!

Yes it does matter where you calories come from. Food is fuel for your body so eating a well balanced diet full of fresh and colourful food is important.

I heard a quote recently that went something like this "The western world eats huge quantities in order to feel full yet nutritionally they are starving". That really impacted me.

All the best!

Very true and well said. From a nutritional stand point it does matter but from a scientific point it really doesn't matter.

Sometimes I think we are getting fatter because we worry so dang much on what to eat then how much we move.

lukeout007

...
Thats absolutely wonderful! When I find people I come across on here who are informed and carry tact so that their message can be heard- I totally save them or at the very least- look forward to reading their posts when I encounter them.

But people who assume everyone that havent spoken to is a retard that has no idea what they are talking about, well, I tend to do my best not to waste energy trying to discuss things with them.

...

and I tend to completely ignore anyone who decides to use the bolded term. please read this link ... and please choose a new word to insult people with.

http://phoebeholmes.com/2011/12/23/being-retarded/

Oh man...this thread is officially doomed. The last thing we need is to start that arguement as well.

dawnwalraven

This is the most sensible thing Ive read on here so far!

dawnwalraven

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.

Maybe not to you, but to some people it does matter. I for one can't go out an eat pizza or a burger for dinner and than not expect the scale to go up the next day. Also, if I go and have too much sugar (fruits) or sodium at dinner I do gain weight from it.

If you eat out anywhere, it's likely you are consuming a bunch of sodium, which is likely going to cause your body to retain water - at least until the next morning. So I don't dispute your claim that if you go out for a pizza or burger, you will see a "weight gain" the next day.

But I'm not convinced that isn't water weight. If you consumed at your calorie goal (assuming you are set to lose weight) and ONLY ate burgers and pizza, you would see a weight loss over the course of a week. Unless you have dietary/nutritional/biological exceptions, this is how it would play out for everyone else too. You probably won't feel great if all you consumed was burgers fries and pizza. But you could lose weight.

And before anyone jumps in with "Why not lose weight in a healthy way?" or "My Members Only jacket still rocks!" understand that the reason many of us debunk these food myths is actually to be helpful. Too many people freak out because they ate a burger or ate pizza - or are so worried, they deny themselves food they love. And for some, their diet becomes so restrictive, they are set up for failure.

Telling someone it's fine to eat pizza once in awhile is not promoting unhealthy weight loss. It's addressing our crazy obsessive monkey brains and promoting a reasonable weight loss plan. It's OK to eat "bad" foods sometimes. Some people do great eating only sparkling clean shiny pure food. Some people can eat burgers and fries IN MODERATION and still have a relatively healthy diet over the course of a week - and lose weight.

audreyray

Why can't I get weight training to calulate any calorie loss???? Very frustrating.

i_love_vinegar

You can lose weight eating just junk food, but the body burns healthy food twice as quickly...

so...maybe you can eat 2,500 calories of fruits/veges daily (o_o) and lose weight still...
but eat 2,500 calories of junk food and gain.

tsh0ck

...
Thats absolutely wonderful! When I find people I come across on here who are informed and carry tact so that their message can be heard- I totally save them or at the very least- look forward to reading their posts when I encounter them.

But people who assume everyone that havent spoken to is a retard that has no idea what they are talking about, well, I tend to do my best not to waste energy trying to discuss things with them.

...

and I tend to completely ignore anyone who decides to use the bolded term. please read this link ... and please choose a new word to insult people with.

http://phoebeholmes.com/2011/12/23/being-retarded/

Oh man...this thread is officially doomed. The last thing we need is to start that arguement as well.

and, luke, if you think there's actually an argument there? you're in the ignored camp, too. it's pretty cut and dried. might as well throw out racial epithets if you think it's ok.

and argument has only one 'e.' just sayin.