Is this true? Calories don't matter?

mem50

If calories don't matter, I don't know how the heck I lost this 50lbs.

I was going to say the same, but with an additional comment.....

If calories don't matter then how did I lose what I lost and How am I maintaining the loss? Simple, I keep myself on a calorie restricted intake.

Plus I am with you Iwantaheathi on the margarine being one step away from plastic.......eeww!!! Give me real butter or just forget it!

deadstarsunburn

If calories don't matter, I don't know how the heck I lost this 50lbs.

*likes this* since we don't have "like" feature on this board. :P

I always respond with "Let me just gain back my 42 pounds i lost and I 'll do it your way."
lol They usually shut their mouths.

Nerdy_Rose

Calories do matter. Low-fat is generally better than "non fat," because nonfat replaces the fat with sugars and chemicals, but calories definitely matter.

And the foods you put into your body also matter. The healthier the foods (veggies, fruits, lean meats, etc.), the more energetic and fuller you will feel.

Lleldiranne

Calories DO matter. Low fat often has other fillers, such as starches or even sugars, and calories aren't always that different. I eat full fat sour cream and real butter and full fat mayonnaise because I like the taste better (note, I don't use a LOT, especially of butter - I don't even butter my toast most days). I drink skim milk and eat fat free yogurt because I like those tastes better. But overall, I pay attention to my CALORIES.

A calorie is simply a unit of measuring energy, just like an inch measure length and a pound measures weight. There's nothing magical about them. Energy is stored as carbs, proteins, and fats. When you bring in more energy (in food) than you use (in bodily functions and activity) your body has to store the energy (otherwise it would have to get rid of it, in the form of excess heat, which would be bad). The most efficient way to store it is as fat. When you use more energy than you bring in, the body has to get them from somewhere, and the stored fat (and protein in unused muscle mass) is where it goes. It's all a balance. So yes, it all boils down to calories on that simplistic of a model.

Of course, there's a lot more to it, from getting all the nutrients we need to feeling satisfied and happy with what we eat. If you feel like going low-fat is helping you trim down excess calories, and you are satisfied with it, then don't let someone else tell you that you must change.

BandedTriaRN

First of all, what type degree does this guy have? I've seen a lot of people with no degrees or education telling people do this or that. I wouldn't trust people without reading actual research articles. I would not base my beliefs on "research" spouted in anything but a document written by something like a University/hospital or NIH type resource. I would actually want to read the research. As a Registered Nurse, I would not tell anyone to do the same diet that works for me. We are all different. I am a big Atkins fan because it works for me but some people do well calorie counting and others something strict and high carb like McDougalls. We are all different and to think that our bodies will all react the same in every instance and to every diet, is kinda ridiculous. Do what works for you. As someone said before, you know your body best and what works best for you and don't believe every idiot that says they are a "weight loss specialist and personal trainer"... unless they have the degree in exercise physiology and/ or are a licensed dietitian or nutritionist, then they may or may not know JACK!

ksloop00

If calories don't matter, I don't know how the heck I lost this 50lbs.

I agree with you! I've lost 54 lbs from cutting calories:)

Newfiedan

Of course calories matter, if you do not think they do then you are in a sad state, but what makes up those calories can be equally important.

HMonsterX

Find out! Eat thousands of calories, albeit healthy ones, and see what happens?

Jacwhite22

So you didn't eat protein in your diet or kept it very low?

I ate fat and protein in a 50/50 ratio blunting the insulin spikes using fat as the main staple for energy on the diet.

Confused? Protein causes insulin spikes......

Newfiedan

fat blunts insulin spikes, fat is the only macro that does not cause any insulin spikes but you still need protein to prevent muscle loss on the diet so eating fat and protein in a 50/50 ratio blunts the insulin spikes.

Acg67

fat blunts insulin spikes, fat is the only macro that does not cause any insulin spikes but you still need protein to prevent muscle loss on the diet so eating fat and protein in a 50/50 ratio blunts the insulin spikes.

http://www.ajcn.org/content/37/6/941.full.pdf

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3276722

yarwell

Low-fat is generally better than "non fat," because nonfat replaces the fat with sugars and chemicals

Low fat is the same - lots of maltodextrin or other starchy crap to replace the fat.

jennit1801

My opinion based on what I have read and learned from various friends on here: Calorie restriction is the major player in weight loss, but I agree that you should choose full-fat options with some products. When you buy low fat, or non-fat, there is often a multitude of un-identifiable ingredients added to make up for the loss of taste that results from removing the fat. There is usually more sugar in products that are labeled as non-fat or fat free. There are some exceptions to this rule, but check the label when you're shopping and compare the levels of sugar and sodium between full fat and low fat varieties.

Also, as stated several times above, your body needs good fat to function, like that found in avocados, nuts and certain fish.

So basically, I don't agree with the guy that says calories are meaningless, but I do think that full-fat options are the way to go, in moderation of course:)

tigersword

So you didn't eat protein in your diet or kept it very low?

I ate fat and protein in a 50/50 ratio blunting the insulin spikes using fat as the main staple for energy on the diet.

Protein spikes insulin just as much, if not more than carbs do.

Fat does not "blunt" insulin spikes, it just doesn't contribute to them.

tigersword

Insulin does a helluva lot more than just "store glucose."

And as long as you stick to your calorie goals, you don't have to worry about fat storage either, no matter what you eat.

sssygirl

I totally disagree with this person you were talking to. For me I have tried, low carb, every diet, every pill every gimmick you can think of..
MFP is the first thing that has worked for me since before i had my kids and I exercise at least 4-5 times a week!! I didn't start losing the weight until I started keeping track of my calories. I think doing that and keep a log of what you eat...opens your eyes to a whole world ...like portions, quality of food etc..

Newfiedan

Fat does not "blunt" insulin spikes, it just doesn't contribute to them.

I beg to differ, fat intake slows down protein uptake thereby slowing down the rate at which it is absorbed allowing for less of an insulin spike over time. If you want to spew zombie like cals in cals out bullcrap and if that is all that matters is caloric intake then explain for me why I lost between 1-2 lbs/wk on a low carb diet as opposed to a regular diet with carbs at the exact SAME caloric intake over a 8 week period. Coincidence? Yes calories matter and yes it works to lose weight, my problem with cutting calories was muscle loss as I got leaner. I did not experience that on a low carb approach. Is it for everyone? No not really depends on the goals and what your bodyfat is. If all you want to do is hit a normal weight then cutting cals will work for you and true that it does not really matter what the makeup of if the cals within reason. If your goal is to get really lean then yes what those cals consist of makes a huge difference. Before you go shooting down what I have said do some research, you will find that I am correct. I have spent almost 2 years working to get to where I am right now and I certainly did not get there by not trying exactly what you said and when I hit a wall with it I had to try other things, expanding my knowledge base and experiences. I have spent countless hours researching fat loss and what really works vs broscience that gets spewed by health gurus across the board that I followed blindly once upon a time and in the end all it did was get me weaker and skinny fat.

Heyman09

I think some people overuse the word "Diet" Just think of it as a lifestyle change. I also think that calories do matter.

Acg67

Fat does not "blunt" insulin spikes, it just doesn't contribute to them.

I beg to differ, fat intake slows down protein uptake thereby slowing down the rate at which it is absorbed allowing for less of an insulin spike over time. If you want to spew zombie like cals in cals out bullcrap and if that is all that matters is caloric intake then explain for me why I lost between 1-2 lbs/wk on a low carb diet as opposed to a regular diet with carbs at the exact SAME caloric intake over a 8 week period. Coincidence? Yes calories matter and yes it works to lose weight, my problem with cutting calories was muscle loss as I got leaner. I did not experience that on a low carb approach. Is it for everyone? No not really depends on the goals and what your bodyfat is. If all you want to do is hit a normal weight then cutting cals will work for you and true that it does not really matter what the makeup of if the cals within reason. If your goal is to get really lean then yes what those cals consist of makes a huge difference. Before you go shooting down what I have said do some research, you will find that I am correct. I have spent almost 2 years working to get to where I am right now and I certainly did not get there by not trying exactly what you said and when I hit a wall with it I had to try other things, expanding my knowledge base and experiences. I have spent countless hours researching fat loss and what really works vs broscience that gets spewed by health gurus across the board that I followed blindly once upon a time and in the end all it did was get me weaker and skinny fat.

Lol n=1, did you hold protein constant? did NEAT increase? were workouts and intensity of workouts held constant? what was fat loss like, since when you go lower carb you lose water/glycogen weight. You can get really lean just maintaining a caloric deficit, but yes macronutrient composition will play a part in body composition, but really it's protein intake vs carb/fat intake that makes a difference

Newfiedan

I did indeed hold all variables constant, exercise levels, protein intake, fat intake and cal intake. 2500 cals per day was maintenance level for me for 3 months prior. I had set out initially to prove the theory wrong. I documented the entire thing. Workout schedule, work schedule, diet remained the same the entire time. The only measurement which changed for the duration was my waistline, I lost 1.25" off the waistline and it has yet to return. I am well aware that you can get really lean using a cal deficit I am not disagreeing with that. However for me that was coming at a cost of lean muscle mass which I had no desire to lose. I tried quite a few methods to try and lean out without losing lean mass. Zig zagging cals, following macro ratios to the T, etc. I saw no visible difference between them other than my fat stayed (measured via calipers) and as I got lighter the caliper measurements did not change. 8 weeks of doing carb nite solution and I continually saw my strength go up, my definition increase and never dropping below maintenance levels. It may not work for everyone but it did work for me. I have since not looked at cal intake the same, and using carb backloading I managed to keep the fat off while gaining muscle mass. I do not know everything about the science behind it but it does work for me. Up until I had tried the low carb method I would have totally agreed with you, but the proof was in the pudding for me, it produced results for me unlike just cutting cals where I got weaker, and not leaner no matter how low/high the deficit was. After the prep phase the water/glycogen depletion is done, week 1 I lost 9 lbs (yes this was water/carb weight) post experiment I had gone from 178-160 lbs. I regained 6 lbs after going off the diet for 2 weeks, caliper measurement did not change though nor did visual definition. I then went on carb backloading to build some muscle. I gained an additional 8 lbs in 7 weeks with no change in caliper measurements. Now I have moved onto a heavier version of carb backloading to gain more muscle mass.