Calories are not the same according to Dr. Fuhrman

JeffseekingV
JeffseekingV Posts: 3,165 Member
in Food and Nutrition
According to him, eating the same amount of calories but from different foods won't have the same net result. I couldn't find it on his site but I read it on the pbs special. Because some foods are low in micronutrients and because some carb heavy foods are nutrient deficient, it promotes inflammation and other detrimental health aspects that will lead to unhealthy lives and weight gain.
http://www.diseaseproof.com/archives/cat-healthy-food.html
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Replies

  • mayerel
    mayerel Posts: 254 Member
    What about the Twinkie Diet?
    http://articles.latimes.com/2010/dec/06/health/la-he-fitness-twinkie-diet-20101206
  • JeffseekingV
    JeffseekingV Posts: 3,165 Member
    What about the Twinkie Diet?
    http://articles.latimes.com/2010/dec/06/health/la-he-fitness-twinkie-diet-20101206

    What about it? Remember from his standpoint of micronutrients, the twinkie diet would be very deficient. Plus they ate veggies in that diet also.
  • Sidesteal
    Sidesteal Posts: 5,510 Member
    According to him, eating the same amount of calories but from different foods won't have the same net result. I couldn't find it on his site but I read it on the pbs special. Because some foods are low in micronutrients and because some carb heavy foods are nutrient deficient, it promotes inflammation and other detrimental health aspects that will lead to unhealthy lives and weight gain.
    http://www.diseaseproof.com/archives/cat-healthy-food.html

    And most people in the "calorie is a calorie" camp wouldn't argue that, at least I would hope they wouldn't.

    Of course micronutrients matter and macronutrients absolutely effect body composition -- but calories still govern weight loss.
  • JeffseekingV
    JeffseekingV Posts: 3,165 Member
    According to him, eating the same amount of calories but from different foods won't have the same net result. I couldn't find it on his site but I read it on the pbs special. Because some foods are low in micronutrients and because some carb heavy foods are nutrient deficient, it promotes inflammation and other detrimental health aspects that will lead to unhealthy lives and weight gain.
    http://www.diseaseproof.com/archives/cat-healthy-food.html

    And most people in the "calorie is a calorie" camp wouldn't argue that, at least I would hope they wouldn't.

    Of course micronutrients matter and macronutrients absolutely effect body composition -- but calories still govern weight loss.

    I think he's saying that potentially, you could not gain weight on XX micronutrient rich calories but gain on XX calories of nutrient deficient foods. Because of the negative effects of nutrient deficient foods do on the body.

    I'm not saying that's the end all statement but it might explain some things when people have a hard time losing weight
  • Glucocorticoid
    Glucocorticoid Posts: 867 Member
    Which nutrient will specifically? Not really sure there's really anything to discuss without you locating what he actually said, word for word.
    Someone having a hard time losing weight can be due to a myriad of reasons.
  • Acg67
    Acg67 Posts: 12,142 Member
    According to him, eating the same amount of calories but from different foods won't have the same net result. I couldn't find it on his site but I read it on the pbs special. Because some foods are low in micronutrients and because some carb heavy foods are nutrient deficient, it promotes inflammation and other detrimental health aspects that will lead to unhealthy lives and weight gain.
    http://www.diseaseproof.com/archives/cat-healthy-food.html

    And most people in the "calorie is a calorie" camp wouldn't argue that, at least I would hope they wouldn't.

    Of course micronutrients matter and macronutrients absolutely effect body composition -- but calories still govern weight loss.

    I think he's saying that potentially, you could not gain weight on XX micronutrient rich calories but gain on XX calories of nutrient deficient foods. Because of the negative effects of nutrient deficient foods do on the body.

    I'm not saying that's the end all statement but it might explain some things when people have a hard time losing weight

    Possibly various undiagnosed intolerances vs good/bad, nutrient dense/nutrient sparse whatever foods
  • JeffseekingV
    JeffseekingV Posts: 3,165 Member
    He gerneralized nutrient deficent foods into one category and classified them as "toxic". Because of that, it leads to inflammation and a myrid of diseases. One side effect not really fat gain but these "bad" foods incouraged the formation of blood vessels feeding fat cells. Where nutrient rich foods such as Kale and mushroms actually deter the formation of excess blood vessels(ie.. ones that would feed new fat cells) ie.. here as illustrated with cancer
    http://www.squidoo.com/cancerandfood
  • JeffseekingV
    JeffseekingV Posts: 3,165 Member
    Micronutrients will help repair and aid the body processes (ie.. help fight off cancer etc..) while the same amount of calories of nutrient deficent foods will actually incourage all the bad things we don't want happening to our bodies. ie. cancer, etc...
  • imarlett
    imarlett Posts: 228 Member
    It's what you eat not how much you eat.
    Take a look at fathead the movie website (www.fathead-movie.com). It educates you in a funny way about how the body really works.
    Stick with what is found in nature (typically known as the paleo diet) and stay away from processed foods (of any kind) and you will see a difference not only in your weight but your mood, cognitive function and overall health.
    We've been fed a load of bologna. The medical community should know better but yet they ignore their own training and education.
  • JeffseekingV
    JeffseekingV Posts: 3,165 Member
    I'm not really and advocate of the paleo diet though. I like meat and chips. But I understand the value of those foods in terms of my health. Or at least try to.
  • Acg67
    Acg67 Posts: 12,142 Member
    It's what you eat not how much you eat.
    Take a look at fathead the movie website (www.fathead-movie.com). It educates you in a funny way about how the body really works.
    Stick with what is found in nature (typically known as the paleo diet) and stay away from processed foods (of any kind) and you will see a difference not only in your weight but your mood, cognitive function and overall health.
    We've been fed a load of bologna. The medical community should know better but yet they ignore their own training and education.

    Fathead? All that educates you about is that a caloric deficit results in weight loss regardless of what food you eat, even fast food.

    So if it's what you eat and not how much, can you eat unlimited amounts of these magic foods and not gain weight, or fatloss is still governed by caloric intake?
  • mes1119
    mes1119 Posts: 1,082 Member
    weight loss is calorie in, calorie out

    health is determined by nutrient content

    you're simply talking about two different things.
  • bebreli
    bebreli Posts: 227 Member
    I only listen to advice from Dr. Spaceman :o)
  • jenniejengin
    jenniejengin Posts: 784 Member
    bump
  • bradthemedic
    bradthemedic Posts: 623 Member
    I like the theory and it makes sense. Nutritionally dense food would help you stay healthy and in return help you lose weight... I don't know more than that - it just sounds about right in my head.
  • crisanderson27
    crisanderson27 Posts: 5,343 Member
    bum

    Yes, that is what I see in your profile picture!

    Interesting discussion. Here's my bum too.
  • bebreli
    bebreli Posts: 227 Member
    bum

    Yes, that is what I see in your profile picture!

    Interesting discussion. Here's my bum too.

    That is totally what I was thinking!! HAHA

    I did the front shot :o)
  • gastankerdriver
    gastankerdriver Posts: 162
    Good solid thread. Thanks OP. I have always thought there HAD to be a DIFFERENCE between eating 200 calories from chocolate cake compared to 200 calories worth of asparagus or spinach or something like that.
  • jenniejengin
    jenniejengin Posts: 784 Member
    bum

    Yes, that is what I see in your profile picture!

    Interesting discussion. Here's my bum too.

    that was suppose to be bump. I would never try to disrespect anyone like that, by saying bum.
  • carajo
    carajo Posts: 532 Member
    I think its all about how your body metabolizes those calories! So i'm with him...and the Twinkie diet...gross!! I would like to see someone after the twinkie diet, or the same cals. eating clean...body composition i bet would be different...ie skinny fat!!
  • Trail_Addict
    Trail_Addict Posts: 1,340 Member
    What does Dr. Oz have to say about all this? :wink:
  • JeffseekingV
    JeffseekingV Posts: 3,165 Member
    weight loss is calorie in, calorie out

    health is determined by nutrient content

    you're simply talking about two different things.

    Actually, the discussion is about how the quality of the calorie is intergal to not only health but weight loss (as a side benefit).
  • crisanderson27
    crisanderson27 Posts: 5,343 Member
    bum

    Yes, that is what I see in your profile picture!

    Interesting discussion. Here's my bum too.

    that was suppose to be bump. I would never try to disrespect anyone like that, by saying bum.

    We knew...it was just my funny way of bumping too. Besides, your bum IS your profile picture!
  • gastankerdriver
    gastankerdriver Posts: 162
    weight loss is calorie in, calorie out

    health is determined by nutrient content

    you're simply talking about two different things.

    But your body process different foods at a different rate. I notice that my weight loss varies more depending on the foods I eat compared to the simple calorie count. I see it in my diet every day. I can go way over on my calories if I eat cooked vegetables and fruit and still lose weight. If I eat junk, my weight stays the same.
  • RaeN81
    RaeN81 Posts: 534 Member
    "Calories are not the same" is like saying "muscle weighs more than fat". It is a verbal fallacy. A pound of fat=a pound a muscle. A 100 calories of fries has the same caloric value as a 100 calories of veggies.

    You will lose weight eating at a deficit. You will have a different body composition if you eat healthy foods and exercise to get there. If your diet is rich in sodium and sugar you will be bloated and hold onto water weight. You will be sickly if you nothing but junk food for a prolonged period of time.

    But a calorie is a calorie is a calorie.
  • Sidesteal
    Sidesteal Posts: 5,510 Member
    Micronutrient deficiencies take a while to develop, but that issue aside, given equal calories AND macronutrients, weight loss isn't going to change assuming normal insulin function. Neither is body composition.


    That doesn't mean using cake as your primary source of carbohydrate is a good idea.
  • JeffseekingV
    JeffseekingV Posts: 3,165 Member
    "Calories are not the same" is like saying "muscle weighs more than fat". It is a verbal fallacy. A pound of fat=a pound a muscle. A 100 calories of fries has the same caloric value as a 100 calories of veggies.

    You will lose weight eating at a deficit. You will have a different body composition if you eat healthy foods and exercise to get there. If your diet is rich in sodium and sugar you will be bloated and hold onto water weight. You will be sickly if you nothing but junk food for a prolonged period of time.

    But a calorie is a calorie is a calorie.

    Actually it's not. He mentions the exact opposite of what you are stating and that's exactly why I put this subject up for discussion. And your statements are slightly contradictory. To add, he says that eating crappy foods will cause inflammation and will cause you to have a tendency to hold onto or even gain weight. Whether is water weight, fat cells etc.. A side effect of a real crappy diet seems to be toxicity as you are alluding to. And that will hinder health number one and possibly weight number two
  • JeffseekingV
    JeffseekingV Posts: 3,165 Member
    Micronutrient deficiencies take a while to develop, but that issue aside, given equal calories AND macronutrients, weight loss isn't going to change assuming normal insulin function. Neither is body composition.


    That doesn't mean using cake as your primary source of carbohydrate is a good idea.

    But the point here is a severe lack of proper micronutrients per calorie taken in
  • Acg67
    Acg67 Posts: 12,142 Member
    "Calories are not the same" is like saying "muscle weighs more than fat". It is a verbal fallacy. A pound of fat=a pound a muscle. A 100 calories of fries has the same caloric value as a 100 calories of veggies.

    You will lose weight eating at a deficit. You will have a different body composition if you eat healthy foods and exercise to get there. If your diet is rich in sodium and sugar you will be bloated and hold onto water weight. You will be sickly if you nothing but junk food for a prolonged period of time.

    But a calorie is a calorie is a calorie.

    Actually it's not. He mentions the exact opposite of what you are stating and that's exactly why I put this subject up for discussion. And your statements are slightly contradictory. To add, he says that eating crappy foods will cause inflammation and will cause you to have a tendency to hold onto or even gain weight. Whether is water weight, fat cells etc.. A side effect of a real crappy diet seems to be toxicity as you are alluding to. And that will hinder health number one and possibly weight number two

    A calorie is a unit of energy...
  • RaeN81
    RaeN81 Posts: 534 Member
    A calorie is a unit of energy...
    [/quote]

    That is exactly what I am pointing out.

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