Registered Dietitian in TX here to answer questions.

FoodandFitness

First off, I just wanted to thank you for your time in answering questions.

I am a 42 yr old female. 11 years ago I lost 110 lbs and have kept almost all of it off. I work out hard 5-6 days a week, cardio, weights, long runs etc. I have always disliked plain water, however, drink over a gallon a day flavored with crystal light. The more people I talk to lately say that this is bad for you and plain water is better (i get that). Can I be hindering my own weight loss by always using a crystal light packet or MILO drops to flavor my water?? Thanks!!

No, there is nothing wrong with flavoring your water. The idea that these flavorings will stop your weight loss is completely false.

FoodandFitness

I am 30 years old. I currently weigh 275 pounds. Obviously I am here to lose weight. I understand that weight loss boils down to simply calories in vs. calories out. In order to lose weight I need to eat fewer calories. So does sleep really matter when you are trying to lose weight? If so, how does a lack of sleep interfere? I have battled insomnia and other sleep problems my entire life. I have been to the doctor and several specialists and still have problems sleeping more often than not. I'm not looking for information on how to sleep as I am sure I have heard it all. Is there anything I can do as far as diet/nutrition goes in order to keep my irregular sleeping patterns from interfering with weight loss? Does meal timing matter? Should I be more extreme in my calorie deficit? Eat more protein? Any information would be appreciated. Thank you!

You have to ask yourself "could I eat like this every day for the rest of my life" if the answer is "yes" and you are getting results, then you have a plan that's going to work for you.

Sleep matters, but not directly. Lack of sleep can lead to poor decisions and has been shown to deter fat loss in research.

Exercise can help regulate your sleep.

nyla23608

bump

danielleeu

bump for later.

ParisKennedy

I am 30 years old. I currently weigh 275 pounds. Obviously I am here to lose weight. I understand that weight loss boils down to simply calories in vs. calories out. In order to lose weight I need to eat fewer calories. So does sleep really matter when you are trying to lose weight? If so, how does a lack of sleep interfere? I have battled insomnia and other sleep problems my entire life. I have been to the doctor and several specialists and still have problems sleeping more often than not. I'm not looking for information on how to sleep as I am sure I have heard it all. Is there anything I can do as far as diet/nutrition goes in order to keep my irregular sleeping patterns from interfering with weight loss? Does meal timing matter? Should I be more extreme in my calorie deficit? Eat more protein? Any information would be appreciated. Thank you!

You have to ask yourself "could I eat like this every day for the rest of my life" if the answer is "yes" and you are getting results, then you have a plan that's going to work for you.

Sleep matters, but not directly. Lack of sleep can lead to poor decisions and has been shown to deter fat loss in research.

Exercise can help regulate your sleep.

I'm far from an expert but for me when I am sleepy , I find I have no energy. When I have no energy and can't take a nap, I will grab food especially sweets to boost my energy level. I won't even be hungry, just sleepy. This is yet another way that I think lack of sleep can prevent one from being successful at weight loss. Sleepiness to me results in me thinking I am hungry needing food when all I really need is a nap.

Wanted to add that I have a very hard time sleeping. So I have found an over the counter melatonin herb which helps me sleep. It knocks me out like a light rather quickly and without the "hangover" of sleeping pills the next day. It is amazing, IMO.

FoodandFitness

Hi not sure if you are still answering questions, fingers crossed.
I am 25, 11stones with bf% of 30 my lbm is 108. My tdee is like 2300 I think and brm (I think that's the maintenance ? Where it calculates the calories you burn by doing nothing?) Is around 1600. I have just started to alter my life style exercising 3x weekly; zumba, strength and cardio in the gym and swimming. I started off aiming for 1200 net but have been advised to increase. After reading your posts it seems you advise people to do what works for then and that a deficit will help fat loss is this correct?
My main question as the previous is personal decision I think, is how do you calculate the protein fat and carb requirements in percent for daily intake, I've been using MFP but would like to know how to do it myself, not seen any major loss yet but as I say I have only just started.

Start with your TDEE and subtract 20%. If you don't lose any weight after a few weeks, subtract another 10% and repeat again after a few weeks if necessary.

Give yourself about 1g protein per pound of lean weight up to total bodyweight, and make your fat about half that number. Fill in the rest with carbs.

mtbaker64

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Cyclink

You have to ask yourself "could I eat like this every day for the rest of my life" if the answer is "yes" and you are getting results, then you have a plan that's going to work for you.

Best quote ever.

momtraders

Hi, thanks so much for answering questions here. I myself have a question for you. I feel like I have gotten myself into a mess. I am female, 145lbs. Normally 125lbs. The past 3 years I have stopped eating anything healthy. I married, and my husband is not very healthy when it comes to food choices. I have fallen off into bad eating behavior. I am frustrated because most days I feel hungry, even though I have ate way too many calories and consumed way too much sugar.
I get into depressed modes and drinks several sodas all day, kind of like a meal replacement. I am just wondering is there any hope for me?
My ideal calories are at 1210 for the day. I tried to eat normally today and only have had 1 soda so far. I still feel hungry and overl unhappy with my food choices. How do I make this awful cycle stop for GOOD? I am also expereincing a horrible headache from the lack of caffiene from my sodas. Please help. Thanks

downinaggieland98

I worry about stevia... I have always heard "fake" sugar is worse then the real thing

Rumours suck. Better than aspartame (which can lead to Aneurysms) and most certainly better than pure sugar!

I keep my sugar under 24g a day easy.. I have learned to do without excess sugar, stevia I take is in my protein powder. I don't add sugar to anything.. may be worth it for you to either learn to live without adding sugar to your drinks or find an alternative.

As someone who has had an aneurysm rupture on her, please could you cite me a reliable source that actually says this so I can do some research on it?

You are more than welcome to use Google, for example, to your avail as what sources I think are reliable may be ones that you feel are not reliable and I'm not looking into getting into a debate (should you disagree). :flowerforyou:

Well, that is just it, I have not seen any so was hoping you could point me to them.

Oh, really? That's unfortunate. Google alone has suggested over hundreds of thousands of results.. I'm sure you can find something should you be interested in finding reliable sources. Best of luck to you

I did a search and didn't see an article about that. A link would be helpful.

ParisKennedy

Hi Sweet Tony,

Is red meat as bad for someone as had originally been warned years ago? They now have low fat beef which is suppose to be free of hormones. It seems I read somewhere that it isn't bad like we thought. I would believe it, but not sure WHO is producing the new info. .. is the the beef industry?

Are certain cuts better for you than others? Such as a steak is healthier than a burger due to what it contains. Also is there truth to it being better for you if it is over cooked vs undercooked? I heard that resteraunts in China have signs in their windows which say, "No American beef" because they are scared of it. Can't blame them. Not sure if that is because our beef is the worse in the world? If beef is bad no matter where it comes from? Or what is going on. My beef questions and concerns are based on the thought of a "heart healthy diet". I threw a lot out here, but the heart is the main concern as I type this.

Thanks in advance.

FoodandFitness

Hi, thanks so much for answering questions here. I myself have a question for you. I feel like I have gotten myself into a mess. I am female, 145lbs. Normally 125lbs. The past 3 years I have stopped eating anything healthy. I married, and my husband is not very healthy when it comes to food choices. I have fallen off into bad eating behavior. I am frustrated because most days I feel hungry, even though I have ate way too many calories and consumed way too much sugar.
I get into depressed modes and drinks several sodas all day, kind of like a meal replacement. I am just wondering is there any hope for me?
My ideal calories are at 1210 for the day. I tried to eat normally today and only have had 1 soda so far. I still feel hungry and overl unhappy with my food choices. How do I make this awful cycle stop for GOOD? I am also expereincing a horrible headache from the lack of caffiene from my sodas. Please help. Thanks

Just switch to diet soda, or start doing 1/2 and 1/2 diet with regular until you can work yourself down to zero calorie colas.

Don't get overwhelmed. Start with one meal and get that down before you move on. You build a brick wall brick by brick, don't try to lay down the whole wall at first. Why not start with a healthy breakfast?

There is always hope. No one is hopeless.

FoodandFitness

Hi Sweet Tony,

Is red meat as bad for someone as had originally been warned years ago? They now have low fat beef which is suppose to be free of hormones. It seems I read somewhere that it isn't bad like we thought. I would believe it, but not sure WHO is producing the new info. .. is the the beef industry?

Are certain cuts better for you than others? Such as a steak is healthier than a burger due to what it contains. Also is there truth to it being better for you if it is over cooked vs undercooked? I heard that resteraunts in China have signs in their windows which say, "No American beef" because they are scared of it. Can't blame them. Not sure if that is because our beef is the worse in the world? If beef is bad no matter where it comes from? Or what is going on. My beef questions and concerns are based on the thought of a "heart healthy diet". I threw a lot out here, but the heart is the main concern as I type this.

Thanks in advance.

Beef, like any other food, can fit into a well balanced diet. Beef is high in protein and minerals and can be a good source of fat. Saturated fat is not causative of heart disease, this theory has been refuted in research and meta analysis of the topic. If you're trying to watch your fat intake, cuts like extra lean beef, filet, flank steak, and sirloin are lower in fat.

SRH7

Hi Sweet Tony,

Is red meat as bad for someone as had originally been warned years ago? They now have low fat beef which is suppose to be free of hormones. It seems I read somewhere that it isn't bad like we thought. I would believe it, but not sure WHO is producing the new info. .. is the the beef industry?

Are certain cuts better for you than others? Such as a steak is healthier than a burger due to what it contains. Also is there truth to it being better for you if it is over cooked vs undercooked? I heard that resteraunts in China have signs in their windows which say, "No American beef" because they are scared of it. Can't blame them. Not sure if that is because our beef is the worse in the world? If beef is bad no matter where it comes from? Or what is going on. My beef questions and concerns are based on the thought of a "heart healthy diet". I threw a lot out here, but the heart is the main concern as I type this.

Thanks in advance.

Beef, like any other food, can fit into a well balanced diet. Beef is high in protein and minerals and can be a good source of fat. Saturated fat is not causative of heart disease, this theory has been refuted in research and meta analysis of the topic. If you're trying to watch your fat intake, cuts like extra lean beef, filet, flank steak, and sirloin are lower in fat.

:flowerforyou:

Olivia

Dear Posters,

This topic is locked and the conversations are continuing in this group:

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/groups/home/13155-ask-the-dietitian


Thank you for your understanding and help in keeping MyFitnessPal a supportive, friendly community.

Respectfully,
Olivia
MFP Community Manager