Does it matter where your calories come from?
Replies
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Nope. I would just make sure to consume enough g (not worried as much about the % as the g) of protein to conserve the muscle you have now.0
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It's clear that you were just trying to be helpful. However, unless you fully understand the science behind fat loss, you'd do well to be wary about advising someone on his or her food choices.
I lost 80 of my 109 lbs. during a three month period where my macronutrient percentages were 10% carbohydrates, 25% protein, and 65% fat -- mostly saturated fat. During the last 11 months, my body fat percentage has dropped from 41.7% to 13.2%, while I did little more than a basic powerlifting routine and walking -- hardly even sweating. Never once was I hungry either -- not a single day. All of my health markers improved dramatically too -- my blood pressure is 110/65, down from 145/85. My HDL/LDL cholesterol profile improved even more dramatically. My triglycerides plummeted. What's more, my resting heart rate dropped from 110 to 50.
If you were my MFP friend, what would you have told me about my fat intake? Based on your post, you probably would have advised me that it wasn't the best way to approach fat loss or improve my health markers; however, that would have been hopelessly wrong because it would have been based on unscientific, mainstream health advice, the same thing that has led to the obesity crisis despite us restricting calories and exercising more than ever.
Very good points, Spartan_Maker. Thank you.0 -
I think it definitely does matter. Maybe you'll still lose weight for a while eating crap food but from my experience your body will FEEL better eating healthier. If I eat 2 pieces of pizza I feel gross as opposed to if I eat the same amount of calories from a balanced plate.
I think when you leave your diary viewable to anyone you leave yourself open to comments. Why else would you leave your diary viewable? People just want to be patted on the back and everyone to say GOOD JOB but no one wants to hear anything remotely negative- even just helpful advice from a FRIEND.0 -
I don't care what anyone says - even for weight loss - it just isn't as simple as calories in vs calories out. Your body responds better to quality eating - meaning feeding your body properly, NOT just staying under some random calorie goal.
I agree.
So I guess the point is:
For weight loss, eat whatever you like - as long as you are under your daily calorie limits, you will lose
For better health and a lifestyle change that lasts, eat cleaner/better.
Got it. Thank you all so much!!0 -
I don't eat perfect, I care about my health but I also enjoy breads and sweets or anything else I like in moderation. My diet is not always healthy, I do need to work on my sodium but otherwise I'm happy with my weight loss. The difference for me between a lifestyle change and a diet is if I went on a "diet" and cut out everything I loved I wouldn't be able to stick to it, instead I try and chose healthier options most of the time but if I feel like eating crappy, I do. I really do feel the difference and intend to chose more veggies and fruits over chips, etc. but at my own pace. I do think if the diary is open then it is up for criticism.0
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I don't care what anyone says - even for weight loss - it just isn't as simple as calories in vs calories out. Your body responds better to quality eating - meaning feeding your body properly, NOT just staying under some random calorie goal.
Your calorie goal ought not be random at all. It should be a slight energy deficit from the calories needed to maintain your weight. Also, the more calories you eat, the more nutrients you can have while still enjoying a treat. (Just a different way to look at it)0 -
I think it definitely does matter. Maybe you'll still lose weight for a while eating crap food but from my experience your body will FEEL better eating healthier. If I eat 2 pieces of pizza I feel gross as opposed to if I eat the same amount of calories from a balanced plate.
I think when you leave your diary viewable to anyone you leave yourself open to comments. Why else would you leave your diary viewable? People just want to be patted on the back and everyone to say GOOD JOB but no one wants to hear anything remotely negative- even just helpful advice from a FRIEND.
When I eat two slices of pizza, I'm proud of myself for not eating four slices. (or eight) :laugh:
For your second point, I have to answer: to prove the sugar-haters wrong! :laugh:0 -
I don't care what anyone says - even for weight loss - it just isn't as simple as calories in vs calories out. Your body responds better to quality eating - meaning feeding your body properly, NOT just staying under some random calorie goal.
you may not care but you're still wrong0 -
Well why don't you read this...I don't care what anyone says - even for weight loss - it just isn't as simple as calories in vs calories out. Your body responds better to quality eating - meaning feeding your body properly, NOT just staying under some random calorie goal.
http://www.foxnews.com/health/2010/11/09/professor-loses-pounds-junk-food-diet/0 -
My motto is "everything is permissible, but not everything is beneficial"
^I like this motto! Thank you!
Too late! I saw it first!
<plagerized> 0 -
My MFP friends know that the advice of suggestions I give are not chastising them and not 'telling' them what to do. If they have a open diary I'm going to comment. Don't like it? Keep it hidden.
We're all here for support and advice as far as I'm concerned and lots of my MFP friends are real life friends so they know what I'm like and have joined MFP because I'm doing really well.
I don't think the OP was wrong at all. She was just trying to give some advice she's found helpful in her journey. IMO the 'friend' needs to cut down on the junk, maybe she'll find her moods a little more stable and will be less of a grouch!
I wouldn't comment 'way to go!' or 'awesommmmme!' on someone's diary if they were under goal without checking it out. If it's full of shat I'm not going to encourage them to keep doing that. The only time this wouldn't apply is if I knew MFP friend was at an event full of cruddy food and they controlled themselves but I would be noting that in my comment.
I think everyone should eat as much fruit and veg as possible and cook as much of your own food as you can. I believe this is a lifestyle change and having control over what goes into your mouth and getting some food-ucation is the key.
But if others don't have the same view that's fine, I wont offer advice and am likely not to comment because I don't share the same journey as they do. We probably wont remain MFP friends for long and I would have certainly deleted them after attacking me for just trying to help.0 -
This is comparing apples and oranges.
So depending on what you are talking about both are correct and both are wrong.
With that you have two choices now, let it go and offer support when what is happening is to your liking or apologize saying you are sorry but you thought that what you were offering was supportive but now you understand they have a different goal than what you believed and then let it go.0 -
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get's 90% of his meals from fast food joints. And we ain't talkin bout no salads. Eating Wendy's right now. I am dead serious. Large chili and spicy nuggets right here on my desk. Usually it's a triple cheeseburger. It's not for everyone, but this is how I lost all of my weight this year.0 -
Might have to try that!0
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As for weightloss, she is right. As for nutrition, you are. But she didn't ask for criticism or advice. When u realized your comment had hurt her did you apologize or get defensive? Are you really posting this to decide whether or not an apology is warranted or are you being a right fighter and looking for the forum to back you up? Is she going to see on her feed that you posted a topic and now you called her out to everyone? Chances are if she was sensitive to you as a "friend" commenting on her page about her diet she probably isn't going to be thrilled that now everyone gets to weigh in on her diet choices. Not everyone will know who you are talking about, but more than likely the only one that matters will.0
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IMO is this about weight loss or healthy? For weight loss as long as your eating less then whatever, but for healthy you need to eat the right kinds of food and that means cutting out as much processed foods as you can. But just as a suggestion don't offer advice on a diary unless it's asked for. Saves you from having to post this. If you have something to say about someone's diary and don't want them to know it's directed at them then just post in your feeds that cutting out processed foods from your everyday routine leads to a healthier weight loss. FYI you don't have to exercise to lose weight either, that's for a healthy you also. You will feel a lot better by cutting out those foods, while she'll still be sluggish and just feeling like crap. IMO those are the ones that won't last.0
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While you will lose weight if you burn more calories than you consume during a day there are a lot of interesting theories that a calorie is not just a calorie.
A study was undertaken during the second world war by Keys to investigate the effects of starvation. Volunteers were placed on a diet consisting of 1570 calories a day (25.5% protein, 17.2% fat, 57.3% carbs) during a 24 week study time.
They found that these men not only lost a lot of weight but also suffered terrible side effects such as endlessly thinking about food, becoming lethargic, cold and depressed and developing bleeding disorders, fluid retention and some developed serious psychological disorders (including one man who chopped off several of his own fingers). Pretty grim stuff
But when you compare it to later studies such as Yudkins study's in the 1960s who investigated the effect of low carb diet. He took volunteers and when they were fed food was placed on the table and they were told to serve themselves and eat as much as they wanted, the food was all low carb but high fat and protein food. They analyzed what the subjects were eating and their mental states. The findings showed the participants consumed 1560 calories per day, almost exactly the same as the Keys study described above (21.3% protein, 60.6% fat and 17.1% carb)
If the thinking is a calorie is only a calorie and its all just a simple mathematics equation then how can one group of people starve and go crazy on a set calorie number and another choose to eat that same calorie goal and feel full, satisfied and reported a "increased feeling of well being"
I just find this topic fascinating so sorry for boring you with my scientific jargon!
If you want to find out more about these studies the Yudkin one is here (http://ajcn.nutrition.org/content/23/7/948.full.pdf+html) but the other one is too old, I cant find it online, the book of it can be found on amazon here (http://www.amazon.com/o/ASIN/0816651612/104-0776638-0750307?SubscriptionId=1N9AHEAQ2F6SVD97BE02)0 -
I would never comment on any friend's diary unless specifically asked. I think it's rude.0
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Well, I'm going to put in my 2 cents worth. She will lose weight, but she'll be a thinner fat girl basically. Because you are what you eat. If you're eating crap you're going to be fat and I mean have high body fat. You might weigh less, but you won't have a healthier body and you won't look better because you will be flabby. And yeah, colon cancer comes to mind as well as many other kinds of cancer and other diseases. Cancer as well as many health issues and diseases are caused by high acidic ph balance in your body...the more crap you eat the higher the acid ph of your body. The more clean, whole, raw foods you eat (lots of vegetables, the more raw the better) - the higher your alkaline your ph level will be and the healthier and freer of disease and yes least likely to get cancer because cancer thrives in acidic environments not alkaline.
...just a thought
oh and if you're my mfp friend like it or not...I'm always on your case about vegetables. Sometimes, I'll let you slide if you got 4 servings but zero and I'm all over ya! If you put a weeks worth of your diary on a table...it should be all colors of the rainbow...if its brown, tan, beige...you're eating crap. just saying0 -
My motto is "everything is permissible, but not everything is beneficial"
^I like this motto! Thank you!
Too late! I saw it first! <plagerized>
I must 'fess up. I plagiarized it too. If I dare to say so on a public forum, it's actually from the Bible.0 -
As for weightloss, she is right. As for nutrition, you are. But she didn't ask for criticism or advice. When u realized your comment had hurt her did you apologize or get defensive? Are you really posting this to decide whether or not an apology is warranted or are you being a right fighter and looking for the forum to back you up? Is she going to see on her feed that you posted a topic and now you called her out to everyone? Chances are if she was sensitive to you as a "friend" commenting on her page about her diet she probably isn't going to be thrilled that now everyone gets to weigh in on her diet choices. Not everyone will know who you are talking about, but more than likely the only one that matters will.
If you read through the entire thread, I did post that I had sent a letter of apology for overstepping a boundary. Thanks for your input.0 -
I would never comment on any friend's diary unless specifically asked. I think it's rude.
But posting that ^ here isn't?0 -
While you will lose weight if you burn more calories than you consume during a day there are a lot of interesting theories that a calorie is not just a calorie.
A study was undertaken during the second world war by Keys to investigate the effects of starvation. Volunteers were placed on a diet consisting of 1570 calories a day (25.5% protein, 17.2% fat, 57.3% carbs) during a 24 week study time.
They found that these men not only lost a lot of weight but also suffered terrible side effects such as endlessly thinking about food, becoming lethargic, cold and depressed and developing bleeding disorders, fluid retention and some developed serious psychological disorders (including one man who chopped off several of his own fingers). Pretty grim stuff
But when you compare it to later studies such as Yudkins study's in the 1960s who investigated the effect of low carb diet. He took volunteers and when they were fed food was placed on the table and they were told to serve themselves and eat as much as they wanted, the food was all low carb but high fat and protein food. They analyzed what the subjects were eating and their mental states. The findings showed the participants consumed 1560 calories per day, almost exactly the same as the Keys study described above (21.3% protein, 60.6% fat and 17.1% carb)
If the thinking is a calorie is only a calorie and its all just a simple mathematics equation then how can one group of people starve and go crazy on a set calorie number and another choose to eat that same calorie goal and feel full, satisfied and reported a "increased feeling of well being"
I just find this topic fascinating so sorry for boring you with my scientific jargon!
If you want to find out more about these studies the Yudkin one is here (http://ajcn.nutrition.org/content/23/7/948.full.pdf+html) but the other one is too old, I cant find it online, the book of it can be found on amazon here (http://www.amazon.com/o/ASIN/0816651612/104-0776638-0750307?SubscriptionId=1N9AHEAQ2F6SVD97BE02)
No, I don't find it boring at all...in fact, I think it's good information! Thank you!0 -
In my opinion, a calorie is NOT a calorie.
A twinkie containing 200 calories, does not have the same macronutrient breakdown as a peice of chicken that is 200 Calories.
You are far better sticking to CLEAN foods that have more nutrient dense macronutrients.
Whole grains. Clean meats. Vegetables & Fruits and certain fats. Simple. Sure, if you want to eat that twinkie and it fits into your macro's then why not..
You cannot just eat your daily caloric intake of twinkie's and expect to hit the proper macros for your BMR.0 -
I think it may be different for everyone, but in general (and at least it's true for me) from a weight loss perspective, it shouldn't matter where they come from. From a health and fitness perspective, it DOES matter where your calories come from. I want to be healthy personally, so I make sure I'm eating a balanced, nutritious diet.0
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so why exactly are pizza and cheeseburgers inherently evil?
i'm sure there are some cheeseburgers that are more healthy than some salads. it's all about how it's made and what's in it rather than what it's named, right?0 -
She's being too sensitive.0
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If you're losing weight, feel good, all blood work etc is normal. Then just continue eating the way that has been working for you.
So what someone chooses to eat is up to them.0 -
Everyone is different but the way Im playing the game is drop weight while eating whatever I want. Hey! Im already depriving myself of calories, so why add to the burden by adding another deprivation? LOL
Almost everyday I eat a Butterfinger Fun Size (85 cal). I plan for it and my focus is to stay within my plan. Damn it's good.
I am also jacking with my intake. I will go a few days eating 1500 - 1600 cal then jump up to 1800 - 1900 cal. I find that it helps keep me from not hitting a plateau, as my loss seems to be somewhat steady, 1/2 lb daily.
I think eating fat, protein, and junk while reducing caloric intake works for me and keeps my body from going into famine mode.
Think Im gonna eat Taco Bell tonight. Mexican Pizza and Burrito Supreme! (930 calories) Yum Yum eatum up!0 -
I've wondered this myself too. Like the other posts said if you are under calories, you will lose weight. But every diet should include veggies and fruit as much as possible, I try and find a healthy balance as much as possible.0
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