Can you eat anything you want?

Motivated_Mom_4

I have lost 16 lbs since I started dieting in mid November and my husband is considering reducing his calories as well. The only problem is that he and I eat very differently. I'm by nature a very plain and picky eater who enjoys eating the same things repeatedly. He is a junk food junkie who hates veggies or anything healthy. It's amazing to me that he is only overweight by maybe 5 to 10 lbs. Now, my question is, can you eat ANYTHING you want as long as you stay under your calorie limit?He works during the day and doesn't usually eat anything until 4pm when he has an early dinner. So can he just save his 1,800 cals to eat a big dinner and still lose weight? He is a big McDonalds junkie, so a couple double cheeseburgers is still under his calorie limit so if he ate junk like that every night would he still lose weight just due to being under his limit? I'm hoping he will make healthier choices as he sees changes, but at least he is starting somewhere and it's my job to be supportive of him and not lecture him. In theory, will his plan work for him?

dawningr

yes, he will lose weight. no, he will not be healthy.

Motivated_Mom_4

I'm hoping he will slowly make healthy changes as he starts to pay attention to the calories in foods he is eating now that he will actually have a calorie limit for himself. Since he decided on his own to lose a few pounds without me lecturing or nagging him, I'm hoping he will slowly start adding in more healthy foods as well. Small steps I suppose.

dawningr

Oh absolutely. Especially if you keep healthy things in the house, cook healthy meals, etc..

purpleipod

If he sticks to his calorie goal, yes.

lamby284

His metabolism is higher than yours. I know how you feel. I cant eat anything I want, even if its within my calorie limit. I have to cut out almost all red meat and all dairy. My best friend on the other hand can eat pizza and pasta all the time and stay skinny. Definitely makes me jealous sometimes!

You could try putting cheese/sauce on vegetables. Nothing like cheese and broccoli right? Stir fry is another good dish thats still packed with veggies.

crazy4fids

Anyone can loose weight if they are burnng more calories than they are eating. It will come down to whether he is eating nutrient dense calories, or empty calories. The more natural the foods (non processed, non refined) the more nutrient rich they are. Also, some foods are more thermic than others which make a difference in the end.

mickiebabs

Theoretically, yes. However; there are some things to keep in mind. If he doesn't eat all day long and then eats one big meal, he's going to mess up his metabolism. Even if it's something like a handful of almonds within an hour of waking up and another small snack in the middle of the day, it'd be better than not eating at all all day long. We keep a stock of snack bars that are high fiber and protein for me and my husband to grab if we really do not feel like eating but know we should.

As far as the eat anything you want idea, some people really can with no problem. Others can't. I have a good sized no no list because the items on it cause me to feel hungry even when I shouldn't be.

T1mH

In theory, will his plan work for him?

Some people say this will work. Because calories in < calories out = weight loss. It doesn't work for me. I can eat a large bag of chips and still be hungry. I eat a cup of broccoli or grapes and I'm full for hours. So healthy foods make me feel full. Junk food leaves me hungry.

2hobbit1

If it fit your calorie target and macros go for it. Eating healthier is not necessary for weight loss only a calorie deficit. Eventually the healthier choices will start to be incorporated. If you don't have junk at home and do some cooking with portion control and good nutrition he will get on step.

losing weight does not have to mean losing variety and flavor.

Motivated_Mom_4

I will see if I can get him to eat and home with the kids and I maybe even once a week to start with. He normally has his dinner right after work before coming home with his cousin who is a single guy that doesn't cook who eats the same way my husband does. They usually commute together so while he and his cousin are out grabbing burgers and eating out, I'm at home with the kiddos having our own dinner. He normally comes in, has dessert with us and then washes up the dishes lol. The idea of putting cheese over broccoli may be a good way to introduce veggies to him. I just want to be as careful with my words and actions and be respectful to him as possible in the process. Thanks for the suggestions!

DebraYvonne

other people seem to be able to but I have to watch my fats & carbs. I am pre-diabetic. Good luck. I work with a bunch of folks who are thin and eat whatever they want all the time!

Remo_Williams

Here is someone who did it:

http://www.myspace.com/leanmonkey/blog/176090863

I think the biggest problem with eating "junk" is portion/appetite control.

etoiles_argentees

To lose weight, yes. To be healthy, no.

Bobby__Clerici

I eat anything I want so long as it fits my daily fiber, macro and calorie goal.
And if I eat too much, more exercise can offset the situation.
Diet food is too yucky for me to eat exclusively.
I need good, clean foods :flowerforyou: mixed with some very naughty dirty foods.:devil:
Your husband and I would probably get along just fine...

Topher1978

Well, if you eat cyanide you won't ever do it again… But you can eat it.

tryclyn

Keep it simple.

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/635529-corn-used-my-man-parts-as-a-speedbag

saraann4

Sure, make sure to stay under calories and other things such as fat, carbs, or whatever else you may track. I like a big dinner too so I bank some of my calories. I will eat a small breakfast, small lunch, snacks, and have my big dinner. If I ever feel hungry inbetween those times, I eat. Also, on NYE, I had a 16oz steak, mashed potatoes with gravy, green beans, roughly 1/4 of an onion blossom, 3 potato skins with cheese and bacon, and bacon wrapped smokies. NYD, I had half of cheese bread from Papa Johns which is basically like a cheese pizza plus two huge slices of pizza. I still lost 1.8lbs this week. Win. I don't do that all the time though, but I gave myself a break for the holidays.

sunsnstatheart

I'm hoping he will slowly make healthy changes as he starts to pay attention to the calories in foods he is eating now that he will actually have a calorie limit for himself. Since he decided on his own to lose a few pounds without me lecturing or nagging him, I'm hoping he will slowly start adding in more healthy foods as well. Small steps I suppose.

If there's any secret, this is it - take small steps and slowly improve it with time. And yes, a calorie deficit will result in weight loss so that alone is a good step.

And BTW - very well done on taking this approach with your husband! It will work, just give it time.

TheRealParisLove

Fast food and processed food calories are used differently by the body than natural whole food calories. Even though his macros are on target for his goal, the lack of fiber and the high sugar and sodium content of fast food will turn to fat more quickly than if you had made a cheeseburger at home on a whole wheat bun with a side of potatoes.

AnvilHead

Fast food and processed food calories are used differently by the body than natural whole food calories. Even though his macros are on target for his goal, the lack of fiber and the high sugar and sodium content of fast food will turn to fat more quickly than if you had made a cheeseburger at home on a whole wheat bun with a side of potatoes.

This clinical study says otherwise:

http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/research-review/hormonal-responses-to-a-fast-food-meal-compared-with-nutritionally-comparable-meals-of-different-composition-research-review.html

From the summary:

...In terms of the hormonal response, clean vs. unclean just doesn’t matter, it’s all about calories and macros.

DuhhMuffin

When I started losing weight I ate whatever I wanted, just with smaller portions so I didn't go over my calorie limit.

I realized that was stupid because I was still hungry at the end of the day, so I started eating healthier so I could actually be FULL and under my calorie limit.

VelociMama

For a lot of people, just getting a handle on intake is a big first step. When they start seeing results, they start getting more into nutrition and fitness and caring more. It definitely worked that way for me initially.

I say let him go for it and learn how to fit his junk food in his calorie budget and let him go from there.

You definitely will not be forcing him to eat anything he doesn't want to eat.

SideSteel

Yes. Also, it doesn't matter all that much whether or not he eats several meals or one or two big meals. He probably isn't doing himself any favors with that extreme of a diet (possible lack of micronutrition) but he will lose weight.

Also, agreed on the below study by Anvilhead. That's an excellent study and great commentary on it by Lyle.

Fast food and processed food calories are used differently by the body than natural whole food calories. Even though his macros are on target for his goal, the lack of fiber and the high sugar and sodium content of fast food will turn to fat more quickly than if you had made a cheeseburger at home on a whole wheat bun with a side of potatoes.

This clinical study says otherwise:

http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/research-review/hormonal-responses-to-a-fast-food-meal-compared-with-nutritionally-comparable-meals-of-different-composition-research-review.html

From the summary:

...In terms of the hormonal response, clean vs. unclean just doesn’t matter, it’s all about calories and macros.

AnvilHead

Read Sidesteel's thread about "IIFYM" (If It Fits Your Macros):

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/817188-iifym

It's an oft-misunderstood concept and many people like to engage in 'all or nothing' reasoning when debating it. It doesn't mean you can eat ANYTHING you want, as much as you want - it means you can eat foods you enjoy and don't have to engage in unnecessary restriction/elimination of foods or entire food groups as long as you're hitting your calorie and macronutrient goals.

Speaking strictly in terms of weight loss, it truly is calories out > calories in - macro and micronutrients don't matter. You could lose weight eating nothing but twinkies all day long (in fact, that exact thing has been done). If you're going to add in consideration of satiety, general health and body composition, macros and micros do in fact matter very much.

Sarauk2sf

Basically what SideSteel and Anvilhead said.

Also, putting it into context - if he is pretty much eating only junk food now, there will really be no negative impact to him eating a bit less of it. People seem to forget that and try to go all out with the healthy eating. Is eating a completely balanced diet better than one that comprises most of 'junk food'? - absolutely. Is eating one that includes junk but a bit more nutrient dense food better than their prior diet? - yes. Progress is progress and encouraging someone to eat a more nutrient dense diet is a good thing whether they are trying to lose weight or not. Also, and this is not the case in your situation as he is not really overweight, losing weight itself leads to better health markers, irrespective of a change in diet (except volume). In my opinion, the best approach is often encouragement and baby steps with the quality of the food.

DavPul

yes, he will lose weight. no, he will not be healthy.

False. Her husband eats like i do and I've lost much more than 5-10 lbs. I'm also in great health. McDonald's, Taco Bell, and pizza were the staples of my diet the last 6 months

aimeelouwhite

Anywhere is a good place to start. If he is a mcds junkie why not try some healthier home burger options ... You an do your own cheeseburgers, Big Macs, fillet of fish, mac chicken ..... Even with oven baked shoe string fries if he likes fries .... Good luck!

Louisianababy93

i do IIFYM!

<<--- Junk food eater..
but, i do try and get some good stuff in there sometimes..

ajnlee25

yes, he will lose weight. no, he will not be healthy.

False. Her husband eats like i do and I've lost much more than 5-10 lbs. I'm also in great health. McDonald's, Taco Bell, and pizza were the staples of my diet the last 6 months

The original post described my dh perfectly. He also is what you would call in great health, but I beg to differ. The damage just isn't showing yet, and anyone who does this will eventually pay the price. I like the idea of slow change, I am hoping to encourage my dh not to count calories, but to eat better. I want him to be an example for our ds .

neanderthin

As long as he's in a caloric deficit, he'll lose weight, as far as health is concerned, not so much.