Nutrition is SIMPLE. Agree or No?

BarbellApprentice

*Disclaimer: This was posted in another fitness forum by someone else. I like how succinct (simple) the post is. A year plus into my weight loss and fitness journey of trying many different things, I have found this approach to be true (and the most sustainable long term). So I am reposting on MFP ...

There are only 2 requirements:

1. Watch your calories. Why? Your body fat levels have by far the biggest impact on your health. Thus, calories are the most important thing to manage.

2. Eat your veggies. Why? Almost all, if not all, of your nutrients come from vegetables. I don't mention fruits because while they offer the same nutrient benefits, they have the disadvantage of having, relatively, much more calories. Theoretically, you may be able to skip vegetables and get all your nutrients from a multivitamin, but that's assuming there aren't other essential and micro nutrients that you'd be missing. That's a risk I'm not willing to take.

2 exceptions:
If you're lifting weights, eat more protein.
If you have a medical condition, then consult your doctor on how to modify your diet.

KBGirts

I think nutrition in itself IS pretty simple. What makes it complicated to most people is all the conflicting information we constantly get from the media, friends and family, advertisements, talk shows, doctors, researchers, etc. I think people make it more difficult than it is, unfortunately.

AlongCame_Molly

I definitely agree. Doing att of those things got me from where I started, to where I am now.

lithezebra

It's preparing all those veggies, and turning them into something appetizing, that makes things complicated.

MyBodyMyMachine

A year ago I would have agreed. But knowing what I know now, I have to say that I feel LOST. I realize now that I've been under-eating significantly for quite some time based on my activity levels. I thought I had done the math and was doing everything right. I now find myself "skinny fat" and lost in terms of how to shed body fat. The more people I talk to the more they make it sound like it is some exact science that you have to figure out; intake + macro's + type of workout, etc. What I used to think came down to garbage in, garbage out now looks like rocket science.

taso42

It really is simple. People jump through all these hoops to overcomplicate it because they refuse to believe it can be that simple.

MissFitee

I disagree. Nutrition is, imo, very complex. There is so much to know about it and so much that we still havent figured out. However, there's little reason for the average person to know ALL of that information.
Losing weight, and staying healthy is, on the other hand pretty simple and pretty much boils down to the points that you mentioned.

So.. nutrition - not so simple
Staying healthy overall - simple

liftingbro

If you are simply trying to be healthy and lose weight then nutrtion is simple: Eat less than you need to maintain weight and you lose weight. Eat nutrient dense foods and you will be healthy.

It gets hard when you are competitive athlete or bodybuilder or have goals to reach very low BF%.

patbeharry

I completely agree.....in fact I believe that most things in life are simple if we allow them to be. Things appear to be complicated when we lose sight of the big picture and overthink the details. Think simply and logically and clarity will prevail. Just my humble opinion

DavPul

It really is simple. People jump through all these hoops to overcomplicate it because they refuse to believe it can be that simple.

This

carrieous

yes its simple but the billion dollar diet industry screws with people's minds. low fat, no fat, low carb, meatless, gluten free, dairy free BLAH BLAH BLAH i can see how it can seem not so simple if you fall for all the hype.

carrieous

altho i will add many people are very ignorant as to what nutrition even is. Many people have no idea what a "nutrient" is.

BondBomb

Yep. I say we just shut down the forums now.

Oh wait you forgot TOM. That is apparently a HUGE factor in nutrition.

ahamm002

The problem is it's really not that simple if you're concerned about health and not just bodyweight. Although eating veggies is very important, I'd say in terms of health, that's almost as important as watching your calories.

Phaedra2014

It really is simple. People jump through all these hoops to overcomplicate it because they refuse to believe it can be that simple.

Yep.

alpine1994

I disagree. Nutrition is, imo, very complex. There is so much to know about it and so much that we still havent figured out. However, there's little reason for the average person to know ALL of that information.
Losing weight, and staying healthy is, on the other hand pretty simple and pretty much boils down to the points that you mentioned.

So.. nutrition - not so simple
Staying healthy overall - simple

This. I wouldn't be dropping $$$$$$$ on a nutrition degree if it was that simple.

dougii

yes its simple but the billion dollar diet industry screws with people's minds. low fat, no fat, low carb, meatless, gluten free, dairy free BLAH BLAH BLAH i can see how it can seem not so simple if you fall for all the hype.

Except that Gluten and Dairy allergies actually exist and if you have ever lived with someone who has suffered from either of these issues you would realize that BLAH BLAH BLAH is not appropriate for them.

TR0berts

yes its simple but the billion dollar diet industry screws with people's minds. low fat, no fat, low carb, meatless, gluten free, dairy free BLAH BLAH BLAH i can see how it can seem not so simple if you fall for all the hype.

Except that Gluten and Dairy allergies actually exist and if you have ever lived with someone who has suffered from either of these issues you would realize that BLAH BLAH BLAH is not appropriate for them.

True - but I believe this poster was referring to all the people that don't have any medical reason to be gluten- or dairy-free that seem to think they need to be because Dr. Knownothing tells them they need to be to lose weight.

PikaKnight

It really is simple. People jump through all these hoops to overcomplicate it because they refuse to believe it can be that simple.

This

^yep, this

HeidiCooksSupper

More than nutrition being "simple" is that nutrition is "key." Proper mix and amounts of nutrients are key to healthy living long haul. Often people are looking for a simple magic bullet and there isn't one. In contrast to "just fast 2 days a week," or "just cut out gluten," or "drink this healthy vinegar mix," eating a properly balanced diet is complex. But it is also key, the only key, to long term weight control and health.

(Does that sound too preachy? I'm my own audience and I need reminding. So I am speaking most archly to myself.)

AllonsYtotheTardis

It really is simple. People jump through all these hoops to overcomplicate it because they refuse to believe it can be that simple.

This

Deserves to be quoted again.

MichaelBrewer2634

All you need to know is that simple sugars are poison, and... You really shouldn't eat poison. Fin

DopeItUp

It really is simple. People jump through all these hoops to overcomplicate it because they refuse to believe it can be that simple.

Yup. It's one of the reasons I've never understood Weight Watchers. Why take an extremely simple concept and attempt to oversimplify it and make it more confusing? And then people pay for this luxury? How much simpler do you need than "calories in < calories out"

TR0berts

All you need to know is that simple sugars are poison, and... You really shouldn't eat poison. Fin

Surely, you're not suggesting anyone not eat fruit, right?

bcattoes

I agree that nutrition is simple, but I dont' think it is as simple as the 2 rules in the OP. Just saying "eat your vegetables" is too simplified.

A diet of nothing but broccoli, carrots and cookies is unlikely to be healthy even if you are within your calories.

DavPul

yes its simple but the billion dollar diet industry screws with people's minds. low fat, no fat, low carb, meatless, gluten free, dairy free BLAH BLAH BLAH i can see how it can seem not so simple if you fall for all the hype.

Except that Gluten and Dairy allergies actually exist and if you have ever lived with someone who has suffered from either of these issues you would realize that BLAH BLAH BLAH is not appropriate for them.

Can we please exclude people with specific conditions? There's nothing more tiresome than trying to have a conversation or debate and someone brings up the 2% of the population that it OBVIOUSLY doesn't apply to. Has doing that ever made any conversation better?

liftingbro

It really is simple. People jump through all these hoops to overcomplicate it because they refuse to believe it can be that simple.

Yup. It's one of the reasons I've never understood Weight Watchers. Why take an extremely simple concept and attempt to oversimplify it and make it more confusing? And then people pay for this luxury? How much simpler do you need than "calories in < calories out"

Weight Watchers doesn't complicate things and for some people counting points is easier than calories plus you get face to face support which for some is very helpful.

DavPul

All you need to know is that some people wear tin foil hats. You really shouldn't listen to people wearing tin foil hats. Fin.

bcattoes

It really is simple. People jump through all these hoops to overcomplicate it because they refuse to believe it can be that simple.

Yup. It's one of the reasons I've never understood Weight Watchers. Why take an extremely simple concept and attempt to oversimplify it and make it more confusing? And then people pay for this luxury? How much simpler do you need than "calories in < calories out"

Calories in < calories out is a recipe for weight loss. It does not guarantee proper nutrition.

bcattoes

It really is simple. People jump through all these hoops to overcomplicate it because they refuse to believe it can be that simple.

Yup. It's one of the reasons I've never understood Weight Watchers. Why take an extremely simple concept and attempt to oversimplify it and make it more confusing? And then people pay for this luxury? How much simpler do you need than "calories in < calories out"

Weight Watchers doesn't complicate things and for some people counting points is easier than calories plus you get face to face support which for some is very helpful.

This is apparently important for many people. Weight loss programs that include support groups have been shown to have a better long term success rate.

Beastette

You just need the four main food groups: candy, candy canes, candy corns, and syrup.