Question about quality v. quantity

sara_alexandra

Just curious (and this might be obvious), but do you find that you still lose weight if you don't eat good for you/whole foods as long as you stay within your daily calories? I'm of course making sure that 80-90% of what I eat are whole foods, but I wanted to see what other's experiences were with losing.

LoraF83

I eat a lot of nutritious foods.

And I eat some "junk" (foods that I crave).


I can have quality and quantity. Works for me.

sara_alexandra

I eat a lot of nutritious foods.

And I eat some "junk" (foods that I crave).


I can have quality and quantity. Works for me.

I feel like that's the only thing that will work for me. I've been back and forth with SO many diets that cut out crap (paleo, south beach, etc) that I can't handle it anymore.

meredith1123

I can eat what i want, as long as i stay under my calories - and yes still lose weight.

the deal is here: quality makes you FEEL better.

LoraF83

I eat a lot of nutritious foods.

And I eat some "junk" (foods that I crave).


I can have quality and quantity. Works for me.

I feel like that's the only thing that will work for me. I've been back and forth with SO many diets that cut out crap (paleo, south beach, etc) that I can't handle it anymore.

That's exactly why I don't restrict. It's not reasonable for my lifestyle. I want to know that I'm eating the food that fuels my body.....but I also want to know that I can have a slice of cake at a birthday party. Or pizza on Friday night with my family. Life happens - I'm not going to sit off to the side, bemoaning my food fate while everyone else carries on.

crystalflame

I lost 20lbs baking treats for my office a couple of times a month, drinking, and eating pretty much whatever I felt like eating on the weekends. I kept my diet fairly nutritious during the week, but if I wanted 300 calories in ice cream from time to time instead of in chicken and veggies, I did that. It took me a year to get the weight off, but it's a sustainable lifestyle that I don't struggle with maintaining.

General rule of thumb: 80% quality nutrition, 20% discretionary. Don't torture yourself, you won't stick to it if you do.

Cr01502

You can lose weight eating whatever you want as long as you're in a deficit.

However, losing weight and being healthy are two different things.

wswilliams67

Your goals will determine quality over quantity. If you are training for a posing show then eating Pop-Tarts isn;t gonna get the job done. However, if you are just trying to get in shape and shed some pounds then eating quality with the OCCASIONAL treat is totally fine. Long-term deprivation is the key to FAILURE! LOL

RunFarLiveHappy

IMO restriction breeds resentment. Moderation is the key! I've eaten pizza, ice cream, chips, candy, take out, you name it on this journey and my ticker speaks to what the results have been. Do I eat like that all day or everyday?! NO, of course not. They're treats for special times when I feel like I've earned them. This is a lifelong journey and I'm definitely not going to deprive myself for the rest of my life. Best advice: Be honest with your portioning and your tracking and you will lose weight with a reasonable calorie deficit! Good luck finding the right balance!

1ConcreteGirl

You can lose weight eating whatever you want as long as you're in a deficit.

However, losing weight and being healthy are two different things.

This.

Also, being healthy does not mean never eating pop tarts or whiskey.

I try to eat chocolate or ice cream or have wine every day. It makes up 100-200 of my calories and keeps me sane.

sara_alexandra

I agree-I'm glad to hear the same from you all. I just couldn't do it anymore. I was making myself absolutely crazy trying to be perfect for every meal every day hoping that I would lose weight. Then on a Friday, I would crack and have all these beers and buffalo wings and then some. I guess the be nutritious but mindful approach is a much better route for some of us.

sara_alexandra

You can lose weight eating whatever you want as long as you're in a deficit.

However, losing weight and being healthy are two different things.

This.

Also, being healthy does not mean never eating pop tarts or whiskey.

I try to eat chocolate or ice cream or have wine every day. It makes up 100-200 of my calories and keeps me sane.

That's what I try to do too...have one of those skinny cow ice creams or some chocolate every couple of nights.

dazzo62

I have always lived by the 80/20 rule. I give myself an average of a B - perfection is over-rated and makes you crazy.

ldrosophila

Shoot when I saw the topic I thought we were going to talk about the quality of a fresh croissant with homemade preserves versus eating a box frozen pop tart.

Logical_Integrity

I eat healthy for the most part. I will also have fast food or some over processed frozen item once a week from the store. I feel good eating more healthy than not. I do notice I have more stomach issues (like diarrhea) when I eat the more processed items. Not every time but most. That's enough to make me realize why I chose to make healthier choices and I am good sometimes for 2 weeks at a time before I eat it again. Plus the sodium is too much to consume huge amounts weekly or daily.

sarahg148

Yeah...I agree. I need to buy those skinny cow bars, too. Portion control is my issue...BIG time. :ohwell:

sara_alexandra

I have always lived by the 80/20 rule. I give myself an average of a B - perfection is over-rated and makes you crazy.

makes me INSANE, but I also don't want to give myself an inch and take a mile, ya know? But when I was eating Paleo, I would go NUTS with making sure I was staying away from everything I liked...granted, Paleo cuts out all grains and dairy which is hard for an Italian like me

nicola1141

I eat some crap food every day. I try to increase teh healthy food I eat, but generally I would describe the health of my diet as moderate at best. Yes, I continue to lose weight.

icmuse

I always go for QUALITY over quantity!

I eat whole foods, preferably organic. NO junk , no fat free, sugar free non-sense, no artificial sweeteners, nothing processed!

Losing weight is just a part of a bigger picture of getting healthy.

My body my temple, I have no desire to fill it with junk!

PS: I don't consider good dark chocolate, wine or homemade grass fed burger junk - it is heavenly and when eaten in moderation perfectly fine! :glasses:

sara_alexandra

I always go for QUALITY over quantity!

I eat whole foods, preferably organic. NO junk , no fat free, sugar free non-sense, no artificial sweeteners, nothing processed!

Losing weight is just a part of a bigger picture of getting healthy.

My body my temple, I have no desire to fill it with junk!

PS: I don't consider good dark chocolate, wine or homemade grass fed burger junk - it is heavenly and when eaten in moderation perfectly fine! :glasses:

I agree-and try to eat whole foods most of the time. And grass fed beef is AMAZING.

toutmonpossible

Just curious (and this might be obvious), but do you find that you still lose weight if you don't eat good for you/whole foods as long as you stay within your daily calories? I'm of course making sure that 80-90% of what I eat are whole foods, but I wanted to see what other's experiences were with losing.

Yes, if you eat junk food and create a calorie deficit you will lose weight. But there probably will be longterm consequences if you eat that way all the time because your body is not getting the proper nutrients, among other things.

If you're eating an 80 to 90% diet of whole foods, you're doing wonderfully.

sara_alexandra

Yes-def aiming for 80-90% wholesome foods with some slip ups here and there. But no matter what, staying w/in daily cals.

PikaKnight

Shoot when I saw the topic I thought we were going to talk about the quality of a fresh croissant with homemade preserves versus eating a box frozen pop tart.

I'll take pop-tarts

jen81uk

Yup, I try and cook wherever possible but I have my fill of junk at times... and alcohol. I'm losing inches at the min so it must be ok? x

briabner

Here lately I have been trying not to restrict what foods that I want to eat. I have done this in the past and then failed miserably. Presently I am really working on portion control and counting calories. So if I want the chocolate then I will go ahead and eat it as long as I stay within portion control and I can fit it into my calories.

sara_alexandra

Thanks everyone-very helpful. Also-does someone have a really good "green" smoothie recipe they love that can be made without a juicing machine??

icmuse

Thanks everyone-very helpful. Also-does someone have a really good "green" smoothie recipe they love that can be made without a juicing machine??

My green smoothie:

Protein powder
Org. Greek Yogurt
Organic baby spinach
Organic Wheat Grass Power
Banana or Avocado
Frozen Mango

AMAZING! :flowerforyou:

Or all veggiefruit green smoothie:

Peeled cucumber
Avocado
Spinach
Romaine
Banana
Chia Seeds

Yumm Yumm Yumm!

... of course dilute with filtered water as necessary! :drinker:

sara_alexandra

Thanks everyone-very helpful. Also-does someone have a really good "green" smoothie recipe they love that can be made without a juicing machine??

My green smoothie:

Protein powder
Org. Greek Yogurt
Organic baby spinach
Organic Wheat Grass Power
Banana or Avocado
Frozen Mango

AMAZING! :flowerforyou:

Or all veggiefruit green smoothie:

Peeled cucumber
Avocado
Spinach
Romaine
Banana
Chia Seeds

Yumm Yumm Yumm!

... of course dilute with filtered water as necessary! :drinker:

Sounds really good, thanks!