Why does everyone think it's WHAT they eat that matters?

Jackson4590

I read so many threads on here about giving up this or that, limiting this or that, etc. It's not what you eat, it's how much you eat that matters. You just need to chose if you want calorie-dense food or more of a less-dense food.

If you have to lose a lot of weight and restrict what tastes good you're going to fail. So instead of giving up pizza why not just eat one less slice per meal? Instead of Guinness drink a Miller Lite. I really don't understand why people are so dang hard on themselves. Good luck!

jsd_135

Instead of Guinness drink a Miller Lite.

^ This is not an option! Otherwise, I agree.

KaleidoscopeEyes1056

Instead of Guinness drink a Miller Lite.

^ This is not an option! Otherwise, I agree.

Agreed. Miller Lite tastes like @ss, I'll take the extra calories, thank you.

Nicki_101

Very true

ellen_kay

I read so many threads on here about giving up this or that, limiting this or that, etc. It's not what you eat, it's how much you eat that matters. You just need to chose if you want calorie-dense food or more of a less-dense food.

If you have to lose a lot of weight and restrict what tastes good you're going to fail. So instead of giving up pizza why not just eat one less slice per meal? Instead of Guinness drink a Miller Lite. I really don't understand why people are so dang hard on themselves. Good luck!

I agree with this. You just need to make smarter choices, and still have that fast food if you want it. I think and feel that it is all in the choices and planning. If you know you are having a big lunch/dinner plan for it and adjust the rest of the day and exercise. I still eat pizza and pasta, just in smaller portions.

cwolfman13

Actually, Guiness is pretty low cal as beer goes...

Other than that, I totally agree...

usmcmp

Because macros are still important. You can't just be under your calorie goal eating only cake and expect to be healthy or feel good. Not that you have to cut it out, but sometimes when people have that one slice of pizza it turns into half a pizza (that's what happens to me every time) or one beer turns into six.

spinqueen72

I don't give up what I love...I just find the healthier alternative. If that's not possible..then I just walk away. Giving something up to become healthier is a lot cheaper than eating smaller amounts, and being sick. Doctors are expensive!

jacksonpt

I read so many threads on here about giving up this or that, limiting this or that, etc. It's not what you eat, it's how much you eat that matters. You just need to chose if you want calorie-dense food or more of a less-dense food.

If you have to lose a lot of weight and restrict what tastes good you're going to fail. So instead of giving up pizza why not just eat one less slice per meal? Instead of Guinness drink a Miller Lite. I really don't understand why people are so dang hard on themselves. Good luck!

I get your point and tend to agree, but in the real world, both matter, and one might be more important than the other depending on a person's goals.

PBsMommy

Instead of Guinness drink a Miller Lite.

^ This is not an option! Otherwise, I agree.

Second this! I am not giving up a good beer, especially for Miller effin Lite. Shiz taste like water with a hint of piss.

Another thing, some people are just intolerant to some things. If I eat to many carbs, I am all bloated and gassy, which is bad for weight loss and bad for everyone around me. I definitely keep a good balance of carbs/fat/protein as much as possible.

JasonT1973

I can understand your point, but you have to understand that most people wander through life eating whatever they feel like. Many people on here are trying to do things right and need to create a disciplined approach to their new lifestyle. While I can see your point about the foods, no doctor / nutritionist in the world will tell you that eating 2 scoops of ice cream and a fat slice of cake is an adequate replacement for 3 balanced, healthy meals with the same calorie count. The trick I’ve found is learning to like healthier choices. I’ve got a long way to go, but at least I’m on the right track. :happy:

sassafrascas

IDK Even when I stay within my caloric goal while eating junk like pizza and McDonalds I notice it makes me stall. Not gain but not loose either . I think for some people what you eat does count.

Jackson4590

I wasn't serious with the Miller Lite argument, it was just an example. Sheesh you people are picky!

Meg_Shirley_86

I'm picking up what you're laying down, but if they truly want to get healthy, it's not just about weight loss. Sometime in the road to getting in shape and getting active, I realized that there is stuff i just don't want to consume. I"m NOT, I repeat, NOT slamming people who eat highly processed foods, or telling them that they can't lose weight if they do. That's ignorant. For me, the biggest, and definitely the most beneficial part of the process so far has been making my own food and knowing as much about what the hell is in it as possible. That is a lifestyle change and it is sustainable. People shouldn't overwhelm themselves, but when I see myself at the goal, my lifestyle doesn't include stuff that's had 90% of its nutrients destroyed BEFORE I even nuke it.

PBsMommy

I wasn't serious with the Miller Lite argument, it was just an example. Sheesh you people are picky!

It should be a MFP rule, Don't mess with people's beer. Someone post in the suggestions/feedback.:laugh:

5ftnFun

I agree that some folks are way too strict with themselves, but nutrition matters too. Balance is the key. A few years ago I was super busy & eating sloppy. I was very little at 108 lbs, but was anything but healthy. I became very anemic, fainted and knocked myself unconscious. Guess a package of nabs with a coke shouldn't be lunch all of the time.:noway: Hindsight is 20/20. I straightened up my act right quick.

Yes, enjoy life. Eat your spinach. With a burger. :happy:

JacksMom12

Guinness is pretty low calorie. Now, a nice microbrewed imperial stout at 300+ calories per 12 oz. yeah, those'll getchya.

PlayerHatinDogooder

Instead of Guinness drink a Miller Lite.

brainzap

For me, it is what I eat.
If I eat a massive 2-lb salad with cucumber, tomato, avocado, and tuna which only comes to 300 calories, I will feel invigorated, full, and satisfied.
If I eat a 2.5oz bar of chocolate which comes to 300 calories, it will taste good while I'm eating it, but I'll still be hungry and I will feel unsatisfied and have heartburn.

Vincentsz

I read so many threads on here about giving up this or that, limiting this or that, etc. It's not what you eat, it's how much you eat that matters. You just need to chose if you want calorie-dense food or more of a less-dense food.

If you have to lose a lot of weight and restrict what tastes good you're going to fail. So instead of giving up pizza why not just eat one less slice per meal? Instead of Guinness drink a Miller Lite. I really don't understand why people are so dang hard on themselves. Good luck!

Because you cant fuel a Dragster with unleaded!

That's why!

Akimajuktuq

I'm not being "hard on myself" by avoiding foods that make me sick. I got sick of being sick. What I was eating led me to binge eating disorder, pre-diabetes, chronic pain, severe depression... on and on. Being sick all the time sucked. I suppose your logic dictates that I should have waited to have full blown diabetes before taking action...

For ME, what I eat absolutely matters, more than anything else. And when I see other super obese people having the same difficulties as I had all of my adult life and everyone is saying "moderation" and "willpower" and "it's only calories in and calories out" (with zero understanding of how metabolism is regulated in the human body!), and then ridiculing those of us who have had different experience and want to help other people get healthy and stop hating themselves, frankly, it pisses me off. :mad:

Mother_Superior

Light beer,

...that's precious.

Jxnsmma

sigh, if I could stop at one piece of pizza would I even be in this mess?!

KatLifter

Because macros are still important. You can't just be under your calorie goal eating only cake and expect to be healthy or feel good. Not that you have to cut it out, but sometimes when people have that one slice of pizza it turns into half a pizza (that's what happens to me every time) or one beer turns into six.

Yeah, I suck at moderation. What is the point of one cookie? By cutting out the majority of sugar and processed foods I don't want them as much and that makes it easier. That's the point to me.

eazy_

I cant eat 1200 calories per day without leaving some things out. For example one slice of pizza 300 calories. compared to 1 cup of cauliflower, 1 cup of broccoli and 10 ounces of chicken breast it is the same 300 calories.

jujuki47

THANK YOU!!!

laele75

I agree with your sentiment. Unless it is for actual medical reasons, there is absolutely no reason to deprive yourself. That is why most diets fail. And honestly, even I eat pizza from time to time. It's an 'inflammatory food' and finding a version that isn't hideously salt laden can be challenge, but sometimes, you gotta have pizza.

The people depriving themselves for no good reason are setting themselves up for miserable failure.

Jackson4590

For me, it is what I eat.
If I eat a massive 2-lb salad with cucumber, tomato, avocado, and tuna which only comes to 300 calories, I will feel invigorated, full, and satisfied.
If I eat a 2.5oz bar of chocolate which comes to 300 calories, it will taste good while I'm eating it, but I'll still be hungry and I will feel unsatisfied and have heartburn.

That's the point that I made, though. Your calorie-dense chocolate bar isn't satisfying whereas your big salad is. You decide what to eat for your calories. For example, as a test, if you only ate 1,200 calories of chocolate bars each day you'd still lose weight. I see so many people on this site only wanting to lose weight (and fast!). So cut down what you eat. Period. Of course it matters what we put in our bodies but from a pure calories in/out perspective just eat less. You're going to fail if you cut out pizza, beer, a candy bar, etc. That's why when I lost my weight I focused on the calories only.

amandapye78

I agree with you completely, a friend just lectured me on how 400 calories of broccoli will make you less fat than 400 calories of cake. I agree that the broccoli is better for you ( except for the amount of gas that would come from that much broccoli, ew) but the calories are the same.

salladeve

I gave up sugar and fast foods because it makes me feel better. When I eat sugar I have to have more, I can't stop. So that is why I gave it up. I am not here just to lose weight, I'm here to eat healthy and move more, the weight will come off with the lifestyle change. The only way I can make that change is to stay completely away from unhealthy foods.

Missjulesdid

For those of us with certain metabolic issues, it actually DOES matter. Also there are others who feel that certain foods stimulate their appetites so they feel it would be better to avoid those foods.