Can i eat anything as long as I stay under calorie goal?!?!

Let me clarify something. I am studying to become a Registered Dietician now, so I am not giving advice with no background, just to make sure I don't seem naggy. Yes, it is okay to eat what you love. I enjoy food and have a lot of trouble controlling my diet, so I understand what it is like to crave certain types of food. Yes, you can eat McDonalds or even live on McDonalds and still lose weight. However, I have to disagree with the previous poster in a way. You will NOT be as healthy as if you ate fresh foods and kept all other parts of your lifestyle the same. Meaning, if you work out 1 hr a day, keep your health the same (drink/don't drink, etc) and were to decide between McDonalds & cookies everyday OR fresh fruits, vegetables & pasta, you would find a difference on your overall health and possibly, not surely, but possibly your life span. Many chain/fast food restaurants contain GMO's and unhealthy additives. Small choices in your diet can affect it more than you know. For example, eating margarine everyday will have different impacts than eating butter everyday. Some argue that this depends most on the trans fats (whichever has less is better) because some fats are worse than others. Some other people will argue that even if butter has more trans fat, it is better because it doesn't contain the unnatural ingredients found in a lot of margarine, which can be hard on the digestive track since they are not as natural. While McDonalds won't likely cause you to stay overweight if you eat your calories, it may have other negative effects on the body, even if you exercise routinely, because the additives and processing it goes through at not healthy either. I would say eat it, but don't eat it all the time and make sure to keep some fresh foods, like fruit & vegetables, in your diet. If you cut your favorite foods out completely, all at once, it may be difficult to stick to your new diet/lifestyle. If you ever decide to drop the less healthy foods, try to do so a little at a time.

Thanks for the replies guys! I absolutely love fast food so I know how hard it will be to just say no every time i smell McDonalds whenever I drive by. But I have been smarter lately and can attest to the fact that a single packet of cinnamon swirl quaker instant oatmeal in the morning kept me fulll for like 4 hours while a sausage egg and cheese mcmuffin with hash bown lasted aout a half hour lol:laugh: . I'm definitely growing more keen to making better meal choices. Btw I'm a little new even though my account is old so feel free to add me for support! I can definitely use it! Abs by summer '13!!!!

You and me both!!! I just started a month ago! We can do this : )

Agreed. No one will ever be able to tell me to stop eating fast food cold turkey. The smell alone when driving by fast food restaurants would make me want to kill myself...

This sounds more like a food addiction......and its kind of disturbing. It really doesn't seem like you're ready for a healthy lifestyle change

Yes you can. I say if it fits in your macros (which I suggest to be set to 40/30/30 c/f/p), then go for it. I wouldn't advise eating Mcdonald's EVERY day. But once a week won't hurt you.
I used to believe that you shoudln't & should eat healthy ALL the time, but I've since learned. You're much happier when you allow yourself a little leeway and some treats sometimes. I'm gluten intolerant, so I feel restricted enough. Honestly, you need to be eating in a way you could the rest of your life. Not saying that eating clean all the time is wrong. But saying that treating yourself within reason isn't wrong at all either. All about moderation.

simple answer . EAT WHAT U WANT

stop everyone look at my buttcrack

Let me clarify something. I am studying to become a Registered Dietician now, so I am not giving advice with no background, just to make sure I don't seem naggy. Yes, it is okay to eat what you love. I enjoy food and have a lot of trouble controlling my diet, so I understand what it is like to crave certain types of food. Yes, you can eat McDonalds or even live on McDonalds and still lose weight. However, I have to disagree with the previous poster in a way. You will NOT be as healthy as if you ate fresh foods and kept all other parts of your lifestyle the same. Meaning, if you work out 1 hr a day, keep your health the same (drink/don't drink, etc) and were to decide between McDonalds & cookies everyday OR fresh fruits, vegetables & pasta, you would find a difference on your overall health and possibly, not surely, but possibly your life span. Many chain/fast food restaurants contain GMO's and unhealthy additives. Small choices in your diet can affect it more than you know. For example, eating margarine everyday will have different impacts than eating butter everyday. Some argue that this depends most on the trans fats (whichever has less is better) because some fats are worse than others. Some other people will argue that even if butter has more trans fat, it is better because it doesn't contain the unnatural ingredients found in a lot of margarine, which can be hard on the digestive track since they are not as natural. While McDonalds won't likely cause you to stay overweight if you eat your calories, it may have other negative effects on the body, even if you exercise routinely, because the additives and processing it goes through at not healthy either. I would say eat it, but don't eat it all the time and make sure to keep some fresh foods, like fruit & vegetables, in your diet. If you cut your favorite foods out completely, all at once, it may be difficult to stick to your new diet/lifestyle. If you ever decide to drop the less healthy foods, try to do so a little at a time.

Ever since my college bio teacher told me margarine is one molecule away from being plastic, I haven't eaten it again lol

Let me clarify something. I am studying to become a Registered Dietician now, so I am not giving advice with no background
...
Many chain/fast food restaurants contain GMO's and unhealthy additives.
...
it may have other negative effects on the body, even if you exercise routinely, because the additives and processing it goes through at not healthy either.

Is this information you are getting at school? Or pre-existing opinions? Or something you read on the web or in a "documentary"?

It seems like it would be a bit odd if this sort of thing is being taught to registered dietitians (who should (IMO) be focusing on science more than opinions - at least during their studies).

(Oh, and there is no 'c' in 'dietitian' - not trying to be rude)

I'd like to say yes, but with fast food, calories are not the only thing you are consuming. McDonalds is a multi billion dollar business and their bottom line is to make money with little regard to what their products actually do to people. To do so, they add highly addictive substances to their food, causing some intense cravings. They also add chemicals that severely impair your body's ability to tell your brain you are full! SO, after eating the Big Mac, you may actually be hungrier an hour later than before you ate anything. If you like burgers, I suggest you fire up that grill and make them at home. It's way better bang for your caloric bucks, so to speak.

Source: http://lindamelosnd.com/articles/why-you-can’t-eat-just-one

I'd rather see a peer reviewed clinical study stating this than an article from a naturopathic site. The article has no reputable peer reviewed clinical studies to back it.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness industry for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

For the love of god please stop talking about McD's, the thought of it makes me feel like I'm going to throw up. >.<:sick:

It's good to look at the QUALITY of calories than the QUANTITY - what's a few pounds off the scale if I still look & feel like crap? I want to be healthy & feel amazing! Wouldn't you?

I eat pretty darn well, & the only thing I have regularly in my diet that isn't totally healthy is cheese - I love cheese & don't ever want to give it up, but I do have it more in moderation now, & usually choose mozzarella which is lower in fat & cals in comparison to most other cheese.
This isn't to say I don't have pizza every once in awhile - I am human.

I'd much rather eat 2,000 calories of good food than 1,000 calories of fat & sugar.

Ever since my college bio teacher told me margarine is one molecule away from being plastic, I haven't eaten it again lol

Take organic chemistry - it will make you ok with the whole "one molecule" thing again.

Pretty much. LoL. Hell, since salt is one molecule away from being a toxic element, it should be avoided at all costs, eh?

Yeah you could. Although wasting your calories on junk will probably leave you hungry. Generally healthy food is a lot more filling. But once every now and then I dont see the harm

I'm saving up tomorrows calories for a massive dinner at the pub.

A great Common sence reply..... dont deprive your self cos you will only crave but dont have it all the time or you will never change your eating habits

THE ANSWER IS NO!! DEFINITELY NOT!! ITS NOT JUST ABOUT YOUR CALORIE INTAKE WHAT ABOUT FAT AND CARBS ETC? Just because you remain within your calories makes no difference nutritionally a big mac isnt good, youd be better off eating the box!! Its a treat not a food group!!

Hydrochloric acid takes care of the above.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness industry for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition