Not counting calories in some foods???

__Di__
__Di__ Posts: 1,658 Member
in Food and Nutrition
Where did the idea originate from that calories from fruit and some veg for example, do not need to be accounted for?

First Weightwatchers with not worrying about the calories in fruit - oh okay then, oranges and apples and pears, won't count the ten pieces I have just eaten, even though they would take me to virtually my daily allowance......

and now it has transpired, a well-known exercise guru is promoting that you do not need to count certain green vegetables.

This is all very well, but if they contain calories (which they do) why should they not be counted?

Replies

  • melaniecheeks
    melaniecheeks Posts: 6,349 Member
    The weight watchers approach was to encourage people to eat more fruit and veg.
  • roiLEI1554
    roiLEI1554 Posts: 143
    yeah, like melaniecheeks said, it probably is just to encourage eating more of what is healthy
    but we all know what is wrong with that when it comes to weight loss :huh:
  • babydiego87
    babydiego87 Posts: 905 Member
    people will do anything to delude themselves.
  • JesterMFP
    JesterMFP Posts: 3,596 Member
    As others have said, I believe the Weight Watchers approach is to encourage people to eat more fruit and veg. I would imagine that that expectation is factored in when points goals are calculated, perhaps giving people a slightly lower points goal than they would get if WW did not have fruit and veg as "free".

    I don't know about the exercise guru you're referring to.
  • Lupercalia
    Lupercalia Posts: 1,857 Member
    If you're counting calories, it makes no sense to leave things out. Kind of defeats the purpose, because all those little things tend to add up. I see people asking this about fats they use to cook with, condiments, sweeteners, etc. and then they're confused why they aren't losing fat.

    WW has their own agenda which is to keep people coming back and buying their products/services.

    Jillian Michaels has her own agenda too, and like WW, isn't someone I'd look to for any sort of nutritional advice. She's the "fitness guru" being discussed in this thread.
  • funhouse77
    funhouse77 Posts: 179 Member
    At one point weight watchers counted fruit and vegetables, it's only been in the last few years they have adopted the 'free' element to encourage people to eat more of it without having to cut back on other things, ie Weight Watchers branded products. So it's Marketing, really.

    In the UK, Slimming World is the bigger culprit, before weight watchers. It's format was allowing 'free' food, depending on which plan you chose, and not only could you eat unlimited fruit and veg, but also eggs, and then on the Red Plan, unlimited meat and fish, on the Green Plan, unlimited pasta, pulses, rice and potato. (yeah, I know).

    I personally did try the Slimming World plan and did lose some weight, however it went straight back on and I learned nothing, portion control was my problem, and a diet that allowed me to fill my plate without having to count any of it, well, you do the math.
  • pinkraynedropjacki
    pinkraynedropjacki Posts: 3,027 Member
    The way I see it...only 2 things have ZERO calories. Plain water & air. Everything and I mean EVERYTHING else is counted.
  • bdhu2001
    bdhu2001 Posts: 38 Member
    My understanding is that certain fruits & vegetables burn more calories in digesting them than the actual food contains. That's why you don't worry about counting them. However, it also depends on when you eat them and what your eating them with (if you're not counting the calories) For instance If you eat it fruit 20 minutes before or vegetables 30 minutes before your meal, it digests. If you combine them with other food, it won't digest in that time. That's the rationale. Hope this helps.
  • carrietehbear
    carrietehbear Posts: 384 Member
    I first heard of "free" foods when my brother was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes 16 years ago. They were foods like carrots, sugar free jello, diet pop, celery, and lettuce that wouldn't raise his blood sugar.

    The only thing I never count is ketchup. Why? Because I use it very rarely and never use a full serving. I probably should count it but I don't.
  • hookilau
    hookilau Posts: 3,134 Member
    I've heard 'they' say that not counting fruit and veggie calories is because they're so low in calories and with the fiber and all, it takes 'that' many calories to metabolize. Hence the assumption that one did not have to count them, as they cancel themselves out.

    Or at least that's how I've heard it rationalized :laugh: Personally, I count everything I can. I was on WW and while I lost on the old plan, on the new plan I maintained :sad: It's just as well. I'm doing faaaar better with my fitbit, MFP, nutribullet and weight training.
    O I'm not losing much weight right now but I'm losing size and THAT's what I'm after :drinker:

    PS..my husband, so indoctrinated by WW after only being on it for a couple of months, was rather resentful at first about having to count his fruits and veggies. Then he saw how many excess calories we were eating consisting of fruits & veggies! :noway:
  • nornyb
    nornyb Posts: 224 Member
    My understanding is that certain fruits & vegetables burn more calories in digesting them than the actual food contains. That's why you don't worry about counting them. However, it also depends on when you eat them and what your eating them with (if you're not counting the calories) For instance If you eat it fruit 20 minutes before or vegetables 30 minutes before your meal, it digests. If you combine them with other food, it won't digest in that time. That's the rationale. Hope this helps.
    MFP already figures the act of digesting into our calorie allowance, so this doesn't really apply. Calories consumed are calories consumed.
  • ExRelaySprinter
    ExRelaySprinter Posts: 874 Member
    I can only think of a few Veggies that have no/almost no calories (i.e Cucumber, Lettuce).
    As for Fruits, ...i can't think of ANY Fruits that have no calories (or else i'd be eating them all day!) Lol

    p.s I know Cucumber is technically a Fruit.....but you get my drift. ;)
  • BarackMeLikeAHurricane
    BarackMeLikeAHurricane Posts: 3,400 Member
    My understanding is that certain fruits & vegetables burn more calories in digesting them than the actual food contains. That's why you don't worry about counting them. However, it also depends on when you eat them and what your eating them with (if you're not counting the calories) For instance If you eat it fruit 20 minutes before or vegetables 30 minutes before your meal, it digests. If you combine them with other food, it won't digest in that time. That's the rationale. Hope this helps.
    Total myth

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