Eating the wrong foods..but within your cals??

You're going to get two diametrically opposed answers to this question, and it's probably going to degenerate into an argument between those two factions.

Personally I like the middle ground - hit your macros, get enough fruits and veg to get your micros, and avoid trans fat. Beyond that, eat what you need to meet your energy requirements, enjoy life, and stop stressing about food. It's done wonders for me (see ticker).

Hi Shae,

Here's a simple question that I think would help you answer your question. Let's say you took the 1000 calories that you had remaining that day and you chose to eat one of the two options below (these are extreme examples but I think you'll get the idea):

1 - 1000 calories worth of doughnuts
2 - 1000 calories worth of chicken breast

It's true that both options have an equal amount of calories but which do you think is better for you? Well it's kind of a trick question since neither choice would be great as neither one offers any balance. But if I had to choose based on a 'calorie in calorie out' weight loss framework then the better choice would be option 2. That's because option 2 is mainly protein, which requires more calories/energy to digest than fats and carbohydrates. So the net calorie impact of option 2 is less than that of option 1.

Then there's the issue of 'empty' calories. These are mostly refined, sugary foods, that don't give you much in the way of nutritional benefits. All things equal, I believe that the quality of the calorie does matter. Sorry if you didn't want to hear that

Anywhow, I hope that helps!

Kevin

Lost 100 pounds on a diet made of a lot of 'junk food'
I make sure I get enough protein and that I'm satisfied.

So im a college student, i don't have many options of good food here. I can either force feed myself veggies or i can just try and pick some kind of grilled chicken sandwich. After a while though i get annoyed with eating those same things everyyyyy singleee day!! Im not trying to lose weight just maintain and tone. Today i had pizza for lunch and then i had a small Wendys meal for dinner(my campus has a wendys). I know those are horrible food choices but i still have about 1000 calories left for the day. I go to the gym everyday and workout for a while. I guess what im asking is how bad is it to eat foods that aren't so great but within your calorie range still? And for those of you who are gonna say go out and buy healthier food.... I have 4 dollars to my name right now so thats not an option! LMAO

All of the responses are correct, in that at the end of the day, it's about calories in vs. calories out. However, no one has flagged your statement about you're desire to "just maintain and tone". What does this mean?

The word "toning" means jack, but many people use it to explain their desire to look "firmer", appear more muscular. If this is what you mean, then what you're referring to is shedding the soft layer covering your muscles. That means you're looking to lose fat, which would require a caloric deficit, and you've given no stats on how you arrived at your total daily caloric intake number, or what it is, exactly.

If you're simply looking to maintain the number you currently see on the scale, and the current composition of your body (ie muscle to fat ratio), then just stay within your maintenance calories (by eating fruit or fries, whichever).

Oh how I feel you! On my days off I am able to cook & load myself up with tons of veggies & fruits...on work days not so much with 12 hour shifts...I just make sure I pack plenty of snacks that fall within my calorie range....sugar free fruit cups, popcorn, etc....not the best but I still feel like it's better than what I used to do. I'm still losing & keeping my sanity....do what YOU have to do.

You're going to get two diametrically opposed answers to this question, and it's probably going to degenerate into an argument between those two factions.

Personally I like the middle ground - hit your macros, get enough fruits and veg to get your micros, and avoid trans fat. Beyond that, eat what you need to meet your energy requirements, enjoy life, and stop stressing about food. It's done wonders for me (see ticker).

Wow! You got this answer right out of the gate. Listen to this.

You're going to get two diametrically opposed answers to this question, and it's probably going to degenerate into an argument between those two factions.

Personally I like the middle ground - hit your macros, get enough fruits and veg to get your micros, and avoid trans fat. Beyond that, eat what you need to meet your energy requirements, enjoy life, and stop stressing about food. It's done wonders for me (see ticker).

Wow! You got this answer right out of the gate. Listen to this.

Now, will the thread end on a reasonable note?
If history is an indication, no.

shhhhh... beetlejuice.

I tried the whole eating clean thing, stuck to it for about 2 weeks or so, didn't really lose much. As soon as I introduced some carbs that I normally eat, and/or treat foods BAM I started to lose more.

Years ago I used to work at a job where I'd be required to walk 8 hours a day. I ate whatever I wanted, probably more fast food than I wanted to. I got down to a size 8 from a size 11-13 in the matter of 6 months.

You cant deprive your body of treats here and there. I eat pretty good 6 out of 7 days a week, i don't drink and im working on cutting out pop out of my diet completely, or restricting it to one can once a week (i'm addicted to the fizz). I for the most part eat my macros while still enjoying the foods I love, i watch portion sizes, and drink lots of water.

Keep doin what you are doing, especially if its working!

Wendys and premade pizza are actually a lot more expensive than making healthy food yourself.

Diets of seclusion dont work cause then you'll just binge on the bad stuff...eat what you want but be smart about it. Also, dont just look at the calories; you can be skinny as a twig but still have high cholesterol and clogged arteries

I agree....of course with eating healthier is a better option...but also that staying in your calories is the main thing!! However, I have found that as I have gotten older (41) it definitely makes a difference!! My body doesn't do as well with the junk food, no matter the calorie count. I feel as long as your future goals are to eat healthier calories when possible that you should be fine!!

I've noticed that when I eat a lot of sugar and high glycemic carbs and/or if I drink beer - my love handles grow.

I recently read somewhere that its not the dietary fats you need to be watching, its all about the sugar and carbs. Its that extra bad stuff that makes people fat....there is an interesting article out there about how possibly the worst thing for the human race was the advent of agriculture. With agriculture, high carb/low protein and nutrient foods became abundant thus adding to the obesity problem. This article supports the whole "paleo diet" movement.

I'm in the same boat! Since November I've been eating Cinnamon life, spinach, and some sort of fruit for lunch almost every day but for some reason I love it! I still eat unhealthy things for dunner though sometimes and I stay under my calorie limit! You'll be fine That's how I lost over 30 pounds!