eating junk all day within my calorie goal??

losingArni
losingArni Posts: 89
in Health and Weight Loss
Hello everyone!!
So, I have two issues id like to bring up tonight...

1. its been one of those days when ive been craving junk ALL day! all ive wanted to do is eat an entire apple pie with ice cream and custard with a side of cakes and chocolate bars. yum.
So anyway, I controlled myself to an extent, but did eat four pieces of chocolate. Im still within my calorie goal, but it got me wondering, if I just ate 1200 calories worth of junk instead of healthy food, would I still lose weight, or because its unhealthy processes food would I gain?

2. Another question... I have a few calories left for today, and am intent on eating something delicious as a post dinner snack?? any ideas would be much appreciated!!! :) I have low fat ice cream in the fridge, but have no idea how much ican eat for around 280 cals (I don't have scales) or I could eat toast (guilty pleasure) but my carbs would go way over (but stay within calories) ?!?!?!

THANK YOU

Replies

  • TheNavet
    TheNavet Posts: 162 Member
    Calories in / calories out, not matter whether it's junk or not. You won't gain (except maybe water retention) if you remain under your calorie goal but what you've eaten might not be as filling as if you'd eaten something healthier - hence, you might feel hungry rapidly and without any calorie left.

    Can't help you for the snacks though! I guess toast is okay, going over your macros once in a while isn't the end of the world :wink:
  • losingArni
    losingArni Posts: 89
    thanks for the help. its reassuring to know if you have one of those days where you want to eat junk you technically can. :P I need those days to keep me sane haha
  • Lyadeia
    Lyadeia Posts: 4,603 Member
    Look up the Twinkie Diet.

    As long as you are under your TDEE, you will lose weight no matter what food you eat. It is not optimal to do this all the time health wise, but for weight loss, it doesn't really matter.
  • hunterman95
    hunterman95 Posts: 49 Member
    Your body runs on fuel (calories). Calories are calories, regardless of where they come from. If your body doesn't get enough, it burns what you have stored (fat), and you lose weight. But high-calorie foods (sugar) will not fill you up, and you will be hungry all the time. Not to mention, your body will not get the nutrients it needs, and you will soon feel run down, and eventually run into serious health problems.

    Have the toast if you want. I've never counted carbs. The only reason I restrict carbs, is because high-carb foods also tend to be high-calorie foods.

    But above all else, go buy yourself a scale! Today! Aside from MFP, it's the single most important tool in my weight loss battle.
  • EllytoSkinny
    EllytoSkinny Posts: 21
    I agree with the posts above. Just don't do it every day. I do find that the more carbs I eat, the hungrier I am like the above poster said. Also, fresh fruits and veggies will make you regular (if you know what I mean) and protein helps me stay full. That being said, enjoy a day of chocolate and ice cream. :)
  • highervibes
    highervibes Posts: 2,219 Member
    As long as you're in a deficit you won't gain but depending on the junk you ate you may retain water, so don't panic and think you've blown it if you're up a couple pounds in the next couple of days.
  • susieoj
    susieoj Posts: 181
    Calories in versus calories out causes weight loss :) so technically you probably could eat gummy bears every day lol but don't... You may loose weight but you'll be killing yourself one nutritionally deficient day at a time - eating junk every day is almost like taking up smoking as a weight loss tactic - totally counter productive health wise - I understand the junk temptation though!
  • highervibes
    highervibes Posts: 2,219 Member

    But above all else, go buy yourself a scale! Today! Aside from MFP, it's the single most important tool in my weight loss battle.

    YES! Mine just ran out of battery and I HAD to rush to Walmart to get a new set of 3V watch type batteries hehehehe. I LOVE that thing! It especially helps that MFP has most foods listed in 100g amounts :)
  • TheRuja1
    TheRuja1 Posts: 8 Member
    It isn't recommended but totally fine to do. Just keep within your goal, it's all about portions and moderation. Your goal keeps you from eating that whole apple pie but doesn't mean you can't have a piece or two.
  • beckyinma
    beckyinma Posts: 1,433 Member
    As long as you're in a deficit you won't gain but depending on the junk you ate you may retain water, so don't panic and think you've blown it if you're up a couple pounds in the next couple of days.

    This. water retention will slow you down, but not stall you completely. Once in a while, a good 'party day' within reason is good for the soul, you know?

    Mine's usually a couple days a month if I can control myself on the opposite weekends.

    ETA: I had cheesecake, with strawberry sauce (2 slices!), ribs and rice pilaf-so salty, last night. Things I usually never eat unless it's a special occasion, and still came in at a loss this week. :D One 'good' day isn't going to ruin you.

    And, ETA: take a look at your cycle schedule. Sometimes the day or two before your period starts you will notice your cravings take a turn for the worst.
  • kiern18
    kiern18 Posts: 61
    There's nothing wrong with moderation so if you can fit the food you want into your calorie intake then that's fine. However, you still need to eat healthy food. A portioned treat won't set you back with your weight loss. But you should nourish your body with the food that it deserves. It's your choice on how you treat your body, but I would not recommend eating processed/junk food everyday.
  • PlayerHatinDogooder
    PlayerHatinDogooder Posts: 1,018 Member
    As long as you're in a deficit you can lose weight.

    280 cals you say?

    Sounds like a nice bowl of ice cream

    Or a scoop of ice cream and a cookie.
  • ItsCasey
    ItsCasey Posts: 4,021 Member
    I think if you ate more than 1200 calories on a daily basis, you probably wouldn't have those days where you feel like eating yourself into a junk food coma.

    And ditch the low-fat ice cream. Get yourself some fat ice cream, and enjoy it.
  • highervibes
    highervibes Posts: 2,219 Member
    I think if you ate more than 1200 calories on a daily basis, you probably wouldn't have those days where you feel like eating yourself into a junk food coma.

    And ditch the low-fat ice cream. Get yourself some fat ice cream, and enjoy it.

    also this.
  • yaseyuku
    yaseyuku Posts: 871 Member
    For the majority of people, calories in/calories out works. If you have a medical condition it might be different.
  • hooee71
    hooee71 Posts: 8 Member
    The big problem is the glycemic fluctuations that you are handing your body.

    When you ramp your glycemic levels up to those heights, your body tends to hold on to its fat, and your insulin levels are crazy. So while you probably won't gain weight since you are still within the bounds of your calorie intake, you probably aren't doing your endocrine system any favors either.

    If it's 1 day, vs. a constant diet of high-glycemic foods, then probably not a problem. If you let yourself fall into this mentality of just "calories in vs. calories out", eventually your body will rebel without the proper nutrition.

    http://whfoods.org/genpage.php?tname=faq&dbid=32
  • getrealforme
    getrealforme Posts: 85
    Calories in / calories out, not matter whether it's junk or not. You won't gain (except maybe water retention) if you remain under your calorie goal but what you've eaten might not be as filling as if you'd eaten something healthier - hence, you might feel hungry rapidly and without any calorie left.

    Can't help you for the snacks though! I guess toast is okay, going over your macros once in a while isn't the end of the world :wink:




    >this, I have lost weight steadily before by eating a diet full of junk food, as long as I stayed within my calorie budget. Not recommended, but life happens :)
  • brazilnut05
    brazilnut05 Posts: 40 Member
    Junk food ALL DAY??

    Roll out the TP and prepare to experience the worst ****s of your life!!!
  • brazilnut05
    brazilnut05 Posts: 40 Member
    Junk food ALL DAY??

    Roll out the TP and prepare to experience the worst ****s of your life!!!

    ****$h!Ts
  • DancingDreams1234
    DancingDreams1234 Posts: 165
    You'll probably end up retaining some water, but don't do this again. Yeah you're within your calorie goal, but you are not receiving proper nutrition, because at the end of the day your body needs the right food to function properly.
  • DancesWithBirds
    DancesWithBirds Posts: 25 Member
    I think if you ate more than 1200 calories on a daily basis, you probably wouldn't have those days where you feel like eating yourself into a junk food coma.

    And ditch the low-fat ice cream. Get yourself some fat ice cream, and enjoy it.

    This is my suggestion. I have found that my cravings get out of hand when my hunger gets out of hand for too long. I've managed to get rid of the worst cravings by not letting myself get too hungry between meals by snacking and not missing meals. On the other hand, if you fill a day of eating with only cake and ice cream you will probably find yourself even hungrier with even more intense cravings at the end of the day.
  • natasa26ca
    natasa26ca Posts: 107 Member
    280 calories would be aprox 1 cup of low fat ice cream.

    Enjoy :)
  • goodtimezzzz
    goodtimezzzz Posts: 640 Member
    never!! clean eating only in my world;)
  • phyllisgehrke
    phyllisgehrke Posts: 238 Member
    I have a 1200 calorie Diet...
    I eat ice cream every night which is Weight Watchers Dark Chocolate Raspberry Bars.

    I still lose weight every week, I have to be sure I get near my 1200 calories or I will not lose weight.
    I can only do minimal exercise because I have Arthritis in both of my knees and back
  • FFXXIV
    FFXXIV Posts: 38 Member
    Thanks for asking the question that has always been on my mind! :)
  • SStruthers13
    SStruthers13 Posts: 150 Member
    Although not healthy as long as you are within your goal you'll lose weight. Because I am addicted to chocolate and sugar I allow for a junk pig out once a week and allow for something sweet and chocolate each day. This works for me but you have to find your balance.
  • KyleWitt87
    KyleWitt87 Posts: 17 Member
    Calories are calories... It doesn't matter if its from broccoli or Reese's. the problem with eating junk food is that 99% of the time it isn't filling at all. It's usually calorie dense small portions which in turn may cause you to become hungry more often, thus causing you to eat more and go over your goal. Sure you can have your "bad" food days, because let's be honest, eating nothing but broccoli & protein powder everyday is enough to drive anyone crazy, plus its nice to "reward" yourself every once in a while. But, I don't recommend basing your diet off of junk food. Remember, you are what you eat. Good luck ;)
  • Wantingslim
    Wantingslim Posts: 37
    Bump
  • shayemimi
    shayemimi Posts: 203 Member
    You can and should give yourself treats, but just treat it as that. A treat. Of course you could eat all your calories from junk but you wouldn't get much food, or nourishment/nutrients. You'd be starving. But if you save a couple hundred calories here and there for a treat, you'll be fine.

    Ice cream is an awesome treat. I treat it as a liquid and don't weigh mine, I measure it in a measuring up. exactly 1/2 cup of ice cream into my bowl (or what ever serving size you choose) and then put it away.Eat it slowly and enjoy! :D
  • loddie26
    loddie26 Posts: 18
    Bump

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