Calories are NOT equal

I have been surprised to find so many people staying under their calorie goal, yet when you see what they eat is shocks me. Yes, they stayed under, BUT they ate crap! Fast food, processed foods, white breads, and soda.

This site is great for calorie counting and nutrition data, but it doesn't teach how to eat to fuel your body the best way possible. You body is not going to burn/use those crap calories the same way healthy foods will. When you eat healthy, your body burns it fast and uses pretty much every bit of that food, but when you eat processed, high sodium and fat foods, you will more then likely store some of that food into fat. Proof? Give a person the same number of calories but one eats all the healthy/clean foods while the other eats the junk. Whose body looks better? Also, it's not just weight gain that's affected, it's your hair and skin health too.

When you eat healthy, you feel healthy

What do YOU think?

I think to lose weight all that you have to do is eat less than you burn. To keep losing weight and maintain the lose you have to enjoy what you eat. If it's not sustainable for a person why do it?

This debate seems fairly ridiculous when you consider that the following two statements are pretty much universally agreed to be true:

1.) Calories in versus calories out is what determines *weight* (not necessarily *fat*) gain or loss.
2.) Eating a variety of fresh, real, "whole" foods will do much better at providing the nutrients one needs for overall health and vitality than eating garbage.

Can anyone actually argue with those points?

If not, then why are we fighting about it?

I get it, I get that provided I maintain a calorie deficit I can lose weight. I get that if I eat fewer refined foods and sugars, I might be working towards maintaining better health in the long run, but it doesn't make that much of a a difference where my calories come from.

Sadly, as a sugar/refined carb junkie I have also learned of late that by seriously restricting my carb/sugar intake, I can control my 5,000 calorie cake and chocolate binges. Protein and fat keep me satiated and that uncontrollable urge for sugar doesn't come. So far so good. I've even cut down on sweeteners in my tea, a feat I have failed to achieve in a lifetime of trying to control binges, lose weight and keep it off.

I am heartened to hear that dipping into those kinds of foods won't necessarily ruin my weight loss overnight, however - there is a good chance that if I dip in and eat some, it could kick off a 3 day binge where I hate myself for my lack of willpower. Will I ever be able to eat one thin slice of cake or two squares of chocolate without falling into the trough? I'm not sure. For my insulin-addled body, perhaps not....

This debate seems fairly ridiculous when you consider that the following two statements are pretty much universally agreed to be true:

1.) Calories in versus calories out is what determines *weight* (not necessarily *fat*) gain or loss.
2.) Eating a variety of fresh, real, "whole" foods will do much better at providing the nutrients one needs for overall health and vitality than eating garbage.

Can anyone actually argue with those points?

If not, then why are we fighting about it?

This ^
I think OP has a good point. Making the most of the calories you consume is the best thing for your body. But if you are trying to lose Lbs. and not concerned about health, then yes it is a numbers game. cals in vs cals out is what detremines loss or gain.

I am a career dieter, on ALL past diets it was all about the calorie number.....as long as I was under it didn't matter what the food was.....and water? What's water?

Did I lose weight? Sure I did!

And at 150 pounds I could wear a medium to large in blouses, and a size 14 in pants or skirts. My hair was thin, my cheeks sunken, my stamina nil, my sleep awful, my labs all over the place, BP up, my mood....well everyday was PMS.

This time I am drinking water, half my body weight in ounces....no sugar substitutes, only green tea, spiced tea, Kombucha tea, Almond milk....etc...nothing sweetened.

My veggies are fresh or frozen.

My fruits the same.

My grains/ some carbs are from spelt, flax, or millet bread, oatmeal, etc....no white 80% of the time

My proteins are gorund turkey breast, Lean cuts of beef (limited), Navy or lima beans, chicken breast, albacore tuna, haddock, tilapia, eggs, egg white, yogurt, cottage cheese, etc......

My fats are walnut oil, grapeseed oil, EV Olive oil (cold pressed) Orgainc stick butter, Organic heavy whipping cream (for cooking), almond or coconut milk, etc.....

I have lost 84 pounds since January 1, 2013.....I am currently 195 LBS.

I can wear a size medium to large top, and a 12 to 14 in pants and skirts!

My hair is past my shoulders for the first time in 35 years. Silky, thicker, soft. AND GROWING!

My skin is softer, not sallow or sunken, no dark circles under my eyes. No rough elbows, no sores appearing on my arms and legs for no apparent reason, scabbing over and taking weeks and weeks to heal.

I go to bed at 11PM, not 3 AM, I wake up between 6 and 8AM, not 10 and noon....I have tons of energy, can walk for miles and miles, Cart my sleeping, almost 4 yr old 38 pound grand-daughter out of her car seat, thru the parking lot, carry her around the store until she is fully awake, sometimes as long as 20 minutes, while pushing my grocery cart!
NOT....drive in circles for 5 minutes looking for a parking spot close to the store, and close to the handicapped sidewalk, because it's too much work just to heave my humongous thighs up onto the curb, while huffing and puffing, sweating, and feeling mortified, tired, and like I just want to die.....

THAT'S the difference in the "type" of calories you eat.....Just saying from personal experience......

I am a career dieter, on ALL past diets it was all about the calorie number.....as long as I was under it didn't matter what the food was.....and water? What's water?

Did I lose weight? Sure I did!

And at 150 pounds I could wear a medium to large in blouses, and a size 14 in pants or skirts. My hair was thin, my cheeks sunken, my stamina nil, my sleep awful, my labs all over the place, BP up, my mood....well everyday was PMS.

This time I am drinking water, half my body weight in ounces....no sugar substitutes, only green tea, spiced tea, Kombucha tea, Almond milk....etc...nothing sweetened.

My veggies are fresh or frozen.

My fruits the same.

My grains/ some carbs are from spelt, flax, or millet bread, oatmeal, etc....no white 80% of the time

My proteins are gorund turkey breast, Lean cuts of beef (limited), Navy or lima beans, chicken breast, albacore tuna, haddock, tilapia, eggs, egg white, yogurt, cottage cheese, etc......

My fats are walnut oil, grapeseed oil, EV Olive oil (cold pressed) Orgainc stick butter, Organic heavy whipping cream (for cooking), almond or coconut milk, etc.....

I have lost 84 pounds since January 1, 2013.....I am currently 195 LBS.

I can wear a size medium to large top, and a 12 to 14 in pants and skirts!

My hair is past my shoulders for the first time in 35 years. Silky, thicker, soft. AND GROWING!

My skin is softer, not sallow or sunken, no dark circles under my eyes. No rough elbows, no sores appearing on my arms and legs for no apparent reason, scabbing over and taking weeks and weeks to heal.

I go to bed at 11PM, not 3 AM, I wake up between 6 and 8AM, not 10 and noon....I have tons of energy, can walk for miles and miles, Cart my sleeping, almost 4 yr old 38 pound grand-daughter out of her car seat, thru the parking lot, carry her around the store until she is fully awake, sometimes as long as 20 minutes, while pushing my grocery cart!
NOT....drive in circles for 5 minutes looking for a parking spot close to the store, and close to the handicapped sidewalk, because it's too much work just to heave my humongous thighs up onto the curb, while huffing and puffing, sweating, and feeling mortified, tired, and like I just want to die.....

THAT'S the difference in the "type" of calories you eat.....Just saying from personal experience......

Ok, I in NO way meant any harm or insult here. I only was trying to help. Proof? Ask any nutritionist or doctor, read any health book or magazine...pretty much anywhere you can learn that.

I'm with you sister. I cant believe how many people are misinformed referring to the statement I seen "a calorie is a calorie" attitude. ...... I have been reading a great book.It really helped me to understand why eating certain types of calories in certain combinations work to burn calories ..rather than just counting the calories themselves. Thats fine if you are trying to stay within range for a certain splurge or occasionally, but not for everyday life. Please friend me,so we can share..I could use the support .