Is a calorie a calorie?

Yes, but they are NOT created equal!

If any of you had paid attention at the very beginning, you'd have noticed that the original advice was not to eat just twinkies, or just cookies, or just lettuce, or just anything. The original advice is always to find the best balance of food that works for you in moderation, for sustainability. Most people aren't going to find success in weight loss by giving up the foods they like and eating only carrots and chicken. They are going to find success by eating a good combination of protein, carbs, fats and vegetables and fruits, with some treat food thrown in for enjoyment, all while working out how to keep a calorie deficit. That's why we advise still eating a Twinkie now and then if you want it, and eating at McD's now and then if you want it. If you don't want it, don't eat it. But don't come on here and tell everyone else who is struggling to lose weight and might be feeling guilty about eating a cheeseburger that they've now destroyed their bodies by eating such "HORRIBLE" food. Food is not 'bad' and won't hurt you, not in moderation. It absolutely destroys the confidence of the noobs who are just getting started when they try to ask questions about calories and fat and carbs and everyone who is doing Paleo and low-carb and vegan jumps down their throats about how they are destroying not only their own bodies, but the very planet itself by eating fast food or something that's not on some dietary list of acceptable food.

Here's a little secret for you: no matter how clean you eat, or how healthy, or how much you weigh, or how pretty you are, you're still going to die.

Where did I say people should only eat twinkies and where did I say you were wrong. Person stated you can lose weight even if your deficit was from twinkies, you stated "I'd like to see you try", poseter said it has been done, I agreed with that poster and stated it could be done with McDonalds (Said Science teacher was able to hit his calorie goals AND macros BTW)


You're trying too hard now.

Where did I say people should only eat twinkies and where did I say you were wrong. Person stated you can lose weight even if your deficit was from twinkies, you stated "I'd like to see you try", poseter said it has been done, I agreed with that poster and stated it could be done with McDonalds (Said Science teacher was able to hit his calorie goals AND macros BTW)


You're trying too hard now.

"Technically, I didn't say that" "Technically I didn't say you were wrong" "Technically you can eat only Twinkies and lose weight" "Technically it wasn't me, it was the previous poster"

You were adding support to misleading information. "Technically" I didn't say you said it. I said you were suggesting it.

You're not trying hard enough. Or at all, really, to help anyone understand the issue. It's complicated and has two sides. It IS just math, BUT successfully losing weight, for the overwhelming majority of people, involves more than JUST counting calories. Why? Because how you consume those calories does different things to your body. And just saying "yes, a calories is a calorie" is incomplete information that is likely to mislead people. And so is, as I said before, suggesting that people ONLY eat foods that are considered "healthy" and trying to give up every treat they love. It's a balance, and to find the right balance for YOU you have to understand the issue in practical reality. Not an anecdote. Presenting either side of the equation alone is misleading.

If any of you had paid attention at the very beginning, you'd have noticed that the original advice was not to eat just twinkies, or just cookies, or just lettuce, or just anything. The original advice is always to find the best balance of food that works for you in moderation, for sustainability. Most people aren't going to find success in weight loss by giving up the foods they like and eating only carrots and chicken. They are going to find success by eating a good combination of protein, carbs, fats and vegetables and fruits, with some treat food thrown in for enjoyment, all while working out how to keep a calorie deficit. That's why we advise still eating a Twinkie now and then if you want it, and eating at McD's now and then if you want it. If you don't want it, don't eat it. But don't come on here and tell everyone else who is struggling to lose weight and might be feeling guilty about eating a cheeseburger that they've now destroyed their bodies by eating such "HORRIBLE" food. Food is not 'bad' and won't hurt you, not in moderation. It absolutely destroys the confidence of the noobs who are just getting started when they try to ask questions about calories and fat and carbs and everyone who is doing Paleo and low-carb and vegan jumps down their throats about how they are destroying not only their own bodies, but the very planet itself by eating fast food or something that's not on some dietary list of acceptable food.

Here's a little secret for you: no matter how clean you eat, or how healthy, or how much you weigh, or how pretty you are, you're still going to die.

If any of you had paid attention at the very beginning, you'd have noticed that the original advice was not to eat just twinkies, or just cookies, or just lettuce, or just anything. The original advice is always to find the best balance of food that works for you in moderation, for sustainability. Most people aren't going to find success in weight loss by giving up the foods they like and eating only carrots and chicken. They are going to find success by eating a good combination of protein, carbs, fats and vegetables and fruits, with some treat food thrown in for enjoyment, all while working out how to keep a calorie deficit. That's why we advise still eating a Twinkie now and then if you want it, and eating at McD's now and then if you want it. If you don't want it, don't eat it. But don't come on here and tell everyone else who is struggling to lose weight and might be feeling guilty about eating a cheeseburger that they've now destroyed their bodies by eating such "HORRIBLE" food. Food is not 'bad' and won't hurt you, not in moderation. It absolutely destroys the confidence of the noobs who are just getting started when they try to ask questions about calories and fat and carbs and everyone who is doing Paleo and low-carb and vegan jumps down their throats about how they are destroying not only their own bodies, but the very planet itself by eating fast food or something that's not on some dietary list of acceptable food.

Here's a little secret for you: no matter how clean you eat, or how healthy, or how much you weigh, or how pretty you are, you're still going to die.

I agree with this 100%. I think that's what the OP was looking for. To me that seems much more helpful than pointing out that one person lost weight eating only Twinkies. It's not a strategy that's likely to work for most people or give the results they're looking for. Thanks for following up with this very helpful post. Well said. (And if you'd read more than the first six words of my post, pretty much exactly what I said in the first place.)

Yes, but they are NOT created equal!

the wheels on the bus....

This is sad because very poor information is dominating this thread. OP, this has been posted 100,000 times this month alone. Go read other threads about this. Yours has been stolen by people that are pushing their agenda that there are good and bad calories. Reading too much Gary Taubes, I suspect. A calorie is a unit of measure. You can lose weight eating nothing but twinkies if you have a calorie deficit. Is it healthy to do that? Of course not. But, to answer your question, yes, a calorie is just a calorie. It is a unit of measure. To deny that fact is to say a mile isn't a mile or 5 lbs isn't 5 lbs. it's a silly trite argument. Yes, a calorie is a calorie.

but how can 5 miles be the same as 5 miles? makes no sense!

shouldn't the question be is 5 miles up hill the same as 5 miles down hill

In terms of weight loss: a calorie is a calorie.
To lose weight you need a calorie deficit, your body does not care where those calories come from


In terms of health: 1 calorie does not equal 1 calorie

"All calories are equal but some calories are more equal than others"

This is where there is a lot of debate in regards to what calories/macros/micro are best and in what ratio.
Some people prefer low carb, others swear by higher protein. It all depends on your goal and how your body reacts to different foods.

THIS!

+3

I agree with this. Sometimes in these boards it doesn't come across that way. I am just looking at it from another angle. She didn't specify, but she didn't say she didn't want to be healthy either. Nothing wrong with putting it out there, because some people honestly don't realize that they can't live off those food sources long term and try to.

but the original question was this

Let’s say I eat 100 calorie dessert verses a 100 calorie piece of fish, would it make a difference when trying to lose weight?

and the anser is NO a big fat resounding chocolate filled honey dipped carb laced, sugar coated



NO



Answer the question don't put a spin on it.

I agree with this. Sometimes in these boards it doesn't come across that way. I am just looking at it from another angle. She didn't specify, but she didn't say she didn't want to be healthy either. Nothing wrong with putting it out there, because some people honestly don't realize that they can't live off those food sources long term and try to.

but the original question was this

Let’s say I eat 100 calorie dessert verses a 100 calorie piece of fish, would it make a difference when trying to lose weight?

and the anser is NO a big fat resounding chocolate filled honey dipped carb laced, sugar coated



NO



Answer the question don't put a spin on it.

But if we consume both, would be die, or be questioned by the diet police, or what if the fish was dessert.....very confusing stuff. :bigsmile:

I think I prefer my chocolate filled honey dipped carb dipper sugar coat No to fish for dessert and I love fish....:laugh:

And those threads have become so common now, most do just say yes....

And then wait for the "OMG I crash and burned" thread.

And those threads have become so common now, most do just say yes....

And then wait for the "OMG I crash and burned" thread.

Just because I asked a question, I am now doomed to be a failure? I know it is important to eat right. I stated that to begin with. I was curious. I am new and I now understand to do a search before asking, but just to be fair I bet 90% of the questions asked on this board has been asked before. I have been keeping track of my exercise and calories and I am learning a lot about myself and I was really excited I found this place. I know I am going to have up and downs, but it is nice to have someone to share it with. But when people get mean it makes me scared to reach out or be part of the community. I do thank everyone else that was trying to help.