Will I lose more weight if I go all natural?

austinsneeze · February 2014

I know I will get a lot of different opinions here. There are people who believe veganism is the only way to go, some prefer Paleo. I know all the diets and I know all the differences.

I'm just curious, will I lose more weight if I eat 1,500 calories of plant-based foods, or will I lose just as much weight if I were to eat 1,500 of anything: processed foods, high fructose corn syrup, etc?

neanderthin · February 2014

I know I will get a lot of different opinions here. There are people who believe veganism is the only way to go, some prefer Paleo. I know all the diets and I know all the differences.

I'm just curious, will I lose more weight if I eat 1,500 calories of plant-based foods, or will I lose just as much weight if I were to eat 1,500 of anything: processed foods, high fructose corn syrup, etc?

But the majority of processed foods and HFCS are vegan?

austinsneeze · February 2014

I could be using the wrong terminology. If I eat 1,500 calories of fruits, veggies, whole grains, nuts, etc. will I lose more than if I eat 1,500 of whatever I wanted?

seabooger · February 2014

If you eat healthy and clean at least 80% of the time you will see results.
You don't need to be vegan, but eating whole wheat over white helps
eating all of your fruit and veggies
having lean meat instead of super fatty meat

just look up "clean eating" etc on sites like tumblr and they'll give you grocery lists etc.

Let's just say 300cals from a chocolate bar is not equal to 300 cals from a fruit bowl. Not only is the fruit bowl more filling, it's 1000000x better for your body.

rejectuf · February 2014

You may find some other benefits from an all natural diet, but when it comes to weight loss calories are king. Sticking to those calories and staying healthy is made easier by eating certain amounts of protein/fat/carbs during the day.

Nikiki · February 2014

that teacher who ate nothing but McDonalds proved you can lose weight on any diet so long as you create a calorie deficit. I don't think that going all natural makes you lose particularly faster but I know that I feel better when I eat all natural (I am not paleo or vegan, I eat meat, gluten, most dairy etc... my only real food restriction is regular milk cause I am mildly lactose intolerant)

I cut down on processed foods because I try to limit my sodium intake (reduces bloating and I have a family history of high blood pressure) and because it gives me more control over the foods I'm eating. I cut out chemicals that may do damage to my body. I also find that eating whole foods fills me up faster and keeps me full longer, I have more energy on a day of no processed foods than I do on a day of fast food or boxed foods.

neanderthin · February 2014

I could be using the wrong terminology. If I eat 1,500 calories of fruits, veggies, whole grains, nuts, etc. will I lose more than if I eat 1,500 of whatever I wanted?

No. But if you include those foods along with lean proteins and natural fat from animals it would be considered healthy and in my opinion sustainable.

Nikiki · February 2014

I could be using the wrong terminology. If I eat 1,500 calories of fruits, veggies, whole grains, nuts, etc. will I lose more than if I eat 1,500 of whatever I wanted?

I am going to say yes, you will lose more because junk food (I'm assuming whatever you want is similar to whatever *I* would want) like pizza, fries, ice cream etc... is not going to fill you up as well, you will have less energy to devote to your workouts, you will be eating lots of salt so you will bloat, and because you wont be as full (2 twinkees have about 270 calories, so does a clementine plus 2 scrambled eggs on an english muffin... which would fill you up longer?) you'll be more likely to go over calories because you will be hungry.

neanderthin · February 2014

I could be using the wrong terminology. If I eat 1,500 calories of fruits, veggies, whole grains, nuts, etc. will I lose more than if I eat 1,500 of whatever I wanted?

I am going to say yes, you will lose more because junk food (I'm assuming whatever you want is similar to whatever *I* would want) like pizza, fries, ice cream etc... is not going to fill you up as well, you will have less energy to devote to your workouts, you will be eating lots of salt so you will bloat, and because you wont be as full (2 twinkees have about 270 calories, so does a clementine plus 2 scrambled eggs on an english muffin... which would fill you up longer?) you'll be more likely to go over calories because you will be hungry.

The possibility of junk food as you say, (personally I don't classify pizza, fries or ice cream junk food) could lead to over consumption based on lack of satiety with some calorie dense foods, but not when calories are held constant in both diet's, then both will facilitate equal weight loss.

lacewitch · February 2014

I loose faster eating 'clean' but i think that is more to do with my mindset than my diet.
I feel healtier so I act healtier - more active, happier where as I find suary/ processed foods make me feel slugish and les likely to get of my butt!

ForeverCharlie · February 2014

The less processed crap in your diet and the more natural you eat, the more nourished your body will be. You end up eating less empty calories, and will lose weight quicker. Good luck.

jessthep1rate · February 2014

Technically, yes, you'd lose just as much weight either way if we're just comparing 1500 calories to 1500 calories. However, with more whole foods and less processed, you'll probably feel better, have less cravings, have more energy, be healthier in general, etc, which might lead to you becoming more active and less discouraged or apt to fall off the wagon, which could in turn get better results.

For the record, I don't really eat as clean as I sometimes want to. I eat a decent mix of awesome, fantastic, healthy meals, with some granola bars and cookies and general processed foods in between. I don't doubt that I'd probably feel a lot more awesome if I gave up some of the latter, but it takes a lot of hard work at planning and choosing your foods, and not to mention effort (for me) of saying no to 'convenience' foods when you're really busy. But if you can do it, go for it!

nicolemarthacraig · February 2014

Hi,

I've been using MFP since last April. Initially I lost 2 stone on 1200 calories and a couple of cardio classes every week however after losing the 2 stone I stopped losing. I've been stuck at the same weight for about 6 months. So I decided to change things up and try a clean diet for February. i didn't know anything about eating clean but I said I'd try it. I've increased my calories to 2,000 per day and am eating clean only food (i've chosen to stay off bread & dairy for the month also).

So far I've found it great, i've lost 5lbs the first 2 weeks, I'll weigh myself again at the end of the month.Fingers crossed another 4/5lbs will be gone.

So, yes, I think you would lose more weight eating clean, even if you do what I'm doing, do it 100% for one month.

The natural food is so filling that I'm not consuming anything near 2,000 cals per day. I eat every 3 hours and make sure to include protein and carbs each meal.

I weightlift 3 days a week and try and get a couple of runs in also.

SideSteel · February 2014

Fortunately for you, there's a vast middle ground that lies in between "only eating whole foods" and "only eating highly processed foods".

SugaryLynx · February 2014

http://evidencemag.com/calories-count/

I like the middle ground approach. So I can have my cake and eat it too, maybe some veggies that I enjoy along the way :P

CodeMonkey78 · February 2014

I know I will get a lot of different opinions here. There are people who believe veganism is the only way to go, some prefer Paleo. I know all the diets and I know all the differences.

I'm just curious, will I lose more weight if I eat 1,500 calories of plant-based foods, or will I lose just as much weight if I were to eat 1,500 of anything: processed foods, high fructose corn syrup, etc?

WRT weight loss in general, a calorie is a calorie; you will lose weight both ways provided that you burn more calories than you take in.

Personally, I feel better eating "cleaner" (more energy, not sluggish, etc.), staying within my calorie budget, increasing my activity, and trying to hit my macros. Plus, I can eat more food throughout the day. The key is to find a system that works best for you that is sustainable over the long run.

Good luck!

jbwent · February 2014

If you stick to your allowance you will lose weight no matter what, but if you eat all junk food you will be an unhealthy skinny person. The sayings "You are what you eat" and "You get out what you put in" are definitely true.

cwsreddy · February 2014

I know I will get a lot of different opinions here. There are people who believe veganism is the only way to go, some prefer Paleo. I know all the diets and I know all the differences.

I'm just curious, will I lose more weight if I eat 1,500 calories of plant-based foods, or will I lose just as much weight if I were to eat 1,500 of anything: processed foods, high fructose corn syrup, etc?

no, but you'll be healthier.

Will I lose more weight if I go all natural?

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