Quality Vs Quantity

CricketKate
CricketKate Posts: 3,657 Member
edited September 2024 in Food and Nutrition
I've been trying really hard to fill my calories with "Quality" calories, calories that actually have some nutritional value. I'm wondering, on days that you have a big calorie deficit, what is more important quality or quantity? I keep hearing not to let Net Calories drop below 1200, but sometimes those quality calories are too filling. Consider this a confession of a french bread junkie. Could I fill my calories with something that has calories but very little nutritional value without screwing it up?

Replies

  • BigBoneSista
    BigBoneSista Posts: 2,389 Member
    I chose quality always. I don't eat more than what my tummy can handle so if I don't meet my net I just don't meet it on a day I've burned alot of calories. Quality foods tend not to be high in calories so I try to use extra virgin olive oil to make up some of the difference.
  • fitnessjch
    fitnessjch Posts: 449 Member
    Look around for something you like that is high in calories, like nuts
  • CricketKate
    CricketKate Posts: 3,657 Member
    Thank You!
  • Losingitin2011
    Losingitin2011 Posts: 572 Member
    I honestly am not cutting out anything I like, empty or not. If I want that ice cream, I allot for it, if I want a all natural soda, I plan for it. If by the end of the day I'm really low on calories, then I find something that looks good to me, and it seems to work for me so far. I am more committed to this whole idea of managing calories when I don't actually diet.
  • Grokette
    Grokette Posts: 3,330 Member
    I don't count calories.............

    I choose quality over quantity. If my calories are low and I have eaten and am not hungry I don't eat more either. Overeating just to get to some number makes no sense to me.
  • CricketKate
    CricketKate Posts: 3,657 Member
    Thank You all for your responses.:flowerforyou:
  • starsnyc21
    starsnyc21 Posts: 436 Member
    My suggestion would be quality foods that are high calorie. Like protein, nuts or good fats like avocados. I hope this helps.
  • CricketKate
    CricketKate Posts: 3,657 Member
    Thank you, that does help. I have tried nuts, but I forgot about avacados.
  • Newfiedan
    Newfiedan Posts: 1,517 Member
    More of less what the others have said, there are tons of high cal healthy options out there usually the ones with the healthier fats and natural oils, heck 2 tbsp of natural peanut butter is around 200 cals. My go to on low calorie days is a protein/fruit smoothie, love them dearly and it is not hard at all to make a 600 calorie protein smoothie using skim milk, fruit, and protein powder. Simple recipe:
    1/2 cup blueberries frozen
    4-6 frozen strawberries
    1/2 a banana
    1 scoop protein powder (optional)
    1 cup skim milk
    That should ring in around 450 cals or so if memory serves.
  • CricketKate
    CricketKate Posts: 3,657 Member
    Thank you!
  • absolament
    absolament Posts: 278 Member
    I have felt full eating high fiber food like broccoli. But broccoli is not going to give enough calories to fuel my body to perform...and I'm talking not only of exercising, but basic functions. A healthy body starts with proper nutrition. To be properly nourished my body needs enough life sustaining calories. My suggestion is to eat close (a little over and/or below) your recommended calories after including a fairly accurate reading of "formal" exercise calories. Try it for 2 weeks and then make adjustments as needed. You aren't going to gain a bunch of weight in 2 weeks. If after 2 weeks the scale continues to tip up, then reduce your calorie consumption by 100 per day for a week. See what happens then. And continue this type of modification until you find the right balance for your body.
  • amandarae123
    amandarae123 Posts: 16
    I honestly am not cutting out anything I like, empty or not. If I want that ice cream, I allot for it, if I want a all natural soda, I plan for it. If by the end of the day I'm really low on calories, then I find something that looks good to me, and it seems to work for me so far. I am more committed to this whole idea of managing calories when I don't actually diet.

    I completely agree!! Of course you should try to get nutritious foods in the mix, but if you have extra calories and want french bread then I say do it, otherwise you may feel deprived and eat nothing but french bread tomorrow:)
  • CricketKate
    CricketKate Posts: 3,657 Member
    Moving myself back up!:blushing:

    The question is not really if I should eat all of my exercise calories (I've already made my mind up on that point). My question is, if I have eaten mostly quality calories all day but still have a deficit, is it okay to fill in the deficit with some more or less empty calories (think white bread and popcorn, not soda and candy)?
  • Fat4Fuel2
    Fat4Fuel2 Posts: 280 Member
    Mathematically, yes it should be ok for you to eat french bread. The idea of counting calories is to create a calorite deficit to lose weight, and as long as you have done this, you should still lose. However, sometimes the quality wins out over the quantity, and you might experience some small wieght fluctuation. For me, if I eat "empty calorie" foods within my calorie budget, my tummy looks a little flabbier, but my weight doesn't change.
  • VixFit2011
    VixFit2011 Posts: 663 Member
    Quality is important. Nutritional foods are more filling and healthier for your system. You actually eat less quantity with them.
  • CricketKate
    CricketKate Posts: 3,657 Member
    Quality is important. Nutritional foods are more filling and healthier for your system. You actually eat less quantity with them.

    The problem is that eating those filling quality calories is making me feel full and still leaving me with a caloric deficit.


    Thank you, All, for your responses. This is good information.
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