Counting calories vs packaged food

Hi all! I am on day 16 of my journey and trying to lose 15 pounds that I have wanted to lose for 4 years. I was real happy with how things were going as I noticed a change in my body and mind. However, I want your thoughts.

Is there anyone out there counting calories, and eating things like Smart Ones Breakfast sandwiches, Lean Cuisines and Weight Watcher lunches, 100 calorie snacks, high sodium foods and STILL LOSING weight? Seems my diet I am counting calories, staying under mostly of my daily goal, but I admit I do not have a lot of the fresh fruits and veggies. I eat an apple every few days, but nothing religious. Is more greens, veggies, and fruit a MUST to lose weight? If I stick to calorie counting but avg 2400 mg of sodium each day, will I get to my goal ever? Yes I could use more exercise, yes I need to cut back on alcohol and I will try, but more wondering if processed foods are just as harmful as if I was not counting calories?? Do I have to mix some proccessed with some fresh snacks?

I work in an office and just heat my lunch up everyday, and was proud I do not eat out, but again.. it is boxed food.

Just asking for honesty because I am ready to change but thought I was doing Ok. Help!! I want to reach my goals.

Thanks friends

Do you want to lose weight or lose weight and be healthy? Healthy foods are not a must to lose weight, but they are a BIG MUST for being healthy. You should be getting 5-7 fruit and veggies/day most of which should be from the veggie side. Processed foods are the devil, and most of them should be outlawed.

There is the simple equation to losing weight. Eat less, mostly greens, and move more.

Hello,

I think some people can lose weight on a diet of those processed low-cal/low-fat items, but I don't think it's the healthiest thing to do. And you're right-usually they are high in sodium. A few years ago I switched to eating more fresh fruits and veggies and I believe it is so much better for me. In fact, now is the best time of the year to do this because you can find fresh produce at farmer's markets and such. Healthy and much more satisfying then some boxed meal for sure. True, it takes more time and planning to eat this way, but it's worth it. The older I get, I also realize it's the best thing I can do for my body.

Good luck!
Carol

I use those types of foods on a regular occasional basis, if that makes any sense (so a few times a week when I need something quick). You can lose weight on them, but like others have said, they are high in sodium. You also need to get fruits and veggies in to get the nutrients your body needs, because a lot of those are lost when foods are processed (and some of those meals don't have a lot of veggies to begin with - try to look for those that do - Healthy Choice has some decent options). Try to get some extra veggies and fruits in every day - it's just as easy to grab an apple for a snack as it is to grab a 100 cal snack pack, and these days you can find snack-size precut fruit and veggie packages that you can grab on the go.

I deal with the same issue for the most part, because fact is it's easy and very convenient, especially having a desk job. But easy and convenient isn't what gets you to lose weight. I just try to think of it that way. Anything that has worth takes hard work and sacrifice. I love to eat junk food unfortunately, and junk food is convenient easy and CHEAP..but eating junk food won't help me lose weight. Neither will eating lots of processed food

I do both... I try to find buy organic frozed dinners with fewer additives. But they are always packed with sodium. As long as you keep your overall numbers in check I believe you can still be healthy regardless of which path you take. Of course this is in my opinion and based off of what has worked for me. Mixing my fresh foods and convienient pre-packaged meals/foods has worked well for me. I still lost weight, I feel good, and my bloodwork and phyiscals always come out excellent. It's just a matter of balancing your totals by the end of the day. Diet and excercise isn't an exact science, but staying conscious on how much of the type of foods you eat is important.


Edit: Spelling errors...I'm sure I still missed some

I do both... I try to find buy organic frozed dinners with fewer additives. But they are always packed with sodium. As long as you keep your overall numbers in check I believe you can still be healthy regardless of which path you take. Of course this is in my opinion and based off of what has worked for me. Mixing my fresh foods and convienient pre-packaged meals/foods has worked well for me. I still lost weight, I feel good, and my bloodwork and phyiscals always come out excellent. It's just a matter of balancing your totals by the end of the day. Diet and excercise isn't an exact science, but staying conscious on how much of the type of foods you eat is important.


Edit: Spelling errors...I'm sure I still missed some

This is pretty much what I do! I do eat packaged/process foods, but I also eat nutritious whole foods. I started my weight loss journey Feb 1 and so far I have lost 25lbs. I also think it's possible to be healthy and still consume process foods.

I am a sucker for the easy meals such as the prepackaged frozen foods. I am going to try and get better at this and when grocery shopping this weekend, do my best to not buy any. I also have to set my mind that veggies are good for me and I need to eat them whether I like them or not.

I lost 40 pounds on Nutrisystem in 2009 ....... what happened when I got totally burnt out on eating from a box? I gained the weight back!
Although my loss has been very slow as of lately, I am finding that eating the right amount of the right foods makes me feel so much better then eating processed foods from a box.

Lots of good points!! Ok.. instead of stocking my desk drawer with snack packs, I will get berries and broccoli and such. Time to make a change. I guess I was proud of my focus and mind set on losing weight, but it did hit me last night.. I do not think I am doing this right!

Yes I want to be healthy, I am just not a normal veggie eater. (And that is why I have 15 pounds to lose probably). I have been watching my vitamin levels in my dairy and that I why I created this topic. BUT I just do not want "hate" this plan by eating stuff I do not like. Just was curious what others are doing

You SHOULD be proud of your initial focus & mindset. Remember - baby steps. You don't have to eat perfectly from day 1. You have good goals - more fruits & veggies. Eat a little better each week - and you will get there - without resorting to foods you hate.

Try adding a serving of veggies to your frozen meal, or serve with a small side salad. Bring carrots, celery sticks, or pepper strips to work with you for a snack (serve with hummus or light dressing). Applesauce cups (no sugar added) are great to keep in your desk.

Lots of good points!! Ok.. instead of stocking my desk drawer with snack packs, I will get berries and broccoli and such. Time to make a change. I guess I was proud of my focus and mind set on losing weight, but it did hit me last night.. I do not think I am doing this right!

Yes I want to be healthy, I am just not a normal veggie eater. (And that is why I have 15 pounds to lose probably). I have been watching my vitamin levels in my dairy and that I why I created this topic. BUT I just do not want "hate" this plan by eating stuff I do not like. Just was curious what others are doing

I always have a few pre-packaged things for those nights where convenience is needed (but I do love to cook). So I always have an organic frozen lasagna (300 cals) and a can of chili (500 cals) in my pantry/freezer. I eat them once or MAYBE twice a week for dinner. Rather than worrying about sodium, I worry about potassium (the great equalizer of sodium)... and I've always had TONS of water. (potassium rich foods: sweet potato, carrots, green leaves of many kinds, bananas, etc)

Here's what I have today thats fairly representative of my daily work: 200 cal oatmeal for breakfast, 300 cal sandwich for lunch, 1 cup of watermelon for a snack, and approx 3/4 cup of carrots for a snack.

As for eating veggies... sneak them into your meals at dinner. You'd be shocked at what you can blend/process and what little you notice of it. Almost daily, I either finely chop or process carrots, celery, zuchini, red bell pepper, onions, garlic, spinach, etc into my dinners. In fact, adding these things into a sauce of some type will add alot of substance and flavor. Hope that helps!

Hi, Unfortunately, you need to try and step away from the prepackaged and frozen foods. The sodium is huge.

Aren't healthy pre-prepared meals readily available in America?

I know we used to get Lean Cuisine here, but I haven't seen them for maybe 20 years, I don't think they're that healthy, just low in calories!

I do cook batches of food but being super-busy at the moment I also often eat Tesco meals, they do not contain ingredients you wouldn't find in your own kitchen, and in common with many British supermarkets, they are greatly reducing the sodium in processed foods - it's become a big health issue over here. Tesco do both a "Light Choices" and a "Healthy Living" range, both are low in sodium, fats and sugars.

For instance, this is their "Healthy Living" Chicken with Baby Potatoes and Vegetables meal.
Meal Per Serving Per 100g
Energy 1281kJ (305kcal) 305kJ (73kcal)
Protein 15.5g 3.7g
Carbohydrate 31.5g 7.5g
sugars 7.1g 1.7g
Fat 13.0g 3.1g
saturates 2.5g 0.6g
mono unsaturates 6.7g 1.6g
polyunsaturates 2.9g 0.7g
Fibre 10.1g 2.4g
Sodium* 0.3g 0.1g
*Salt Equivalent 0.7g 0.2g

Potato (30%), Chicken (20%), Carrot (16%), Green Bean (15%), Water, Roast Chicken Stock, Tomato Purée, Vegetable Oil, Cornflour, Gelling Agent (Pectin), Rice Bran Oil, Wheat Flour, Salt, Black Pepper.
Roast Chicken Stock contains: Chicken, Chicken Fat, Water, Sugar, Salt, Cornflour, Onion Concentrate.

Personally I'd be very happy to eat that, and it only has 300mg of sodium.