Can you eat whatever you want as long as you stay in your calorie range and still lose weight?

priyul1000
priyul1000 Posts: 13 Member
edited September 2016 in Health and Weight Loss
Hello!

I've been on a diet for around 10 months now, where I have chosen to eat healthy foods and vegetables over fast food and snacks.

So far, as you may have guessed, results are starting to show and I am definitely losing weight.

However, I was just curious, as the title states, can you eat whatever you want as long as you stay in your calorie range and still lose weight?

In my case, I simply want to slowly start eating a slice fo bread, or roll (wholewheat) everyday which is about 150 calories, while substituting out something else like having a smaller portion of Yoghurt in the afternoon, while still keeping to the same caloric deflict, will I gain weight?

I have heard that bread and doughy things can be fattening, but in this case it is simply a slice of wholewheat bread/roll. Dont want to put months of work at risk.

I was considering this as I am slowly approaching my goal weight and am trying to lower the deflict.

Appreciate all responses!
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Replies

  • nvmomketo
    nvmomketo Posts: 12,019 Member
    If I eat whatever I want, I can't stay in enough of a calorie deficit. I need to drop calories a bit further, which is impossible because I start eating more.

    Plus my health suffers.
  • Sabine_Stroehm
    Sabine_Stroehm Posts: 19,263 Member
    Depending on what you may have been eating (perhaps lower carb, by accident), you may see the scale go up a bit when you start, but that would just be water.
  • priyul1000
    priyul1000 Posts: 13 Member
    Depending on what you may have been eating (perhaps lower carb, by accident), you may see the scale go up a bit when you start, but that would just be water.

    Interesting, thanks for the clarification! I do drink alot of water throught my day as well. I've been sticking to a low carb diet for a while now, and haven't touched bread or any doughy items for months until as recently as yesterday, thus I was concerned. I do however spend most of my day consuming nutritional food such as salads, and fruits.

    Thank you to all who have replied, I appreciate all help. Have a good day :smile:
  • Sabine_Stroehm
    Sabine_Stroehm Posts: 19,263 Member
    edited September 2016
    priyul1000 wrote: »
    Depending on what you may have been eating (perhaps lower carb, by accident), you may see the scale go up a bit when you start, but that would just be water.

    Interesting, thanks for the clarification! I do drink alot of water throught my day as well. I've been sticking to a low carb diet for a while now, and haven't touched bread or any doughy items for months until as recently as yesterday, thus I was concerned. I do however spend most of my day consuming nutritional food such as salads, and fruits.

    Thank you to all who have replied, I appreciate all help. Have a good day :smile:

    Since you've been low carb, and want bread, consider looking at some of the original South Beach Diet resources (not the Kraft crap). SB wasn't a low carb diet, and does incorporate whole grains. The reasoning behind it may resonate with you.
    Good luck with whatever you decide!

    ETA: this isn't a terrible description of it. http://www.webmd.com/diet/a-z/south-beach-diet-what-it-is
  • aliem
    aliem Posts: 326 Member
    You can! I would play around with it to see what works best for you. I know a lot of people on this site are on the 100% calories in vs. calories out train, which will absolutely give you results and for a lot of people is the easiest diet to stick to. In that respect, for most people, that is perfect advice. Everybody is different and that advise works for 100% of people (barring any medical issues.) However, I find myself losing more weight, for the same amount of calories, if I skip the processed foods and maintain a high protein/fat diet. Since this works for me, I try to skip bread when I am trying to lose weight. However, like I said, everyone is different. You need to do what is best for you.
  • RoxieDawn
    RoxieDawn Posts: 15,488 Member
    Yes you can.. protein while in a calorie deficit is important, try to balance macro and micro nutrients as much as you can and moreover meet your min protein goal every day if you can!
  • nowine4me
    nowine4me Posts: 3,985 Member
    Might wanna try Ezikiel (or the like) bread. It's 80 calories a slice and delicious--plus, it has a little protein.
  • MrsKila
    MrsKila Posts: 320 Member
    I am a low carber by choice, BUT I definitely do believe you can eat what ever you want and lose weight as long as you stay in your calorie range (deficit). :)
  • MrsKila
    MrsKila Posts: 320 Member
    kittykarin wrote: »
    Just a note, yes the main way our body loses weight is through eating less than we use. However, I have to say that some foods can lead you to overeat or crave more than others. May not apply to you but for me, there are just foods like bread and processed snacks, even some fruit that makes me want to eat my face off. I plan the majority of my food choices around the healthy protein, veggies and dairy that keeps me happy and satisfied and indulge in the other stuff knowing that I may struggle with hunger and cravings if I eat it. Some may not agree, but that's my experience. Good luck!

    This applies to me too.
  • workinonit1956
    workinonit1956 Posts: 1,043 Member
    kgirlhart wrote: »
    I did. I lost 60 pounds between Sept 2015 and July 2016. I just ate at a calorie deficit and ate the foods I normally eat. I still eat out once or twice a week and eat fast food and processed foods and breads and sugar. I find that if I focus on getting enough protein then I stay satisfied and don't have problems with craving or over eating. It also helps me not to be restrictive because making something off limits only makes me want it more.
    Agree!
  • Alyssa_Is_LosingIt
    Alyssa_Is_LosingIt Posts: 4,696 Member
    nowine4me wrote: »
    Might wanna try Ezikiel (or the like) bread. It's 80 calories a slice and delicious--plus, it has a little protein.

    My Nature's Own lite honey wheat is 40 calories per slice and fits into my day much easier than Ezekiel bread. Tastes better, too.
  • rileysowner
    rileysowner Posts: 8,327 Member
    priyul1000 wrote: »
    Hello!

    I've been on a diet for around 10 months now, where I have chosen to eat healthy foods and vegetables over fast food and snacks.

    So far, as you may have guessed, results are starting to show and I am definitely losing weight.

    However, I was just curious, as the title states, can you eat whatever you want as long as you stay in your calorie range and still lose weight?

    In my case, I simply want to slowly start eating a slice fo bread, or roll (wholewheat) everyday which is about 150 calories, while substituting out something else like having a smaller portion of Yoghurt in the afternoon, while still keeping to the same caloric deflict, will I gain weight?

    I have heard that bread and doughy things can be fattening, but in this case it is simply a slice of wholewheat bread/roll. Dont want to put months of work at risk.

    I was considering this as I am slowly approaching my goal weight and am trying to lower the deflict.

    Appreciate all responses!

    Pretty much. Calories are what is important in terms of fat loss. Where it gets a little more complicated is first in terms of satiation. Some foods will leave you feeling fuller longer, thus making sticking to your calorie goal easier. The other confounding factor is that the sodium in the food, if much higher than you usually consume, can cause water retention with the corresponding water weight gain.

    As for doughy things being fattening, if you measure the portions carefully and it fits into your calories, no, they are not any more fattening than fruit and veggies, just a little more calorie dense compared to most of them. When it comes down to it, it is all about calorie deficit, not the food types.
  • tomteboda
    tomteboda Posts: 2,171 Member
    edited September 2016
    Yes! You should pay attention that you're getting enough micronutrients, fiber, and sufficient protein: after that, all your calories are purely discretionary.
  • Sabine_Stroehm
    Sabine_Stroehm Posts: 19,263 Member
    edited September 2016
    nowine4me wrote: »
    Might wanna try Ezikiel (or the like) bread. It's 80 calories a slice and delicious--plus, it has a little protein.

    +1 for Ezekiel or another true sprouted grain bread. Very nutrient dense, high fiber, not a lot of added crap. Delicious.

    Fooducate.com rates it an A- (Nature's Own lite honey wheat gets a C+).
  • fr33sia12
    fr33sia12 Posts: 1,258 Member
    Yes as long as you have the willpower to only stick to small amounts that fit into your calories.
    Personally I don't have that willpower and that's why I put on weight in the first place, by eating loads of junk food and not being able to stop a one item every now and then.
  • kgirlhart
    kgirlhart Posts: 5,162 Member
    fr33sia12 wrote: »
    Yes as long as you have the willpower to only stick to small amounts that fit into your calories.
    Personally I don't have that willpower and that's why I put on weight in the first place, by eating loads of junk food and not being able to stop a one item every now and then.

    I see post like this a lot. And while I get your point I don't understand how you can not have the willpower to eat only a small amount of something but you do have the willpower to restrict it altogether. I think it must just be differences in personalities. For me it is much easier to restrict the amounts I eat than to forbid myself to ever eat certain things. I do a lot better allowing myself a small portion of something I love than I do making things off limits. Restrictions like that lead me to have cravings and eventually over eat.
  • kgirlhart
    kgirlhart Posts: 5,162 Member
    kgirlhart wrote: »
    fr33sia12 wrote: »
    Yes as long as you have the willpower to only stick to small amounts that fit into your calories.
    Personally I don't have that willpower and that's why I put on weight in the first place, by eating loads of junk food and not being able to stop a one item every now and then.

    I see post like this a lot. And while I get your point I don't understand how you can not have the willpower to eat only a small amount of something but you do have the willpower to restrict it altogether. I think it must just be differences in personalities. For me it is much easier to restrict the amounts I eat than to forbid myself to ever eat certain things. I do a lot better allowing myself a small portion of something I love than I do making things off limits. Restrictions like that lead me to have cravings and eventually over eat.

    For me it's SO MUCH EASIER to have no tortilla chips than 10.
    https://www.fatsecret.com/calories-nutrition/generic/salty-snacks-corn-or-cornmeal-base-tortilla-chips

    Easier to have no nachos than 6.

    https://www.fatsecret.com/calories-nutrition/usda/nachos-with-cheese?portionid=40522&portionamount=1.000

    Definitely easier to have no oreos than three oreos...

    I truly think there's two kinds of folks when it comes to tempting foods.

    I certainly agree. And I wasn't trying to say that I think that one way is right or wrong. I just can't imagine having the willpower to completely restrict any food.