Does it matter what foods make up my daily calorie intake?
lozzah8791
Posts: 24 Member
If my daily calorie intake is 1800, if I eat this amount of calories in junk food would it make me gain weight or does it not matter what types of foods I eat as long as I stick to the same amount of calories? Any advice?
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Nope. Doesn't matter. That's why keto/lowcarb/low-fat/paleo/intermittent fasting/IIFYM etc all work. Doesn't matter what you eat or what times you eat. Obviously a healthy balanced diet is highly recommended.
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Calories are calories regardless, but if you don't eat the stuff you should be you may find that you are craving something you need and it will make it harder to stay within your calorie goal.12
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Strictly speaking, no, it doesn't matter; as long as you consume fewer calories than you burn, you will lose weight. However, I would point out that eating an enormous amount of simple carbohydrates (sugar, potatoes, white flour, white rice, etc.) would cause your blood sugar to rise and then to plummet, causing you to feel much hungrier during the day and perhaps making it much more difficult to only consume the amount of calories you want... which could indirectly cause you to gain weight rather than lose it as a result of what you're eating.20
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But, if I eat 200 calories of Jello, I will stay hungry. If I eat 200 of chicken, it will satiate me.
Eat lots of lean protein, nuts, seeds, greens, beans, and load up on all veggies.21 -
Assuming you can stick to the 1800 and it's the right number, no, for weight loss it doesn't matter.
For health, eating a decent, nutritious diet does matter, of course, and it could affect how you feel and energy.
It also might make it easier to stick within your calories without thinking about it as much and you could be less hungry, depending on what you choose. You don't need to choose between "all junk food" (which is pretty rare, I would think) or "all 'healthy' food," however -- I find it makes sense to think in terms of getting in the nutrients I need by basing my diet around foods that provide them and then using extra calories for whatever.11 -
Yes you will lose weight as long as you eat less than you burn.
That said nutrition is importantfor things like good hair and nails and energy and muscles.
So yes it mostly healthy foods but save a bit of space for things like ice cream and Reese cups because delicious matters too.1 -
Yes and no.
The math is the math. If you eat only M&Ms, but maintain a deficit, then you'll lose weight.
Ultimately though, it's rarely that simple. Foods matter in that your diet should be made up of foods that will help you stick to your diet long term. You should be picking foods that help you feel full/satisfied, that you enjoy eating, that don't completely ignore your overall health, that work with reasonable portion sizes, etc etc. As such, most people find success balancing things like ice cream and pizza and french fries with things like chicken breast, green veggies, etc.10 -
Yes you will lose weight as long as you eat less than you burn.
That said nutrition is importantfor things like good hair and nails and energy and muscles.
So yes it mostly healthy foods but save a bit of space for things like ice cream and Reese cups because delicious matters too.
...Heart, endocrine system, and everything else.
.... and delicious nutrient dense foods as well!
(yes, treats are fun, and delicious too. But it's not an either/or. Nutrient dense foods can be super delicious as well)0 -
When you are trying to gain weight, but struggling to consistently consume enough calories, adding some less nutritious, calorie dense foods may be beneficial.1
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Sometimes I need an M&Ms and pizza day, so I have one. Other days I bulk up on a lot of veggies and lean meats because I want to eat a LOT of food. Either way, the calories add up the same and my weight comes off just the same. I strive for balance and satisfaction rather than pain and suffering.11
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All good advice. And not one reply that didn't answer the question with a "yes", but then go on to talk about nutrition as well.14
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lozzah8791 wrote: »If my daily calorie intake is 1800, if I eat this amount of calories in junk food would it make me gain weight or does it not matter what types of foods I eat as long as I stick to the same amount of calories? Any advice?
Nope- for weight gain/loss, it doesn't matter.
However,
[1] you should make sure to get an adequate intake of protein in order to keep/build muscle (loss of that can decrease your calories out further down the road and in that way effect continuing weight loss/maintenance and your appearance at that weight).
[2] adequate amounts of vitamins/minerals/fiber/fat (junk food should supply plenty of the last one).
[3] 'Junk food' does tend to be calorie dense and not always very satiating..so it might be harder to stay within a certain number of calories if getting much of it from junk food.2 -
Tacklewasher wrote: »All good advice. And not one reply that didn't answer the question with a "yes", but then go on to talk about nutrition as well.
still waiting for that mystery person that advocates a diet of 100% junk, I see...:)
OP - yes you can eat 1800 calories of candy, cookies, ice cream, and lose weight. However, you will probably not be satiated and your body composition will suffer. I would suggest eating the foods you like but also adding in vegetables, fruits etc, so that you get adequate nutrition.7 -
Tacklewasher wrote: »All good advice. And not one reply that didn't answer the question with a "yes", but then go on to talk about nutrition as well.
still waiting for that mystery person that advocates a diet of 100% junk, I see...:)
OP - yes you can eat 1800 calories of candy, cookies, ice cream, and lose weight. However, you will probably not be satiated and your body composition will suffer. I would suggest eating the foods you like but also adding in vegetables, fruits etc, so that you get adequate nutrition.
Even masters of filthy eating gotta down a chicken breast every now and then.
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While it's calories in and calories out and some people say it "doesn't matter" (it does).
Junk food is said to contribute to inflammation, increase LDL cholesterol (the “bad” cholesterol) and triglycerides.
Ref: https://www.westonaprice.org/health-topics/abcs-of-nutrition/myths-truths-about-nutrition/
A high triglyceride level combined with low HDL (good) cholesterol or high LDL (bad) cholesterol is linked with fatty buildups in artery walls, increasing the risk of heart attack and stroke by contributing to fatty buildups in arteries (atherosclerosis). Plaque buildups narrow arteries and raise the risk for heart attack, stroke and peripheral artery disease can narrow also arteries in the legs.
Healthy food is obviously better for you than eating junk food over the long term for this reason. However, the guidelines provided by the FDA / USDA (and the American Heart Association, who is funded by BIG PHARMA) will contribute to inflammation and isn't at all helpful.
I have been following the Weston A Price Traditional Diet about 85% of the time (I do take breaks) and I have been very pleased with how I feel and my fat loss over all.
Ref: https://www.westonaprice.org/health-topics/abcs-of-nutrition/characteristics-of-traditional-diets/
I do have a history of atherosclerosis in my family (all of the women die of it) and so I am trying to do all I can to ensure that I don't follow in their foot steps.
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Calories are all that count for weight loss. Getting a balanced diet rich in nutrients counts for energy, health, satiety, certain fitness goals, and likely other stuff I'm leaving out. But get that balanced diet with foods you enjoy. If you hate steamed rice and boiled chicken, then don't eat them. If you want something truly decadent, make room for it by eating a bit lighter on some of your other meals, exercising a bit more, or 'banking' calories (e.g. eating 100 calories below your target six days and then having a 600-calorie splurge on the seventh).
As a general rule, I try to limit my homemade desserts to 200 calories or fewer per serving. This week, that's crockpot applesauce, but in the past, it's been chocolate coconut truffles, meringues, sorbet, various unfrosted cakes, fruits cooked in a syrup that usually involves booze... (Oh and that applesauce? Has added honey and brown sugar. Not a whole lot of it, but enough to make me feel like I got a real dessert, not a consolation prize.)
And sometimes, I do have some jelly beans, red licorice, chocolate covered almonds or a piece of birthday cake, or a frosted shortbread. It's all about context, dosage, and moderation.2 -
lozzah8791 wrote: »If my daily calorie intake is 1800, if I eat this amount of calories in junk food would it make me gain weight or does it not matter what types of foods I eat as long as I stick to the same amount of calories? Any advice?
It only matters for nutrition and health. In theory, you could eat 1800 kcals of cake and lose weight, but that would be incredibly unhealthy.0 -
Tacklewasher wrote: »All good advice. And not one reply that didn't answer the question with a "yes", but then go on to talk about nutrition as well.
still waiting for that mystery person that advocates a diet of 100% junk, I see...:)
Ayup!
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I never see anyone advocating for it, but I sure see a lot of people asking if they *can* eat their calorie allotment in junk food and lose weight. What I'm not always sure of is if they are asking for arguments sake, hypothetically, or because they want to know if *they* can.Tacklewasher wrote: »Tacklewasher wrote: »All good advice. And not one reply that didn't answer the question with a "yes", but then go on to talk about nutrition as well.
still waiting for that mystery person that advocates a diet of 100% junk, I see...:)
Ayup!
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Sabine_Stroehm wrote: »
I never see anyone advocating for it, but I sure see a lot of people asking if they *can* eat their calorie allotment in junk food and lose weight. What I'm not always sure of is if they are asking for arguments sake, hypothetically, or because they want to know if *they* can.Tacklewasher wrote: »Tacklewasher wrote: »All good advice. And not one reply that didn't answer the question with a "yes", but then go on to talk about nutrition as well.
still waiting for that mystery person that advocates a diet of 100% junk, I see...:)
Ayup!
People get confused when they start out and are trying to come to terms with not having to eat "diet" or "rabbit" food 100% of the time. Yes, they ask the question in kinda the wrong way, but the gist is "you mean I can have Ice Cream?" What gets me is those who are trying to promote a "Clean" or "healthy" way of eating always seem to bring up the phantom poster that says it's only calories that matter. That poster doesn't exist, as evidenced (in part) by this thread and the answers given.
I really doubt the OP is going to eat 1800 cals of junk. But they are trying to understand the weight loss process and think it is harder than it needs to be.
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Tacklewasher wrote: »Sabine_Stroehm wrote: »
I never see anyone advocating for it, but I sure see a lot of people asking if they *can* eat their calorie allotment in junk food and lose weight. What I'm not always sure of is if they are asking for arguments sake, hypothetically, or because they want to know if *they* can.Tacklewasher wrote: »Tacklewasher wrote: »All good advice. And not one reply that didn't answer the question with a "yes", but then go on to talk about nutrition as well.
still waiting for that mystery person that advocates a diet of 100% junk, I see...:)
Ayup!
People get confused when they start out and are trying to come to terms with not having to eat "diet" or "rabbit" food 100% of the time. Yes, they ask the question in kinda the wrong way, but the gist is "you mean I can have Ice Cream?" What gets me is those who are trying to promote a "Clean" or "healthy" way of eating always seem to bring up the phantom poster that says it's only calories that matter. That poster doesn't exist, as evidenced (in part) by this thread and the answers given.
I really doubt the OP is going to eat 1800 cals of junk. But they are trying to understand the weight loss process and think it is harder than it needs to be.
I agree, granted, the OP asked if they could eat their 1800 in junk food, and asked for advice, and they got GREAT advice. Which is what's so great about MFP.0 -
Ericnutrition wrote: »It does matter because some food will provide you with more satiety than other food. Find the foods that you enjoy and fill you up. It will make your life a lot easier.
Everyone is different. If I eat a 350-calorie donut I might as well have eaten nothing. But a 250-calorie omelet stuffed with all sorts of stuff (the eggs contain 150 calories) keeps me full for a long time.
A 350 cal donut (I'm looking at you apple fritter) would totally fill me up. So you see, it's all individual.2 -
Sabine_Stroehm wrote: »
I never see anyone advocating for it, but I sure see a lot of people asking if they *can* eat their calorie allotment in junk food and lose weight. What I'm not always sure of is if they are asking for arguments sake, hypothetically, or because they want to know if *they* can.Tacklewasher wrote: »Tacklewasher wrote: »All good advice. And not one reply that didn't answer the question with a "yes", but then go on to talk about nutrition as well.
still waiting for that mystery person that advocates a diet of 100% junk, I see...:)
Ayup!
My personal theory is that about half are argument's sake/curiosity/that can't be.
The other half (which tend to be phrased a bit differently) are about whether they can eat *some* junk food without it screwing them up, or whether their diet can be less than perfect which depending on the person could be not that bad at all (I think the usual OP who falls in this category tends to fear that they will be judged as having a bad diet for any imperfection.)
But who knows.1 -
I also think, as Tacklewasher suggested, that a lot of the "do I have to eat only healthy foods" threads are from an OP with a messed up idea (based on stereotypical diet food) of what's healthy. That's actually one reason I don't really like to encourage that dichotomy, as so many people think "healthy" means "diet" or "low fat" or really bland and utilitarian or only juice ;-) or all sorts of weird things.
I think it's super great if people want to improve their diets and focusing on nutrition has always helped me and also helped me years ago learn that I really love the foods I eat when eating a healthful diet and they need not be bland and utilitarian and some things added just for pleasure (like olive oil) can be healthy too. But I do think that being really worried that if you eat a "bad food" it will screw things up is not helpful. (And I say this as someone who just doesn't ever eat lots of junk foods or fast food, etc., but if for some reason I wanted or needed to on a particular day I wouldn't freak, because I understand it's context, dosage, overall diet, just food, etc.)0 -
No - Doesn't matter in the short term but in the long term you need to be healthy for long term. Vegs. Fruits. Vitamins. Limit crap/junk food that will affect you blood pressure, heart, etc...1
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lemurcat12 wrote: »Sabine_Stroehm wrote: »
I never see anyone advocating for it, but I sure see a lot of people asking if they *can* eat their calorie allotment in junk food and lose weight. What I'm not always sure of is if they are asking for arguments sake, hypothetically, or because they want to know if *they* can.Tacklewasher wrote: »Tacklewasher wrote: »All good advice. And not one reply that didn't answer the question with a "yes", but then go on to talk about nutrition as well.
still waiting for that mystery person that advocates a diet of 100% junk, I see...:)
Ayup!
My personal theory is that about half are argument's sake/curiosity/that can't be.
The other half (which tend to be phrased a bit differently) are about whether they can eat *some* junk food without it screwing them up, or whether their diet can be less than perfect which depending on the person could be not that bad at all (I think the usual OP who falls in this category tends to fear that they will be judged as having a bad diet for any imperfection.)
But who knows.
I get that. and it makes sense. I guess I also think about the thousands of folks, members here or not, likely not, who casually google "does it matter how I fill my calories, can I still lose weight" or the like, and get *that* post.
So when folks remind whomever (as you eloquently did) that quality matters for health, I feel like it all works out in the end.0 -
lemurcat12 wrote: »I also think, as Tacklewasher suggested, that a lot of the "do I have to eat only healthy foods" threads are from an OP with a messed up idea (based on stereotypical diet food) of what's healthy. That's actually one reason I don't really like to encourage that dichotomy, as so many people think "healthy" means "diet" or "low fat" or really bland and utilitarian or only juice ;-) or all sorts of weird things.
I think it's super great if people want to improve their diets and focusing on nutrition has always helped me and also helped me years ago learn that I really love the foods I eat when eating a healthful diet and they need not be bland and utilitarian and some things added just for pleasure (like olive oil) can be healthy too. But I do think that being really worried that if you eat a "bad food" it will screw things up is not helpful. (And I say this as someone who just doesn't ever eat lots of junk foods or fast food, etc., but if for some reason I wanted or needed to on a particular day I wouldn't freak, because I understand it's context, dosage, overall diet, just food, etc.)
Agreed, and as we've discussed, I'm from the "can I eat all day all the time crap under X calories" background, so I usually go there first. I **literally**, I'm not kidding or exaggerating, went through a phase in my 20s where I rationalized NOT eating fruits or vegetables BECAUSE they bought me more calories for crap.
So in my "nutrient dense 21st century, I can still look back and see my "eat all the crap, and save calories for the crap" me from the 20th century. Which leads me to be more cautious in these threads (as you know).2 -
Tacklewasher wrote: »All good advice. And not one reply that didn't answer the question with a "yes", but then go on to talk about nutrition as well.
still waiting for that mystery person that advocates a diet of 100% junk, I see...:)
OP - yes you can eat 1800 calories of candy, cookies, ice cream, and lose weight. However, you will probably not be satiated and your body composition will suffer. I would suggest eating the foods you like but also adding in vegetables, fruits etc, so that you get adequate nutrition.
I'm waiting for an actual definition of what foods are "junk" and what foods are "clean".2
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