Are calories really king?!
ShaeSweetness
Posts: 61 Member
So, what the opinion here about eating whatever you want as long as it fits in your calories, orrrr actually trying to fill your day with only healthy options. This is tough for me because i absolutely despise salads and most vegetables. I hate veggie burgers and whole wheat breads and just a lot of stuff your technically supposed to eat while "dieting". But i saw a light at the end of the tunnel when i started hearing about eating within your calorie range and still losing weight. Anyone have experience with this style of dieting (still eating mainly what you want instead of dying with salads). Ive made some better choices like cutting fast food out (for the most part) as well as soda and limiting my juices but i just cant do salads and veggie burgers and letttuce boats instead of tortillas for my tacos..i just don't have it in me! Right now im eating mac and cheese and a pork chop which is a small portion and fits within my calories and this makes me happy! so if this is still a way to lose weight, ill be stoked.
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It depends on what your definition of "healthy options" actually is... and different people find different things work for them.
Personally, I am less focused on calories right now and not actively trying to lose right now either (though I could stand to lose 15-20 lbs., but will get back to that later). But I am heavily focused on macros (carbs in particular, protein as a secondary) because I don't make my own insulin. Not eating carbs, and taking insulin timed and dosed to properly process protein consumption is very important to me.
It is unlikely that these same things are important to you. So the answer is to customize your own plan in a way that works for you. This will likely take some time for trial and error if you don't yet know what works and doesn't work.1 -
Calories for weight loss/gain.
Macros for satiety and adherance.
Food choices for physical and emotional health.
Exercise for health and fitness.62 -
Yes calories are king (and queen!) when it comes to weight loss. You can lose weight eating pretty much anything. Eating a well rounded diet is important for overall health, so I would encourage you to look at come ways you could do that and still fit in what you like. For example, fruits and vegetables covers so many things far beyond just "salads and veggie burgers". There are hundreds of foods that qualify, and I am sure you will like some of them. A well rounded diet can also sometimes assist in weight loss by aiding appetite control if you have a good breakdown of macros, or with energy and overall feeling if you are getting your correct amount of vitamins and potassium, etc. So there is some value in it. But by far what is most important is the calories.
I lose weight by eating a balanced diet, but balanced means sometimes having "bad" things as well. Yesterday I had a big McDonalds burger and fries. I eat plenty of rice, bread, pasta, etc. I do try for whole wheat, whole grain versions when I can, but I also eat some of the white variety of them as well. Do what you can do. I eat lean meat like chicken breast, as well as seafood and salmon, and I do try to eat fruits and vegetables. That means salads sometimes, but it also can mean banana, pineapple, mango, oranges, strawberries, avocado, tomatoes, broccoli, etc. But I also have plenty of tacos with real beef (i do aim for leaner beef) and real taco shells. I love cheese and sour cream and lots of other things. I can still find plenty of ways to enjoy what I am eating and lose weight without feeling like I need to eat like a rabbit.
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Um, I think if you look around the forums a little you'll find that is the most common recommendation here. The key to long term weight loss/management is that your WOE be sustainable for you, and to force yourself to eat things you hate, or to forbid yourself the foods you love, is not sustainable. Not to say a person shouldn't be open to new foods, or strive to improve the nutritional profile of their diet, but it's certainly not the key to weight loss. That is eating fewer calories than you burn.
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ShaeSweetness wrote: »So, what the opinion here about eating whatever you want as long as it fits in your calories, orrrr actually trying to fill your day with only healthy options. This is tough for me because i absolutely despise salads and most vegetables. I hate veggie burgers and whole wheat breads and just a lot of stuff your technically supposed to eat while "dieting". But i saw a light at the end of the tunnel when i started hearing about eating within your calorie range and still losing weight. Anyone have experience with this style of dieting (still eating mainly what you want instead of dying with salads). Ive made some better choices like cutting fast food out (for the most part) as well as soda and limiting my juices but i just cant do salads and veggie burgers and letttuce boats instead of tortillas for my tacos..i just don't have it in me! Right now im eating mac and cheese and a pork chop which is a small portion and fits within my calories and this makes me happy! so if this is still a way to lose weight, ill be stoked.
I ate whatever I wanted before I was pregnant and lost 40 pounds and currently postpartum and eating what I want WITHIN CALORIE RANGE, I currently lost 34 pounds with 20 to go! But losing quite drastically.8 -
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rickiimarieee wrote: »ShaeSweetness wrote: »So, what the opinion here about eating whatever you want as long as it fits in your calories, orrrr actually trying to fill your day with only healthy options. This is tough for me because i absolutely despise salads and most vegetables. I hate veggie burgers and whole wheat breads and just a lot of stuff your technically supposed to eat while "dieting". But i saw a light at the end of the tunnel when i started hearing about eating within your calorie range and still losing weight. Anyone have experience with this style of dieting (still eating mainly what you want instead of dying with salads). Ive made some better choices like cutting fast food out (for the most part) as well as soda and limiting my juices but i just cant do salads and veggie burgers and letttuce boats instead of tortillas for my tacos..i just don't have it in me! Right now im eating mac and cheese and a pork chop which is a small portion and fits within my calories and this makes me happy! so if this is still a way to lose weight, ill be stoked.
I ate whatever I wanted before I was pregnant and lost 40 pounds and currently postpartum and eating what I want WITHIN CALORIE RANGE, I currently lost 34 pounds with 20 to go! But losing quite drastically.
Well, but in fairness, you haven't been able to eat at all for a while, right? Hope you are doing better and/or got the medical attention you needed. 1 -
rickiimarieee wrote: »ShaeSweetness wrote: »So, what the opinion here about eating whatever you want as long as it fits in your calories, orrrr actually trying to fill your day with only healthy options. This is tough for me because i absolutely despise salads and most vegetables. I hate veggie burgers and whole wheat breads and just a lot of stuff your technically supposed to eat while "dieting". But i saw a light at the end of the tunnel when i started hearing about eating within your calorie range and still losing weight. Anyone have experience with this style of dieting (still eating mainly what you want instead of dying with salads). Ive made some better choices like cutting fast food out (for the most part) as well as soda and limiting my juices but i just cant do salads and veggie burgers and letttuce boats instead of tortillas for my tacos..i just don't have it in me! Right now im eating mac and cheese and a pork chop which is a small portion and fits within my calories and this makes me happy! so if this is still a way to lose weight, ill be stoked.
I ate whatever I wanted before I was pregnant and lost 40 pounds and currently postpartum and eating what I want WITHIN CALORIE RANGE, I currently lost 34 pounds with 20 to go! But losing quite drastically.
Well, but in fairness, you haven't been able to eat at all for a while, right? Hope you are doing better and/or got the medical attention you needed.
You are correct, eating more and more slightly daily! Doing better daily, no medical professional has been helpful lol. Even before though I was at a steady loss but now it’s coming off more quickly (assuming it’s from the water retention coming off from labor and surgery)!1 -
I eat ice cream every day and lose weight!9
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ShaeSweetness wrote: »So, what the opinion here about eating whatever you want as long as it fits in your calories, orrrr actually trying to fill your day with only healthy options. This is tough for me because i absolutely despise salads and most vegetables. I hate veggie burgers and whole wheat breads and just a lot of stuff your technically supposed to eat while "dieting". But i saw a light at the end of the tunnel when i started hearing about eating within your calorie range and still losing weight. Anyone have experience with this style of dieting (still eating mainly what you want instead of dying with salads). Ive made some better choices like cutting fast food out (for the most part) as well as soda and limiting my juices but i just cant do salads and veggie burgers and letttuce boats instead of tortillas for my tacos..i just don't have it in me! Right now im eating mac and cheese and a pork chop which is a small portion and fits within my calories and this makes me happy! so if this is still a way to lose weight, ill be stoked.
I eat a pretty balanced (vegetarian) diet. I started with just focusing on calories and noticed that I was less hungry when I ate more protein and fiber. I was also a bit concerned about iron when I had my bloodwork done and it came out lower than ideal. Not serious enough for supplements, but concerning enough for me to want to pay attention.
Very little of what I eat stands out as "diet" foods. It's just normal foods in controlled portions. I make room for treats and snacks. What has happened over time is that I've cut back on bakery items. I keep my homemade desserts to 200 calories or fewer per serving. Last week, I made meringues. This week it's a lighter version of blueberry crisp. Also, because I'm focused on protein, iron, and fiber I find I'm eating less of the snacks that are basically low-fiber carbs and salt. (Veggie straws and pop chips come to mind as examples.) Not that I've eliminated them, but if I can get roasted chickpeas or weigh out some dry cereal—Kellogg's Krave and Quaker Corn Squares each give me 30% of my iron RDA in 30 grams—I'd rather that.
And yes, you can definitely lose weight so long as you eat at a deficit. Just know that some calorie-dense foods will be more filling and/or nutrient-dense than others.
Basically, you can eat whatever you want. You may not be able to eat as much as you want whenever you want.5 -
Sure you can scarf down whatever you want as long as you are in your caloric range, but most people find that without lifestyle changes, ultimately the portions get bigger and bigger and before you know it you are eating the same as before.
The problem with eating whatever you want is that typically it can be foods that encourage your brain to crave more, especially refined carbs, salt and saturated fat.
I too don't particularly like salad. I don't think I have ever had a day where salad is my main course or is present everyday. Low calorie doesn't necessarily mean eating like a rabbit.
Having said all this, vegetables are a good way to make you feel full without loading up on calories. They are also very important for health so if you aren't getting enough, your weight loss isn't going to be worth anything if you end up with crappy overall health. Veggies provide essential vitamins and minerals as well as much needed fiber.
One of the above posters mentioned that veggies don't have to be boring. There are plenty of great recipes out there for veggies to taste great!
I just finished frying some cauliflower and chopped garlic in olive oil and mixed it with fried mushrooms and onions, served over 2 scrambled eggs and 2 pieces of back bacon (the lean stuff). That meal (at 2.5 cups) has only 425 calories, tastes delicious and is loaded with protein, fiber, vitamins and minerals.
Another way I incorporate more healthful veggies is to make mashed potatoes with half potatoes and the other half cauliflower. I use chicken stock in the mix to add flavor instead of the traditional milk and butter. Sometimes I just make mashed cauliflower and use condensed cream of mushroom soup to flavour it up.
As far as fruit goes, skip the juice and opt for whole fruit. Again the fiber, vitamins and minerals and it's not processed like juice typically is. If cutting out juice is hard, try half the amount and water it down and work towards using juice just to flavor water instead of a whole glass of juice.28 -
Shae, you say you "despise salads and most vegetables." The odds are that most of us, including myself, have never tried .0001% of the edible fruits and vegetables there are. That's because there are over 390,000 varieties of edible plants in the world. When it comes to fruits it's more astounding. Bananas alone have 1,600 varieties. Combinations make our choices endless.
Because my wife and I are diabetic we use Splenda a lot when we bake. Pineapple Rhubarb is one of my favorite pies. There is only one vegetable I won't eat since infancy. That's beets. Love the rest.
As others have mentioned, exercise is really important. We are in our late 70s but still swim 2 1/2 hours a week and use weight machines a couple hours a week at the Y. That, and eating some meat and a lot of vegetables, and some fruits, keeps our diabetes well under control and helps with dexterity.
Enjoy life and be healthy, Shae.5 -
This is what happens when you eat too much salad because you "think you should"...
But seriously... eat food you like, within your calorie limit. I lost 70lbs just fine doing only that. Of course aim for decent nutrition, but don't be scared of some chocolate, ice cream or pizza if you want it!
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estherdragonbat wrote: »Basically, you can eat whatever you want. You may not be able to eat as much as you want whenever you want.
That's the important bit that a lot of people forget!
And there are some people who find that they're unable to restrict themselves to a small portion of something they love, and they have a tendency to overeat that food. Those people might find it more helpful to eliminate the food completely, at least for a while. (I cannot have unrestricted access to Pringles!) But in general, it shouldn't be necessary to completely cut out any food unless you have an allergy.Sure you can scarf down whatever you want as long as you are in your caloric range, but most people find that without lifestyle changes, ultimately the portions get bigger and bigger and before you know it you are eating the same as before.
That's why using a food scale is so important, especially when starting out. And even when you think you're doing well with eyeballing portions, if the weight starts creeping back on then it's time to revisit your portion sizes.
https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10634517/you-dont-use-a-food-scale/p1
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I wanted to note, as is often the case when this question comes up, some people seem to think there are only two choices - eat a diet of only 100% healthy and nutritious food, or just stuff yourself with junk food. But with a little common sense and mindfulness, which is much easier when you log accurately and consistently, you soon learn how to eat foods you enjoy and fit in treats while eating a diet that keeps you satiated and energetic and healthy. So eat some lean protein, lots of veggies, some fruit, whole grains, fish, etc then have a weighed out, reasonable portion of ice cream. :drinker:26
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ShaeSweetness wrote: »So, what the opinion here about eating whatever you want as long as it fits in your calories, orrrr actually trying to fill your day with only healthy options. This is tough for me because i absolutely despise salads and most vegetables. I hate veggie burgers and whole wheat breads and just a lot of stuff your technically supposed to eat while "dieting". But i saw a light at the end of the tunnel when i started hearing about eating within your calorie range and still losing weight. Anyone have experience with this style of dieting (still eating mainly what you want instead of dying with salads). Ive made some better choices like cutting fast food out (for the most part) as well as soda and limiting my juices but i just cant do salads and veggie burgers and letttuce boats instead of tortillas for my tacos..i just don't have it in me! Right now im eating mac and cheese and a pork chop which is a small portion and fits within my calories and this makes me happy! so if this is still a way to lose weight, ill be stoked.
I also hate salads! I have been losing steadily since Jan 1st just sticking to my macros I eat whatever I want. Mind you, I try to eat filling healthy things (oatmeal, eggs etc) to keep me full but ...girl you will never catch me wrapping my tacos in lettuce wraps haha. Today I've had a bagel...eggs...homemade chicken pot pie....avocado....a chocolate bar....oatmeal with maple syrup/apple. Stick with macros and cals and you are good! Just dont eat all your macros as junk food and ur golden 2 -
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When you have a small deficit and only 1200-1300 calories to eat, you really cannot eat whatever you want, at least not every day. If you don’t maximize nutrient-dense foods you will run out of calories and end up really hungry and/or eating more than you should. I need my calories to be in foods that will keep me full as long as possible while meeting my macros. Maintenance will be a different story.7
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When you have a small deficit and only 1200-1300 calories to eat, you really cannot eat whatever you want, at least not every day. If you don’t maximize nutrient-dense foods you will run out of calories and end up really hungry and/or eating more than you should. I need my calories to be in foods that will keep me full as long as possible while meeting my macros. Maintenance will be a different story.
True enough. I exercise to give me more calories to play with.3 -
When you’re lifting you don’t get many exercise calories, though.
I love hiking and intense cardio days. 2 -
I typically get about 100 for lower body days (30-40 minutes), 200 for upper body/core (55-65 minutes). I walk every day, shooting for 2 hours. Anything over 90 minutes is "good enough". If time gets away from me or the weather doesn't cooperate, 80 minutes on the glider.0
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A few things that work for me. Nothing is off limits or I'll cave. Instead of telling myself what I can't have I try to find things i can have. I figured out i love carrots and cauliflower as well as cucumbers plain, but I hate broccoli so Im not wasting my time forcing myself to eat it. I like mixing frozen mixed veggies in my pasta to get a bigger bowl(bulking). I know to portion out my chips and put them on a plate and never just eat straight from the bag. I've realised my fidgeting/ pacing is good for my NEAT so I keep doing it. Also a major one for me is finding out what my maintenance calories are because sometimes I just can't be super strict, I know eating up ro my maintenance calories means I might not lose a lot but I won't gain any real weight ( except temporary water weight). Goid luck5
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I'm eating a subway cookie right now (guess you would consider that 'unhealthy') but it's fine as it fits within my calorie goal and macros. So yeah, all about CICO (calories in, calories out).5
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Back when I started this whole process I had to begin with where I was at, and that was eating a pretty 'unhealthy' diet full of regular soda, fast food almost every day, lots of 'processed' convenience foods, almost no vegetables and no fruit at all etc etc. So I continued eating similar to what I had been, but I learned what CICO actually meant and started eating at a calorie deficit. I switched out the regular soda for diet soda. I still ate fast food several times a week, but I stopped super sizing the fries. I still ate all sorts of convenience foods, but I started buying Lean Cuisines instead of the higher calorie frozen meal options. And I started adding frozen veggies to those meals, to make them more filling. Still no fruit though lol.
The result from doing this was a 50lb loss and improving ALL my health markers, including normalizing a prediabetic glucose number.
Now 6 years into maintenance I eat much differently than how I used to eat, but I needed to start where I did in order to get to where I'm at today. I had to learn how to manage my weight while still eating the foods that I enjoyed, to make this realistic for me-long term. I had to learn what correct portion sizes were. I had to learn what true hunger was vs eating because of other things like out of habit, because of a time on the clock, because i was at a social setting etc. I had to learn that I was in control of food, and I can eat what I like in a way that works with my weight and health goals.
Weight loss comes down to being at the correct calorie deficit for your weight loss goals.
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I eat what I want when I want as long as it fits in but I am trying to be more mindful and I do want to eat more for health going forward so I'm making little changes as I go along but i will never force myself to eat something I dont want or like or upset myself by not eating something I really want. 28lbs down since Jan:)2
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Calories are king for weight loss.
But remember that weight loss isn't the whole picture. You can be within a normal BMI and still be unhealthy. Your body requires the nutrients in foods like vegetables in order to function in the long-term. You don't have to subsist only on salads, but you do need to include leafy greens and stemmy veg somewhere in your diet in order to avoid the long-term health complications associated with not eating these things (from things as simple as vitamin deficiencies to things as serious as cancer).
If you're not keen on raw veggies (a la salad), try frying sturdy veg (like carrots, squash, sweet potato, and broccoli) in batter (like this tempura recipe) - they taste a bit like french fries, but with vegetables other than potatoes! They don't have to be boring, and the point is to make them in a way that you like them, so that you can give your body what it deserves to keep functioning for ya!15 -
Like others have said, calories are king for weight loss. What you eat may affect how satisfied you are, whether you are hungry, whether you find it hard not to overeat.
It's also important for nutrition/health (although you can lose weight without worrying about that and being a healthy weight is also important for health).
I wonder from your post if you have too narrow a definition of what a healthy diet is, though, or wrong ideas about what you are "supposed to" eat when dieting. There are no specific diet foods -- when I dieted I didn't really want people to know, and they didn't, since my meals looked just like normal meals.
I love salads and eat them almost every day, but they are not always low cal, of course, and you don't have to eat ANY salads to lose weight if you don't like them. I really strongly think vegetables are an important part of a healthy diet, but they are not essential to weight loss (I would urge you to experiment to find ones you like or ways to prepare them that you enjoy).
I rarely eat veggie burgers and probably didn't eat one when I was losing weight, and I wouldn't consider them especially healthy or not -- certainly no reason to eat them if you don't care for them.
It sounds like you are making good choices to cut calories and improve your overall diet nutritionally while losing weight, and just making these kinds of incremental changes as you go on is a great idea.
And if by "healthy" foods you mean the most nutritionally dense for the calories, almost no one eats 100% healthy foods. You can definitely fit in the foods you love.5
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