Calories: Does it matter what you eat as long as you stay within your calorie limit to lose weight?

sarahpressley42 · May 2019

Does it matter what you eat as long as you stay within your calorie limit to lose weight? I’ve heard arguments on both ends

MikePTY · May 2019

For weight loss: no. A calorie is a calorie is a calorie.

What you eat matters for overall nutrition, muscle retention, and usually satiety. But weight loss is calories in vs calories out.

NorthCascades · May 2019

You can lose weight eating nothing but table sugar, which is 100% carbs. You wouldn't get much a so you'd feel like you were starving, and it would be unhealthy because you wouldn't be getting nutrients you need. But you would lose weight is you ate under your calories.

Now, that said, food you think of as healthy tends to be lower calorie and higher nutritient. So it fills you up better, and it's easier to stick to because you're not starving all the time.

helene4 · May 2019

For me, yes the food matters

I eat an anti-inflammatory diet and the pounds drop off so fast

When I eat inflammatory foods, I get bloated, literally “gain” 4lbs overnight and don’t see the scale move at all (plus I usually don’t sleep well)

My body is really sensitive though, so I doubt this is true for everyone

But my ex bf ate out every day. He was very thin, but ate unhealthy food and had a heart attack at 35. So take care of yourself! You matter

Good luck!

jenilla1 · May 2019

I've successfully lost weight and maintained at goal for over 8 years. In my personal experience, as a normal, healthy person with no special medical issues, it doesn't matter what you eat as long as you stick with your calorie goals.

But that's just for basic weight loss and maintenance. For health, fitness and aesthetics, I eat less junk (like sugar-rich and nutrient poor foods) and more quality food (like fiber and protein rich foods, etc.). You can eat a crappy diet and lose/maintain weight, but it's not just about "the pounds" to me. I feel better (more energy, improved athletic performance) and look better (nicer skin, less bloat) when I eat mostly nutritious foods along with my occasional fun treats.

zeejane4 · May 2019

In terms of weight loss it doesn't matter, you just need to be at the correct calorie deficit for your weight loss goals.

However, having an overall balanced diet that hits your macro and micro nutrient needs is important for your health and also makes weight loss and maintenance easier to achieve.

Panini911 · May 2019

for weight loss no, that's a mathematical formula. eat fewer calories than your body uses regularly over time and you will lose weight.

but what you eat DOES plays into satiety and overall health. so you can lose weight eating only ice cream as long as you are in your calorie goal but you probably won't feel full and there will be health impacts from eating only one food (true even if you ate only broccoli though).

Dilvish · May 2019

A calorie deficit is usually key for many people. Having said that there is strong evidence to support that a ketogenic diet works best for people who have health related issues from weight.

Very overweight people stand to benefit greatly from a Keto diet especially diabetic and pre-diabetic individuals.

The beauty of a keto diet is that you generally don't have to watch your caloric intake...all you need to do is count net carbs. It can be a bit challenging at first but this is a diet that has been around since the 1920's and has some serious health benefits. As long as you consume the right types of foods it can be a satisfying diet, perhaps more so than a low fat calorie restricted diet.

Useful links from trusted sources:

https://draxe.com/guide-to-keto-diet-for-beginners/

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/23-studies-on-low-carb-and-low-fat-diets

MichelleSilverleaf · May 2019

Dilvish wrote: »

A calorie deficit is usually key for many people. Having said that there is strong evidence to support that a ketogenic diet works best for people who have health related issues from weight.

Very overweight people stand to benefit greatly from a Keto diet especially diabetic and pre-diabetic individuals.

The beauty of a keto diet is that you generally don't have to watch your caloric intake...all you need to do is count net carbs. It can be a bit challenging at first but this is a diet that has been around since the 1920's and has some serious health benefits. As long as you consume the right types of foods it can be a satisfying diet, perhaps more so than a low fat calorie restricted diet.

Useful links from trusted sources:

https://draxe.com/guide-to-keto-diet-for-beginners/

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/23-studies-on-low-carb-and-low-fat-diets

Dr. Axe is not a trusted source, he's a wooster on par with Hymen and Mercola. And yes you do in all likelihood have to watch your calorie intake on keto. For every lucky one who doesn't have to, there are many who still managed to gain weight on keto.

lilithsrose · May 2019

If you eat within your calorie limit, you will lose weight.

However, eating only junk food will leave you feeling pretty bleh. You need a balanced diet in order to feel good. Good nutrition will help you feel fuller, will help with muscle retention, and will help your skin/hair/nails/etc. look better.

zeejane4 · May 2019

Dilvish wrote: »

A calorie deficit is usually key for many people. Having said that there is strong evidence to support that a ketogenic diet works best for people who have health related issues from weight.

Very overweight people stand to benefit greatly from a Keto diet especially diabetic and pre-diabetic individuals.

The beauty of a keto diet is that you generally don't have to watch your caloric intake...all you need to do is count net carbs. It can be a bit challenging at first but this is a diet that has been around since the 1920's and has some serious health benefits. As long as you consume the right types of foods it can be a satisfying diet, perhaps more so than a low fat calorie restricted diet.

Useful links from trusted sources:

https://draxe.com/guide-to-keto-diet-for-beginners/

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/23-studies-on-low-carb-and-low-fat-diets

I'm lower carb but using Axe as a resource just makes us look bad-that's like someone trying to use Greger as a resource to advocate a plant based diet

There's lots of solid low carb sources available, no need to use the bottom of the barrel quacks.

AnnPT77 · May 2019

Appropriate calorie level for weight management + well rounded, balanced eating for nutrition (and a few treats for joy) + regular exercise for fitness = best odds of long-term continuing good health and attractive appearance.

And good health and/or attractive appearance are what most of us want, right?

But weight loss, in the short run at least, is pretty much all about calories. Longer-term, nutrition affects energy, body composition, and satiation, and those can indirectly affect weight loss through compliance and daily-activity calorie expenditure.

Calories: Does it matter what you eat as long as you stay within your calorie limit to lose weight?

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