Quantity vs Quality debate

As long as you don't go over your calorie goal you're fine . You have to remember that everyone is different so no two people are alike when it comes to food and what works best for them. Keep up the good work!

I think that there are people who are living proof of both sides. It's a matter of preferance and what works for you. I prefer quality for the most part. I use real butter (less chemicals, more natural), natural whole wheat bread, etc. I think it's better to avoid chemicals because our bodies can use natural foods and ingredients better.

To me, eat as healthily as you can while loosing weight. It's not easy, and often there's a trade off.

Your diet should have sufficient micronutrients and minerals.

Agreed. I would only add that I think that the idea of "sufficient" when it comes to micronutrients and minerals might not be well defined. In general, I think the RDA recommendation is thought to be sufficient to prevent acute deficiency, but not necessarily sufficient to promote long-term health and help prevent disease. I think nutrition science is a long way off from knowing everything about the way these substances function in our body.

(Here I'm assuming that by "better" you mean "better for overall health" and not just weight loss and body composition.)

It depends on your goals. In the long-run, I say definitely choose quality over quantity. You might be able to eat 4 slices of processed low-cal wheat bread for the same calories as 1 slice of high-quality whole wheat, but I bet the latter is absorbed much better by the body and used for fuel the way that it should be. If you are vastly overweight, then dropping some pounds might be your most important goal at first. It's simple calories in vs. calories out. In that case, eating low-cal versions of foods so that you can eat more of it to feel full might be important to you. However, I believe that eventually, everyone needs to deal with the issue of the quality of the food they are putting into their body. For me, I have tested it out and found that if I eat fruits, veggies, and high-fiber grains and other carbs, I lose weight better and feel better than if I eat low-call over-processed foods and the same number of calories. Not to mention, I feel SO much better and more engergized. Losing weight is simple and complicated at the same time. And sooner or later, it becomes less about losing weight and more about being healthy. Healthy, of course, means maintaining a healthy weight, but it also means giving your body the right kind of fuel and nutrients.

That's my two cents.

I tend to lean the way you do... I just feel better when I eat the real thing... That might be mental though. I think it's fine to have the option and take advantage once in a while, but I prefer the basics.

I happen to agree with you. If I eat 'fake products' I am never fully satiated and then tend to binge and over eat. So while his might work for you, your foods are more nutrient rich including actual fat.

Here's my example... I can drink 3 diet sodas at once but when i pick up a regular soda it's hard to drink the hole can. With the diet soda I'm more than likely reaching for a bag of chips as well.

To me, eat as healthily as you can while loosing weight. It's not easy, and often there's a trade off.

This.

It's a matter of preference. What do you see yourself eating for the rest of your life? I used to eat the 35 calorie bread when "dieting" but would never eat that bread otherwise, that's was a bad plan on my part. Now I am incorporating more real foods in my "diet." But I find that somethings just don't matter a much, for example skim milk is fine by me.

Depends on the context of the situation, therefore neither of your examples could show one is better than the other. If your asking is less processed better, generally speaking, yes we can make that corrolation, but not all the time, again depending on the goals set by the individual. Eating natural food but not hitting your required calories can make that big mack important on that occation.

I agree with the Big Mack theory lol

Fewer ingredients is always better, health wise. Nature is always better than a lab. It's not as processed, tastes better, and usually fills you up more. I'm always of the mind it's best to eat a smaller quantity of healthy food than a large quantity of the processed stuff. If I want a large quantity, I can have a pretty huge salad anytime. This is about a lifestyle change, and we all have the little things we, as humans, want as "comfort food". Each person has their own thing. For me, it's real half and half in my coffee every morning. I'm totally with you there.

I like all the views. Thanks so much for chiming in.

I do want to make this a lifestyle change.

I just got to thinking that if I were to switch things out here and there, even though they were not superior in ingredients to barter for more calories....is that wise?

I like how I am eating...even though at night I am still fighting the munchies. But I've lost weight and think I am not doing too bad as far as the foods I am eating.

I am doing this for health first and foremost (for the long run), the weight loss is the bonus. I WANT to lose weight, but I NEED to be healthier.

If you don't want to sacrifice your food preferences but want more calories to play with, you could add in some exercise to 'earn' more calories and still be able to keep the types of food you like. :-)

AHHHH! You said the <biting nails> EEEEEEE word!!!!

LOL

Yea, I do intend to start exercising.....my DR wants me to start walking. I need to get the treadmill out of the storage room and move it into the TV viewing area. It's too dark to walk outside after work now. My fiance' will help me tomorrow. Only thing is, I'll only be able to do about 30 minutes a day, which will only give me an extra 124 calories. I work from 8-6. Come home, take care of pets, clean house, make myself dinner and maybe have about 30 minutes before my fiance' comes home from work. Makes for a pretty long day. So i'll try to fit it in there!

If you really get your arms into it when you're walking, like holding a couple of water bottles or small weights and maybe throwing punches, it helps get your heartrate up and burns more calories. A lot of my workouts are just that - walking on the treadmill about 3.5 mph and throwing punches with water bottles. It sounds silly and probably looks silly, but if you have a HRM you can easily see the difference. Just walking my HR might be around 130, but when I get those ridiculous arm movements going for awhile it can get up to 150-160 and burns calories faster. If you only have a short time to workout, make it count. :-)

AHHHH! You said the <biting nails> EEEEEEE word!!!!

LOL

Yea, I do intend to start exercising.....my DR wants me to start walking. I need to get the treadmill out of the storage room and move it into the TV viewing area. It's too dark to walk outside after work now. My fiance' will help me tomorrow. Only thing is, I'll only be able to do about 30 minutes a day, which will only give me an extra 124 calories. I work from 8-6. Come home, take care of pets, clean house, make myself dinner and maybe have about 30 minutes before my fiance' comes home from work. Makes for a pretty long day. So i'll try to fit it in there!

If you ever get bored of the treadmill (my problem) - you could try "walking DVDs" by Leslie Sansone. These are my go to for walking - I'm in the midwest and outdoor walking weather is coming to an end. Anyway walking DVDs can be done in front of the TV (no equipment required) - or you can use light handweights. These are so simple I can play a DVD on my laptop (sound muted) & watch TV at the same time. Exercisetv.tv.com has a couple of free ones available: Start! Walking 2 Miles and Cardio Slim Down (1 mile).

Rule of thumb:

The less refine something is the better as the more nutrients are retained
eg. whole wheat bread is better than brown which is better than white
e.g. boiled potato is better than peeled which is better than mashed (if butter, milk, salt) has been added
e.g. whole salads are better than those that have been chopped or peeled as skin has roughage and chopped salads lose nutrients as the exposed surface area means that water-soluble vitamins are oxidised or lost
e.g. steamed or lightly cooked veges are better than roasted or fried ones as this adds fat and destroys nutrients

As far as milk goes .. there is a fatty acid in milk that children need but after the age of 5 the human body is capable of making it itself so as it is just as healthy for adults to eat skim or full-fat, you might as well go for the skim option if you are on diet.

In short, I think your Dad is right