Does it matter what you eat as long as you are under your ca

you can lose weight just eating twinkies, but it isn't healthy (despite the weight loss) because you are depriving yourself of important vitamins and nutrients that you get through a balanced diet.

I think the answer is "that depends". As a general rule, your body will respond better the more nutrients you give it. That means healthy fats, green/leafy veggies, lean protein, etc. For me personally, I have to restrict carbs, but might not be the case for you. Best to avoid sugar.... it is hiding in so called healthy places like fruit juice and cereals.

If you are brave enough to share your food diary, and have friends that will give you honest feedback about what you eat, you will have a better chance.

Exercise is part of it too -- although losing weight is probably 80-90% about what you put in your mouth.

I think it all depends on you. I know some people that feel wheat is a big problem, it causes the excess stomach weight (the tire tube if you will) that they don't want. I have never personally found it a problem. You'll get to eat more if you choose better foods, for me that is a big thing since, in my head, I believe quantity fills you not calories.

I think calories are calories and you will lose weight with the deficit, but you will probably feel better (wanting to exercise more) with a healthy diet. Also, you may target problem areas and lose inches instead of just weight (which could just be water loss).

I think if you fill your days with healthy nutrious food you'll have an easier time sticking with it rather than eating stuff that's just going to suck your calories and not fill you up.

Question: what is your goal? To lose weight or to get healthy?

Also "healthy" foods are generally lower in calories and higher in protein and fiber. These usually keep you full longer and allow you to eat more for your calorie goal.

It depends. Are you only concerned with weight loss? Or do you want a healthy eating lifestyle. That's the difference I think.

I like to eat completely healthy and the pounds are just a huge bonus!

And my body is very picky. It holds on to weight if I eat too much sugar. Even fruit.

However, I'd imagine that you'd not be too healthy if you ate your calorie allotment in solely cotton candy,

*runs away sobbing*

well you should take out all carbs cause if you ever go back to them you will gain wait plus since you were deprived for so long. just limit them. i feel better when i eat healthy than if i eat junk. but i do allow myself that one piece of junk a day. today was a cinn roll (i called it lunch) but usally it's something smaller for a snack like a glass of ch. milk or a smidgen (83 cals each). that way i do not feel total deprived. and i don't feel like i have to binge at a latter date. if i want something like birthday cake/icecream or to eat out or what ever i try to plan a few days in advance so i can work my calories out for that day maybe throw in an extra gym workout.

YES it does matter. Eating the correct foods will help your metabolism cook up high. You need a lot of protein, low sodium, and low fat and carbs. It's too complex to get into specifics, if you want an example, my food diary is public, take a peek.

YES it does matter. Eating the correct foods will help your metabolism cook up high. You need a lot of protein, low sodium, and low fat and carbs. It's too complex to get into specifics, if you want an example, my food diary is public, take a peek.

Too low of fat is actually dangerous. Same with carbs and sodium.

Everything in proper porportion.

Technially you can lose (as mentioned). But it's hard to just eat 1 supersized McDonalds meal vs 3 other meals with better nutritional value

As long as you use your common since, as it seems you are you should be fine. As you log your food you will be able to see what foods are more helpful to you and what foods are not. For me its cheese, its also my favorite food! You will figure yours out as the weeks go on. BEST WISHES!!!:flowerforyou:

YES it does matter. Eating the correct foods will help your metabolism cook up high. You need a lot of protein, low sodium, and low fat and carbs. It's too complex to get into specifics, if you want an example, my food diary is public, take a peek.

Too low of fat is actually dangerous. Same with carbs and sodium.

Everything in proper porportion.

Technially you can lose (as mentioned). But it's hard to just eat 1 supersized McDonalds meal vs 3 other meals with better nutritional value

Agreed, but most people don't realize the insane amount of sodium they put in their body, you should try to stay under 2k a day. I also think that the default carb goal on mfp is high. Again, moderation, I don't condone no carbs or fat.

I've come to the conclusion that weight loss as it pertains to calories isn't always the same as eating healthy. But I've also found that eating healthier allows you to eat more quantity per calorie plus get your micronutrients in at the same time.

I eat whatever I want, I think moderation is key in weight-loss & a healthy lifestyle. It's bad to restrict yourself from everything, you would probably just end up bingeing (my experience) I just try to make the things I want the healthiest way possible. I avoided eating wheat bread or any bread for so long but recently I decided I needed more fiber etc, I found out natures way or natures own? 100% whole wheat bread is only 50 calories per slice (not bad) I was always using the 100 cal bread which isn't gross but is not near as tasty as a slice of good wheat bread. Anyways... I love baking, so If I bake I use splenda's baking sugar and baking brown sugar, 0 calories! and vegetable butter country crock light. So it cuts calories/fat/sugar in half! You can still have the things you want if you are willing to look into alternative products and get creative with you're cooking. Also I don't count sugar in fruit because I don't care what anyone says, Fruit is healthy! I only take processed/added sugars into consideration. But I think you should try to eat as healthy as you can while still enjoying your food. Luckily I love all veggies & I'm vegetarian & 90% of the time vegan. So besides my sweet tooth I do pretty well with using my calories on healthy food.