Is eating a bunch of snacks but staying under your calorie g

Aranda7892
Aranda7892 Posts: 20 Member
edited November 9 in Health and Weight Loss
I find myself snacking on a bunch of 100 calorie snacks a day, as well as a few others. I also find myself eating non-healthy foods. Mainly because "healthy" foods just taste really nasty to me and are really expensive. I'm always under my calories goal. I also drink diet soda. I done pretty good my first few weeks with eating semi-healthy, losing almost 3 pounds a week, well this week I only lost barely a pound. I'm finding it more difficult to cut bad things out of my diet.

Anyways, as I said I'm eating under my calorie goal but not eating healthy, will this effect my weight?
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Replies

  • 1a1a
    1a1a Posts: 761 Member
    As long as you are under goal, it shouldn't affect your losses, doesn't mean you shouldn't keep tackling changing your eating though, most healthy foods taste amazing to me (in fact, I got fat on them), persevere, you'll acquire a taste for them.
  • morgansmom02
    morgansmom02 Posts: 1,131 Member
    Do you stay under your sugar and sodium goal?
  • gregpack
    gregpack Posts: 426 Member
    Technically you should lose scale weight if you eat a caloric deficit.

    However, you're VERY low on protein, which could potentially affect you body composition- even if you lose weight you could end up skinny fat. Muscle needs protein.

    Also, are you gonna eat this way the rest of your life? At one point you're gonna have to make the transition into eating like a grown up. The sooner you do it, the sooner your body has a chance to recover and make up for lost ground.
  • is this a joke?
  • paeli
    paeli Posts: 295 Member
    Anyways, as I said I'm eating under my calorie goal but not eating healthy, will this effect my weight?

    Maybe not, but it will affect your HEALTH.
  • it will effect you because you're eating too much fat, which means you're still storing it when it cant be absorbed. therefore, you're not doing yourself any favors!
  • ejohndrow
    ejohndrow Posts: 1,399 Member
    is this a joke?
    One can only hope.
  • annabellj
    annabellj Posts: 1,337 Member
    if you can afford 100 calorie packs and diet soda you might want to rethink what you are eating cuz you certainly can afford to buy "healthy" food. i find that if I eat a lot of packaged foods that in the end I will end up being hungry and eventually overeat. when i cut most processed stuff, i have no problem sticking to food budget. eating out will derail your weightloss efforts and your wallet.
  • I agree with what people've previously said about it being good to try and tackle your diet (make some healthy improvements) and you'll for sure acquire a taste for healthy foods. Take little steps though. Do you eat a certain pasta you love? Try incorporating things like chopped carrot, broccoli, spinach or mushrooms into it and you may find you love the taste! :)
  • Natihilator
    Natihilator Posts: 1,778 Member
    Those 100 calories snacks are all sugar and carbs. I eat them too, but only in emergency hunger situations. Lookup tasty recipes for healthy food and force yourself to eat healthier, your palate will change and you might even find something you like.
  • I did the same thing before I actually watched what I eat, eating those 100 calorie snacks, they never filled me up and had me wanting more bad food. I don't mind the good foods and it CAN be a little more expensive to eat healthier, but not as much as some disease one can get from not taking care of the body. I am the last one to say anything as I just got back to working out and eating right, but I sure feel better about myself already and it has only been a couple weeks. Just got on here to help track my food and be accountable with what I eat.
  • Brandy108
    Brandy108 Posts: 29 Member
    I feel your pain because I can't cook at all and most healthy foods require cooking. I actually googled how to boil a potato yesterday, haha. But they do taste good once you've gotten used to them and they're much more satisfying than packaged food. There's this site where I'm finding a bunch of low calorie, inexpensive recipes: http://www.eatingwell.com/ try it and maybe you'll find something you like! :)
    15349894.png
  • meg7399
    meg7399 Posts: 672 Member
    Its actually much cheaper to buy fresh produce and fresh foods than anything packaged! Think about a package of 100 Calorie Snacks...how much do they cost? A banana is around 15-19 cents! Can't beat that price! I shop at Trader Joes so I DON'T get tempted to buy that junk food and processed crap and I can buy an entire week worth of food for a family of three for 60-70 dollars! Thats meat at every meal b/c the boyfriend is most definitely a carnivore! But just so you know how serious I am...I hate most veggies...so I am not all about the way healthy foods taste! I eat salads almost everyday as I do like lettuce and spinach and things...but the rest is mainly fruit! Eating healthy is easy and the best for your body...staying under calorie goal is the only thing NEEDED to lose weight, but your body will stay fuller longer with better for you foods!
  • Apples, Oranges, Bananas, Plums, and any other fruit is right around 100 Calories and will fill you up alot longer than those stupid 100 calorie packs. Not to mention much healthier. Those 100 calorie packs are just a sales gimmick to get you to eat their unhealthy foods in smaller amounts.
  • I don't know if you'll lose weight but you're hurting your body. Healthy food isn't gross, healthy food can taste really good.

    My favorite recipe is a broccoli one. You take a head of broccoli and break it all up on a pan and mix olive oil, pepper, and garlic on top. Put it in the oven until the broccoli turns slightly brown. Take it out and drizzle lemon juice on it. It's so tasty, I eat it every day!

    Those packs you're eating are full of sugar and carbs and are MUCH more expensive than fresh produce. And diet soda is so bad for you! Carbonation robs your body of oxygen and aspartame is just horrible for you!

    You have to change your eating habits. It's detrimental to your health to eat that way all the time. A 100 calorie pack now and then isn't so bad, but it sounds like you eat it all the time.
  • amandavictoria80
    amandavictoria80 Posts: 734 Member
    WOW! I seriously could have wrote this myself. Well, myself about five months ago.

    I can tell you from my personal experience that it will affect weight loss 100%. I've learned that it's not just about the calories in but about ingredients in as well. It's all about what you're putting into your body.
    I did the exact same thing. Snacked on the 100 calories snacks (yogurt pretzels were my favorite LOL), a lot of fruit (which in huge portions is too much sugar) and "low-fat/no-fat" snacks.
    Well, week after week I stayed at the same weight, and sometimes even gained a pound. The worst is that I did most of this snacking later in the evening while watching a movie.
    Fat Free Cool Whip taught me this lesson quickly. LOL It is practically zero fat, very low on calories, low carbs and low sugar. But it's the fact the ingredients say "Corn Syrup, High Fructose Corn Syrup, etc.". NO GOOD!

    Just my experience. :) Feel free to add me if you want. :)
  • itsablondething
    itsablondething Posts: 28 Member
    Watch the movie Food, Inc.
  • Aranda7892
    Aranda7892 Posts: 20 Member
    is this a joke?

    Is what a joke?
  • Aranda7892
    Aranda7892 Posts: 20 Member
    Do you stay under your sugar and sodium goal?

    Usually, sometimes I'm a couple over, not often do I go over.
  • Aranda7892
    Aranda7892 Posts: 20 Member
    Technically you should lose scale weight if you eat a caloric deficit.

    However, you're VERY low on protein, which could potentially affect you body composition- even if you lose weight you could end up skinny fat. Muscle needs protein.

    Also, are you gonna eat this way the rest of your life? At one point you're gonna have to make the transition into eating like a grown up. The sooner you do it, the sooner your body has a chance to recover and make up for lost ground.

    I appreciate your advice. However I wasn't aware a 'grown ups' eat a specific way.
  • bracing for the punchline.. o.O
  • Aranda7892
    Aranda7892 Posts: 20 Member
    WOW! I seriously could have wrote this myself. Well, myself about five months ago.

    I can tell you from my personal experience that it will affect weight loss 100%. I've learned that it's not just about the calories in but about ingredients in as well. It's all about what you're putting into your body.
    I did the exact same thing. Snacked on the 100 calories snacks (yogurt pretzels were my favorite LOL), a lot of fruit (which in huge portions is too much sugar) and "low-fat/no-fat" snacks.
    Well, week after week I stayed at the same weight, and sometimes even gained a pound. The worst is that I did most of this snacking later in the evening while watching a movie.
    Fat Free Cool Whip taught me this lesson quickly. LOL It is practically zero fat, very low on calories, low carbs and low sugar. But it's the fact the ingredients say "Corn Syrup, High Fructose Corn Syrup, etc.". NO GOOD!

    Just my experience. :) Feel free to add me if you want. :)

    Thank you so much for posting, seems like the same thing is happening to me, I probably should try a bit harder to make changes. :)
  • Rayman79
    Rayman79 Posts: 2,009 Member
    1. Eating a caloric deficit will mean you will lose weight

    2. Not eating the right foods will have a detrimental effect on your body's ability to function

    Healthy > Skinny

    You are free to eat what you like of course, but please just think about what your food and exercise choices mean for your long term health.
  • if you can afford 100 calorie packs and diet soda you might want to rethink what you are eating cuz you certainly can afford to buy "healthy" food. i find that if I eat a lot of packaged foods that in the end I will end up being hungry and eventually overeat. when i cut most processed stuff, i have no problem sticking to food budget. eating out will derail your weightloss efforts and your wallet.

    Where's the "LIKE" button?
  • blytheandbonnie
    blytheandbonnie Posts: 3,275 Member
    Sit down and do the math. Those 100 calorie packs are not cheap. Realize that a serving of most fruit or veggies is about 1/2 cup. You can get a lot of salads off one head of lettuce, a can of peaches is 3 servings, a carrot is a large serving. Not only are they better for you but you get to eat much more food for you money and your calories. Buy the veggies and fruit that are on sale. Get a head of lettuce, wash it, make sure it is dry, chop it up and put it in a plastic bag. Voila! Salad. Way cheaper than those prepared salad greens. There are ways, you have to want to do it.
  • I feel your pain because I can't cook at all and most healthy foods require cooking. I actually googled how to boil a potato yesterday, haha. But they do taste good once you've gotten used to them and they're much more satisfying than packaged food. There's this site where I'm finding a bunch of low calorie, inexpensive recipes: http://www.eatingwell.com/ try it and maybe you'll find something you like! :)
    15349894.png

    Did you know you can learn to cook? Yep, it's true!!:bigsmile:
  • KNMD
    KNMD Posts: 28 Member
    Ok, you want to make improvements. That's awesome!
    1. Don't be discouraged.
    2. Improvements don't mean jumping off a cliff
    3. You're not alone and this place is suppose to make you feel that way.

    You could jump straight into "healthy" eating with fresh produce and whole grains.
    Or, you could start by thinking about the foods you like and working towards healthier eating step by step.

    Ask yourself why you eat premade food.... is it because your life is busy? is it because you haven't had to cook much, and you're not sure where to start. Is it because you have a picky pallet? All of the above, other reasons?

    Then set reasonable goals like, "I will trade 1 day of diet soda for 1 night that I cook spaghetti with a healthy sauce." Set it on the schedule and do it. Then set the next goal and see if you can work some goals into your routine.

    You can make mini steps to better choices. If you are already making pasta, and you want to migrate to whole wheat, buy both and mix them lessening the regular each time until you've transitioned your pallet to whole wheat.

    What about other pre-made options? Lean cuisine? It might be a good step away from having the 100 calorie packs for every meal and diversifying your nutrient source and let you try new foods without committing to the ingredients.

    Then maybe you'll get more and more interested in food and cooking and preparing, or maybe you find a bit more diversity and some better nutrition.

    Also, I suggest a multi-vitamin, you may not be getting all the vitamins and minerals you need.

    Best of luck, feel free to friend me if you would like some support.
  • Steamed veggies(u stick the whole bag in microwave) and chicken breast, along with fish you can find pretty cheap these days. As for not knowing how to cook, that is just an excuse, IMHO internet you can Google anything and learn to cook the simplest things. Protein bars now a days are pretty good as well and cheaper than a case of pop.
  • techigirl78
    techigirl78 Posts: 128 Member
    It is a start and everyone starts somewhere. I find myself more healthy over time. Started with cutting out calories, then improved a meal at a time. For a long time, I focused on sodium and fiber (constipated a lot). Now that I have those set, I'm focusing on protein, while keeping others in check.

    I hate to cook. Started with easy things. I really love my blender. Eat smoothies pretty much every day with yogurt, fruit, spinich, and protein. Yummy. Just like a shake and way more filling then those little tiny snack packs. Now I am on to making my own seafood, chicken, and steaming vegtables with ease.

    Put peanut butter on veggies. Or get some healthy crackers and humus. Eat some string cheese. There are healthy snack options too that are quick.

    I save the quick bad snacks for something I really like and then only do that occasstionaly. Like a Ghiralldeli (sp?) chocolate square at 70 calories. If you eat bad things, just limit it and make it things you really like.
  • gregpack
    gregpack Posts: 426 Member
    Technically you should lose scale weight if you eat a caloric deficit.

    However, you're VERY low on protein, which could potentially affect you body composition- even if you lose weight you could end up skinny fat. Muscle needs protein.

    Also, are you gonna eat this way the rest of your life? At one point you're gonna have to make the transition into eating like a grown up. The sooner you do it, the sooner your body has a chance to recover and make up for lost ground.

    I appreciate your advice. However I wasn't aware a 'grown ups' eat a specific way.

    In all fairness, not all of them. Just the ones that want to live past the age of 40....... There is a relationship between the foods we eat and our health.

    Don't get me wrong, I'm no food nazi. Many of us like cookies, cakes, and potato chips, etc. But if I eat that stuff as a large chunk of my daily diet I feel crappy. My bet is that if you ate more whole foods for a while and went back to your current eating habits you would feel similar effects, and realize this stuff isn't good for you long term.
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