What effect will eating junk but within your calories have?

imannalouise
imannalouise Posts: 20
in Health and Weight Loss
I'm just wondering, because I know eating "clean" is really the best, but what if I have a brownie every day as well? What would that do? Always kind of had this question haha

Replies

  • stonerdude
    stonerdude Posts: 103
    Google Food Matters!
  • barbiecat
    barbiecat Posts: 17,195 Member
    :flowerforyou: if you're trying to be healthy, why would you put empty calories in your body?
  • imannalouise
    imannalouise Posts: 20
    huh, looks interesting!
  • doubglass
    doubglass Posts: 314 Member
    I'm just wondering, because I know eating "clean" is really the best, but what if I have a brownie every day as well? What would that do? Always kind of had this question haha

    Not much. However, MFP only works if it involves a lifestyle change. If you aren't willing two put limits on the junk, you will fail. I found that after months on MFP, my taste changed and I no longer want to eat that stuff.
  • _Mimi_
    _Mimi_ Posts: 233
    You'll probably still lose weight. Skinny people get diabetes and heart conditions too.
  • nuskin
    nuskin Posts: 8
    As long as you stay within your calorie limit andyou're getting the nutrition you need, then even a daily treat won't throw you off. In fact a small indulgence as a reward can help keep you motivated and less tempted to "fall off the wagon" and binge.
  • taso42
    taso42 Posts: 8,980 Member
    It's fine.
  • bourny11
    bourny11 Posts: 1
    hey if the majority of your food intake is healthy then there's nothing wrong with having your brownie especially if you are under your goal....just don't over do it that's all
  • Rae6503
    Rae6503 Posts: 6,294 Member
    I eat junk often. Hasn't interfered with my goals or my health.
  • WestCoastPhoenix
    WestCoastPhoenix Posts: 802 Member
    It's fine.
    This. I eat plenty of 'crap' but not too much :wink:
  • imannalouise
    imannalouise Posts: 20
    As long as you stay within your calorie limit andyou're getting the nutrition you need, then even a daily treat won't throw you off. In fact a small indulgence as a reward can help keep you motivated and less tempted to "fall off the wagon" and binge.

    Yeah, I feel like it's not the end of the world if you have some little thing some days. I understand that this involves a whole lifestyle change, I was just wondering if there would be an effect because it doesn't seem like a straightforward answer. If your body burns a certain amount of calories a day, would a couple hundred empty calories really do a terrible amount of harm? I agree with the quote above, I don't think it would throw you off. But if there's some sort of scientific thing that says completely otherwise than I'd love to know! haha
  • imannalouise
    imannalouise Posts: 20
    hey if the majority of your food intake is healthy then there's nothing wrong with having your brownie especially if you are under your goal....just don't over do it that's all

    Agreed! It's all about not over doing it
  • spearson288
    spearson288 Posts: 55 Member
    http://edition.cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/11/08/twinkie.diet.professor/index.html

    Take a read through this, snacking is OK! so long as you still take it into account in terms of your diet. When I was working with a trainer she encouraged me to get rid of cravings (especially around the end of the month :laugh: ).

    Obviously this does not mean go all out and eat an entire bakery but little sweets now and then are fine.
  • ElizabethRoad
    ElizabethRoad Posts: 5,138 Member
    If you ate all (or mostly) junk, you'd be in pretty poor health because you wouldn't be getting the nutrition you need. But a brownie a day? Not a problem.
  • imannalouise
    imannalouise Posts: 20
    You'll probably still lose weight. Skinny people get diabetes and heart conditions too.

    I highly doubt that a brownie a day would be enough to give you diabetes or a heart condition, especially with exercise making your heart strong. But you're right, everyone gets diseases like those
  • Acg67
    Acg67 Posts: 12,142 Member
    You'll probably still lose weight. Skinny people get diabetes and heart conditions too.

    What's with "probably" still will lose weight, do certain foods have magical abilities to halt weightloss in the midst of a consistent caloric deficit?
  • 130annie
    130annie Posts: 339 Member
    Okay, so you are doing everything right......But it is human nature to feel a bit cheated...So prevent going off on a binge.....Have your little treat...I have one every day....I allow 100 cals per day....I'm still losing....
  • Roni_M
    Roni_M Posts: 717 Member
    I have a bacon cheeseburger every Saturday, just because they taste so good. I have lost 80lbs, so it can't be that bad! Lots of healthy food and junk in moderation is my lifestyle. :flowerforyou:
  • RiannonC
    RiannonC Posts: 145 Member
    In my experience, when you are at or near maintenance weight, eating all the way clean versus mostly clean makes a noticeable difference in body composition and energy levels. I was at 112 pounds, which was a weight that I was content with, but when I cut out pretty much all added sugar and refined grains, I lost 2 pounds, which wasn't a big deal, but more importantly I became a faster runner without trying, and started looking more lean and toned as opposed to just thin. I stopped feeling tired every afternoon. So yeah it can make a difference in the way you look and the way you feel. But for some people it's just not worth it to them to be so strict.
  • _Mimi_
    _Mimi_ Posts: 233
    You'll probably still lose weight. Skinny people get diabetes and heart conditions too.

    I highly doubt that a brownie a day would be enough to give you diabetes or a heart condition, especially with exercise making your heart strong. But you're right, everyone gets diseases like those
    You're right. I was actually going to come back and delete my post. For you it may work perfectly.

    Anyway, my initial response was because, to ME, a brownie means a huuuuuge piece loaded with chocolate frosting. And even a small piece risks triggering a binge.

    It's not a choice I would make on a daily basis...but if it works for you, go for it! I really do believe in the old "different strokes for different folks". I'm still trying to find my way on this journey, and what will work for me for the rest of my life.

    Also, as the person above me noted, anything sugary like that makes me soooo sleepy.
  • WandaWoman41
    WandaWoman41 Posts: 153 Member
    Perhaps it was an oversight but no one mentioned organic brownies. Chocolate has a lot of health benefits. People always say all things in moderation. I would like to give up fast food cold turkey (and replace it with a much healthier twin)
  • imannalouise
    imannalouise Posts: 20
    You'll probably still lose weight. Skinny people get diabetes and heart conditions too.

    I highly doubt that a brownie a day would be enough to give you diabetes or a heart condition, especially with exercise making your heart strong. But you're right, everyone gets diseases like those
    You're right. I was actually going to come back and delete my post. For you it may work perfectly.

    Anyway, my initial response was because, to ME, a brownie means a huuuuuge piece loaded with chocolate frosting. And even a small piece risks triggering a binge.

    It's not a choice I would make on a daily basis...but if it works for you, go for it! I really do believe in the old "different strokes for different folks". I'm still trying to find my way on this journey, and what will work for me for the rest of my life.

    Also, as the person above me noted, anything sugary like that makes me soooo sleepy.

    Actually that's such a good point; one brownie means something different for everyone! I just meant something little, but I agree about risking triggering a binge. That happens to me too sometimes :(
  • imannalouise
    imannalouise Posts: 20
    Perhaps it was an oversight but no one mentioned organic brownies. Chocolate has a lot of health benefits. People always say all things in moderation. I would like to give up fast food cold turkey (and replace it with a much healthier twin)

    I don't know if this counts but I would be eating gluten-free brownies since I don't eat gluten! haha
  • rward007
    rward007 Posts: 32
    Moderation is key, so in general anything is ok in moderation food wise. My other 2 warnings are this:

    Only do it if it prevents you from over indulging. For some people 1 cookie is the gateway to a sleeve of cookies, a bowl or ice cream, and a sugar induced coma. Some people are best to avoid it all together.

    From my personal experience I have always lost weight when I had a caloric deficit. In general, I think less in, more out, lose weight. However, I know some people who firmly believe that reducing carb intake has improved their weight loss. So a carb heavy sweet may not always be the best choice when you have calories to spare.
  • RiannonC
    RiannonC Posts: 145 Member
    Perhaps it was an oversight but no one mentioned organic brownies. Chocolate has a lot of health benefits. People always say all things in moderation. I would like to give up fast food cold turkey (and replace it with a much healthier twin)

    Being organic doesn't actually make the food itself any healthier for you. It just means it's probably not going to contain the harmful pesticides. But that is a good point, that you could replace it with a healthier twin, make your brownies homemade with applesauce instead of oil, lower sugar, wheat flour instead of white, and it won't be too horrible for you :)
  • stonerdude
    stonerdude Posts: 103
    I eat junk often. Hasn't interfered with my goals or my health.

    Try changes your settings to sodium!

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