It's not just about calories

[tara]

I found out that losing weight healthfully and for the long term isn't really about restricting calories as much as it's about getting sufficient amount of nutrients, enough fiber and enough protein. I always thought that if you just cut out a bunch of calories it's all you need. Am I the only on who though this?

[tammybear]

Definitely not the only one who thinks that. I thought that it was all about controlling calories. I mean, how can it not be? If it's not about controlling calories then what is it about more specifically?

[Tiff]

Definitely not the only one who thinks that. I thought that it was all about controlling calories. I mean, how can it not be? If it's not about controlling calories then what is it about more specifically?

That's what I was wondering. I've always heard that it's controlling your diet that helps with weight loss more than anything else, including exercise. I have no idea how I would track eating enough fiber and protein. Calories give me a number. Am I supposed to weigh all my food?

[1000kw]

That's what I was wondering. I've always heard that it's controlling your diet that helps with weight loss more than anything else, including exercise. I have no idea how I would track eating enough fiber and protein. Calories give me a number. Am I supposed to weigh all my food?

No you don't need to go that far. It's more about making sure you have enough of the right portions on your plate and that these portions are as healthy and low in fat as possible. There's nothing wrong with counting calories as a jumping off point, especially when you're working on figuring out proper meal and snack portions, etc. It's just not everything, but calories simply aren't created equal in terms of the nutrients they give your body, their effect on your appetite and your digestion. For instance, there's 100 calories in an 8oz glass of apple juice and a 100 calories in a medium-sized apple. You're going to get way more benefit from the calories you receive from eating an apple compared to what you'll get out of that juice. The way your body digests the sugar (energy) is different and more efficient, the apple gives you both insoluble (skin) and soluble (flesh) fiber, which aids in digestion and helps to keep you satisfied for longer. Ever since I heard this apple juice to apple fruit calorie comparison, it's always stuck with me. Hope it helps a little. :)

[antoniojones1968]

No you don't need to go that far. It's more about making sure you have enough of the right portions on your plate and that these portions are as healthy and low in fat as possible. There's nothing wrong with counting calories as a jumping off point, especially when you're working on figuring out proper meal and snack portions, etc. It's just not everything, but calories simply aren't created equal in terms of the nutrients they give your body, their effect on your appetite and your digestion. For instance, there's 100 calories in an 8oz glass of apple juice and a 100 calories in a medium-sized apple. You're going to get way more benefit from the calories you receive from eating an apple compared to what you'll get out of that juice. The way your body digests the sugar (energy) is different and more efficient, the apple gives you both insoluble (skin) and soluble (flesh) fiber, which aids in digestion and helps to keep you satisfied for longer. Ever since I heard this apple juice to apple fruit calorie comparison, it's always stuck with me. Hope it helps a little. :)

What you said makes so much sense and I love that apple juice to apple fruit calorie comparison, because there is a huge difference in the satisfaction level between eating an apple and swallowing a glass of juice. I wish it was more common practice for people to talk about eating healthy nutrient-dense foods versus only restricting calories or counting calories. Restricting calories and counting calories simply doesn't provide enough guidance, especially when, as you said, not all calories are created equal and you can still follow a low-cal lifestyle by eating all bad foods. After all, there is a huge difference between eating healthy and being in a normal BMI range and being in a normal BMI range and eating poorly.

[Paplo]

I do think watching calories is important and kind of essential for effective weight loss, but I think before you can focus on that, it might first be best to start improving your diet by eating more healthfully, not overeating and not using food as a source of entertainment. When you can get control over your diet, you can then start to focus on the calorie consumption if you want to lose weight.

[freddyboy]

I think calories are really important to watch if you do want to make regular progress. But they're not the only thing. So if you go over a bit or under a bit on your calories in a day, make sure all the other factors like activity level and the QUALITY of your food are also considered.

[bogowonto]

I do think watching calories is significant and sort of fundamental for powerful weight reduction, however I think before you can zero in on that, it may initially be ideal to begin improving your eating routine by eating all the more refreshingly, not indulging and not utilizing food as a wellspring of diversion. At the point when you can oversee your eating routine, you would then be able to begin to zero in on the calorie utilization on the off chance that you need to get thinner.