A calorie is a calorie

16 years ago

If that's the case, what's the difference between eating 100 calories of carbs versus 100 calories of protein or 100 calories of fat?

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Comments (4)

jcrowley99
16 years ago
I guess the big difference is that 100 calories of fat is really bad for your heart, but 100 calories of good carbs (whole grains) would be really good for your heart and digestive system! I think the main point is that if you cut out something really bad for you, like a three Snickers a day habit, but eat a bunch of low fat snacks instead, you are not necessarily going to lose weight. Not if you eat the same amount of calories in say 100 calories packs of cookies instead of candy. Granted, it is better for your health wise to cut out fat and sodium, but to lose weight, you have to cut calories. Not too hard really if you choose to snack on healthy items, you usually get a lot more food for the same amount of calories from a healthy option as opposed to a fat filled one!
devorah
16 years ago
100 calories of fat may actually be a lot more heart healthy than 100 calories of carbs - nuts for example, good oils, avocados etc. and the most recent diet research strongly suggests that shifting carb calories to fat calories can be very beneficial for people who want to lose weight. I'm not talking low carb - about a 40% carb, 30% protein and 30% fat.

One problem people have with fat is portion control. The calories mount up really fast because fat is so calorie dense.
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I may try a little different slant on this all - I've found from past experience, that if I set myself up with too many rules and limits, my resolve and willpower doesn't last. I don't count calories, but I do try to eat less - basically anything I want to, but alot less of it. This needs to be a lifetime method for me - not just until I lose 10 lbs. or 20, or more. The hardest part of weight loss is keeping it off! Also exercise - - if I feel I HAVE to exercise x amt. of minutes a day, it becomes a task, a burden, a cause of guilt if I don't accomplish - and no one needs more guilt! I am fairly active, just less so than when I worked, and I failed to take that into account, so some weight hopped back on, but I know what to do. I take advantage of opportunities to walk a little further, go up and down the stairs here at home more often, etc. I used to do aerobics, and loved it! Now, love to dance around to a CD. The point is, it has to be something we're enjoying, and willing to do without feeling like it's an ordeal. Also, a big incentive to me anyway, is all the health issues involved with carrying around a little extra weight. I don't want Type II diabetes, knee replacement surgeries, high BP, etc. etc., so I really get picky sometimes with what I eat and how much. Ok, I'll get off my soapbox now! Good luck to us all with this endeavor!
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I'm home, and sadly didn't do really well at the beach. We went out to eat only twice and I did have grilled amberjack so that wasn't bad, but the key lime pie was not so good (actually it was wonderful, that was the problem). We did have fresh fruit and salad with each meal and I avoided fried foods all week, but I did break down and have a wine cooler on the beach at night. Managed to get lots of exercise walking up and down the beach. They have dredged sand and replaced most of the beach and it was just full of shells. We collected 30 each of 5 kinds and 20 of another for SIL's sisters 2nd grade class. We got many, many others but not enough for each student, so those will go on a display for the room. It was actually hard to get into the water for the shells on the beach. By Wed most of them had been covered with sand and you could walk better, so we did. Laura you seem to be doing so very well. I'm proud of you. Keep up the good work. Isn't Splenda the greatest stuff!! Glassquilt, you sound like me. When I worked for the Air Force I would fix at least 10 cups of coffee a day, and only get to drink 1 or 2. But mine was mostly just an excuse to get up from my desk for a while. How did you do Jennifer? Did you make it thru the week? There are many books available to help with the calorie counting and the diet organizer is a really good aid too. You can put in your own recipes if you want and it will figure the calories for you. Way to go scraphappy. Only 7 more pounds. I do hope the other 3 didn't find you. I do find it easier to take my own snacks. Those fast food ones are killers. I guess I need to weigh and see just how bad I was last week. I'll check back in later. beverly
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looser
16 years ago
It all depends on the kind of fat or carbs you are talking about. Yes, 100 calories of healthy fats (containing large amounts of mono- and poly-unsaturated fatty acids) are better for your health than 100 calories worth of sugar. Some good fats can actually lower bad cholesterol. On the other hand, saturated fats and trans-fats are a lot worse than starch and fiber. Fiber is very important to keep the digestive tract working properly.
Low-carb and protein rich diets are not healthy in the long run. The digestion of proteins creates some toxic by-products and the kidneys have to work hard to eliminate them in form of uric acid.

Portion control is a big factor in any diet. Eating a wide variety of healthy foods and watching the total calorie intake is the best method of losing and/or maintaining weight.
tombrooklyn
16 years ago
They have different nutritional content.

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A calorie is a calorie

Comments (4)

jcrowley99

devorah

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looser

tombrooklyn

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