What is better !?!?! Please Help! [calories per day] [pizza]
Im on a low-cal “diet”. I have between 1200 and 1500 calories per day, and usually closer to the low side, and I also try to exercise regularly. Some days its hard course, and I feel a little splurging will keep me from having to stop. So if Im cheating a bit, heres the big question .
Is better to stay within my calories for the day, but eat one or two things that are not the best (as a piece of pizza), or go over my calories by eating things that are pretty healthy (as an extra serving of chicken etc.)?
Also, does it matter if I eat my calories? Like, it will keep me from losing weight if I only eat 600 calories all day until dinner and the rest of that meal?
Help!
Reply:I think it definitely matters when calories are consumed. Our metabolisms slow down toward the end of the day. If we consume the bulk of our calories say late afternoon through evening, it most likely will cause weight gain. As a rule of thumb, it's bestto stop eating 2-3 hours before you go to bed. Dinner should have fewer calories than lunch. At least this is what I've learned from a book I'm reading on midlife weight gain and from listening to Oprah and Bob Greene ( was her trainer). It seems to be working for me. You'll also be more satisfied if you fill up on healthy calories(less likely to binge), but it's fine to have a piece or two of pizza once in awhile( I did last night and I'm trying not to feel guilty!).
Reply:Thanks for everyone's advise, although a little confusing, it kinda helps to know that there really isn't a deffinite answer. I can maybe do either or and be ok, and if I don't lose anymore weight I will change what I am doing.
Thanks again.
Reply:On such a small scale, it doesn't matter where they come from. It would likely make a difference if you ate nothing but junk food, but a reasonable amount will not hurt anything.
In my experience, it is better to count the calories and eat the junk food to keep from binging. When I dieted I found myself eating extra helpings of low calorie, healthy foods, but it was ultimately unsatisfying and a little frustrating. Working in the occasional splurge item kept me happy and I still lost weight.
Reply:I agree with the last poster it matters where the calories come from. Much of losing weight is the body's willingness to let the weight go, it feels safe to do this knowing its getting the proper nutrients, if you are eating junk the body will be feeling deprived of the nutrients it should be getting and might be more inclined to hold onto the weight.
Reply:Actually, I disagree with the posters above. I spoke to my doctor about this and he said there definitely is a difference between junk calories and healthy calories. So I would say you're better off eating more of the good stuff then fewer calories of junk. At any rate, good luck!
Reply:Overall, a calorie is a calorie and it doesn't matter when you eat it. The benefit of spreading them out throughout the day is that you will be less likely to binge if you are constantly satisfied. If you need the pizza or some ice cream to make it through the day, then go for it (but make sure to account for the calories!) However healthy foods contain fewer calories in larger servings so you may stay more full and need less of foods that are good for you. 1 piece of pepperoni pizza has around 300 calories. And so does a grilled chicken breast with veggies and some brown rice. The second meal will probably be more satisfying then the pizza and for the same number of calories. So if you can, I'd opt for the healthier meal because you'll be less likely to overeat!
Reply:It matters not…at least that's the WW take on it. On it, you have a point range and it does not matter how that is consumed. If you want to blow it all on a pass thru the pizza all you can eat, that's OK…