Are calories created equal?

[tracie30 0]

Hi everyone!

Do you think calories are created equal? Meaning: If you are watching your caloric intake and you are wanting to consume no more than 1500 calories; does it matter if 300 of those calories comes from a piece of pie instead of a piece of chicken?

I understand the benefits of choosing the "right" foods that include Protein and other good stuff your body needs. BUT if you include a little junk in your diet and count as part of your overall daily intake, does it really matter?

Thanks for all the imput!!

[RestlessMonkey 7]

you'll lose if you take in less than you expend. Period. If you take in 1000 calories of fat and refined sugar and burn 1500 calories a day you'll lose 1 pound a week. You'll be unhealthy and your hair and teeth will fall out, but you'll lose!

If you have insulin issues (not just diabetic either; many obese people have insulin resistance) then eating the "wrong" thing can trigger hunger and also have you hold on to the calories rather than using them up. (you get sluggish...and your body stores the "energy" for later). In an otherwise healthy indivitual though, if you want an occasional cookie or some whipped cream or a cocktail it isn't going to hurt you as long as that IN is less than the OUT. And even insulin resistant people can have an occasional moderate (key word there) indulgence and lose.

Edited January 12, 2009 by RestlessMonkey