Calorie counting or low fat?

[punkmum]

OK I see everyone on here going on about calories in each meal etc. I am very wary of counting calories and weighing food because it's what I used to do when my eating issues were bad and I don't want to trigger a relapse. Does eating low fat options work just as well as I know people who have lost weight using this method only including my mum. TIA.

[sexyeyes7333]

hi im a 16stone but what size is my dress size i want to lose weight but i just cant seem to

[EllaMidlands]

Hi. I don't count calories. I eat low carb but not low fat. I don't eat bread, potato, rice, pasta. It is working for me. Lost 4 stone since October, 5 stone overall. It won't work for everyone as we are all different but it is working for me.

[Flossyflo55 2kg in reply to EllaMidlands]

Hi i just wondered what you eat to replace bread pasta and potatoes?

[IndigoBlue61 in reply to Flossyflo55]

This quite an old post Flossyflo55 but to answer your question, vegetables in most cases 😊

Have you seen the Dietdoctor website? Great low carb recipes there

[Flossyflo55 2kg in reply to IndigoBlue61]

Hi no i haven't seen that is it on here x

[IndigoBlue61 in reply to Flossyflo55]

No, it’s a external site but some good recipes

dietdoctor.com/

[Flossyflo55 2kg in reply to IndigoBlue61]

Ok ill take a peep thank you x

[melissa90 1st 7lbs]

Like Ella says you don't need to cut out fats altogether. The right fats are very good for you. It's just saturated fats and trans fats you need to look out for. I personally count calories because it's easiest for me. And I do eat carbs but it's slow release carbs such as wholemeal bread, wholemeal pasta etc. What I would suggest is and I know this sounds really silly is find one of those 'how your plate should look' pictures. It shows what foods your plate should be made up of and what to avoid. It seems ridiculous but you said in your previous post that you weren't sure what to eat and what to avoid. I would personally say avoid processed and refined foods (particularly sugar!) And cook from scratch. And try to do 30 mins of light/moderate exercise 5 days a week (what the NHS recommends but easier said than done!) Sorry I couldn't be more help but you're gonna do great! You've definitely come to the right place for support and advice 😁

[PippiRuns 6kg Restart Nov 2023 in reply to melissa90]

Great advice! Add 600g of vegetables each day (Excl. potatoes) and you'll be on the road to success.

[PippiRuns 6kg Restart Nov 2023]

I counted calories to lose weight. Very effective. But I don't want to keep obsessing about it...

[Penel]

Perhaps this may be a useful article suggesting that low carb may be more effective than low fat.

authoritynutrition.com/how-...

[JiminyCricket 7lbs]

I used calorie counting to re educate myself , and follow the 12 week plan. I've discovered that if I cook from scratch, , and have small portions of meat and cards, pile on the veg, my main meals are rarely mmore than 400-500 call each anyway. I don't really count carefully anymore - it's like 'getting your eye in' for the right amount and balance of food.

Good luck, I'm sure you'll find the right approach for you - it's amazing how everyone does it slightly differently.

We are all on the same journey though, cheering each other on.

[Tiggerr in reply to JiminyCricket]

I'm glad for you, as you sound like you've reached the point I want to reach ('not calorie counting'). I'm not going to risk it at the moment until I feel that I'm really settled in my ways/routine. Good to see that its possible.

[JiminyCricket 7lbs in reply to Tiggerr]

im not quite there yet, but yes thats the goal. I count quite loosely and estimate a lot, especially things like veg which are low cal anyway. If i batch cook a load of soup or curry i tend to work it out properly as scaling up the quantities. Its defintiely worth establishing the good habits.

[June1965]

Moderation as with everything in life.....Easier said,then done. 🙃

[IndigoBlue61]

Hello punkmum

The trick with counting calories is portion size, and eating less calories is important to lose weight. It's also important for health to eat the right calories. I find this very helpful

healthunlocked.com/nhsweigh...

Best wishes

Anna

[Lippysue 6lbs]

As everyone says there is good fat and bad fat. Cut out pastry, cakes, biscuits, chocolate and so on by all means. That will definitely help both your weight and your health.

As far as carbs go I think the best way to go is to cut out or at least cut right down all processed white carbs, white flour and sugar,the dreaded pure white and deadly, and get your carbs from fruit, veg and small portions of whole grains.

These things are eating choices that you can make, at least most of the time, for the rest of your life rather than "being on a diet".

[ceejayblue]

Low fat options invariably have more sugar and other additives to make them more palatable. However, going low carb and high fat is not always the right way for people. So, counting calories will always be a good option but one way of doing this without too much trouble is to eat smaller portions, off a smaller plate, only eat when hungry, eat till satisfied and not full and bloated. Get up and move more and gradually you will lose weight. I admit to not always listening to my own advice but to me weightloss should be slow and even (unless you are under medical care because of other issues).

Don't get fooled by foods that say diet or low fat, eat normal healthy foods and just eat mindfully.