How Food Affects Weight Loss

It may sound obvious that food affects weight loss. When we eat more than the body burns off we gain weight, eat less and we lose weight. We’ve all been told to “eat less and move more” but is it really that simple?

Not All Calories Are The Same

I’m sure you’ve heard the saying “a calorie is a calorie”, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. Calories from a sugary soda are metabolised and stored by the body almost instantly, while the same amount of calories from something like beans, for example, take time to digest, and a good portion is actually excreted through the bowels. So, you may think you’re eating 400 calories from chickpeas while only actually absorbing two thirds of that.

Food Quality Matters

When comparing 100 grams of potato chips (crisps) to the same amount of plain potato, you’re saving an average of 460 calories by opting for the plain potato. Similarly, 100 grams of dark chocolate contains roughly 550 calories, while a healthier sweets alternative, such as strawberries, only contain 33 calories per 100 grams.

That’s not to say you can’t enjoy rich foods on occasion, but when they become a staple to your diet, it becomes difficult to lose weight.

Eat More, Weigh Less

Traditional weight-loss diets emphasise smaller portion sizes however, this approach can leave us feeling hungry and less likely to stick to the diet.

The better approach is to shift the focus onto nutrient-dense foods such as fruits, vegetables, grain and legumes. As demonstrated earlier, these foods naturally contain fewer calories which means you can eat more volume while maintaining a caloric deficit.

Can You Out-Exercise A Bad Diet?

Maybe, but you’ll be exercising a whole lot.

Let’s put it this way, a regular packet of Oreo cookies contains over 644 calories. It takes the average person 60 minutes of constant running to burn the same amount of calories. Now factor in all the other meals consumed that same day and you have no room left to move.

Not only that, poor food choices affect motivation and physical performance, so the likelihood of exercising declines.

If you’re struggling with weight loss and would like some help, consider booking an appointment with me. Together, we can explore the factors contributing to your weight and create a treatment plan tailored specifically to you.