Is it okay to diet with real food?

Question

like no special healthy food, but foods that won't make us feel restricted. Like a cup cake or doughnut or Chinese food, however this is all in a proportional measured out sizes and make aware of the calories to a 1500 calories for female and 2000 for male. would that work

Answer 1

Generally, that does work. There are a few caveats.

When you restrict calories without looking at what foods are being eaten, you run the risk of cutting the amounts of certain nutrients (like vitamins and minerals) below safe levels. So, you'll want to make sure that you get enough of those things in your diet, no matter how few calories you eat. Typically, if you just substitute one or two "healthy" things for your "eat what I usually eat but in smaller quantities" diet, you can get all the numbers to work out right.

Or, you could just pop a vitamin supplement every day. That's sort of cheating, but it's not a bad idea.

And this idea works a lot better with some exercise. You can up the portions a little bit then, which makes this less of a balancing act.

Answer 2

Real food is the only way to go! For help in figuring out exactly what you should be eating and how much a nutritionist is a great asset! Also that is what weight watchers is. They have great tools to help you learn what a real portion looks like and how to count calories. You can now join online or just find a meeting near you if you don't mind other people seeing you get weighed. If you buy specific diet food that is already propotioned for you your not really going to gain the skills you need to keep the weight you lose off. Good luck and remember if you never let yourself have a piece of cake your going to feel deprived and not stay on your diet. So have your cake just allow for those calories during your day!!

Answer 3

It could, but upto a certain extent only. And as long as you eat these foods during the day and not nighttime. The reason being that your metabolism slows down during the evening and therefore, your body is in "storage" mode, converting anything from excess simple sugars (cupcakes, pastries, chocolates, etc) to excess protein and fats to FATS. It's the natural cycle of our bodies to maintain "homeostasis" (normal functioning of our bodies) It's good that you measure your intake in terms of calories, but if your real goal is to lose weight, you have to do away with sweets or oily foods because of the high calorie content and the tendency to binge is high. You can assign a "cheat day" (SATURDAY OR SUNDAY) wherein you can eat anything you like as long as you don't binge. Then during the week, you are going to eat bland foods (sorry, no easy way to a good body) low-salt, low fat, low-moderate carbs, moderate to high protein and high fiber diet. But if you're goal is just to maintain a slim figure, then maybe your plan might work. Just make sure that you move around a lot, so that you will eventually burn what you eat. Besides, dieting REALLY involves real food only that you have to make smart choices

Answer 4

I think you need to redefine "real food." If you're concerned about loosing weight one of the best things you can do is eliminate fast foods and processed foods (which translates to prepared foods). Eating fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean meats is the best way to control your diet. Cooking for yourself (as long as everything doesn't come out of a box) lets you take a part ion what you're eating, too. If you cook it you'll see what's in it and you may be more motivated to use healthier ingredients.

Answer 5

Safer than using fake food! (Plastic and other materials making artificial food aren't safe for human consumption!)

Ok...removing my tongue from my cheek...

Yes, but certain things...like the cupcake or doughnut are "treats" for once in a while, not daily, or even necessarily weekly consumption.

Chinese food, when properly prepared, is as healthy (if not more so) than the traditional "European" foods that most of us eat, since it is mostly veggies and rice with some meats.


EDIT:
Oh...you already have the portion control down, so that's good (when in doubt, one serving of most items is about the size of your palm for an average sized person). The only other thing is to remember to become more physically active.

Answer 6

absolutely. It works for me!

I have to say thought, for normal I am trying to eat more fruit and veg, and use the treats as cake as real treats, not part of my every day menu.
If you eat less calories then you burn you will loose weight, regardless of the type of food. Your body however may not feel very good if you don't supply the needed neutrinos, and by choosing cake instead of some fruit, or veg, or fibre rich food regularly you may deprive your body from good stuff and it won't be good for your long term health.

Answer 7

How about grilled meat salad or veges. No potato, cheese or bread. Cut down on your sugar, no desert. Drink 8 - 12 glasses of water, Take a sip of water every 10 minutes until your body gets use to all the intake of water, also take vitamin and mineral tablets. Leave take away food alone.
For your intake of meat about the size of the palm of your hand, eat as much salad as you like.

Answer 8

Work out and cut back a little on the fatty foods. It's usually easier to eat with out getting stuffed. That is why people gain weight most of the time.

Answer 9

actually, i think for an overweight person, portion control can actually work better but, all the food groups must be included.you'll lose the weight slower making it easier to keep it off. quick weight loss is great for the ego but it doesn't usually last. nothing wrong with having a goody now and then as long as one knows to keep it in check and not indulge to much.

Answer 10

cupcakes and doughnuts arent real food. that is junk food. real food is stuff that grows natural and those things arent special diet foods either. try eating all natural and see what happens. junk food is full of sugar and sodium and a bunch of other factory made chemicals