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Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Fit Tip Tuesday - All Calories Are Not Created Equal

 

We've all heard the 'calories in - calories out' rule, right?  A lot of people think that as long as they are not going over their calories, they can eat whatever they want.  That might work okay at first, but when you don't get enough nutrients that your body needs, you will end up bingeing because your body is hungry.  Trust me - totally tried that.  You also get a TON more food when you choose healthier options, seriously.  Check this out:

 
If you were to simply count calories of foods on the shelf & compare that to the calories of clean meals, you could pick foods with the exact same numbers, but if you eat those foods versus the clean meals, you will arrive at completely different results.

 
There are more factors involved than a simple calorie deficit.  When you focus only on calories, you will end up with a lot of empty foods.  Many low calorie/fat foods have been stripped of any remaining nutrients and are filled with artificial nutrients, flavors and colors instead.
 
Even though you have lowered your calories, your body may not be able to realize that it's body fat you want to lose so the weight you lose may instead come from whatever source it can find, like healthy tissues and muscle.
 
So if you are wanting to lose fat, reshape your body or increase your athletic performance, you need to treat your body like the high-tech MACHINE that it is. 
 
Remember to choose QUALITY over QUANTITY.

 
What kinds of foods should I eat?
 
Make sure you choose good sources of protein like skinless, white meat poultry (chicken/turkey), egg whites, fish/tuna, lean beef and ground turkey.  If you need extra help getting your protein in, protein powder is also a great source.  
 
Complex carbohydrates like brown rice, sweet potatoes, oatmeal, and whole grains. (Read labels)
 

Fruits are a great choice and lots and lots of veggies!  I don't think anyone has ever gained weight by eating too much broccoli, right?  :)


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