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Thread: Calories

  1. #1

    Question Calories? Do you count them?

    Hey all!
    I'm trying to lose some weight, do you count calories?
    Books I've read says no do not worry about counting calories, I find it hard to believe.

    The books mostly say "keep it no or very low fat, and eat as much as you want"

  2. #2
    baffled harpy's Avatar
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    Things like calorie counting and weighing food out apparently work for some people but they would make me obsess about food so I would probably eat more.

    I think fat reduction is a better approach, but it is probably not advisable to take the "eat as much as you want" thing too literally when it comes to carbohydrates, especially things like potatoes and products made with white flour, as you can clock up quite a lot of calories with those and (for some people at least) they can upset your blood sugar levels. And of course too much sugar is not a good idea for the same reasons.

    It's probably fine to eat as much as you want of things like green vegetables and wholegrains though.

    Perhaps you can experiment a bit and see whether you lose weight by just removing some fat from your diet?

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    I don't count calories. I am generally aware of them though, just in that I have a rough idea how many calories are in what, and won't eat much of high calorie things. I do try to stick to a low fat diet, but again it is just by being generally aware rather than counting actual fat grams.

    I do rely on certain principles, such as I keep telling myself 'you can't get fat from fruit', so I eat lots of fruit as snacks throughout the day. I used to obsess about the calories in bananas (which at one point I thought were high :-( ) and grapes (ditto), but now I am older and wiser and realise that the penny difference in calories between an apple and a banana do not matter.

    I could also add that I have been low-fat for so long that high fat foods just disgust me now. In general I won't eat crisps or things like that just because they make my fingers and lips so greasy - If they do that to my fingers and lips, I hate to think of what they do to my insides! I found that you develop a whole new taste for things too - that veggies taste better without the butter, ditto with bread and so on - Butter covers up the taste of so many wonderful natural flavours.

  4. #4

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    I have between 1,750 and 2,000 calories per day, sometimes 2,500 but rarely, so yes, I do keep track.

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    I have counted my calories on www.fitday.com. Once I got the idea of how much I eat, I can pretty much judge on my own - I eat about 1500 calories a day.

    Calories do matter - if we eat more calories than we eat, they get stored - which usually means fat, etc.

    Low fat is a bit of a myth, as we need to get enough fat - since I am vegan, I donīt have to worry about bad fat, like in butter. I am aware how much nut or nut butters, avocados, coconut, oils, that I use, just so I am not overdoing it - but I do the same with protein and carbs - I tend to have more carbs than recommended, but they are all in veggies and whole grains, so I donīt worry about it at all.

    If you want to lose weight, you just have to burn more calories than you eat, and to be healthy, get the right balance of proteins, carbs and fats.

    Diet books and media info just make the issue more complicated than it really is....

    regards,
    globesetter

  6. #6
    cedartree cedarblue's Avatar
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    no i dont.

  7. #7

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    Im trying to keep fat as low as possible, but reward myself weekly.
    as long as its still vegan. hehe

    Im sticking with fruits, veggies, grains and legumes.
    I get protein from soy milk & tvp.

    Thanks for the responses!

  8. #8
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    I don't count calories and I don't count grams (fat, carb, etc). I eat whole-foods and whole grains, I avoid processed/refined foods, and I snack a few times throught the day to keep my blood sugar steady and everything's in moderation. That, I think helps me more than the omni diets with all their funny rules and odd ideas about things.

  9. #9
    Goddess foxytina_69's Avatar
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    i dont count calories. i used to be anorexic so if i did that it would be very bad!

    i just dont eat chips and fries and pop and then eat everything else i want, and as much as i want. since i dont get much fat from anything and eat mostly vegetables, i can eat tons of calories during the day but not gain weight.

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    i go through periods of counting every single calorie and then just forgetting it all and eating as healthily as i can. however, i find i tend to gain weight when i'm not counting, as i underestimate the fattening power of vegan desserts and ten servings of rice.

  11. #11

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    I find it very easy to both lose and gain weight and I never counted calories in my whole life.. It just sounds like a wasting of time:S It's NOT necessary, trust me. Try to find another way.
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  12. #12

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    Red face

    I too, was anorexic, and let me tell you, calorie counting is an obsessive and unnatural means of controlling your weight.

    Base your meals on wholegrains (wholemeal pasta, brown rice, grainy breads, whole wheat couscous, wholegrain breakfast cereals like wholewheat or porridge oats etc...) with legumes as a flavouring and source of protein (like hummus or bean dips, dhals, curries like chickpea etc...) and eat as much veggies as your heart desires. Snack on fresh fruit and dried fruit - as much as you want (but your bowels may not like too much dried fruit!) plus veggie sticks and rice cakes. I also eat 100% fruit leather straps and no added sugar canned fruit. I maintain a light weight and I am healthy - no counting, weighing, measuring...

    Good luck!

  13. #13
    julieruble
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    I don't think calorie counting has to be obsessive or unnatural, although it becomes that way for certain people (anorexics sometimes included). I think being aware of (and managing) your intake is just conscientious, and I also think it's good to make sure calories are coming from good sources instead of sugars.

  14. #14

    Default Dieting sucks, but here's how I did it

    I weigh every morning sans clothing and before eating breakfast. If I'm weighing less than I did the day before, I'm happy and I eat conservatively (basically, however much I want of something, I eat a little less than that). If I'm weighing more than I did yesterday, I eat lighter than usual (so however much I want of something, I take half of that and scowl a lot).

    That's now that I've lost all the weight I wanted to lose. Back when I was dieting, I did measure everything I ate and count calories. But I also worked hard at making sure I got a variety of good stuff -- I would reward myself for having more than 10 different kinds of fruits and veggies each day, for example. My reward was usually in the form of ice cream... Tofutti Cuties can't be beat!

    I never did worry about the fat content of things... It took me about seven months to lose 25 pounds, but I did it! The main thing is to think of it in terms of respecting your body. Don't punish it too harshly (some days you're just going to mess up, so accept that), but push it gently and insistently in the direction you know it should be going.
    Every man is guilty of all the good he didn't do.
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  15. #15

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    I myself am not an anoretic (although I am *very* weird about food, to the point of obsessiveness) but I know many, and I think veganism might be a good lifestyle to adopt if and when recovery is desired. It allows you to still be picky about your diet, but in a healthy way, and it takes the focus off how what you eat affects you. I've noticed as I became progressively vegan my food obsessiveness has gotten better. I'm still weird, and I won't budge on casein, whey, or "less than 2 percent", but like I said, it's not just about me anymore.

  16. #16
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    I wouldn't like to count calories, nor weigh myself every day, in fact the doc told me that it is not the weight measurement that should be of concern, but the waist measurement.
    Eve

  17. #17

    Default How many calories do you get in a day?

    Not sure if this is the right forum for this... but I was just wanting some estimations of how many calories other vegans are getting on average. It seems hard for me to get enough for some reason, unless I'm totally binging on junk food or something. If a diet consists of about 1,000 calories a day, is that detrimental to health?

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    Unless you're very petite most people need from 1600 up to around 2500.

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    Quote bananafish
    Not sure if this is the right forum for this... but I was just wanting some estimations of how many calories other vegans are getting on average. It seems hard for me to get enough for some reason, unless I'm totally binging on junk food or something. If a diet consists of about 1,000 calories a day, is that detrimental to health?
    I get too much but not from junk food, I overdose on healthy food . For example, I bet my lunch (homemade vegan lasagna made w/ whole wheat noodles, kale, tofu ricotta and cheeze sauce) is almost 2 portions probably .

    1,000 calories is way too low unless you are really trying to lose weight. You can add some nutritious, high calorie foods like avocados, nut butters and nuts to help boost your calories.

  20. #20
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    anything below 1200 is not recommended as brain damage could occur, amongst other health reasons.

    i eat between 1200-1500 calories a day. (only because im watching my calories so i can lose weight)
    "you dont have to be tall to see the moon" - african proverb

  21. #21

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    I get between 1,500 and 2,500 probably. I don't really know, don't keep track. When I was keeping track, it was 1,500 to 2,000.

    I also exercise for about an hour daily.

  22. #22
    PinkFluffyCloud
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    I find it hard to tell how many calories I eat, but I would imagine it's at least 2,500 or more, no trouble! I have tried to stay below 1,500 before (I have weight to lose) but I was STARVING!!!! I cannot imagine living on 1,000 calories or less, what do your meals usually consist of?

  23. #23

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    I eat a lot probably around 3000 to 4000 , but I am trying to gain some weight, and "bulk up" as they say.
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  24. #24
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    Quote 1984
    I eat a lot probably around 3000 to 4000 , but I am trying to gain some weight, and "bulk up" as they say.
    I wish that were my problem!

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    I'd say anywhere from 1,800 to 2,300.

  26. #26
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    1,000 Calories? So each meal you eat only has about 333 Calories?
    The average Calorie intake in Somalia is 1,500. You're starving! Forget the junk food, you need to buy a cookbook and learn some recipes. Seriously.

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    Me - I don't count - and I think in kilojoules - probably around 6-7500kj ???? Since 1000cal is only 4200 kj, that is waaaaaaaaay too low. What do your meals consist of?

  28. #28
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    Quote PinkFluffyCloud
    I wish that were my problem!
    And me!

  29. #29
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    Too many, way too many, so my ever expanding waistline keeps telling me
    "He who binds himself to a Joy, Does the winged life destroy;
    He who kisses the Joy as it flies, Lives in Eternity's sunrise"
    William Blake

  30. #30
    cedartree cedarblue's Avatar
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    no idea how many i eat, i dont count - its not an issue for me

  31. #31

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    Quote Banana
    Me - I don't count - and I think in kilojoules - probably around 6-7500kj ???? Since 1000cal is only 4200 kj, that is waaaaaaaaay too low. What do your meals consist of?
    Well, it really depends on the day I guess. I used to eat way too many calories--so I am trying to lose weight, but I read online that if a person eats 1,000 calories or less, their body will go into starvation mode and store as much of those calories as possible... so even though they're not eating much, they won't lose any weight. And it's totally unhealthy, so I don't want to do that.

    But sometimes I just forget to eat, or put it off--which is weird because I used to be a food addict. I guess my stomach shrunk a lot since I started eating less, and I don't crave food like I used to.

    I'm not sure what my meals usually consist of... most of the time, I try to get in one good meal with a complete protein. But I can get lazy about that.

    Yesterday I ate a plum and a bowl of oatmeal in the morning, and then I was in classes all day and had no chance to eat anything. Then I went to Starbucks with a friend, and had some green tea. I ended up not having a chance to eat anything until about 6:30, when I had some spaghetti. I meant to get something else to eat too, but I ended up reading something interesting on the computer 'till about 4 in the morning. Then my stomach was grownling, so I had some grapejuice and half a pita bread before I went to sleep.

    I'm trying to eat healthier today though... right now I'm eating 2 pieces of Ezekiel Bread with raisins and peanut butter.

    Anyone have any suggestions for a good, nutritious meal that I could make real fast?

    Thanx!

  32. #32
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    This thread is all about fast and easy vegan recipes. While I need to consume less calories, you definitely need to up yours. If you keep eating the way you have been, you probably won't function that well and will be very exhausted.

  33. #33

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    Thanks a bunch for the thread.
    We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking up at the stars.

  34. #34

    Default Re: Calories

    I think calories do matter.. but it depends what you eat.. i mean 2000 calories on pastries would be a different story to 2000 calories on fruit, vegetables, legumes, nuts, seeds, things that us as vegans eat.. But i think what you said your eaeting sounds great!! I find i lose more if i eat more fibre foods like the beans, in moderation.. and more plant based foods...But im a raw person so i beleve int he whole eating living raw enzyme vitmain enriched foods...

  35. #35
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    Default Re: Calories

    Couting calories sucks. Count points instead, with Weight Watchers. If you're serious about losing weight, I recommend Weight Watchers. Vegan friendly too, except for the meal ideas they give you but you don't need to follow those. I never did, even as an omni.

    I lost 40lbs on Weight Watchers.

  36. #36
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    Default Re: Calories

    I don't count calories. I'm not all that bothered about my health to be honest. I eat lots of fruit, vegetables and whole-grains etc. but I'm still addicted to junk I have a raging sweet-tooth so I bake loads of cakes and sometimes buy sweets from the co-op, who are good enough to print 'suitable for vegans' on some of their products. I probably consume too much oil as well. I absolutely love olive oil - I have it with bread and fry with it all the time. I'm pretty sure I'm more healthy than most omnis out there but there's still room for improvement I think. Maybe I'd be more conscious of the calories in food if I was overweight but since going vegan I've slimmed down amazingly.

  37. #37

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    Default Re: Calories

    I've also noticed that i've lost weight since becoming vegan. Dairy is full of allergens, I think it's so gross drinking milk. I've never liked it. Makes me feel sick when people drink it. It also bugs me that people think that you only get calcuim in milk. There is more easily accessable calcium in dark green veg and figs.
    I don't count calories, and i think that some times people cut out the good oils in nuts seeds and avacados. They actually help you loose weight. I'm finally glad to be mostly over my eating disorder, but am still underweight. Still have the problem of feeling fat, but I've fought against it and am feeling great!!
    'Never eat more than you can lift' - 'Miss Piggy' :p

  38. #38
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    Default Re: Calories

    I've counted calories before, but that was when I ate meat sandwiches on white bread with miracle whip. I found that I was so frustrated counting them, that I gave myself a "treat" far too often. Now, I don't count calories at all, but I watch what foods I eat. Foods with a very low caloric density, I allow myself PLENTY on my diet, like apples, lettuce, carrots, peaches, oranges, berries, broccoli, etc. Those that have a medium caloric density, I eat no more than one serving a day (this is foods where one serving has more than 250 calories, but not more than 500). Keep in mind I eat one of these types of food (or none) a day, not one of EACH a day. This is stuff like pasta or something. Then, I have one or two tablespoons of a high caloric-density healthy fat a day, like on a salad. I don't really keep this in mind, like a schedule or something. I just include certain foods in my diet, and the lower the caloric density, the more frequently I eat them.

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    Default Re: Calories

    Quote foxytina_69
    anything below 1200 is not recommended as brain damage could occur, amongst other health reasons.
    Do you have a credible reference for this? Okinawan females average 1096 kcal/day and they do not suffer from brain damage, and have glowing markers of health, such as bone mineral density, antioxidant status, extremely low rates of cancers, CHD, dementia, very high rates of centenarianism, etc.. Ref: [Asia Pacific J Clin Nutr (2001) 10(2): 165*171]

  40. #40
    sugarmouse
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    Default Re: Calories

    if you work out how many calories you do eat,then work out how to cut them and stick to it, you will lose weight.its impossible not to.but it can casue obsession and is a hassle!
    if you eat well and dotn eat high fat foods(fat contains the most calories, gram for gram, than any other nutrient apart from maybe alcohol)then you should be ok.its just abou making healthy choices then the amount of calories you eat shoud be natural.its nearly impossibel to say how many calories a person should have..it depends on height/weight/build/proportion of fat to muscle/metabolic rate/activeness/blah/blah/blah...lol
    gud luck!

  41. #41

    Default Re: Calories

    I would focus more on fat cals and foods with just allot of calories. Eating spaced and not too much at one time and drinking water instead of soda is what I would do b/c eating extra calories is stored into extra fat on your body.

    And if you do eat something with allot of calories that you just gotta have, burn 'em off!

  42. #42
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    Default Re: Calories

    I'm counting calories at the moment. Not to the point of weighing things if it doesn't say how much things weigh on the packet, but I'm making educated guesses and keeping a tally in my head. I find it's the only thing that makes me stick to a diet.

    this seems to be quite a helpful little tool, even though the site itself has a load of rot about low carb diets on it. What's nice about it is that it takes into account that the more you weigh the more you burn up (I guess by having to cart the extra weight around). Kind of explains plateaus in diets, I think.

  43. #43

    Default Re: Calories

    I recommended Weight Watchers points-counting for a long while, but I rescind my recommendation. At under 150 pounds, they had me on 23 points per day, which equaled to about 1,200 calories. I got dizzy and my body was starving itself. Yeah, I lost weight, but I should have eaten at least 1,400 or 1,500 calories.

    I even counted for a while, up to about 35 points, while maintaining my weight, but I'd rather eat whatever I want and enjoy the food w/o worrying about points. And yes, my weight has maintained, but I also exercise every single day.
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    Default Re: Calories

    I definitely do count calories- still a bit excessively since my most recent bout with EDNOS. It becomes a bad habit...and I am trying to quit. I keep track of all food and exercise on fitday. I usually eat about 1000-1200 calories- not what I should be eating but much better than I used to (which was about 700 or 800 a day). I am also very active (work out and run 6 days a week). I have found though- as I have upped the calories- I have naturally toned up and even dropped a little weight now that my body isn't completely starving. I now have SO much more energy and feel better in general. I think that there is no specific "formula" for weight loss/maintainence of weight. every person is different and you have to figure out what works for you. If you find your energy is low and you feel weak- try eating more...you may notice a BIG difference!

  45. #45
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    Default Re: Calories

    Counting calories is addictive - I would advise against it - but then again I've had eating disorders since the 7th or 8th grade so for me the numbers just become mesmorizing and it all turns into a big game to see how low you can go which only led to periods of 80 hour fasts and then 200-400 cal/day when I did eat. I also started on weight watchers in middle school and once again with the points it became a game also to see how low you could get. But then again that probably more had to do with the fact that I had a lot of outside stressors that were causing me to turn to anorexia and eating disorders as a coping mechanism in order to deal, which is obviously a bad way to go. Bottom line is if you are prone to any type of eating disorders or have any outside stressors that you feel could possibly lead you to search for control elsewhere then don't count calories because they can lead to addictive, obsessive, and compulsive behaviors and it tends to consume a lot of time in that case. If you do, do not go below 1200 cal/day or about 500 cal less/day than you normally would and with that you will lose a safe pound/ week because it takes 3500 cal. to gain or lose a pound.

    My advice would be to portion control, cut out snacking, and just eat healthy and being vegan and all it is very easy to do that. Also make sure to eat at least three meals a day to ensure and keep an active metabolism and work out, at least 45-60 mins of cardio about 5-6 days/week. Green Tea is also a great way to subtly keep your metabolism active and raise it a little so if you are normally a coffee drinker try switching to Green Tea.
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  46. #46

    Default Re: Calories

    I have to ask Why, you want to loose weight? If it's for medical/health reasons.. ie you have recieved sound medical advice then, you should be at a healthy weight provided you eat healthy foods to satisfy your hunger. Being a vegan... you shouldn't have any trouble eating all the healthy foods you need, and less of the crap you don't.

    For most people,1000 calories (4180 kilojoules) is not enough food to prevent your body from eating it's own muscles and internal organs to survive.... by not eating enough, and being underweight you can risk liver damage, osteoperosis, hair loss, lowered immune function, and death.

    The health effects of being very underweight are just as bad as being very overweight; but, usually your body will tell you what's healthier for you... If you feel strong and energetic, and are eating to satisfy you're hunger, then you're doing pretty well, regardless of your weight.

    The "western ideal" crazily skinny woman tottering on ridiculous stilletto heels is a corporate construction, designed to train sista's into buying stuff they don't need... Just as the government funded nutrition education is designed by the meat industry to fool us into buying stuff we don't need......

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    Default Re: Calories

    Quote Wishin986
    My advice would be to portion control, cut out snacking, and just eat healthy and being vegan and all it is very easy to do that. Also make sure to eat at least three meals a day to ensure and keep an active metabolism and work out, at least 45-60 mins of cardio about 5-6 days/week. Green Tea is also a great way to subtly keep your metabolism active and raise it a little so if you are normally a coffee drinker try switching to Green Tea.
    WELL SAID

    Quote bicyclesista
    The health effects of being very underweight are just as bad as being very overweight; but, usually your body will tell you what's healthier for you... If you feel strong and energetic, and are eating to satisfy you're hunger, then you're doing pretty well, regardless of your weight.

    The "western ideal" crazily skinny woman tottering on ridiculous stilletto heels is a corporate construction, designed to train sista's into buying stuff they don't need...
    Again well said

  48. #48
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    Default Re: Calories

    Quote marika5
    Do you have a credible reference for this? Okinawan females average 1096 kcal/day and they do not suffer from brain damage, and have glowing markers of health, such as bone mineral density, antioxidant status, extremely low rates of cancers, CHD, dementia, very high rates of centenarianism, etc.. Ref: [Asia Pacific J Clin Nutr (2001) 10(2): 165*171]
    i have no credible references for this, im sorry. i got this from a while ago, i was reading something about health and it said that eating less than 1200 calories caused brain damage, only simply because your body goes into 'survival' mode and starts feeding off of your organs and muscle (or so i read) and that is of course once u have no fat left for your body to feed off of. also it deprives many other organs and is generally unhealthy (or so i read but dont have links/references to although i may find them) but if that is untrue than thats great news because i rarely get up to a 1000 calories a day let alone 1200.

    "you dont have to be tall to see the moon" - african proverb

  49. #49
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    Default Re: Calories

    I dont count calories,i started eating loads of fruit and veg and i cut out any junk in my diet, and the wieght just dropped off! now its at a constant, it is hard at first because your body is used to having more food intake in its system, and when you cut this down your body is going through a withdrawl period, i remember when i felt like eating! say at night, i just drank a lot of water. After a short while my body ajusted accordingly. another thing i found was not to eat after 6pm, which gives your body time to digest your food before bed. Well it worked for me

  50. #50
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    Default Re: Calories

    have no credible references for this, im sorry. i got this from a while ago, i was reading something about health and it said that eating less than 1200 calories caused brain damage, only simply because your body goes into 'survival' mode and starts feeding off of your organs and muscle (or so i read) and that is of course once u have no fat left for your body to feed off of. also it deprives many other organs and is generally unhealthy (or so i read but dont have links/references to although i may find them) but if that is untrue than thats great news because i rarely get up to a 1000 calories a day let alone 1200.
    As far as I know, you do not become brain damaged from eating less than 1200 calories a day. Yes your body does start to feed off of muscles and tissues when you are in starvation mode but only after its burned and gone through carbs, fats, and proteins (in that order). Then it will start eating away at your muscle and tissues. While this is true, however, I have also read many research studies on eating extremely low calorie diets and eating disorders and I have yet to find a study that comes even close to that conclusion. Most of the time people are able to bounce back and lead healthy lives and while your metabolism reduces by 10% under 1200 and by 50% when you eat under 900 cal/day (I believe thats the statistics although it's been a while since I've read that study) your metabolism can stabilize again. The only long term damage I've been able to find is possibly from the amenhorrea that comes from eating too little and if that goes on for years, for example three years (and I do emphasize years as it takes a long time), it is possible that it will cause infertility. Also it is possible to however, in extreme cases of anorexia, have a heart attack. Brain damage, however, is a completely new idea to me and while sometimes people might seem a little off I think it has more to do with the fact that you just don't have the energy to use your brain and think and focus because your body is using all your calories keeping you alive than brain damage.
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