100 cals extra of ___ adds up to 10 extra lbs a year
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If you are very careful to watch your portions (and really monitor what you eat - high protein/greens) during meals, I have no doubt that small, healthy snacks between meals can help to keep your metabolism going. But if you cheat a little at meals or indulge a little on the weekends..... you don't really need to have those extra snack calories in your diet. They don't keep your metabolism going, they only add on pounds. Or at least that's been my experience.
If you do not exceed you total calorie needs for your bodyweight at a sedentary level snacks and all its not a concern.
Eating more often is good for the metabolism and body. It keeps an even blood sugar and the required energy to digest means you are burning more calories on a whole.Also the body absorbs most nutrients in smaller doses better. I personally think its more the even blood sugar thing in my system but I have a family history of diabetes so I could be prone to issues.
Don't try to eat back workout cals unless you are already skinny. That can mess you up. Stick to BMR and higher to the appropriate amount. If you want to drop lower I suggest you zig zag your cals. I think even that 1200 thing can kill your metab a bit.
Calcium tip:
Your body can only take in 500 at a time. So if you take a 1000mg pill, cut it in half or you are wasting it.
If you do not exceed you total calorie needs for your bodyweight at a sedentary level snacks and all its not a concern.
Eating more often is good for the metabolism and body. It keeps an even blood sugar and the required energy to digest means you are burning more calories on a whole.Also the body absorbs most nutrients in smaller doses better. I personally think its more the even blood sugar thing in my system but I have a family history of diabetes so I could be prone to issues.
Don't try to eat back workout cals unless you are already skinny. That can mess you up. Stick to BMR and higher to the appropriate amount. If you want to drop lower I suggest you zig zag your cals. I think even that 1200 thing can kill your metab a bit.
Calcium tip:
Your body can only take in 500 at a time. So if you take a 1000mg pill, cut it in half or you are wasting it.
I just don't have enough self control to eat all those little meals and snacks. I almost always blow it somewhere - usually on something stupid. I'm not trying to go super low cal, I did that at times when I was younger, I know that's not good...
When I get closer to my goal weight, I might try switching back to the frequent small meal approach. But, I'm still munching on raw veggies between meals, so I haven't totally stopped my snacking.
Thanks for the tip about calcium - I didn't know that! How do you zig zag your calories?
Last edited by springfieldva; 05-26-2010 at 03:13 PM..
If you are very careful to watch your portions (and really monitor what you eat - high protein/greens) during meals, I have no doubt that small, healthy snacks between meals can help to keep your metabolism going. But if you cheat a little at meals or indulge a little on the weekends..... you don't really need to have those extra snack calories in your diet. They don't keep your metabolism going, they only add on pounds. Or at least that's been my experience.
But the key phrase is...SMALL AND HEALTHY snacks. Those 100 calorie packs of Oreos are still Oreos. They aren't anything special, they aren't healthy, all they do is make you crave more sugar.
But the key phrase is...SMALL AND HEALTHY snacks. Those 100 calorie packs of Oreos are still Oreos. They aren't anything special, they aren't healthy, all they do is make you crave more sugar.
I was eating snacks like whole grain granola bars, unsalted nuts, trail mix, mozzarella sticks, pita with hummus in addition to my 3 meals a day. Nothing real junky.
I have lunch out on occasion and I make an effort to eat healthy when I do. But I started looking up some of the calorie content in those lunches and realized that if I also ate snacks on those days I could easily go over my calorie (and salt) allowance for the day.
I was eating snacks like whole grain granola bars, unsalted nuts, trail mix, mozzarella sticks, pita with hummus in addition to my 3 meals a day. Nothing real junky.
I have lunch out on occasion and I make an effort to eat healthy when I do. But I started looking up some of the calorie content in those lunches and realized that if I also ate snacks on those days I could easily go over my calorie (and salt) allowance for the day.
Yup.
If ppl use the Calorie King book and looked up their favorite meals and snacks, I think they'd be in for quite a shock.
I just don't have enough self control to eat all those little meals and snacks. I almost always blow it somewhere - usually on something stupid. I'm not trying to go super low cal, I did that at times when I was younger, I know that's not good...
When I get closer to my goal weight, I might try switching back to the frequent small meal approach. But, I'm still munching on raw veggies between meals, so I haven't totally stopped my snacking.
Thanks for the tip about calcium - I didn't know that! How do you zig zag your calories?
The option is a link on the bottom of the calculator.
Eating more frequently does not always work great for everyone. So if its useless to you because it makes you overeat on the whole, just skip it and stick to the meals like normal. The raw veggie habit is a good thing as long as it does not include dip.
The option is a link on the bottom of the calculator.
Eating more frequently does not always work great for everyone. So if its useless to you because it makes you overeat on the whole, just skip it and stick to the meals like normal. The raw veggie habit is a good thing as long as it does not include dip.
That's a helpful calculator - easy to use, which I like.
My veggie snacks are raw and plain with nothing added - no dip, hummus, peanut butter, oil, salt, salad dressing, etc.
It's a great time of the year for fresh fruits and veggies, I'm really enjoying them.
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