Weight-Loss Low Calorie or Low fat im confused on whats best?!

[littlemissfatty]

I started my diet on the 3rd January, i started by looking for low fat foods, second week in i heard that it should be low calorie foods and now im just a bit confused over what i should be looking for.

I am looking to keep the fat and calories low but not sure how much of each i should be going for, Im aiming to get to 135lb and am currently 164lb.

I havent been eating snacks really just sticking to meals and have been fine with that, so like today i had porridge for breakfast, will probably go for a sandwich or weight watchers meal for lunch and then similar for my tea later, if I do get hungry in between i will have perhaps a piece of fruit but ive not really been getting hungry in between as ive been drinking lots of water.

So any advice on whats healthy and right with regards the amount of calories or fat i should be aiming for each day or even for each meal would really help

 

[DR.GregEllis]

A low calorie diet is very important because, after all, if you create a caloric deficit in the amount of calories you consume in a day compared to how much you burn, you will lose weight. But don't let modern conventions such as fat being bad for you turn you away from fats. Fat is good for you and eaten in moderation can help you burn fat. Fat is high in calories so its good to make sure you monitor how much you eat in a day. Good luck meeting your goals and if you stick with it you can do it!

 

[Toddless]

I agree with the Doc. Fat is good for you, don't avoid it.

My advice would be to stay away from as much processed foods as possible, which means anything that's touted as low-fat OR low-cal. Keep it simple: Put veggies as your first priority when deciding a meal, then add legumes and proteins and fats.

I'd also recommend Michael Pollan's book, The Eater's Manifesto, which discusses how to eat simply and healthily. If it's different from how you've been eating, you're sure to lose some weight.

 

[BugDude]

For weight loss, reducing your total calories below what you are burning in a day is the key to losing weight. Consider, though, that a gram of fat has 9 calories and a gram of protein or carbs has 4. One way to cut calories and be able to eat more food is to find low fat or fat free versions of certain foods (cottage cheese, yogurt, mayo, cheese, salad dressings). I get a vast majority of my fats from chicken and fish. For me, this is an easy way to cut calories without even noticing and without starving.