Posted: Wed May 06, 2009 9:53 am
Jeff, thank you for taking time to answer this and posting links to where it has been addressed before. I am reading and re-reading those other posts, as well. You must either be incredibly patient or are getting a bruise on your forehead from banging your head at all this misinformation and misunderstanding being brought up and going round and round. I appreciate that you're still helping us understand!
I'm surprised oatmeal has a lower caloric density - it's higher fat by % calories than most other cereal grains, isn't it?
I think I am really starting to understand, but do still have some practical application questions (er, more accurately, ramblings)
One of the things that appeals to me most about this program (as compared to others, and of course besides the whole healthiest thing) is the idea that you can "eat until you're full" ... I understand what you're saying about how caloric density of MWL foods is what makes that possible, but that one might still gain weight if they over-eat on the most calorie dense foods.
When I misunderstood the whole lower metabolism so eat more idea, I loved this because when I felt hungry I thought, "Why, I should eat MORE MWL foods!" ... and of course I'm sure we SHOULD eat when we're hungry. But since this "but calories will always count" correction has come up, my brain is hesitating. The rational side of me wants to pursue health and let the weight loss be a slow and steady side benefit. But the irrational side of my brain is slow to catch up, and now it says, "oh, wait, before you eat, you better worry about calories and caloric density" ...
using these as examples:
Popcorn is allowed on MWL
Fruits are limited
Popcorn has a much higher caloric density - due to it being mostly air.
Even brown rice, potatoes, and barley are above that 400 threshold
fruits are not
So ... if optimizing weight loss is my goal ... and I'm legitimately hungry, or really munchy and want a snack ... which would be better? Popcorn? Fruit?
I'm not quite ready to be happy "snacking" on baby carrots and raw veggies. I know some people do that, happily. I'm working towards that.
But I have found myself the last few days putting off eating and being probably overly-concerned about which meal or snack choice would be best, because "calories DO count" and I don't want to end up on the high side, but I also don't want to weigh, measure, or calculate.
I'm surprised oatmeal has a lower caloric density - it's higher fat by % calories than most other cereal grains, isn't it?
I think I am really starting to understand, but do still have some practical application questions (er, more accurately, ramblings)
One of the things that appeals to me most about this program (as compared to others, and of course besides the whole healthiest thing) is the idea that you can "eat until you're full" ... I understand what you're saying about how caloric density of MWL foods is what makes that possible, but that one might still gain weight if they over-eat on the most calorie dense foods.
When I misunderstood the whole lower metabolism so eat more idea, I loved this because when I felt hungry I thought, "Why, I should eat MORE MWL foods!" ... and of course I'm sure we SHOULD eat when we're hungry. But since this "but calories will always count" correction has come up, my brain is hesitating. The rational side of me wants to pursue health and let the weight loss be a slow and steady side benefit. But the irrational side of my brain is slow to catch up, and now it says, "oh, wait, before you eat, you better worry about calories and caloric density" ...
using these as examples:
Popcorn is allowed on MWL
Fruits are limited
Popcorn has a much higher caloric density - due to it being mostly air.
Even brown rice, potatoes, and barley are above that 400 threshold
fruits are not
So ... if optimizing weight loss is my goal ... and I'm legitimately hungry, or really munchy and want a snack ... which would be better? Popcorn? Fruit?
I'm not quite ready to be happy "snacking" on baby carrots and raw veggies. I know some people do that, happily. I'm working towards that.
But I have found myself the last few days putting off eating and being probably overly-concerned about which meal or snack choice would be best, because "calories DO count" and I don't want to end up on the high side, but I also don't want to weigh, measure, or calculate.