Comment on How exactly does one eat 1500 calories a day?
krellor@fedia.io 5 weeks ago
I've read through your comments, and highly suggest a good diary for at least a couple weeks ago you really understand the calories in things you are eating.
Yes, your body does modulate its resting metabolic rate over the long term based on things like average daily exertion, food, etc, but that is largely inconsequential to weight loss.
As a rough guideline, you want about 50% of your calories to be carbs, preferably the fiber or complex variety, 30-35% protein, and the rest fat. If you run a lot, then a few more carbs. If you lift weights a lot, then a little more protein.
Protein will help you feel fuller, longer, so I like to go my ratio of protein a bit.
Meals that I enjoy: steal cut oats and peanut butter, pan seared tofu with salad and a light dressing, bean chilli, tacos or tostados using those low carb tortillas, bowl of rice, refried beans, salsa, and guac, etc
But you really, really need to have a good understanding of portions and actual calories. Most people are way off.
chrischryse@lemmy.world 5 weeks ago
For protein would protein powder be a good option? And I’ll try a diary too see if that helps
Also I usually try not to eat them all back I’ll sometimes eat like 100-150 back but trying to stop
krellor@fedia.io 5 weeks ago
Like the other person said, getting the ratio and amount is more important than the source. But you should ask yourself why you are taking the supplement? Are you sure you're not getting enough from your food? Your body can really only prices 20-40 grams of protein at once, so if you are loading up more than that at a time, you are just piking on calories.
Personally, depending on your current weight, you might think about focusing more on weight loss than bulking muscle mass. Absolutely work out of it is helpful, but don't worry about mass gains while trying to lose fat. You will develop muscles regardless of whether you micromanage your protein intake or not, and you can optimize better after losing some fat.
But again, you need to check, with, and measure the calories in every portion of food until you develop an accurate read on the calories in things. Like peanut butter having about 100 calories per tablespoon (half ounce).
chrischryse@lemmy.world 5 weeks ago
I don’t care for protein powder, I’d rather eat actual protein but just curious if it could work lol but what you say about the protein makes sense.
And I’m currently 240 lbs I’m lifting weights because I want to get muscle, help improve my health, and from waht I know muscle can help you lose fat (unless I’m misunderstanding).
krellor@fedia.io 5 weeks ago
Muscle mass burns more calories at rest but the effect is very slight. Eating back any calories from exercise will absolutely outweigh any slight change in base total energy expenditure.
Focus first of what you eat, then sustainable exercise, then specific tuning of both.
howrar@lemmy.ca 5 weeks ago
Whole food is generally preferable, but protein powder is absolutely fine if that’s the best you can do. Just take the route that’s easiest to adhere to. You’ll get much bigger benefits from simply hitting your macros than optimising their source and micronutrients and all that other jazz.