“Counting calories VS carbs?”

…That is the real question when it comes to finding more effective pathways for losing weight. While both methods have their proponents and detractors, the conventional wisdom has it that counting calories (as in watching your intake on this) is the way to go for weight loss and management. The reason goes back to the simple principle of weight gain being induced by eating an excessive amount of calories beyond that which you then burn off.

“Arguments
in favor of counting calories”

A few professional doctors who do this rather than counting carbs commonly point to the fact that even foods that are apparently low in carbs, like fried chicken, or cheeseburgers, can give you a huge boost of calories. Their point is that you can additionally gain weight from low carb foods due to the existence of high number of calories. They also beware that you must be on the lookout for calories even in foods that are low in fat, since low fat foods don’t necessarily mean low calories or an entire absence in calories.

 
 

Keep a log or journal of all your caloric intake for a full week, or so. This will enable you to eliminate calories a lot easier because you can now see what foods they’re coming from.

A common piece of advice that some doctors also have for people who are trying to count their calories is simply to track them for one full week.

All of this knowledge and calories vs carbs stuff that you guys have been talking about all day is really making my head hurt…

“Arguments
in favor of counting carbs”

The Atkins Diet specifically can be considered as something of a controversy because its instructions turn on their head a lot of what conventional doctors and dietitians have been discussing with their patients for a long time. In the Atkins diet, you are encouraged to eat fat, because this is viewed as fuel that your body requires and then burns up.

However, carbs are the enemy in this pursuit to reducing weight while calories are not looked at as anything that should be treated with concern. The philosophy of Atkins is that by restricting carbs, your body alternates to burning fat automatically for energy, instead of burning carbs like glucose.

“The conclusion”

Both counting carbs and counting calories are effective for weight loss. However, it is basically just two different paths to ultimately get to the same goal of weight reduction. Yet, the most important distinction is that, depending on whether you’re counting calories vs carbs, you will be eating a vastly different selection of foods under each approach.

If you like eating fatty foods while still losing weight, go with the Atkins Diet (counting carbs). But, if you would rather eat foods that restrict fat completely and are low calorie in nature, stick to counting calories.

“Maybe the stress of your weight loss resolution not lead to relentless binge eating.”

Well well well, that’s not the attitude you should be giving right now, Marcus.

You’re not going to lose any weight acting like that, now…

But I am still listening… What choice do I have? I just sort of reeeeeally want to go buy some earplugs.

“Rich foods in calories vs carbs”

All rich food contains calories. A few examples of calorie-rich foods include; animal fats, such as lard and fish oil, vegetable oil, peanut butter, cheese, salad dressing, candy bars, fried foods, and processed meat such as sausages.

Some examples of carbs include; bread, potatoes, soft drinks and sodas, fruits, rice, beans, cereal, and pasta.

TIP:
You can stick to a healthier diet by keeping certain food groups accessible in your kitchen. Moose and Doc explain to you several tips on eating healthy for weight loss, as well as how to save on expenses.