You asked, we listened. Follower question of the week.

Q: What’s the difference between eating healthy and eating healthfully, and appropriate for weight loss?! Huh?! 

A: Yes! There is a difference. When I start working with a client, I often find the reason they are not losing weight has nothing to do whether or not they are eating a healthful diet. They are doing just that. Fruits and vegetables, nuts, avocado, and healthy grains like quinoa and bulgar fill their plates. This is exactly the issue. There is a big difference between eating healthy and eating healthfully and appropriately for weight loss. 

Sure avocado, olive oil, nuts, and seeds can do wonders for our cholesterol levels, but many are not aware of the caloric density of these foods. Fats as a food group contain 9 calories per gram of food. Carbohydrates and protein only have 4 calories per gram. Many think a 1/2 cup of nuts is a healthful snack. However, if we knew that 1/2 cup of nuts contained 500 calories we might think twice. Heart healthy olive oil can also be a culprit. Many opt for olive oil and vinegar as a healthful alternative to creamy salad dressings. However, they are often equivalent in calories. 1 Tbsp olive oil has 135 calories and 15 grams of fat, and often 2-3 tablespoons end up on your salad. It is not necessary to eliminate fats when trying to shed pounds, however, make sure you are aware of serving sizes and limit the amount of added fats you are consuming. 

Healthy carbohydrates can also be an obstacle for weight loss. When quinoa was discovered as a healthy alternative to white rice, this superfood was flying off the shelf. It is true quinoa has more fiber and protein than white rice and is a more healthful grain. However, a quinoa lunch bowl has 2 cups of quinoa, which is the equivalent in carbohydrates of 6 slices of white bread! Eating 6 slices of white bread at lunch is not going to help you lose weight. 

Ultimately the way we lose weight is calories in vs. calories out. Therefore I find it is important to educate all clients on serving sizes. No foods are off limits on F-Factor. However, it is important that clients understand how to incorporate healthy foods into their diets while at the same time making them appropriate for weight loss.