Is This Moderation? You Decide.
- GetFitNH Blog
- Feb 10, 2014
- 3 min read
“I eat sweets every once in awhile”, “I have just a few treats each week”, “I eat pretty good” These are just a few statements I have heard as I review and look at nutritional food logs each week. Recently I did a comparison study of actual food logs. Now before you say, “I would never eat that, I eat healthy”, I want to say prove it. Do a three day food log. Make one of those days a weekend. Then turn it in to me for review. Are you going to take me up on my offer? Why not? Are you living a lie and don’t know it? Are you eating foods in "moderation" not realizing they are hindering, if not stopping the progress you want to make? Is moderation really moderation? These two food logs are loaded down with a lot of vegetables. Both of these have more vegetables in the average log I look at, and that is a good thing. But what else is in there? Food Log #1
Summer Squash 28
Lettuce 8
Asparagus 8
Pasta Sauce 35
Salad 33
Salad 33
Carrots 35
Tomato Sauce 25
Salad 33
Salad 33
Celery 2
Carrots 12
Green Beans 43
Salad 10
Pasta Sauce 47
Green Beans 86
Yellow Peppers 12
Pasta Sauce 35
Broccoli 51
Total Calories 569
- Loaded with Vitamins, minerals, and fiber
Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup 230
Subway Cookies 400
Frosting 140
Swedish Fish 140
Dove Chocolate 210
Total Calories 1124 -
Food Log #2
Peas 100
Veggies 120
Spinach 5
Peppers 19
Carrots 35
Peas 62
Lettuce 15
Tomatoes 11
Cucumber 23
Carrot 23
Broccoli 2
Salsa 20
Spinach 5
Peppers 19
Carrots 35
Peppers 31
Peas 100
Spinach 5
Spinach 5
Lettuce 15
Tomatoes 11
Cucumber 23
Carrots 23
Broccoli 2
Lettuce 15
Tomatoes 11
Cucumber 23
Carrot 23
Broccoli 2
Peppers 19
Spinach 7
Peppers 19
Spinach 5
Carrots 35
862 calories
- Loaded with vitamins, minerals and fiber
Lindt choc 230
Chocolate chips 210
Chocolate chips 210
Reeses p-nut butter cups 210
Total Calories 860
The take home
The calories consumed by the few sweets on the first food log doubled the amount of calories eaten by the same person through veggies. The bigger factor is that the 'sweet' calories provided nothing for the body as far as nutrition. The calories from moderate eating of sweets on the second food log equaled the calories in that
list of veggies eaten. This person really did a great job getting their vegetables in, and it shows you the power of veggies. LOADS of vegetables. relatively few calories. I bet it took longer to prepare, eat and enjoy them. I could go through that much candy in about 3 minutes, you? But where is the "moderation" in this? If your plan called for 1700 calories a day you are eating
in sugar, which not only saps your body of nutrients but is taking the place of nutritious calories, like in lean protein and healthy fats. And if you are just adding it on top of everything else you eat, is it really a mystery you are not losing body fat like you want to? Like Dean says, moderation isn't always the end all, and you have to be realistic in what moderation really is. Something to think (and act) on. I am waiting for the food log. Coach Nancy
Comments