Too Much Weight on Weight Loss?

Christopher's Commentary:

We can't seem to shake this obsession over calories in vs calories out and scale weight, can we?

In terms of energy, a calorie is a calorie - whether that calorie comes from fat or carb (or protein). It does not matter what the source is if we're only discussing food in the context of energy.

In regards to "what you weigh," that number tells you next to nothing outside of, well, what you weigh. There are more important variables to consider -- body composition, cardiovascular health and overall metabolic function -- and they are determined more by the quality of the food you eat, not the quantity. (Thankfully, this article does point this "quality factor" out.)

So, neither the fat nor carb calories showed an advantage over the other in terms of weight loss? No big deal. Be wary of headlines like this that sensationalize the link between calories - whether they come from fat or carbs - and scale weight. It's akin to judging a book by it's cover. . . and one of the reasons why Eugene and I, in our book Unlock Your Strength, suggest that you throw your scale out the window. . .

Which Are Worse: Calories from Carbs or Fat?
Time.com Consultations

(July 15, 2008) -- If you're one of millions of Americans trying to lose weight, you probably wish you had a more effective diet than the one you're on now. And if you're wondering whether Dean Ornish's low-fat diet will help you shed pounds better than Dr. Atkins' low-carb menu, the answer is simple: it doesn't matter. Scientists know that on a molecular level, different types of starch and different types of fat have varying effects when they hit the body. But in terms of weight loss, low-fat diets and low-carb diets overall are equally effective (and, most of the time, neither will help you keep the weight off long-term), says Walter Willett, chair of the department of nutrition at Harvard School of Public Health. ( More. . . )