If you could have one of these @ a meal which one...Calories/Carbs ?

If there is one food that you simply have to splurge on and you are 1350 calories a day.. and doing cardio...which one overall would do least damage ?

I have recently become ADDICTED to Roasted Pumpkin seeds....They are high in calories but low in carbs. I feel guilty eating them but I can't walk away :)

I don't count carbs. I eat whatever I want so long as I stay within my caloric limit. I am starting to look closer at my protein intake though; it's currently way too low considering I'm trying to build muscle.

I totally agree.  I started out watching carbs as well as calories, and I nearly drove myself mad!  As long as you know you are eating healthily, I would say stick to paying attention to calories.  Just because an apple is all carbs, doesn't make it bad for you

I avoid refined sweeteners, not good carbohydrates. Good carbs give you the energy you need to make it through your day.

I also don't worry about the fat in nuts, peanut butter, avocados, etc. As long as you aren't binging on these foods, they are actually very good for you. Your body needs the fat in these types of foods: That's why we call such Essential Fatty Acids.

Again, though, I tend to choose peanut butter that contains little to no refined sugars, and nuts that are not salted to avoid excess sodium. But the protein and fiber in these foods is not only good for your body but helps to keep you full as well, so you don't find yourself overeating later in the day.

There is no reason to feel guilty about eating a serving of nuts. Just try to keep it to one serving.

I would pick calories over carbs any day.  I love my carbs.  I know I'd go into a tailspin if I avoided them. 

That said, I try to avoid nuts and seeds for the most part because I just can't have "one serving".  My cousin put out a bag of peanuts in the shell and I told myself I'd grab a handful and that would be it.  Nope, I had several handfuls because they were so delicious!!!  If I must have a nut I'll eat peanut butter, at least then I can stop myself much better...not perfectly, but better.

Original Post by mortalmonkey:

I don't count carbs. I eat whatever I want so long as I stay within my caloric limit. I am starting to look closer at my protein intake though; it's currently way too low considering I'm trying to build muscle.

 I'm the same way!!! As longs as it fits into my calorie plan I eat pretty much anything... well almost lol

I'm a carb girl, I can't give up carbs... If I don't eat carbs in most of my meals... I go into withdrawal lol

If I don't eat plenty of protein with the right carbs, I feel physically "off." I can almost hear my body screaming at me to balance out my food. So I love carbs, but only the good ones (save the occasional treat ) and only as part of a balanced diet.

I also don't count carbs, but I do try to maximize nutrition in the calories I ingest.  The only carbs I avoid are white sugar and white flour.  I eat lots of fruits and veggies and even seeds and nut butters.  I also have to be careful because too much of a good thing is still too much.  I try to manage by portioning out my snacks and that way when the container/bag/whatever is empty, I'm finished eating!  Don't feel guilty, just log your calories! 

As most people here are saying, carbs, eh, whatever - what matters is the nutritional punch your food packs.  *that's* the reason so many people don't eat processed carbs - there's nothing to them but calories.  I recently discovered Flatout wraps - whole grain flat wraps that are 90-120 calories a piece and make a rockin sandwich.  The italian herb flavored ones are packed with flavor too.

I do have a weakness - you were asking about splurging.  I used to be a HUGE bread, pasta, and popcorn eater.  I have done okay without the bread and the pasta for the most part - I get them occasionally now, instead of every day like I used to - but I cannot live without popcorn, and I have allowed myself to splurge and get the tub of corn every time we go to the movies - and we go about once every two weeks.  Mmm...popcorn...

Lisa, pumpkin seeds are packed with nutrition.  The NY Times recently included them in a list of the most healthy foods people are not eating.  The calories they include are from "good fats." 

Something I had to learn over time was the difference between cravings (which lead me to eat poorly) and appetite (which is essential to any living creature).  If you are on a longterm, calorically-restricted diet, your body will deplete nutrients, and let you know it by giving you an appetite for them.  Wanting to eat a pint of Ben & Jerry's for the luscious mouthfeel of the fats in the ice cream is a craving.  Pumpkin seeds are another matter. 

I pay attention to my appetites and listen carefully to what my body is asking for.  As for cravings, my strategy is to indulge them now and then, but only in small amounts, and only with a high-quality treat.  Giving in and binging is what undermines a controlled diet, but on the other hand, feeling trapped by rigid limits is depressing in the long run.  A successful longterm healthy diet includes good mental health. . . good luck!