I've recently started to use the strategy of counting calories and have been relatively successful with it (so far) but I want to know what does the "calories from fat" on the nutrition labels mean and the difference betweeen eating 500 calories of fried chicken vs. 500 calories of fruits and veggies. From what I've been told and read about, all that matters is the total caloric intake for the day right? I know the fruits and veggies will give me added vitamins and nutrients, but taking that aside and talking only fat gain, what is the difference between "healthy" calories and "unhealthy" calories?

lol

i cant help but laugh

ur comparing FRIED foods to fruits and veggies

I know that... I know it's common sense to know fruits and veggies are obviously better than fried foods, I just want to know why. Especially considering people say "all that matters is your calorie total for the day." However, I'm glad I humored you for the day

its not just about the caloric value.. it what you put into to you, what do u really think will help aid ur weight loss. FRUITS or FRIEDS

if u want saturated fat and carbohydrates like that and the oils then so be it. might as well put water in ur engine block instead of motor oil

A calorie is always a calorie... it's simply a unit of measurement. So it can't be good or bad. It's simply a calorie.

Your talking about nutrients.

Nutrients (not calories) do different things to the body.

Yes, caloric (energy) balance is the name of the game when it comes to weight manipulation. However, it's not the only variable when building a good body.

But isn't an excess of calories = fat?

Yup, intake above and beyond that of which you need will end up being stored as fat.

Again, I know it's common sense to know fried foods and trans fat are not good for you, much less being compared to fruit and veggies, but stemming from the fact that excess calories become fat either way, what is the difference in excess calories of veggies and fruits rather than fried foods if they're going to both end up as fat anyways?

It's tougher to get excess calories from fruit and veggies, though do-able. Fried foods and the like are a lot more calorie dense than a big bowl of roasted broccoli... but it is the excess calories that cause weight gain - no matter where they come from

The fruits and veggies will deliver a greater degree of nutrition through its micronutrients then the fried chicken counter part.

While eating both in excess can contribute to weight gain. You have to remember. The fruits/veggies have more then just calories. But a large magnitude of minerals,vitamins,phytonutrients, and other forms of micronutrients. Unlike the fried food counter part which is full of oxidated lipids,trans fats, and other "negative" health items.

So - relative to fat gain - there is no difference between veggies and fried food, calorie wise correct? Veggies and fruits will give you the extra vitamins and nutrients but when talking about fat gain there is no difference between fried and veggies/fruits?

Like I said before, energy is energy.

Fat is stored energy.

If you wanted to get EXTREMLY technical. One could go into the process of energy conversion efficiency, thermic affect and so on. Then yes, there would likely be a difference. Although, not one large enough to go call home about. If your talking about how much would be "stored as fat" - that is...

Honestly though, I am having trouble interpreting your question...

BTW, what is the reasoning for your question anyway?

Well to sum up everything in one question I guess it would be this: Will I gain more weight/fat by eating 2000 calories of fried food rather than 2000 calories of veggies and fruits.

Well I was watching the food network the other day and saw them making fried chicken which sparked my question. Like I said before I've started to employ the strategy of counting calories for the day and that strategy is pretty much based around the concept that as long as you don't consume more calories than you burn for the day, you won't gain weight. Which led me to the question, what is the difference between 2000 calories of fried chicken rather than 2000 calories of veggies/fruits --- in terms of fat gain. Again, I realize veggies/fruits give more nutritional benefits but I'm strictly asking about fat gain only.

If you overeat, you are going to have an excess - whether it be fried foods or fruits and veggies. You can ask some vegetarians on here that it is easy to gain weight on just the good stuff. But of course they are probably eating other things that would qualify as "junk".

I think it's easier to gain weight on the fried stuff and the cakes and cookies and ice cream because you will mindlessly eat more of that than you will fruits and veggies (except I will say that I could binge on blueberries...mmmm!)

I think you would do well to think of the quality of your food. I watched a program on TLC the other day that was titled, "I eat 33,000 cals per day". Of course they were showing 3 different people. And they laid out on the table what these people ate - it was all bland colored foods - unless you count the m&ms the one lady ate (the whole big bag btw.)

I think the fruits and veggies would tend to fill you up faster (more bulk in the foods with the fiber they offer.) And you should go for proteins too of course.

There are ways to make chicken good without frying it. There are a ton of "oven fried" chicken recipes out there. Or if you must fry, coat the chicken in a little parmesan and coat the pan with 1 tbsp (or less depending on how much chicken you are cooking) of olive oil, then "fry" up the chicken. Mmmm. Good!

I do this with boneless chicken breast all of the time and my family loves it.

Good luck!