Do You use "diet" foods?

CindaWhite

My husband and I were told by a lifelong weight watchers friend (lost over 100 lbs. years ago and still there , that she doesn't use any special - lite, fat free, "diet" foods. She just eats her proper rations of the real deal and tracks meticulously. What are your thoughts on this?

1brokegal44

I use both "diet" and regular foods. Just depends on what it is and how it fits in.

jwdieter

Track your calories. Eat at a deficit. Lose weight.

Diet foods are generally silly imo.

sunlover89

I really dislike "diet" foods, unless they are lower fat naturally. Most diet products = low fat, more sugar. I actually detest WW products, I can't believe a company trying to help people achieve better health would sell garbage like that.

lyndausvi

Not really. I will get non-fat yogurt because I find it's easier to find than full fat. We have always bought 1 or 2% milk (I had the smell of full fat milk). Outside of those I can't think of any fat-free, light or low-fat items we buy.

pastryari

I eat what tastes good and fits into my calories/macros for the day.

tricksee

The diet or light versions often have other chemicals or replacements inside which are more difficult for our body to handle. Sometimes you're better off with the full fat versions as your body can use and knows what to do with fat. Just have them in moderation.

norahwynn

I'm not, and really haven't been a 'diet food' type of girl. My fiance kind of is, so we have a couple of items that are fat free this, and low fat that. So I might eat it (it if tastes good) on occasion because I don't want to buy 2 of the same product.

If it were up to me, I wouldn't entertain that marketing B.S.

cwolfman13

I eat like a king...dieting doesn't have to suck or be flavorless or fatless. Eat a balanced diet and hit your calorie goals. Also, no fat/low fat substitutes for items that usually contain fat usually have a lot of added sugar and/or other bull****. I like to eat my food however it's supposed to be most naturally.

whatjesseats

No, I don't use "diet" foods. I'd rather have a little bit of full-fat cheese than a pound of the low-fat stuff.

Joreanasaurous

I really dislike "diet" foods, unless they are lower fat naturally. Most diet products = low fat, more sugar. I actually detest WW products, I can't believe a company trying to help people achieve better health would sell garbage like that.

This. However I do get 2% Greek Yogurt since I like the taste more.

LaurenAOK

I usually prefer the real stuff - I'd rather eat whole foods than whatever chemicals they have to add to make something "lite." However, I will use "diet" foods occasionally, if I'm going to be eating a large quantity and don't want to deal with all the extra calories. I think it's wise to learn to eat non-diet foods in moderation, though.

skullshank

with the exception of a diet soda now and then.

MyChocolateDiet

Diet coke ONLY. Oh and slim fast, almost forgot. But I am adamantly and vehemently and confusingly against diet cheese, low fat milks, non fat anythings, and diarrhea potato chips. I think those are off the market now. But yeah, I'm suspicious of lots of that stuff. Diet coke however became an addiction back before I cared about any of this, and slim fast i just like it. So that's all. I admit I drink way less diet coke than I used to but like if you offered me a diet coke and a grilled cheese sandwich and told me that sandwich was made with low fat cheese....I'd grab the coke from you so fast and stare at the sandwich like it was the devil. :devil:
Then if you tried to feed it to me in romantic shove in my face style I'd long for the real thing and think you were caulkblocking me from a real kraft processed cheese food encounter.

EatClean_WashUrNuts

What's a "Diet" food?

jus_in_bello

I don't eat "diet" foods either. They don't taste as good, they don't satisfy, and I don't have the time for that.

I eat fresh and I eat in moderation.

xaMErica

Sounds like your friend I doing it right!
There are some low calorie or fat free versions that I just like way more.. but with this 'obesity epidemic' and people trying to lose a lot weight 'real fast'.. 'low calorie snack packs' are usually just crap they are selling to make money. Those 100 calorie pouches are jokes. =/ Who wants to waste 100 calories on like 5 mini short bread cookies that makes you mad and want to eat more?? =|

lilcassers

she's absolutely right

just focus on clean, natural foods and limit your portions.

MyChocolateDiet

Sounds like your friend I doing it right!
There are some low calorie or fat free versions that I just like way more.. but with this 'obesity epidemic' and people trying to lose a lot weight 'real fast'.. 'low calorie snack packs' are usually just crap they are selling to make money. Those 100 calorie pouches are jokes. =/ Who wants to waste 100 calories on like 5 mini short bread cookies that makes you mad and want to eat more?? =|

Oh shoot, I love me some 100 calorie snack packs for the simple maths. I mean they are usually the real deal just thinner or minus something. So yeah.

i 100 cal packs

TS65

I like real food. Diet foods take out fat and add other cr@p - sugar, chemicals, etc. I find I stay much fuller on full fat stuff than I do with low or fat-free stuff.

runfatmanrun

I have come to prefer some things in "diet" form. Actually, just one. I prefer sugar free pudding to regular, or at least I haven't gone back ro regular yet. Other than that, it's really just about moderation.

lilcassers

What's a "Diet" food?

"diet" soda, "fat-free" dressings, sour creams, etc.

whenever these terms are used, other chemicals and junk are added to make them taste good.

oh and we can't forget your "healthy choice", ""smart ones", and "lean cuisine" meals. those are just terrible. want to gain major water weight? just eat these with all the sodium!

The_Enginerd

If it fits my macros

Quite a bit of diet soda, most other stuff is the regular version. I also sometimes have the lower fat ice cream as a compromise for my SO.

tanashai

I like Skinny Cow ice cream and chocolate bars.... but I just like them; the low cal is just an added bonus, ha ha! And we get 1% milk, but that's also because it's cheaper where I live. That's about it though; I still eat pizza and bread and cheese and baked goodies (though not so much anymore because it's too hot to bake, lol). I just eat less of it and make it all last longer as a result

magerum

If you consider pop tarts, ice cream, corn bread, pizza, etc... diet food, then yes I do.

MyChocolateDiet

My husband and I were told by a lifelong weight watchers friend (lost over 100 lbs. years ago and still there , that she doesn't use any special - lite, fat free, "diet" foods. She just eats her proper rations of the real deal and tracks meticulously. What are your thoughts on this?

I would struggle to make sense of what I eat or justify it. It's really a matter of taste. Your friend is right overall though. I would not seek out, or choke down those diet mish moshes. Eating regular foods is the best overall advice and style of eating. Portion control and making sure you include enough fats and proteins to stay satisfied. That said, a little of anything you like should be okay whether it be a slice of chocolate cake or a can of diet coke over ice. Or both one day. The calorie counts are what counts in the end as far as weight loss and I do find it confusing how they take "fat" or "sugar" out of certain things so that's just a general suspicion on a visceral level that I could never explain and so won't even try. Just try to eat normal real foods as much as possible and don't beat yourself up over minor indiscretions but above all. Count. Those. Cals.

Carnivor0us

The only 'diet' food I consume are diet sodas. Everything else is the real deal.

deksgrl

I don't buy "diet" sort of foods generally. I do buy 2% milk instead of full fat just because that is what I am used to. I occasionally will have diet coke as a mixer with alcohol, but not by itself. Once I bought Weight Watchers string cheese because it was on sale and it was awful. I'd rather eat the real thing.

neanderthin

Nope. I'm what you would call a whole food eater with little processed foods at all and leave chicken skin on, consume full fat yogurt and like ribeyes the way the cow intended them to be AAA.

Flowers4Julia

No, I don't eat the "diet" foods because they never satisfy....then there are the chemicals, preservatives, etc. I much prefer real deal foods!

Not only are the diet foods questionable nutritionally, they just set up the brain to want more (in my humble opinion), so psychologically they have a disadvantage for me as well.

Big plate of real foods anytime!

_AllieCat_

I agree.

My reasoning: diet, low fat, sugar free, etc. typically have things put in them to make up for what they claim to lack. Usually it's added sodium, sugars, and almost always chemicals.

I'll pass and eat the real deal.