Do you eat whatever you want?

DoubleUbea

I watch what I eat and carefully select my food. If I ate what I wanted to eat I would eat all my calories for the day at breakfast.

I enjoy what I eat, but I am more careful about it.

fr33sia12

I don't eat whatever I want in the sense that right now I fancy fish n chips but if I have them I'll go over my calories and eating a smaller portion to fit into my calories just wouldn't fill me. But I do enjoy what I eat. Just don't be persuaded into eating what others eat or feel like you can eat certain things because everyone else does.

WinoGelato

Why do you think people might specifically need to focus on carbs?

diannethegeek

I eat foods that I like in portion sizes that fit my goals. Sometimes if I'm really craving something that's calorie dense I have to choose between finding a way to make it fit or skipping it in favor of something else. So in that sense I'm not exactly eating everything I want. But I can make quite a lot of the foods I like fit into my calorie and nutrition needs for the day, so it mostly works out.

I don't focus on carbs at all. I do focus on making sure I hit my protein and fat minimums, which tends to keep my carbs a little lower. I just personally prefer to focus on the good things I want to get into my diet (veggies, fiber, protein, etc) instead of focusing on things I feel I should take out.

JetJaguar

I pretty much eat whatever I want as long as it fits in my calories. Like others, the only macro I really pay attention to is protein. Personally I find a higher protein diet to be more satiating, and making sure I hit my target helps keep hunger away. Everyone's different though, so YMMV.

amusedmonkey

I don't watch my carbs at all, but I do watch my protein because I would severely undereat it if I didn't. Other than that, pretty much yes, whatever I want. There are times when I need to postpone what I want if I don't have the calories for it, and there are times when I decide to have what I want from a smaller pool of foods if I'm hungry because I know some things are more filling for me than others. There are also times when what I think I want is not worth the calories and I end up wanting something else. So basically, it's more of an informed and aware "what I want", not a purely impulse driven one.

peaceout_aly

prettyhappyrunning wrote: »

Just getting started and wondered if people eat what they want as long as they stay within calories? Or do you really watch your carbs?

I stay under a certain amount for calories, sugar and carbs, but meet or go above for protein.

CSARdiver

I focus on calories first, then I make sure I eat enough protein. If I'm in deficit I don't care about anything else, but I generally eat a lot of carbs. If I'm in surplus and muscle building I make sure I get enough carbs to support this.

WinoGelato

I wanted to elaborate on my personal strategy...

When I first started on MFP about 5 years ago, I had never really "dieted" before. I quickly realized though that if I cut out the foods I really enjoy, I likely wouldn't last very long. So rather than cutting things out, I thought about what I could add to my lifestyle. More protein, more vegetables, more whole grains, more sleep, more exercise. I found that by doing that, it naturally prioritized the "healthy" habits and left just enough room for things like pizza, ice cream, and wine in moderation. So yeah, I ate what I want, but I focused on how to fit them into the big picture, not having my diet revolve around them. And ultimately what I want to eat is an overall balanced and healthy diet that fills me up and makes me happy.

I lost the weight I set out to lose, and have been in maintenance for a few years now, while eating what I want and never cutting anything out, other than calories. Carbs never even came into the picture.

MissTanya18

I have been eating whatever I want for too long. That is what brought me here. I am new to this, and finally at the point in my life where it is starting to catch up to me. Good to see a lot of people are successful with just counting calories. I will start out trying that.

Duck_Puddle

I do not exclude any foods. But, in order to meet my calorie goal and not be exceedingly hungry, I need to eat primarily nutrient dense, high volume, lower calorie foods. I fit in the “whatever I want” foods when they fit my calories.

As for carbs, I focus on making sure I get enough. I don’t feel my best, I get hungry and grumpy and my workouts suffer if my carbs are on the low side. That’s what works for me.

ceiswyn

I make sure I hit the absolute minimum on protein and get at least five-a-day of fruit and veg. And then I fill up the rest with whatever I fancy, which is usually chocolate

JeromeBarry1

Technically, you can eat anything you like.
Practically, you should avoid things that you cannot control yourself from overeating.
Pragmatically, you should be willing to do all that's necessary to remain in a moderate calorie deficit while you are attempting to lose weight.

urloved33

I am careful about what I eat. I want my bio metrics to be normal due to diet and exercise not meds and pharmaceuticals.

janejellyroll

urloved33 wrote: »

I am careful about what I eat. I want my bio metrics to be normal due to diet and exercise not meds and pharmaceuticals.

I don't think anyone in this thread who is eating what they want is taking medicine to control a condition caused by diet. For many chronic conditions, controlling your weight is going to be much more relevant than eliminating certain foods from the diet.

pinuplove

janejellyroll wrote: »

urloved33 wrote: »

I am careful about what I eat. I want my bio metrics to be normal due to diet and exercise not meds and pharmaceuticals.

I don't think anyone in this thread who is eating what they want is taking medicine to control a condition caused by diet. For many chronic conditions, controlling your weight is going to be much more relevant than eliminating certain foods from the diet.

Not to mention, diet and exercise alone are not 100% guaranteed to cure xyz conditions. I'll happily keep my 'meds and pharmaceuticals' that help prevent me from having a blood clot or stroke.

If you (general you) are fortunate and healthy enough to not need medication (for now), consider yourself blessed. But don't attempt to make anyone who has a legitimate need feel 'less than' because of it

Nursie863

I eat whatever I want right now, as long as I'm within calories, but my goal is to phase in the most nutritionally dense foods that I can. Baby steps!

trecey2

I'm returning to MFP after some time away and some pounds gained. I'm open to any new accountability partners(friends) along the way. Please feel free to request me as a friend and I will do the same. Good Luck to all and we can do this!

born_of_fire74

Like most others who have replied, I strive to meet my protein target and then pretty much eat whatever else I have the calories remaining for. It usually takes most all of my calories to get my protein in but, on a good day, I have room for a chocolate bar or cookie or some kind of treat like that.

prettyhappyrunning

Thank you for the feedback, I appreciate it so much! 😊

lolly2414

I mostly eat what I want within my calorie goal. I have made an effort to eat more fruits, veggies, and lean meats, and cut back on a lot of "junk" food. I still drink a couple sodas per week though and I usually have a piece of dark chocolate with sea salt caramel every night (unless I'm too close to my calorie limit). I still eat fast food or pizza one night per week. I've lost 20 lbs in 2.5 months so far.

estherdragonbat

I try to hit my protein and iron and let the rest fall where it falls within my calories.

MixedbarbieMOM1991

Pretty much I just make sure I hit my protein goal I find I stay Fuller when I do.
But I've cut alot of junk food out.
I ll give in once a week.

googtoyou

If it’s within my calorie goal, I eat it. I allow for special occasions where I know I’ll eat beyond my allowance, but they are rarities. I have a sweet tooth, so if I’m going to have dessert I just budget it in.

rose2_0

No. I don't eat whatever I want. I wanted the danish in the cafe this morning for breakfast, and I wanted a burger and fries for lunch, and I wanted a bagel and cream cheese when my little boy was eating his, and I wanted chips for my snack in addition to my protein bar. I want a burrito for dinner. I want wine. And I want full fat ice cream for dinner.

Instead, I had my coffee and no breakfast. I had an egg white and feta sandwich for lunch with a side of greens. I did have my protein bar, but I had a small bag of pop chips instead. I made a chicken taco salad for dinner instead of a burrito. I'm going to have some wine, but my ice cream will be low calorie/protein ice cream.

I make compromises. I don't just go around taking two bites of the all the calorie dense hyper-palatable foods and making "it fit".

ETA: I watch my protein too. So there are times when I want all the breads...but I choose the protein.

peaceout_aly

nutmegoreo wrote: »

I eat whatever I want, but I aim for a minimum on protein and fats.

I definitely don't eat whatever I want. I stay within calories, meet a certain amount of protein, and do my best to stay under for carbs and sugar.

VUA21

Absolutely! Easiest diet to turn into a lifestyle for long term success. I eat food I live, just in moderation to keep myself in a calorie deficit.

HeidiMightyRawr

Pretty much, yes.

I follow IIFYM so I choose to eat what I fancy eating, and I just adjust as necessary (portion or ingredients) to fit reasonably around my calories and macros. Although tbh most of the macros is just making sure I hit my minimum protein goal.

Sometimes if my calories are particularly high that day but I want a dinner that's also higher calorie, I'll save it for another day when it fits in better. I don't tell myself I can't have stuff at all that I want though, it's just about fitting it into your goals.

William54321

Always vary and enjoy eating. Cals in and out is what counts

rainbow198

I do, but I have conditions. Eating whatever I want, whenever I wanted and how much I wanted over the years lead me to being 80 pounds overweight.

Now I plan and track my meals and I work around things I'm craving. Also I'm very mindful of the calories I consume. I'm not overly concerned with macros, but I do try to eat balanced meals.