If you're NOT following a specific plan

neugebauer52

Bread has always been my "trigger food" - I was able to eat 1 to 2 loaves of bread with lots and lots of nice, fatty stuff on top and in between the slices. So I have started to watch my daily carbs (i.e. bread) intake and try to stay under 100 gram a day. Over the last 9 months my macros are about 30 % carbs and 35 % each for fats and protein. Male, 80 kg to lose, MFP calculation 1750 calories a day, total weight to lose about 80 kg, so far I have lost about 27 kg.

crystalgulliver

I try to eat really healthy foods during the week within my calorie range - I don't see how eating whatever (regardless whether or not it's in your calorie range) is healthy!

Machka9

kimjschroeder wrote: »

Besides a calorie deficit, what else do you watch (or helps you lose easier)? I understand clean eating and eliminating processed food is best for you, but do you also watch your fat, carbs, or protein along with a calorie deficit?

I use a calorie deficit to lose weight.

I don't watch anything else ... unless you mean the TV while I'm riding my bicycle indoors, or nature and the road when I'm cycling outside or walking or running.

"Clean eating" ... what is that anyway? I prefer not to eat dirty food. I find that soil is too gritty for me and I'm allergic to mold.

"Processed food" ... isn't just about all food processed in some way?


And yes, I try to make sure my carb intake is reasonably high ... especially before cycling or running.

yirara

I just eat what I like an an amount that fits into my calorie allowance, makes me full and happy. Nothing else.

GottaBurnEmAll

I focus on calories, protein (it's satiating for me) and fat (it can tend to be too low for me), and nutrition. I try to get as much variety in my diet as possible, even though I tend to have some favorites that I eat almost daily (frozen raspberries in my oatmeal, I just can't quit you).

I focus on variety because I know that getting into ruts and then getting bored with eating tends to end with me going off the rails. It's also makes good sense from a nutrition stand-point.

Duck_Puddle

crystalgulliver wrote: »

I try to eat really healthy foods during the week within my calorie range - I don't see how eating whatever (regardless whether or not it's in your calorie range) is healthy!

I think “eating whatever” has a practical application here. Most everyone who is “eating whatever” is aiming for higher protein intake and foods that they find satiating (so they can stay within their calorie goal and not be hungry all the time). To do that AND fit into your calorie goal, that generally means eating lean proteins, lots of veggies, a fair amount of higher fiber foods (like beans/lentils), some fruit, things like Greek yogurt, maybe things like oatmeal.

The “eating whatever” comes in IF we have calories left, we will indulge in something that others deem “unhealthy”. And we will do so without a single iota of guilt or concern because we do meet our nutritional needs. We also recognize the importance of long-term dietary adherence. Fitting occasional treats in a diet that is largely comprised of “healthy” foods is a way we can maintain these eating habits for life.

MelanieCN77

Eating "clean" and eliminating processed foods would make it impossible for me to adhere to any calorie goal. It's a moderation thing, nothing wrong with a couple of cookies, but a whole tube is probably going to mean you'll go hungry later.

MelanieCN77

Also this thread shows you how many people approach their food variety... https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10717582/how-often-do-you-eat-sweets/p1

PAV8888

Duck_Puddle wrote: »

I think “eating whatever” has a practical application here. Most everyone who is “eating whatever” is aiming for higher protein intake and foods that they find satiating (so they can stay within their calorie goal and not be hungry all the time). To do that AND fit into your calorie goal, that generally means eating lean proteins, lots of veggies, a fair amount of higher fiber foods (like beans/lentils), some fruit, things like Greek yogurt, maybe things like oatmeal.

The “eating whatever” comes in IF we have calories left, we will indulge in something that others deem “unhealthy”. And we will do so without a single iota of guilt or concern because we do meet our nutritional needs. We also recognize the importance of long-term dietary adherence. Fitting occasional treats in a diet that is largely comprised of “healthy” foods is a way we can maintain these eating habits for life.

But shouldn't dieting be a bit painful with a dose of suffering to expiate past guilt?

... like you know the exact same subway sandwich each and every day whether you enjoy it or not? That way you can spend more than 1000 Cal each meal convinced you're eating healthy and dieting before you give up in disgust because you have to always be perfect and good?

You mean that 72 McDonald's vanilla cones (as well as 370+ mentions of the words tomato or vegetable, and 100+ mentions of the word chicken--46 referencing rotisserie breast, thigh, or leg, and 550+ mentions of the word yogurt--of which only a handful referenced frozen yogurt delivered on a stick) while losing 72.5lbs and moving all blood work from extremely problematic to mid-pack average during a year of logging on MFP is, like, POSSIBLE?

<YR1.MFP.SW=240.6; YR1.MFP.EW=168.1; CW=156, H=172.25cm, M, YR1.TDEE=3255, YR1.CAL.EAT=2560, DEF=695=21.35%=a touch too high esp at the tail end, AF=~1.9>MFP V.ACTIVE=1.8, YMMV>

earlnabby

kimjschroeder wrote: »

Besides a calorie deficit, what else do you watch (or helps you lose easier)? I understand clean eating and eliminating processed food is best for you, but do you also watch your fat, carbs, or protein along with a calorie deficit?

I am not following a specific plan. I am T2Dm so I do make sure my total carbs stay under 180 grams per day but I don't worry about what makes up those carbs. I hit my protein goal and let the others fall where they will (as long as the carbs are below the limit).

No food is off limits. I eat processed food but I prefer to make most of my meals because I enjoy it more if I made it myself. Enjoying what I eat makes me more satisfied and less likely to want more. I can also tweak it so it is higher in protein

estherdragonbat

kimjschroeder wrote: »

Besides a calorie deficit, what else do you watch (or helps you lose easier)? I understand clean eating and eliminating processed food is best for you, but do you also watch your fat, carbs, or protein along with a calorie deficit?

I don't eat clean and I consume a number of processed vegetarian "meats". (I make my own seitan, but one of my go-to snacks/staples is Yves veggie dogs.) I've cut way back on bakery treats and keep my homemade desserts to 200 calories per serving or less. And I pay attention to protein and iron. The only other thing I've noticed is that over time, I've been looking for more in a snack than just "low-cal". If it's going to give me a decent amount of protein, iron, or fiber, I will usually choose that over a snack that's pretty much low-fiber carbs and salt. (And then there are times where I just want the pop chips or veggie straws more than the roasted chickpeas and that's okay, too.) I try to avoid trans-fats, which is easy now that most food manufacturers are cutting back on it/cutting it out entirely.

margbarco

I try to limit refined carbs for health. For weight loss,I focus on calories and getting enough protein to keep me full.

AnnPT77

crystalgulliver wrote: »

I try to eat really healthy foods during the week within my calorie range - I don't see how eating whatever (regardless whether or not it's in your calorie range) is healthy!

I don't much criticize others' specific eating choices, though I do like to see everyone stay strong and healthy overall.

But, y'know, when someone says something like that (bolded), it makes me suspect that either they don't enjoy the way they're eating as much as I enjoy the way I'm eating, or they have a pretty inaccurate idea of how I'm eating, or both.

I think your "whatever" might be different from my "whatever".

Best wishes, truly.

errydayimmusclin

margbarco wrote: »

I try to limit refined carbs for health. For weight loss,I focus on calories and getting enough protein to keep me full.

Yes, this is what I do as well.

janejellyroll

AnnPT77 wrote: »

crystalgulliver wrote: »

I try to eat really healthy foods during the week within my calorie range - I don't see how eating whatever (regardless whether or not it's in your calorie range) is healthy!

I don't much criticize others' specific eating choices, though I do like to see everyone stay strong and healthy overall.

But, y'know, when someone says something like that (bolded), it makes me suspect that either they don't enjoy the way they're eating as much as I enjoy the way I'm eating, or they have a pretty inaccurate idea of how I'm eating, or both.

I think your "whatever" might be different from my "whatever".

Best wishes, truly.

Yeah, for me eating "whatever" is eating a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, grains, and beans. If you don't enjoy those foods, I can see how the thought of eating "whatever" might seem like it would lead to poor health.

DancingMoosie

Nope. I try to get in some veggies and protein every day, but the most important thing to me is exercise. I try to get in (at least)an hour every day, whether it's all cardio or a combination of cardio, weights, yoga.

lemurcat2

Duck_Puddle wrote: »

crystalgulliver wrote: »

I try to eat really healthy foods during the week within my calorie range - I don't see how eating whatever (regardless whether or not it's in your calorie range) is healthy!

I think “eating whatever” has a practical application here. Most everyone who is “eating whatever” is aiming for higher protein intake and foods that they find satiating (so they can stay within their calorie goal and not be hungry all the time). To do that AND fit into your calorie goal, that generally means eating lean proteins, lots of veggies, a fair amount of higher fiber foods (like beans/lentils), some fruit, things like Greek yogurt, maybe things like oatmeal.

The “eating whatever” comes in IF we have calories left, we will indulge in something that others deem “unhealthy”. And we will do so without a single iota of guilt or concern because we do meet our nutritional needs. We also recognize the importance of long-term dietary adherence. Fitting occasional treats in a diet that is largely comprised of “healthy” foods is a way we can maintain these eating habits for life.

Great way to explain it. I think enough people have given examples of what they do that it's pretty funny a poster would not understand that we are not saying we ignore nutrition.