Why are we eating (drinking) none meal items to supplement o

cparter

I have viewed a few diaries that are filled with shakes, diet bars, etc.... Do anyone eat meals anymore? If we are trying to make a healthy change for the rest of our life how about learning portion control and eat a healthly, balanced diet. I know we all have busy lives and want to get rid of the weight quickly. However we did not gain the weight quickly. Take your time. Learn. Learn. Once again, learn. Learn about the new you. Learn about good food choices (not supplements for food). Learn about the right balance. Learn on how to control your portions and urges. Embrace what you have in store by making a change for a life time instead of for the moment. If we do not slow down and take this time to learn we will revisit who we were before we know.

I like the future me more than the past me. I do not intend to go back so I am going to eat and eat well. How about you? Sound off.

leavinglasvegas

Where is the AMEN smiley?

Very well said, I couldn't agree more.

april522

Totally agree!

rmeenen

i totally agree with this!! Before when I have tried to diet I did these things and relied on the frozen meals. Every time I was unsuccessful and this time I am cooking meals and learning to control my portions and eat healthy foods and it has been so much easier! I totally agree that we need to learn these things and not just replace with diet bars and other things!

cparter

Where is the AMEN smiley?

Very well said, I couldn't agree more.

I am glad we are in agreement and I wish there was an Amen Smiley. LOL

chulie

Ditto!!!!!!

Everyone wants a quick fix...or has the excuse "I just need to get it started".....why not START properly.......It makes no sense to me...

cparter

It is great when we are learned and agree. Thanks for chiming in.

Kanakake

Well said!!.

cparter

Ooops.. That is it is great when we have learned. :blushing:

DanOhh

I'm with you on this! Good point!

4lafz

You are SO right! Some people are dieting - we are creating a lifestyle change. Except - some people work out for HOURS and HOURS and need a protein shake to give them the nutrition they need. Enjoy your meals (I will too!).

jennylynn84

Ditto!!!!!!

Everyone wants a quick fix...or has the excuse "I just need to get it started".....why not START properly.......It makes no sense to me...

I agree with this. I think the best way to "get it started" is to make a healthy change. I'd sooner think someone could "get it started" on the road to a new lifestyle by making one sustainable change every week than by suddenly eating nothing but protein bars and instant shakes.

cparter

Ditto!!!!!!

Everyone wants a quick fix...or has the excuse "I just need to get it started".....why not START properly.......It makes no sense to me...

I agree with this. I think the best way to "get it started" is to make a healthy change. I'd sooner think someone could "get it started" on the road to a new lifestyle by making one sustainable change every week than by suddenly eating nothing but protein bars and instant shakes.

Well, Said.

aippolito1

Yes!!! *amen smiley* I think it could be just like :drinker: but without the cups, like a "here, here!" haha Anyway... I used to eat a lot of protein bars (mainly as snacks or right before a work out if I hadn't eaten in awhile) because it was recommended by a physical therapist who was teaching a work out class for the ladies of my church. I started eating a protein bar right before a work out when I worked out in the morning when I FIRST started this year...but then realized I didn't need them. I was fine on an empty stomach and realized how high calorie they were.

Now the only "supplement" I use are protein shakes for a recovery drink after my work outs. I use them mainly to help me hit my protein goal and help me from being so sore afterwards and they work great... but I still try to eat at least 20-30g protein every meal and about that same amount for all my snacks for the day, and then I can hit my daily protein goal.

gnme4243

Where is the AMEN smiley?

Very well said, I couldn't agree more.

Amen Smiley would be awesome! And I too, completely agree with the post! :flowerforyou:

byHISstrength

I agree too. I just think it's a shame if people are replacing most of their meals with shakes and protein bars because there is A LOT of really good healthy food out there to enjoy.

jrich1

I agree, when I was deciding on a "diet:" I looked at what could I do forever, I do eat a lot of snacks (probably half my cal intake) but I eat every 2-3 hours and a lot of time catching up cals from my workout.
But a long term lifestyle change will include normal well rounded meals, if you cant do it forever than it wont work

LotusF1ower

I have viewed a few diaries that are filled with shakes, diet bars, etc.... Do anyone eat meals anymore? If we are trying to make a healthy change for the rest of our life how about learning portion control and eat a healthly, balanced diet. I know we all have busy lives and want to get rid of the weight quickly. However we did not gain the weight quickly. Take your time. Learn. Learn. Once again, learn. Learn about the new you. Learn about good food choices (not supplements for food). Learn about the right balance. Learn on how to control your portions and urges. Embrace what you have in store by making a change for a life time instead of for the moment. If we do not slow down and take this time to learn we will revisit who we were before we know.

I like the future me more than the past me. I do not intend to go back so I am going to eat and eat well. How about you? Sound off.

Personally, I do not touch the shakes or the diet bars. Everytime I have met somebody who ate and drank those to lose their weight, they gained again as soon as they went onto normal food.

I guess it all comes down to convenience really, easier to snap open a diet bar and guzzle down a shake than it is to cook.

In my opinion, you can't beat eating real food though, it is so much easier to handle once the maintenance stage is reached because all you have to do there is to increase the grub, rather than switch over.

Mindful_Trent

Great post!

The only "bars" I eat are Lara Bars, which aren't energy/diet bars - they're just fruit/nut bars made without preservatives/artificial ingredients. I like them because they have very few ingredients, no preservatives, and only a few have any added sugar (the few with chocolate chips in them). Most have ingredient lists like: Dates, Almonds, Unsweetened Apples, Walnuts, Raisins, Cinnamon (That's the "Apple Pie" bar).

I only eat these when I need a healthy, high-calorie snack on the go... most of them are 180-230 calories a bar.

mooz

I agree that people, all people [whether or not they're trying to lose weight or be healthy] should eat real food. I've seen a few journals here where there are shakes and bars but I often times think it's just to supplement what they're already eating or doing.

I havent seen too many people here just consuming these shakes and/or bars. I see people who use them to fill in the gaps. I'm not saying I agree one way or another - that's not my place. What works for me may not work for someone else.

leavinglasvegas

Great post!

The only "bars" I eat are Lara Bars, which aren't energy/diet bars - they're just fruit/nut bars made without preservatives/artificial ingredients. I like them because they have very few ingredients, no preservatives, and only a few have any added sugar (the few with chocolate chips in them). Most have ingredient lists like: Dates, Almonds, Unsweetened Apples, Walnuts, Raisins, Cinnamon (That's the "Apple Pie" bar).

I only eat these when I need a healthy, high-calorie snack on the go... most of them are 180-230 calories a bar.

I love the Lara bars! For me, with all my allergies, they are about as close to a candy bar as I can get because they are allergy "safe". But you're right, they are just a good snack on occasion.

As for the bars/shakes before working out- I used to think there was something to that too. But my endocrinologist spent 2 hours with me one time talking about stuff like this. I was shocked, and relieved at the same time, to learn that it actually is better (for me at least) to workout in the morning on an empty stomach. I was relieved because I hate working out with anything in my belly and I thought there was something wrong with me because everyone else was downing shakes and red bulls, and power bars.... ICK! Turns out, I'm perfectly normal. It was my friends who were crazy, lol.

Sparksfly

I have been eating the pure protein bars. They are easy, keep me full, and yummy to me. With me personally, if I don't eat higher protein items, I become ravenous and cranky. TERRIBLE COMBO! Then I binge...soooo

For my own personally sanity, they help me reach higher protein goals at work where I have limited cooking areas.

cparter

Great post!

The only "bars" I eat are Lara Bars, which aren't energy/diet bars - they're just fruit/nut bars made without preservatives/artificial ingredients. I like them because they have very few ingredients, no preservatives, and only a few have any added sugar (the few with chocolate chips in them). Most have ingredient lists like: Dates, Almonds, Unsweetened Apples, Walnuts, Raisins, Cinnamon (That's the "Apple Pie" bar).

I only eat these when I need a healthy, high-calorie snack on the go... most of them are 180-230 calories a bar.

I love the Lara bars! For me, with all my allergies, they are about as close to a candy bar as I can get because they are allergy "safe". But you're right, they are just a good snack on occasion.

As for the bars/shakes before working out- I used to think there was something to that too. But my endocrinologist spent 2 hours with me one time talking about stuff like this. I was shocked, and relieved at the same time, to learn that it actually is better (for me at least) to workout in the morning on an empty stomach. I was relieved because I hate working out with anything in my belly and I thought there was something wrong with me because everyone else was downing shakes and red bulls, and power bars.... ICK! Turns out, I'm perfectly normal. It was my friends who were crazy, lol.

Ha Ha Ha. I like this. I totally agree with this.

cparter

I have been eating the pure protein bars. They are easy, keep me full, and yummy to me. With me personally, if I don't eat higher protein items, I become ravenous and cranky. TERRIBLE COMBO! Then I binge...soooo

For my own personally sanity, they help me reach higher protein goals at work where I have limited cooking areas.

This will work when their is a protein deficiency and if you want to live with sure. I just think bring a box lunch that I put together serves my purpose well. I am a vegetarian and I normally get well within my protein quota for the day by just eating. I am sure I will have to add something down the road when my runs get longer but that is only for replacing what is lost for an after run snack but if I want something at work it will be something I can say hey I can see myself still eating this 50 years down the road.

This is not bashing you for your choice by the way. This is giving a perspective that you may not agree with which is fine. It is just another view to keep us all thinking.

Your diary, however, is not clouded by a shake for breakfast, a bar for a snack, another shake and bar for luch, and yogurt for dinner like I have seen. That is insane and fuel for an unfortunate rebound of weight gain.

SassyMissDasha

Absolutely not true, I started on the Slim Fast diet 3 months ago - and sometimes where I just really don't want to drink it, I will get something that is equal in calories. I have lost 61 lbs .. so obviously it's not that bad. If you want to do it right, there is a way you can.

softlyspoken68

WELL said and you will NOTICE my diary isn't a diet
its reality for a lifestyle...
GREAt post:flowerforyou:

Mindful_Trent

Absolutely not true, I started on the Slim Fast diet 3 months ago - and sometimes where I just really don't want to drink it, I will get something that is equal in calories. I have lost 61 lbs .. so obviously it's not that bad. If you want to do it right, there is a way you can.

I think it's great that you've done so well on this. I dont' think anyone is saying that you *can't* lose weight and keep it off using these kind of products (at least that's not how I interpreted it), but I think most of us are saying that, in the long run, it is more helpful to developing a long-term healthy lifestyle to lose weight by eating "real" food - fresh fruits/veggies, lean meats, beans, etc. At some point you'll reach your goal weight and you'll have to learn to maintain without using these type of products, assuming you're not planning on using them forever. We think its better to eat now what you plan to eat forever.

Personally I would never eat (drink) slim-fast or other similar products...I can get all my calories/nutrients from much more delicious and fun to eat foods. Those products have too many preservatives/stuff that I don't want in my body if I can avoid it... Here's the ingredient list for the creamy milk chocolate shake: (Sorry it's in all caps - that's how the slimfast website had it)

FAT FREE MILK, WATER, SUGAR, COCOA (PROCESSED WITH ALKALI), CANOLA OIL, MILK PROTEIN CONCENTRATE, FRUCTOSE, GUM ARABIC, CELLULOSE GEL, HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP, HYDROGENATED SOYBEAN OIL, MONO AND DIGLYCERIDES, POTASSIUM PHOSPHATE, MALTODEXTRIN, SOY LECITHIN, CELLULOSE GUM, CARRAGEENAN, NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL FLAVOR, SODIUM BICARBONATE, SOY PROTEIN ISOLATE, SUCRALOSE AND ACESULFAME POTASSIUM (NON NUTRITIVE SWEETENERS), SODIUM CITRATE, CITRIC ACID. VITAMINS AND MINERALS: MAGNESIUM PHOSPHATE, CALCIUM PHOSPHATE, SODIUM ASCORBATE, VITAMIN E ACETATE, ZINC GLUCONATE, FERRIC ORTHOPHOSPHATE, NIACINAMIDE, CALCIUM PANTOTHENATE, MANGANESE SULFATE, VITAMIN A PALMITATE, PYRIDOXINE HYDROCHLORIDE, RIBOFLAVIN, THIAMIN MONONITRATE, FOLIC ACID, CHROMIUM CHLORIDE, BIOTIN, SODIUM MOLYBDATE, POTASSIUM IODIDE, PHYLLOQUINONE (VITAMIN K1), SODIUM SELENITE, CYANOCOBALAMIN (VITAMIN B12) AND CHOLECALCIFEROL (VITAMIN D3). SWEETENED WITH NUTRITIVE SWEETENERS AND NONNUTRITIVE SWEETENERS. CONTAINS MILK AND SOY.

I know a lot of the funky names in there are vitamins, but not all of them are.

Nina74

I'm glad you posted. I noticed this trend recently- for people both currently losing weight and those on here maintaining weight. I couldn't believe what I saw! Shakes?

For me, this is about lifestyle change, not just a "diet". I don't want to drink a shake for lunch for the rest of my life, so I don't plan to do it while I am losing weight. I do endulge in Clif bars, mostly because they are organic, have enough sweetness to keep me away from "real" candy bars, and I use them only more for that than a meal replacement (can't and refuse to do any bars/shakes/food that contain any artificial sugars, including splenda).

I'm glad to see there are others who feel the same way! Plus WHOLE foods- fruits, veggies, grains, meats, etc, are so much better for you than random chemicals!

leavinglasvegas

Absolutely not true, I started on the Slim Fast diet 3 months ago - and sometimes where I just really don't want to drink it, I will get something that is equal in calories. I have lost 61 lbs .. so obviously it's not that bad. If you want to do it right, there is a way you can.

Whats not true? We are talking about getting healthy. Just because you lose weight, doesn't mean its healthy.

I am a survivor of an eating disorder. I lost weight by starving myself and vomiting and using laxitives. It worked..... so obviously its not bad. :noway: Shoot, Metabalife worked for tons of people in the short run.... So obviously it wasn't bad.

Eventually you will have to start eating real food. Slim Fast is not meant to be used for extended periods without doctor supervision. All we are saying, is that by eating those low calories now by means of real food, you will have an easier transition later when you start maintaining. There is no proof that meal replacement shakes and bars work in the long run. There is actually eveidence to quite the opposite. And slim fast conains HFCS, which is direcly linked to obesity and addiction. Why does a diet shake contain HFCS in the first place? Thats is exactly what they remove from soda to make it diet. I'm just sayin'....

If its working for you, great. Awesome for you. I hope you prove me wrong five years from now. But we are talking about a healthy lifestyle, not diets.

HealthierMamasita

Your body needs so much more than what those bars and shakes have to offer. The only bar I eat is a granola bar for a snack. Ok ok... and a chocolate bar when Aunt Flo comes for a visit. There, I said it!

~Jo:flowerforyou:

Allieballie

Very good post I'm all for real food. I picked up a package of veggie burgers, and looked through the ingredients, and was shocked at the fillers and sodium. It immediately made me want to go home and make some of my own. I made a dozen, froze eleven of 'em and saved myself a ton of money and funky ingredients that my body isn't designed to process.