I'm doing a health documentary, and I want your help :)

GimmieDatSalad

I could make an argument the other way too, I was just curious about how prevalent the opposite attitude was.

walleymama

Essentially I'm doing the opposite of Super Size Me. Following all the best advise for 12 weeks, getting tests done before and after to see what happens. I'll be keeping a video diary and it gets edited together at the end. If you could answer these questions I'd be so so grateful.

1. If you had to pick the four pillars of a healthy lifestyle, what would they be?

Exercise regularly, even if that's just daily walks. Don't be overweight. Eat a well-balanced diet. Don't smoke.

2. Do you think certain foods are addictive?

I don't know. I'm thinking its the pleasure of eating that can be addictive, but whether that comes from chocolate, potato chips, or steaks really depends on the person.

3. "A normal person would find it more sustainable to eat a healthy and balanced diet, not cutting out macro nutrients or eating strange proportions of them". Agree or disagree?

If I understand what you are saying I would agree that it is easier to eat a wide range of foods with no "banned" substances than to try to never eat certain ingredients that are pervasive in our culture's diet, or change your diet drastically (e.g. going from a heavily processed food diet to a paleo type diet).

4. If you can, give me a very short description of what "healthy eating" is to you.

To me, healthy eating = whole foods. However, I think if you are wanting to lose weight you should focus more on portions and calories and not what you eat or don't eat because I think it makes it easier to reach your goal. That's why here on MFP I tend to side with the "eat whatever you want just stay in your daily goals" folks. For overall health, stay away from the heavily processed stuff.

Salkeela

Interesting perspective on the addictive nature of sugar:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/netherlands/10314705/Sugar-is-addictive-and-the-most-dangerous-drug-of-the-times.html

I would tend to include all refined carbohydrates in that....

ILiftHeavyAcrylics

Essentially I'm doing the opposite of Super Size Me. Following all the best advise for 12 weeks, getting tests done before and after to see what happens. I'll be keeping a video diary and it gets edited together at the end. If you could answer these questions I'd be so so grateful.

1. If you had to pick the four pillars of a healthy lifestyle, what would they be?

2. Do you think certain foods are addictive?

3. "A normal person would find it more sustainable to eat a healthy and balanced diet, not cutting out macro nutrients or eating strange proportions of them". Agree or disagree?

4. If you can, give me a very short description of what "healthy eating" is to you.

1. Good nutrition, focus on fitness, Rest, taking care of mental health

2. Not the food per se. I think people can get addicted to anything in the behavioral sense. But as far as "sugar is like crack"-- No.

3. Agree but there are a lot of different definitions of "healthy and balanced" so I'd really need to know what you mean by that.

4. Healthy eating is a diet composed of mostly nutrient dense foods in the proper quantities and macronutrient ratios to fit ones' goals. I think the healthiest plan allows for treats in moderation, assuming other goals have already been met. Also I think a healthy plan doesn't demonize food groups, but recognizes that every choice should be viewed in the context of the entire diet.

Bubblywendy

1. If you had to pick the four pillars of a healthy lifestyle, what would they be?
Eat a balanced diet, exercise, socialising, for mental health we need to sleep for 7-8 hours

2. Do you think certain foods are addictive?
Yes, to certain people. I know that I can become really addicted to processed food, I believe the addiction is born through habit

3. "A normal person would find it more sustainable to eat a healthy and balanced diet, not cutting out macro nutrients or eating strange proportions of them". Agree or disagree?
It depends on your body structure. Some do really well on a raw diet, others need more protein if they have a labour intensive job, of some just needs abit more fat content if thats the only way to keep them full, some needs more carbs than others such as marathon runners. It depends on lifestyle

4. If you can, give me a very short description of what "healthy eating" is to you.
Consuming (healthy) food in moderation for energy, and not letting the food consume you

MinnieInMaine

1. If you had to pick the four pillars of a healthy lifestyle, what would they be?

Hydration, sleep, balanced diet (80/20), regular activity/exercise

2. Do you think certain foods are addictive?

There's no questions that certain substances are physically addictive (like caffeine, alcohol, etc) but I think food addiction is more mental/emotional - meaning people get attached to how those foods remind them of being a happy kid or of simpler times, Also the convenience can be "addictive" meaning it's far easier to make excuses that healthy eating is too expensive or too time consuming and continue to go through the drive thru or call for delivery rather than attempt to make an actual effort to plan meals, shop for healthier ingredients, etc. And I'm not making generalizations, I'm speaking from experience.

3. "A normal person would find it more sustainable to eat a healthy and balanced diet, not cutting out macro nutrients or eating strange proportions of them". Agree or disagree?

Agree

4. If you can, give me a very short description of what "healthy eating" is to you.

Back to the 80/20 split - mostly fruits, veg, whole grains, healthy fats and lean meats - but also allow for treats like chocolate, take-out or alcohol on a regular basis.

I'd also like to add that healthy eating =/= weight loss. You can eat very healthy foods but if you eat them in excess, you're still not going to lose weight.