Do I have to eat 100% clean to lose weight?
Replies
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I might be able to if you could define "clean" and "junk" for me.
I find it amusing that those that claim not to think food is junk or know what 'junk food' is, are often those that immediately start defending fast food, baked goods and sweets when someone mentions junk food.
It's because the labels like "clean" or "junk" have no real meaning.
It's the labels we attack.
Nutrients matter. Labels do not.
Labels have no meaning, yet we all know what they mean. Got it.
We actually don't know what they mean. Their meanings are highly amorphous. They mean different things to different people.
And on top of that, they don't matter.
Nutrients matter. Labels do not matter.0 -
I might be able to if you could define "clean" and "junk" for me.
I find it amusing that those that claim not to think food is junk or know what 'junk food' is, are often those that immediately start defending fast food, baked goods and sweets when someone mentions junk food.
It's because the labels like "clean" or "junk" have no real meaning.
It's the labels we attack.
Nutrients matter. Labels do not.
Labels have no meaning, yet we all know what they mean. Got it.
We actually don't know what they mean. Their meanings are highly amorphous. They mean different things to different people.
And on top of that, they don't matter.
Nutrients matter. Labels do not matter.
Matter to whom?0 -
Nutrients matter. Labels do not matter.
Matter to whom?
The human body. Turns out the body doesn't really care what you think about certain foods or nutrients, unless perhaps you have some crazy psychological hangup and can't eat a certain something without a severe psychological reaction that screws with your body chemistry.
Which I guess is possible. Or probable, for some people.0 -
No...only on odd numbered days...odd number days you must be 100% clean...do whatevs on even numbered days.
But in all seriousness OP, weight loss isn't linear...you don't lose exactly X Lbs per week every week. You will have weeks with no loss and weeks with bigger losses and weeks with smaller losses and even weeks where your scale may show a gain due to some excess water retention...weight control in general is a general trend over a much longer period of time...whether you're talking about losing, maintaining, or gaining.0 -
Nope. But again, whatever.
I think you rather missed my point, but whatever.I keep wondering if these arguments are simply a matter of viewpoint. If some are arguing in support of how they eat 80% of the time while others are arguing defending what they eat 20% of the time and if in reality, most folks eat pretty similarly, big picture.
It doesn't matter how you eat 80% of the time or 20% of the time.
What matters is what it all adds up to at the end of the day.
Count up the nutrients you've taken in at the end of the day, and if they add up to the right stuff then you're good. If they don't add up to the right stuff you're not good.
It doesn't matter if you eat 80% clean or 80% "junk" or 80% whatever if your overall total nutrient intake is inappropriate.
I'm quite certain I did not.
You and others are so intensely focused on food labels that you miss the overall picture and fail to understand what actually matters.
This might be the worst comeback argument I have ever seen on MFP.
She wasn't wrong. And he's not wrong about his (different) point either.0 -
I might be able to if you could define "clean" and "junk" for me.
I find it amusing that those that claim not to think food is junk or know what 'junk food' is, are often those that immediately start defending fast food, baked goods and sweets when someone mentions junk food.
It's because the labels like "clean" or "junk" have no real meaning.
It's the labels we attack.
Nutrients matter. Labels do not.
Labels have no meaning, yet we all know what they mean. Got it.
We actually don't know what they mean. Their meanings are highly amorphous. They mean different things to different people.
And on top of that, they don't matter.
Nutrients matter. Labels do not matter.
Matter to whom?
The human body. Turns out the body doesn't really care what you think about certain foods or nutrients, unless perhaps you have some crazy psychological hangup and can't eat a certain something without a severe psychological reaction that screws with your body chemistry.
The digestive system doesn't care about words. I agree. But that has absolutely nothing at all to do with the fact that everyone knows what is meant by "junk food".0 -
No...only on odd numbered days...odd number days you must be 100% clean...do whatevs on even numbered days.
Don't forget to carry the 1 :laugh:0 -
It may not be the food that has you stalled. Try revamping your exercise routine. If your only form of exercise is running, then your body expects that and then doesn't have to work as hard anymore. Try adding some strength training to your routine. Or adding some HIIT to your running routine to switch things up a little.
Keeping your body out of an exercise routine will keep it guessing and always result in a great calorie burn!
^^^this was my thought as well. Also calorie counting isn't exact when you are just going by smal med lg size fry etc. and not weighing food.
Funny that you mention fries. The handful of times I've weighed fries, it's been almost dead on. But you are right.
The big chains measure their portions pretty well. They've got their expenses calculated down to a nat's as_ and you have to be consistent to do that.
5-Guys, on the other hand, likes to overfill to the point that you've basically got a second serving in the brown bag. I should weigh theirs once, for the heck of it.
ROFL yes Five guys was the one I was thinking of lol0 -
I might be able to if you could define "clean" and "junk" for me.
I find it amusing that those that claim not to think food is junk or know what 'junk food' is, are often those that immediately start defending fast food, baked goods and sweets when someone mentions junk food.
It's because the labels like "clean" or "junk" have no real meaning.
It's the labels we attack.
Nutrients matter. Labels do not.
Labels have no meaning, yet we all know what they mean. Got it.
its pretty much when people say a burger is unhealthy.
lets put 2 burgers right next to eachotehr
1 whole wheat 9 grain. lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, grass fed beef, avocado
The other is white bread, cheese, fried onions, bbq sauce, cheese, 80/20 normal ground beef.
Now the first burger is loaded with fiber, phytochemicals, antioxidants, balanced fats, omega 3 fatty acids. micronutrients, etc, most likely less heavy metals than the 2nd
the 2nd burger is low residual, little to no fiber, calorie dense for the satiation, has little to nothing else.
We could play the same game with pizza with changing general ingredients.
Dont get me wrong, I will eat a regular burger with friend onions and what not, there are better choices out there.
There is a point where we have to balance caloric density with satiation and micronutrients. However, people keep demonizing food and believe that if they cannot do it fully "clean", then they might as well give up. Moderation is the key to full sustainability0 -
It wasn't meant to be a "comeback".
Nope. But again, whatever.
I think you rather missed my point, but whatever.I keep wondering if these arguments are simply a matter of viewpoint. If some are arguing in support of how they eat 80% of the time while others are arguing defending what they eat 20% of the time and if in reality, most folks eat pretty similarly, big picture.
It doesn't matter how you eat 80% of the time or 20% of the time.
What matters is what it all adds up to at the end of the day.
Count up the nutrients you've taken in at the end of the day, and if they add up to the right stuff then you're good. If they don't add up to the right stuff you're not good.
It doesn't matter if you eat 80% clean or 80% "junk" or 80% whatever if your overall total nutrient intake is inappropriate.
I'm quite certain I did not.
You and others are so intensely focused on food labels that you miss the overall picture and fail to understand what actually matters.
This might be the worst comeback argument I have ever seen on MFP.0 -
I've been using mfp again for the past month and while I lost a solid 8lbs with running, eating back exercise calories, and setting a goal of 1500 cals I have stalled for the past week. However, my diet isn't the healthiest with fries and hamburgers at times because of work. I always pick the correct calorie amount for the junk food but I an wondering if that is what is keeping me from losing weight. I thought it was all about maintaining a deficit but am I wrong?
As long as you are in a deficit you will lose weight... "clean" or "dirty".
As you lose weight your caloric needs change. It could be that 1500 calories might not be enough for you anymore. As you get leaner it's a good idea to reduce your deficit... since there are less fat stores for your body to make up the balance of your TDEE.
Also, is running all you do? Maybe change up your workout and add some resistance training.0 -
It wasn't meant to be a "comeback".
Nope. But again, whatever.
I think you rather missed my point, but whatever.I keep wondering if these arguments are simply a matter of viewpoint. If some are arguing in support of how they eat 80% of the time while others are arguing defending what they eat 20% of the time and if in reality, most folks eat pretty similarly, big picture.
It doesn't matter how you eat 80% of the time or 20% of the time.
What matters is what it all adds up to at the end of the day.
Count up the nutrients you've taken in at the end of the day, and if they add up to the right stuff then you're good. If they don't add up to the right stuff you're not good.
It doesn't matter if you eat 80% clean or 80% "junk" or 80% whatever if your overall total nutrient intake is inappropriate.
I'm quite certain I did not.
You and others are so intensely focused on food labels that you miss the overall picture and fail to understand what actually matters.
This might be the worst comeback argument I have ever seen on MFP.
Then what explain to me what it was supposed to be? Because it appears to be a response that says "No" .0 -
The reason I don't like the label "clean" is because it causes threads like this. Someone hears from some TV show or website how eating clean is the only way to go, and so they want to try it out. Then they demonize certain foods or food groups; then they slip up and eat them; then they say screw it and give up. Not always, but it happens.
That's why I prefer the IIFYM approach: flexible eating, within your calorie goal, hitting macro and micro nutrient targets, eating food you enjoy in a sustainable way. No deprivation, no guilt. With moderation and consistency, you will get results.0 -
The reason I don't like the label "clean" is because it causes threads like this. Someone hears from some TV show or website how eating clean is the only way to go, and so they want to try it out. Then they demonize certain foods or food groups; then they slip up and eat them; then they say screw it and give up. Not always, but it happens.
That's why I prefer the IIFYM approach: flexible eating, within your calorie goal, hitting macro and micro nutrient targets, eating food you enjoy in a sustainable way. No deprivation, no guilt. With moderation and consistency, you will get results.
Please stop, your logic and reason are out of place.0 -
The reason I don't like the label "clean" is because it causes threads like this. Someone hears from some TV show or website how eating clean is the only way to go, and so they want to try it out. Then they demonize certain foods or food groups; then they slip up and eat them; then they say screw it and give up. Not always, but it happens.
That's why I prefer the IIFYM approach: flexible eating, within your calorie goal, hitting macro and micro nutrient targets, eating food you enjoy in a sustainable way. No deprivation, no guilt. With moderation and consistency, you will get results.
I also find it hard to believe that IIFYM, when done thoughtfully, is all about eating "junk food". I would argue that it is fairly difficult to hit your macros with the majority of calories coming from overly processed fast food. To my understanding, and please someone correct me if I am wrong, when one practices IIFYM the majority of the food is fairly nutrient dense. If there are any calories remaining once the pre-determined macros are hit, and you want to eat to maintenance, you can fill them up any way you like. The body got what it needed... so why not round out the day with something you enjoy. I read a quote the other day and it really rings true... pleasure is a nutrient.
Also, wether you think you are or not... if you are trying to do a body comp and not just lose weight... you are doing IIFYM.0 -
The reason I don't like the label "clean" is because it causes threads like this. Someone hears from some TV show or website how eating clean is the only way to go, and so they want to try it out. Then they demonize certain foods or food groups; then they slip up and eat them; then they say screw it and give up. Not always, but it happens.
That's why I prefer the IIFYM approach: flexible eating, within your calorie goal, hitting macro and micro nutrient targets, eating food you enjoy in a sustainable way. No deprivation, no guilt. With moderation and consistency, you will get results.
IIFYM can mean deprivation just the same as other diets. If you want more carbs than your macro limit allows, you will have to deprive yourself of what you want or "slip up". If don't want as much protein as your macro says you must have, you may have to"slip up" or deprive yourself of a food you really want in favor of something with protein. If you want to eat a Happy Meal and have exactly enough calories for it, but it doesn't provide the micronutrients you need, you either slip up, or deprive yourself of the Happy Meal.
You get sick of having to eat protein when you want carbs, and say "screw it, I give up". Not always, but it happens.
Any diet that has boundaries of any kind is going to involve deprivation.0 -
The reason I don't like the label "clean" is because it causes threads like this. Someone hears from some TV show or website how eating clean is the only way to go, and so they want to try it out. Then they demonize certain foods or food groups; then they slip up and eat them; then they say screw it and give up. Not always, but it happens.
That's why I prefer the IIFYM approach: flexible eating, within your calorie goal, hitting macro and micro nutrient targets, eating food you enjoy in a sustainable way. No deprivation, no guilt. With moderation and consistency, you will get results.
I also find it hard to believe that IIFYM, when done thoughtfully, is all about eating "junk food". I would argue that it is fairly difficult to hit your macros with the majority of calories coming from overly processed fast food. To my understanding, and please someone correct me if I am wrong, when one practices IIFYM the majority of the food is fairly nutrient dense. If there are any calories remaining once the pre-determined macros are hit, and you want to eat to maintenance, you can fill them up any way you like. The body got what it needed... so why not round out the day with something you enjoy. I read a quote the other day and it really rings true... pleasure is a nutrient.
Also, wether you think you are or not... if you are trying to do a body comp and not just lose weight... you are doing IIFYM.
Meh. Look at Jonnythan's diary, if it's open. He does a pretty bang up job IMO.
ETA: This is re: the statement "I would argue that it is fairly difficult to hit your macros with the majority of calories coming from overly processed fast food."0 -
The reason I don't like the label "clean" is because it causes threads like this. Someone hears from some TV show or website how eating clean is the only way to go, and so they want to try it out. Then they demonize certain foods or food groups; then they slip up and eat them; then they say screw it and give up. Not always, but it happens.
That's why I prefer the IIFYM approach: flexible eating, within your calorie goal, hitting macro and micro nutrient targets, eating food you enjoy in a sustainable way. No deprivation, no guilt. With moderation and consistency, you will get results.
I also find it hard to believe that IIFYM, when done thoughtfully, is all about eating "junk food". I would argue that it is fairly difficult to hit your macros with the majority of calories coming from overly processed fast food. To my understanding, and please someone correct me if I am wrong, when one practices IIFYM the majority of the food is fairly nutrient dense. If there are any calories remaining once the pre-determined macros are hit, and you want to eat to maintenance, you can fill them up any way you like. The body got what it needed... so why not round out the day with something you enjoy. I read a quote the other day and it really rings true... pleasure is a nutrient.
Also, wether you think you are or not... if you are trying to do a body comp and not just lose weight... you are doing IIFYM.
Meh. Look at Jonnythan's diary, if it's open. He does a pretty bang up job IMO.
I have looked at Johhythan's diary, not every single day of it but that said what I saw was not all filled up with fast food... Take a look at mine. I pretty much eat whatever I want... and whatever I want changes from time to time.0 -
I eat dirt all the time and I'm still losing.0
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The reason I don't like the label "clean" is because it causes threads like this. Someone hears from some TV show or website how eating clean is the only way to go, and so they want to try it out. Then they demonize certain foods or food groups; then they slip up and eat them; then they say screw it and give up. Not always, but it happens.
That's why I prefer the IIFYM approach: flexible eating, within your calorie goal, hitting macro and micro nutrient targets, eating food you enjoy in a sustainable way. No deprivation, no guilt. With moderation and consistency, you will get results.
I also find it hard to believe that IIFYM, when done thoughtfully, is all about eating "junk food". I would argue that it is fairly difficult to hit your macros with the majority of calories coming from overly processed fast food. To my understanding, and please someone correct me if I am wrong, when one practices IIFYM the majority of the food is fairly nutrient dense. If there are any calories remaining once the pre-determined macros are hit, and you want to eat to maintenance, you can fill them up any way you like. The body got what it needed... so why not round out the day with something you enjoy. I read a quote the other day and it really rings true... pleasure is a nutrient.
Also, wether you think you are or not... if you are trying to do a body comp and not just lose weight... you are doing IIFYM.
Meh. Look at Jonnythan's diary, if it's open. He does a pretty bang up job IMO.
I have looked at Johhythan's diary, not every single day of it but that said what I saw was not all filled up with fast food... Take a look at mine. I pretty much eat whatever I want... and whatever I want changes from time to time.
It is a lot of fast food, though. That's why I friended him. It's a freaking piece of art.
For the record, I follow IIFYM. Not sure if you thought I was against it or something.0 -
I eat dirt all the time and I'm still losing.
Your poor taste buds. Dirt all the time must be terrible!
:laugh:0 -
The reason I don't like the label "clean" is because it causes threads like this. Someone hears from some TV show or website how eating clean is the only way to go, and so they want to try it out. Then they demonize certain foods or food groups; then they slip up and eat them; then they say screw it and give up. Not always, but it happens.
That's why I prefer the IIFYM approach: flexible eating, within your calorie goal, hitting macro and micro nutrient targets, eating food you enjoy in a sustainable way. No deprivation, no guilt. With moderation and consistency, you will get results.
I also find it hard to believe that IIFYM, when done thoughtfully, is all about eating "junk food". I would argue that it is fairly difficult to hit your macros with the majority of calories coming from overly processed fast food. To my understanding, and please someone correct me if I am wrong, when one practices IIFYM the majority of the food is fairly nutrient dense. If there are any calories remaining once the pre-determined macros are hit, and you want to eat to maintenance, you can fill them up any way you like. The body got what it needed... so why not round out the day with something you enjoy. I read a quote the other day and it really rings true... pleasure is a nutrient.
Also, wether you think you are or not... if you are trying to do a body comp and not just lose weight... you are doing IIFYM.
Meh. Look at Jonnythan's diary, if it's open. He does a pretty bang up job IMO.
I have looked at Johhythan's diary, not every single day of it but that said what I saw was not all filled up with fast food... Take a look at mine. I pretty much eat whatever I want... and whatever I want changes from time to time.
It is a lot of fast food, though. That's why I friended him. It's a freaking piece of art.
For the record, I follow IIFYM. Not sure if you thought I was against it or something.
No not at all... I follow it too. You should look at my diary sometime... specifically weekends. I have created some masterpieces of my own
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You can eat 100% clean and gain lots of weight.
(yeah I'm responding without reading the previous five pages again)0 -
The reason I don't like the label "clean" is because it causes threads like this. Someone hears from some TV show or website how eating clean is the only way to go, and so they want to try it out. Then they demonize certain foods or food groups; then they slip up and eat them; then they say screw it and give up. Not always, but it happens.
That's why I prefer the IIFYM approach: flexible eating, within your calorie goal, hitting macro and micro nutrient targets, eating food you enjoy in a sustainable way. No deprivation, no guilt. With moderation and consistency, you will get results.
IIFYM can mean deprivation just the same as other diets. If you want more carbs than your macro limit allows, you will have to deprive yourself of what you want or "slip up". If don't want as much protein as your macro says you must have, you may have to"slip up" or deprive yourself of a food you really want in favor of something with protein. If you want to eat a Happy Meal and have exactly enough calories for it, but it doesn't provide the micronutrients you need, you either slip up, or deprive yourself of the Happy Meal.
You get sick of having to eat protein when you want carbs, and say "screw it, I give up". Not always, but it happens.
Any diet that has boundaries of any kind is going to involve deprivation.
The difference here is that IIFYM focuses on NUTRIENTS, which matter. It does not focus on LABELS like "clean" which don't matter.
You can eat whatever "label" of food you want as long as you get the proper NUTRIENTS.
Nutrients matter; hence, counting nutrients is valid.
Labels do not matter; hence, counting labels is invalid.0 -
The reason I don't like the label "clean" is because it causes threads like this. Someone hears from some TV show or website how eating clean is the only way to go, and so they want to try it out. Then they demonize certain foods or food groups; then they slip up and eat them; then they say screw it and give up. Not always, but it happens.
That's why I prefer the IIFYM approach: flexible eating, within your calorie goal, hitting macro and micro nutrient targets, eating food you enjoy in a sustainable way. No deprivation, no guilt. With moderation and consistency, you will get results.
IIFYM can mean deprivation just the same as other diets. If you want more carbs than your macro limit allows, you will have to deprive yourself of what you want or "slip up". If don't want as much protein as your macro says you must have, you may have to"slip up" or deprive yourself of a food you really want in favor of something with protein. If you want to eat a Happy Meal and have exactly enough calories for it, but it doesn't provide the micronutrients you need, you either slip up, or deprive yourself of the Happy Meal.
You get sick of having to eat protein when you want carbs, and say "screw it, I give up". Not always, but it happens.
Any diet that has boundaries of any kind is going to involve deprivation.
The difference here is that IIFYM focuses on NUTRIENTS, which matter. It does not focus on LABELS like "clean" which don't matter.
You can eat whatever "label" of food you want as long as you get the proper NUTRIENTS.
Nutrients matter; hence, counting nutrients is valid.
Labels do not matter; hence, counting labels is invalid.
Again, pretty off point, which was deprivation. IIFYM is not immune to it anymore than 'clean eating' is. I don't want to burst any bubbles, but you really don't get to choose what matters for everyone.
ETA: And nutrients are not ALL that matters to the human body.0 -
The difference here is that IIFYM focuses on NUTRIENTS, which matter. It does not focus on LABELS like "clean" which don't matter.
You can eat whatever "label" of food you want as long as you get the proper NUTRIENTS.
Nutrients matter; hence, counting nutrients is valid.
Labels do not matter; hence, counting labels is invalid.
I like that summarization - good job!0 -
The reason I don't like the label "clean" is because it causes threads like this. Someone hears from some TV show or website how eating clean is the only way to go, and so they want to try it out. Then they demonize certain foods or food groups; then they slip up and eat them; then they say screw it and give up. Not always, but it happens.
That's why I prefer the IIFYM approach: flexible eating, within your calorie goal, hitting macro and micro nutrient targets, eating food you enjoy in a sustainable way. No deprivation, no guilt. With moderation and consistency, you will get results.
IIFYM can mean deprivation just the same as other diets. If you want more carbs than your macro limit allows, you will have to deprive yourself of what you want or "slip up". If don't want as much protein as your macro says you must have, you may have to"slip up" or deprive yourself of a food you really want in favor of something with protein. If you want to eat a Happy Meal and have exactly enough calories for it, but it doesn't provide the micronutrients you need, you either slip up, or deprive yourself of the Happy Meal.
You get sick of having to eat protein when you want carbs, and say "screw it, I give up". Not always, but it happens.
Any diet that has boundaries of any kind is going to involve deprivation.
The difference here is that IIFYM focuses on NUTRIENTS, which matter. It does not focus on LABELS like "clean" which don't matter.
You can eat whatever "label" of food you want as long as you get the proper NUTRIENTS.
Nutrients matter; hence, counting nutrients is valid.
Labels do not matter; hence, counting labels is invalid.
Again, pretty off point, which was deprivation. IIFYM is not immune to it anymore than 'clean eating' is. I don't want to burst any bubbles, but you really don't get to choose what matters for everyone.
No, it's not off point. It's the whole point.
If you have to deprive yourself of NUTRIENTS because you want more than is appropriate, then, yes, you'll have to get over it.
If you have to deprive yourself of a particular food because of some bogus LABEL, then that's BS.
Nutrients. Not labels. Nutrients. Not labels.
Nutrients.
Not labels.
Nutrients matter.
Labels do not matter.
"Clean" vs "dirty" does not matter.
Nutrients matter.0 -
yes, but you will feel like crap and have a heart attack...but you'll be thin!0
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The reason I don't like the label "clean" is because it causes threads like this. Someone hears from some TV show or website how eating clean is the only way to go, and so they want to try it out. Then they demonize certain foods or food groups; then they slip up and eat them; then they say screw it and give up. Not always, but it happens.
That's why I prefer the IIFYM approach: flexible eating, within your calorie goal, hitting macro and micro nutrient targets, eating food you enjoy in a sustainable way. No deprivation, no guilt. With moderation and consistency, you will get results.
IIFYM can mean deprivation just the same as other diets. If you want more carbs than your macro limit allows, you will have to deprive yourself of what you want or "slip up". If don't want as much protein as your macro says you must have, you may have to"slip up" or deprive yourself of a food you really want in favor of something with protein. If you want to eat a Happy Meal and have exactly enough calories for it, but it doesn't provide the micronutrients you need, you either slip up, or deprive yourself of the Happy Meal.
You get sick of having to eat protein when you want carbs, and say "screw it, I give up". Not always, but it happens.
Any diet that has boundaries of any kind is going to involve deprivation.
The difference here is that IIFYM focuses on NUTRIENTS, which matter. It does not focus on LABELS like "clean" which don't matter.
You can eat whatever "label" of food you want as long as you get the proper NUTRIENTS.
Nutrients matter; hence, counting nutrients is valid.
Labels do not matter; hence, counting labels is invalid.
Again, pretty off point, which was deprivation. IIFYM is not immune to it anymore than 'clean eating' is. I don't want to burst any bubbles, but you really don't get to choose what matters for everyone.
No, it's not off point. It's the whole point.
If you have to deprive yourself of NUTRIENTS because you want more than is appropriate, then, yes, you'll have to get over it.
If you have to deprive yourself of a particular food because of some bogus LABEL, then that's BS.
Nutrients. Not labels. Nutrients. Not labels.
Nutrients.
Not labels.
Nutrients matter.
Labels do not matter.
"Clean" vs "dirty" does not matter.
Nutrients matter.
EVERYTHING you put in your body matters. EVERYTHING, regardless of whether it contains nutrients or not.0 -
The reason I don't like the label "clean" is because it causes threads like this. Someone hears from some TV show or website how eating clean is the only way to go, and so they want to try it out. Then they demonize certain foods or food groups; then they slip up and eat them; then they say screw it and give up. Not always, but it happens.
That's why I prefer the IIFYM approach: flexible eating, within your calorie goal, hitting macro and micro nutrient targets, eating food you enjoy in a sustainable way. No deprivation, no guilt. With moderation and consistency, you will get results.
IIFYM can mean deprivation just the same as other diets. If you want more carbs than your macro limit allows, you will have to deprive yourself of what you want or "slip up". If don't want as much protein as your macro says you must have, you may have to"slip up" or deprive yourself of a food you really want in favor of something with protein. If you want to eat a Happy Meal and have exactly enough calories for it, but it doesn't provide the micronutrients you need, you either slip up, or deprive yourself of the Happy Meal.
You get sick of having to eat protein when you want carbs, and say "screw it, I give up". Not always, but it happens.
Any diet that has boundaries of any kind is going to involve deprivation.
It's "If it fits your macros," not what some Atkins diet says or paleo diet says or whatever. Your macros are set by you. To me, that means it's a goal. Sure, I have a goal of 100 grams of protein. If I don't meet that because instead of eating salmon, I ate nachos, it's not a big deal. You can call it a slip if you want, but I think the appeal of IIFYM is generally that it is more relaxed. Your goals are set by you; your macros are set by you; whatever goes in your mouth is decided by you.0
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