Eating junk food but still losing weight

ChezBubbles

Is this possible? I think I am addicted to junk food and wondered if I would still lose weight if I continued to eat it but stay within my calories............

Any comments?????

LittleFootHafner

I would definitely try to cut back more and more each week.
However, I tend to treat myself with smalls amount of chips and chocolate at least a few times a week (I almost always stay under my calories), and I am still losing!

kiminoo

My sister lost 15 lbs eating junk food, she just watched her calories and when that wasn't enough she watched her sodium too. But of course, try and eat more healthy foods too.

catwrangler

sure but I would be afraid my health would suffer......

Dee120hb

You may lose weight, but it's not healthy. Not to mention it'll be harder to lose when you hit a plateau.

hails62

You may stay within your calorie intake but your fat and saturated fat could be well over, as junk food tastes sooo good because its full of fat you should always stay within your fat and sat fat goals for the day. Im big junk foody to, its been so hard but I've cut back. I still treat myself every sunday to a take out or some crisps/choc, but during the rest of the week I maybe have a choc biscuit or low fat crisps to stay under target.

ChezBubbles

I am so happy to hear that!!! I am trying to add in some fruit and water etc but I don't want to give up chips!

NKF92879

I eat junk a few times a week, but I eat a smaller portion when I do. In the past when I gave it up completely, I only lasted a few weeks. Now, I've lost 4.1 pounds & my body fat's down 1%. It's taken me two and a half months, but I'm OK with slow progress as long as it's progress.

erickirb

Is this possible? I think I am addicted to junk food and wondered if I would still lose weight if I continued to eat it but stay within my calories............

Any comments?????

Yes, as it is calories in vs. calories out. So you can lose weight eating junk, the problem with eating junk is you will not be healthy, no matter how much you lose.

Goal_Seeker_1988

During my 85lb weight loss I ate alot of burgers and fries.... Still lost the weight. Guess it all depends on how much physical activity you are willin to put into it just to be able to eat it.

beckajw

Of course you can. The question is should you?

There was a study, probably about a year ago, by a college professor. He lost weight on the "Twinkie diet" eating twinkies and doritos. His numbers (i.e. cholesterol, blood pressure, etc.) also got better. However, no one knows what the long term effects are of such a diet. Despite this apparent success, the experts mostly agree that you should eat a balanced diet of mostly whole foods.

Additionally, you will have a problem with hunger. Although right now, you may not feel extra hungry, it will happen. Fruits, veggies, lean proteins, complex carbs all help you to stay fuller longer with less calories than the empty carbs found in junk food.

While eating only junk food and staying in your calorie range may cause you to lose weight, it is unlikely to help you to keep it off for the long term.

ChezBubbles

OK, so maybe cut down and moderate rather than go cold turkey?

taem

I am so happy to hear that!!! I am trying to add in some fruit and water etc but I don't want to give up chips!

I slice up potatoes and microwave them for about 4 and a half minutes. If the slices are thin, you will get some really tasty chips.

craigwarren

Of course you will. Its the calories that put weight on or off.
But dont forget you are eating "junk". The effect on your body will not be good. If you doubt thsi watch the movie Supersize me, when the guys is actually killing himself eating this stuff http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_Size_Me
Much better I think to decide that, say, friday is junk food treat day and have it only once.

Best of luck!

kennie2

you would lose faster eating healtier. and feel way better

jgic2009

It is possible--but junk food tends to have a lot of calories without making you feel full or providing any real nutrition. What that means is that somebody using the majority of their daily calories on junk food will get to eat a lot less food (and will feel much less satisfied) than somebody eating healthy foods to meet their calorie goal.

Diary_Queen

If chips are your junk food craving, there are a whole lot of alternatives to just a plain old chip. Reduced Fat or Light Pringles are good, just watch the serving size.... also, there are vegetable chips made from things like tomatoes and spinach and other dehydrated and puffed veggies or pita chips which tend to be a bit high in sodium, so check the labels. Also, do you eat something with the chips? Perhaps its something you could eat a different way. I'm a salsa junkie, but there are times I have to eat salsa with mini cheddar rice cakes or even on fresh cut veggies to save myself from the chips.

ChezBubbles

This is really helpful stuff. Thanks so much guys. My main problem is lunch at work - I always take the easy option and go to the chippy. I'm then full up for the rest of the day though so end up skipping dinner.........

mkaluzny

Did you ever do the mouse experiment in school? One mouse was fed chips and junk; the other a balanced muse diet. The junk food mouse lost weight, but also was more lethargic and lost muscle mass. His coat also was not as shiny. Be a shiny healthy mouse - cut back on junk food!

Asil76

Chips were and still are my biggest weakness, it is all about moderation for me. I still allow myself to have them but only a few at a time. I have tried and I just can't give up my chips lol

ChezBubbles

Did you ever do the mouse experiment in school? One mouse was fed chips and junk; the other a balanced muse diet. The junk food mouse lost weight, but also was more lethargic and lost muscle mass. His coat also was not as shiny. Be a shiny healthy mouse - cut back on junk food!

I wish there was a "like" button like you have on Facebook -

MandaLen13

It shouldn't be ALL about losing weight...you should focus on being healthy. I'm addicted to junk food too and I still allow myself the occasional treat but I have cut back alot. You will still lose weight if you stay within your calories but you're not doing much for your health. Try to cut back & good luck! I know its not an easy addiction to beat

jwaitman

I am admittedly a sugar addict. I am not supposed to eat it because I actually have a sensitivity to it and border being allergic! However I do still need something sweet after a meal, so I try to eat healthy and have my sweets after I eat. I still lose.

russelljclarke

I have a 'blip' at MacDonalds every now and again, and provided I stay within my cals, or burn it off with some cardio, it hasn't caused a problem for me. More so cheese sandwiches for me! I do agree with a lot of the other posts though, it'd probably be better if you weaned yourself off the junk food over time, as it's not just the cals but the other ill effects that will eventually bite you. Luck!

fbmandy55

I eat fast food between once a week to occasionally a few times a week. I just make sure it fits into my calories and get in a good workout on those days. I've lost over 35lbs..

I find myself desiring it less and less. Most of the time it's out of convenience and eventually I'll try to cut it all together...

MzMiller1215

Junk food is okay in moderation......maybe once or twice a week. Be sure to eat more healthy foods vs junk foods be aware of the sodium and bad fats also. Even in staying under your calories, eating too much junk food will not help to suppress hunger and because junk food tastes so good, you will be more tempted to eat more than just one serving.

ChezBubbles

I am definitely seeing the light here guys. Since joining up I have already started eating more fruit and less chocolate.The last "sin" I need to kick is takeaways - McD's, KFC and the chip shop.

VeganGal84

It's definately possible. I have not given up any of my favorite junk food, and have lost over 70 pounds. I just switched my "all or nothing" thinking into "everything in moderation" and eat mostly healthy, but with some less-than-healthy treats here and there.

ursy87

This is really helpful stuff. Thanks so much guys. My main problem is lunch at work - I always take the easy option and go to the chippy. I'm then full up for the rest of the day though so end up skipping dinner.........

Our chippy does more 'healthy' options. Soups, salads, wraps and stuff. My son came in with a bag of chips with salt and vinegar and they smelt amazing and I had one and tbh I was suprised when I didnt actually think it was all that great. I used to have fast food/takeaways prob 3 or 4 times aweek and now its not really bothered me.

Maybe for lunchtimes you just have to try to be a bit more organised, its a pain, but it will be totally worth it.
Good Luck
x

ArroganceInStep

Lots of people also find ways to make substitutions with things that aren't quite as unhealthy. A strong Mcdonald's fries craving might be replaced with baked or fried potatoes at home. I am a Reese's Peanut Butter cup fiend, so I make my morning protein shakes such that they taste a lot like that to me. They my not be the healthiest option in the world, but they're certainly better than the original craving. Looking at that coupled with moderation rather than elimination might make it easier to have a healthy diet. It's not just about losing weight, you want to lose weight AND improve your overall health and well being.

Punkedpoetess

It's definately possible. I have not given up any of my favorite junk food, and have lost over 70 pounds. I just switched my "all or nothing" thinking into "everything in moderation" and eat mostly healthy, but with some less-than-healthy treats here and there.

I agree with this and I think cutting your portions, having things less, and finding healthier options for your favorite junk food items is better than giving up things altogether. Personally, completely giving them up sets me up for a binge later. Moderation and for certain things finding healther or lower calorie alternatives has been working for me so far as well.