how do you guys feel about public food diaries?

6Pk2Go

Public. For accountability and constructive criticism. Any comments that aren't constructive are taken with a grain of salt - however, I can't recall any...

Laura_beau

Mine is open- I find it is a good way to stay accountable, as others have said.

It's also a great way to share meal/ snack ideas.

I have only ever really had positive comments, or people asking me for recipes!!

I've nothing to hide )

ibbray04

Mine is set to be seen by friends only.

I agree with everyone who says it adds to the accountability. I honestly had no friends make any comments on my dairy, good or bad.

philOHIO

It may make you think twice about what you are consuming... makes you accountable. I have it set for friends only.

kimberly702

Mine is open to my friends. I make better choices because of it and I DO like the suggestions and criticism and the compliments! It doesn't bother me. It's not like I eat alone anyway or am trying to hide what I eat.

SomersetJo

My diary is open as i feel that its better for me to have people look at it and give me ideas on what i should and could be eating etc.

I am open to whatever if i was not then i would not have my open.

I am not ashamed of what i eat per day so dont care who see's.

I can see why some people would take things to heart but at the end of the day its personal choice and we all have that option. The one that make's me laugh is the blocked by pin number what is that all about. :laugh:

Good luck all with your weight loss

taem

I keep my public so when I do talk on the forums, I can show that I am doing what I talk about (low fat, high carb diet) and it keeps me honest to my mfp friends and family.

Not that I am the greatest dieter, but I hear on the forums that carbs means sugar, and so when I say I am a diabetic type 2, and I eat starchy carbs (potatoes and rice), I have to be able to show just how much.

As people tell me that saturated fat is good for them and high protein (over 20%), I want to show that you can do something different. Don't get me wrong, I am not a poster child for low fat diets, but I feel I have to be show that I talk about to show some creditability when I talk about diet.

cherdan

I feel fine with having mine public, and I do greatly enjoy looking at the diaries of other vegetarians. People can say or think what they will. However, I feel, there generally should be some kind of unspoken mutual understanding that, if you request to be my friend, you should be supporting me on my path, not trying to be my nutritionist. We all have our on and off days. I will not critique your diary, for it is not my body, and I expect you to be on the same page about mine. I had one chick request me, who I was already initially a bit wary about, and, lo and behold, approximately 10 minutes after accepting her request, she took it upon herself to page through my last 5 days of entries, and leave her little critiques and suggestions on each one. I thought, "Honey, Jillian Michaels, you ain't," and promptly deleted her. This led me to putting a disclaimer on my profile about my intolerance for unsolicited diary critiques. The lone exception to all this, however, is if you consistently go under 1,200 calories a day. I won't say anything about it, as it's not my place, but I will deny or delete. You're not eating a healthy calorie intake, you're not losing weight healthily or normally, and I want nothing to do with such behaviors.

naonah

My diary is open to my friends so that they can hopefully help me by giving me constructive feedback on what I did well or how I can improve. The point of sharing is also to get meal/food ideas!

However, although it is in no way my intention to "snoop", I am very big on giving people tips on making healthier choices. I try to do it in a very constructive and positive way. If a diary is not viewable I don't like to comment because I have no clue if people are under goal by a bit or a lot (I believe in sticking to the min of 1200 daily cals), and what their food choices were. For all I know, they could have eaten junk food all day and still be under. Since that's not healthy, I can't say "way to go". I also don't comment when people have meal replacements every day.

So basically, if your intention isn't to be healthy (and lose weight) then I understand that you wouldn't want to be my friend. on a positive note, those who are trying to be healthy appreciate my comments to the point that they send me messages to look at their diaries or asking for tips or opinions.

Happy losing!
Nadia

erieli04

My diary is viewable by friends only. I have only been using MFP for a few months but have had a few instances where a friend made comments about what I ate. And while I understand that her comments were probably coming from a place of support and concern, I don't think they are helpful or motivating.

I look at a lot of people's diaries and am appalled by the lack of fruits and veggies in their diets, but I don't think it is my place to tell them to eat more of them. We are all adults and can make our own choices, and most of us are extremely aware of what we eat and what is good for us. Some days will be better than others, and that is OK. But I think people need to be very careful of being too judgmental about what people are eating, because you don't know what might be going on in their life. Some people on MFP are major over-sharers, but most are not. Personally, I like to look at people's diaries more for inspiration than anything else, because I am always eating the same food and like to get ideas for meals and snacks from others.

Angellore

Mine is open to friends, I like to get feedback and ideas. I love looking at others diaries to get ideas too, sometimes I am pleasantly surprised at how low cal a food is and I'll then incorporate it into my own diet. I don't have it open to non friends though because I have seen some harsh comments on the boards.

SkateboardFi

thanks for all the feedback i really appreciate all the opnions, i'm just...uncomfortable with it all i suppose lol

Articeluvsmemphis

mine is open. I've added friends on myfitnesspal for support so it is their business what I eat. If they think they can help me, I'm all for it. and I like getting ideas from other open diaries. let's me see where i can plug better options into my diet.

CARNAT22

Mine is open to my friends and I have never had any comments on it.

I only look at other peoples diaries if a) they ask or b) they have posted something that makes me wonder if they are taking enough calories

sunkisses

Mine's public 'cause I don't care if people see. It hasn't become an issue yet. Most people know I don't care what they think of my consumption or lack thereof.

melsinct

My diary is public. I don't really care if others have theirs public or private; whatever will keep you HONESTLY logging everything you eat is the way you should set your privacy settings.

I haven't had anyone say anything to me about what I eat (or drink!), and even if they did, I really don't care about unsolicited comments. The cloak of anonymity on the internet brings out the nasty in some people and it wouldn't offend me one way or the other. I do welcome constructive criticism from any MFP person, but I am guessing most people, myself included, don't really look at many diaries unless specifically asked by the person.

karenkwalker

Mine is public. I have asked for comments in the past and had some negative theads, but I asked for it. Anytime someone comments I have a choice how I want to receive it - I can take the advice or not. I find secrets have a lot more power over my eating habits - then a few negative comments. In other words if it is private I might "sneak" more unhealthy foods because no one would know. It keeps me honest with myself. Also most people don't really take the time to look at the diary.

On the positive side - I have looked at some diaries of people who are very successful with reducing sodium or sugar, etc. and that has been extremely helpful to me to get more creative with my own menu. I tend to get stuck in a rut and eat the same thing all the time.

I think some people on this site could figure out a nicer way to provide feedback a few people seem to think they have a right to just say whatever they want, how they want to others. Many people who have eating problems have come from "abusive" environments and need positive, unconditional love - not the "kick in the butt" attitude that's on here sometimes.

Whatever works for you - that's what works!

DixiedoesMFP

Mine is public. I will actually use that as a tool when I am deciding what to eat. Do I want my MFP friends to see that I ate a cheeseburger? No! So I will order a chicken salad instead. That being said, I have never had negative comments, even when I log a 350 calorie donut (sometimes it's worth it, even if my MFP friends see it!) I like to look at other people's diaries to get new food ideas. I have actually purchased some items such as Luna bars after seeing them as a recurring theme on several friends' diaries. I would never insult anyone's choices!

Vhovell

I have my diary open to my friends but people rarely comment. I find it helpful as if someone can see something i'm doing wrong, or right, then i want to hear it so i can continue the challenge. Plus if people are going to see if you're more likely to think again before eating a chocolate bar )

TavistockToad

Mine is open to my friends, and i have only got the odd comment on a particular food being nice (roast beef dinner yesterday for example) or this morning someone said i was only a bit over my cals - which i know i am as i am working out tonight so have already logged my exercise cals.

TiffanyA2008

I choose to keep mine PRIVATE! Although I do eat pretty healthy. (I think) I haven't had a soda in FOREVER. I don't eat anything fried. All my meats are either grilled or baked. My veggies are steamed, sauteed or grilled. I love raw fresh veggies as well as fruit. I drink plenty of water. I just choose to keep mine private because it is my food diary not everyone else's!

Louise12

I like to keep mine public!... i dont really get negative comments ...but i dont mind getting comments anyways ... i like pointers if im going wrong and people can make suggestions to make my diary better. I also like to see what others have eaten to give me tips! ... its personal preference.. it also keeps me on track ... if i have an off day and have to log the choclate i ate it encourages me to work harder knowing that people can see what im eating .. i think it makes it more of a challenge for me personally ..

Angelamu77

I was wondering if me making it public was a good idea or not...

With that said I don't think I would get annoyed or offended if someone comments on my 'unhealthy' snack/meal I may choose. But at the same time I would have to ask myself why are they my 'friends' and look at that if they were really rude.

beckyinma

Mine's open. I eat out, eat burgers on the grill, and occasionally even have a donut...My LIFE isn't going to be put on hold because of a diet. If someone on my friends list doesn't like the way I choose to lose weight, they can suck it and delete me from their friends list. I welcome criticism, if you criticize me, I guarantee I'm going to go straight to your diary and find out why you're criticizing me. Jealous that I eat out maybe? Because you are depriving yourself of simple pleasures? That's usually the first reason people criticize. PS, I haven't had anyone ever be negative about my diary.

Seriously, be accountable for what you eat, and don't bother with the negativity. If you eat bad one day, exercise to make up for it. LIVE your life, don't let life pass you by because of a 'diet'.

Rant over.

VeganGal84

Mine is public to friends only, and I like it that way.

I have considered making it completely private, but only because I've started to track differently for a new eating plan, and don't want to alarm any of my friends! My new plan is like the Weight Watchers Core plan, where I don't have to track certain foods. I settled for putting a disclaimer in my profile and keeping it public to friends for now.

I agree that it's easier to offer supportive comments to friends who keep their diary public, but I always try to give encouraging comments to all of my friends, open diary or not.

aj_rock

I feel like a public diary can go a long way in keeping you accountable for the foods you eat. Would you eat that extra donut knowing that someone will see that and shake their head sadly at you? :P

pa_jorg

Mine is open for friends only. Gives me the best of both options -- people to keep me accountable and offer helpful suggestions, but no one criticizing or being rude.

shariguymon

I have mine public, because it is helpful to me. I find that when I am willing to share, others are too, and I like the ideas I can glean from others...No one has ever made a negative comment, and like another member stated, when someone is under all the time, and not doing as well as they want, and ask for help, I really don't know how to help when I don't know what they are doing. Some of my friends have public, and some have private. Each person has to be comfortable with what they do......I like to think that someone checking my diary might find some helpful patterns that might benefit them. I try to incorporate the things I've learned not just into better eating habits, but exercise patterns as well......When I feel comfortable with my efforts, I am able to feel open to the examination of my choices by others....I never make all the best choices, but I do the best I can, and feel good about it...Look if you want, for whatever reason, it mattereth not to me!

If we are willing to support and share with each other and be genuine, that's good. If we feel self conscious and hesitant to share, that's fine....We are all at different stages in our journey and most definitely should be respectful of each persons feelings along their path.....None of us are all wise and know it all, but sometimes our experiences can benefit a fellow traveler! DO WHAT WORKS FOR YOU!!!!

hbrekkaas

Mine is private for two reasons. One is that its no-ones business what I"m eating, and I don't want anyones comments about it. I know what I"m eating, good and bad, and really don't need any input.

The other reason mine if private is because I rarely fill it out. Or I fill it out halfway and not finish...it wouldn't be helpful to anyway and it gives the totally wrong idea when it shows I only ate 500 calories yesterday. i don't fill it out because I don't really need to, I"m on this site for the support still, but I am losing weight just fine by eating when hungry and making good choices. I had a hard time with logging everything, I found that I got obsessive and it was actually really bad for me personally.

TiffanyA2008

My LIFE isn't going to be put on hold because of a diet.

I agree. It's okay to treat yourself. All things in moderation. There is nothing wrong with that!