why would people feel the need to keep their food diary priv

_SusieQ_

Because some people swear you only lose weight by eating low carb. Others swear carbs won't hurt you. Low sodium, low fat, fat is ok, more protein, more fiber, eat your exercise calories, don't eat your exercise calories....

My point is, a lot of people think THEIR way is the only way and if your diary is public than you open yourself to criticism from people that is unsolicited and probably unwanted. I am honest in my diary, even if I eat crap. But if I DO eat crap, I KNOW I ate crap, I don't need someone to point it out to me if I have not asked for their opinion.

That's my two cents on it.

soccerella

Mine is either open to public or friends (i forget which), but i only recently did that. I had it open before but got unsolicited "advice" about how bad drinking was for me and how i was never going to lose weight that way. I'm aware that drinking is not good for me, but If I choose to have a glass of wine with dinner and have the calories for it, then I'm going to do it. In fact I'm going to drink much more than that on occasion. I dont need to be called names and have rude things said to me about it, especially when I never asked for advice/comments on my eating habits. So I turned mine to private, because really I am using the site to keep track for myself, not for other peoples perspective on what I'm eating. It's back to public now, but thats my reasoning for not wanting it that way before

Jeff92se

Why is it important to have it public?

I can tell you why mine is private at the moment: I use the notes section to note certain symptoms and things that I don't necessarily want everyone to be able to see. If there was a way to make just the notes section private, I probably would have my log public. But there isn't, so I don't.

I didn't say having it public was important.

I had a 1200 calorie burger yest. Logged it and then posted about it. Judge away folks.

fatty_to_fitty

I find it odd you had to ask. It's self explanatory, they don't want to share that much information. Everyone has a different relationship with food.


At weight loss groups you weigh in which is semi private and share the highs and lows with people in the same boat as you. It's a lot to open your whole world of bad habits and I don't think you should have to.

I am happy to have mine open because it encourages me to be honest with myself and think do I want to choose bad things then admit to everyone what I did?! I would not expect to be judged for it though.

CaptainGordo

Because they can, and aren't interested in anyone's opinion?

Dethea

I keep mine private because I don't really want people I don't know looking at it and commenting on it. I keep my food diary for my eyes and my peers who are helping me on my journey; I really don't think it's anyone else business!

Why do you want to look at other people's food diaries if you don't know them?

questionablemethods

Why is it important to have it public?

I can tell you why mine is private at the moment: I use the notes section to note certain symptoms and things that I don't necessarily want everyone to be able to see. If there was a way to make just the notes section private, I probably would have my log public. But there isn't, so I don't.

I didn't say having it public was important.

I had a 1200 calorie burger yest. Logged it and then posted about it. Judge away folks.

I guess I was inferring that you saw some importance in it, giving that you asked, that's all.

fteale

Because there is a fair proportion of uneducated morons on here who think they are justified in spouting off about other people's food choices.

LaurieEReid

I've never seen anyone just flat out start commenting on someone's food choices unless it was related to the question/topic. ie... why aren't I losing weight? Why aren't I gaining strength? etc....

True, and if you're going to ask questions in the general forums it makes sense to make it public so people can make suggestions. Some people either don't ask those public questions or don't offer their diaries up for 'ideas' for others publicly, so no point in making it public if there's no purpose.

This. I don't ask for advice so why would you be peering into my diary? Sightseeing? Nosy? Trying to one-up me? I don't understand why it would bother you that you can't see my diary. It's MY diary.

bry_all01

There are several reasons that I have heard for this - most of them were in response to how someone else reacted to their diary. Some just feel it is none of anybody else's business and others only want to open it up when they want some specific advice. I would think that some people in recovery from ED could be advised not to share while they are working through recovery. That x was under calorie goal and getting congratulations for it could probably hinder progress.

this has happened to me. I had a few friends ask me in an appalling manner why I was eating x, y or z or how I could eat x, y and/or z and look the way I do. Um, rude. Portion control. I honestly don't care what my friends can see, because I am and have always been honest about where I came from and where I plan on going. I eat what I want, but that doesn't give anyone the right to knock me for it.

Pocket_Pixi

I didn't say having it public was important.

I had a 1200 calorie burger yest. Logged it and then posted about it. Judge away folks.

1200 calorie burger??? what the hell kind of burger is it? lol not judging just curious.

Iamfit4life

i keep mine open for accountability sake. But can understand why people keep them private.
I'm STILL annoyed at a comment I got a month ago. grrrrr
Most comments I don't mind.

MercenaryNoetic26

Too bad! I think that's the best way to learn how to eat better. I am a food diary commenter. If I'm impressed with the food intake, I say something positive. If I think it's bad choices, I try not to comment. If I think you're starving yourself, I do chime in and say so.

In the end it's all in how you take the criticism. Most people here are just trying to help motivate healthy habits. If you hide your diary, I just assume you have dirty secrets... LOL

P.S. I agree with the comment about "...the same reason people have sex with the lights off." It definitely has to do with SHAME. LOL!

CMmrsfloyd

I didn't say having it public was important.

I had a 1200 calorie burger yest. Logged it and then posted about it. Judge away folks.

1200 calorie burger??? what the hell kind of burger is it? lol not judging just curious.

Probably a delicious one. :-)

Jeff92se

I keep mine private because I don't really want people I don't know looking at it and commenting on it. I keep my food diary for my eyes and my peers who are helping me on my journey; I really don't think it's anyone else business!

Why do you want to look at other people's food diaries if you don't know them?

I didn't say I wanted to look into other people's food diaries randomly. But if someone has a question, I'll click to see if their diary is open to see if the answer possibly lies in their diet choices. If it's closed, then the quality of the answer goes down IMHO. ie.. "Why aren't I losing weight?" Food diary is closed. Jeff (thinks the poster doesn't really want to know the real reason)

bry_all01

I didn't say having it public was important.

I had a 1200 calorie burger yest. Logged it and then posted about it. Judge away folks.

1200 calorie burger??? what the hell kind of burger is it? lol not judging just curious.

was it that macaroni one at Denny's, because I want to try that. I love macaroni...

Jeff92se

I didn't say having it public was important.

I had a 1200 calorie burger yest. Logged it and then posted about it. Judge away folks.

1200 calorie burger??? what the hell kind of burger is it? lol not judging just curious.

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/409280-so-last-night-we-were-out-for-my-daughter-s-b-day-at-red-ro

Sidesteal

Why is it important to have it public?

I can tell you why mine is private at the moment: I use the notes section to note certain symptoms and things that I don't necessarily want everyone to be able to see. If there was a way to make just the notes section private, I probably would have my log public. But there isn't, so I don't.

"Tuesday, 11/29/11

-Lamb Kebobs were delicious, need more salt.
-Should increase fruit intake
-Good god I can't quit farting. Seriously it smells like a mule took a dump in my living room".

odusgolp

Why is it important to have it public?

I can tell you why mine is private at the moment: I use the notes section to note certain symptoms and things that I don't necessarily want everyone to be able to see. If there was a way to make just the notes section private, I probably would have my log public. But there isn't, so I don't.

"Tuesday, 11/29/11

-Lamb Kebobs were delicious, need more salt.
-Should increase fruit intake
-Good god I can't quit farting. Seriously it smells like a mule took a dump in my living room".

I adore you.

killagb

Mine is wide open for all to see. I invite comments but honestly, I don't think anyone has anything to say other than 'that sounds good' or 'yummy'. I like to see other diaries to get ideas on things to eat in the future.

lmlmrn

I keep mine private because I can, and I don't want to advertise the foods I eat if there is something I want a comment on I will ask

Photoology

Like a few others, I keep mine private as of right now as I am going through a few medical testing which leads me to have very unusual eating habits (testing out allergies) and do not need anyone really judging what I am eating. I have been accused of being this or that due to this already and decided keeping it private would be best until I figure out what is going on and what I can eat.

I also do not ask for any opinions for my diary and hope that people can respect my privacy. Though many people assume if you eat one way that doesn't look right or normal, then there is something wrong with you and will not be respectful about it.

questionablemethods

Why is it important to have it public?

I can tell you why mine is private at the moment: I use the notes section to note certain symptoms and things that I don't necessarily want everyone to be able to see. If there was a way to make just the notes section private, I probably would have my log public. But there isn't, so I don't.

"Tuesday, 11/29/11

-Lamb Kebobs were delicious, need more salt.
-Should increase fruit intake
-Good god I can't quit farting. Seriously it smells like a mule took a dump in my living room".

Well.... Kinda, yeah. :laugh:

I would just say that not everyone is on this site for the same reason. I'm not currently trying to lose weight, but I'm trying to figure out some health issues. I like being able to connect my eating and exercise with how I feel. I enjoy the support and community here, but I'm not looking to share all the details of my daily health with everyone all the time.

Pocket_Pixi

was it that macaroni one at Denny's, because I want to try that. I love macaroni...

Oh I want to try that macaroni one at Denny's its on the must try list actually. The OP's burger does actually sound delicious too. I wish we had a Red robin up here, I would be willing to work my *kitten* off for that burger lol

infamousmk

So that their friends complain about it in the forums.

Jeff92se

I understand the health issues. Just want to know why. I wasn't putting a judgement on it either way.

I dig though someone's diary to get ideas too (as mentioned)

RunHardBeStrong

I keep mine private. Number 1 reason is I use the notes section for some personal info. Number 2 I'm accountable for myself, I know the difference between good and bad foods. I don't need someone to point it out to me. As for those stating "people must keep it private because they are ashamed and eating unhealthy" are very wrong and judgemental. That is not at all the case, for me anyway.

lizziebeth1028

Because I'm an adult and can make my own food choices good or bad. And I don't appreciate unsolicited advice from complete strangers who are not a doctors/nutritionists/dietitians. And people do comment if your diary is open to the public. In the end I am accountable only to myself for my successes or failures.

wildcard29

Same reason why some people keep the lights off during sex...comes to down to feeling comfortable and admitting to your bad eating habits, some people take critique badly others not so much.

WELL SAID!!!

taso42

they eat poorly and don't want to take any crap for it, or
they never bothered making it un-private