Yes. You CAN eat 'normal' food! (my rant.)

klross

Here Here!!!! Well said and very succinct. I'm glad you wrote this!

Wow41543

I totally agree. When I first started this site it was in my busy season with my kids. I work 40 hrs a week and would run kids in the evening to sports. No time for me. I would have to eat on the run at McDonald's or other fast foods. I started losing weight tho because I watched the calories and portions. As time has progressed I try to eat better but I have never been a salad person and never will be. I have lost 60 lbs and that includes some type of sweet each day. I love my 40 calorie fudge bars each night. Do I want to eat more healthy? Yes but it's not always possible with my life. The key is to eat what you like but calories and portions.

ninerbuff

Real quick here: for those "healthy eaters" who think that what they eat now as "normal" food, do you think that if everyone "normally" ate that way, they'd be overweight or obese? I'm betting the answer is no.
So since the majority of overweight and obese people probably didn't get that way from eating whole grains, vegetables, whole foods etc., then wouldn't the processed, junk, high sugar, high fat foods actually be the norm?

A.C.E. Certified Personal Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

I definitely got overweight that way. Eating a huge bowl of pasta with meat sauce while you sit on your *kitten* is still going to pack on the pounds whether or not the pasta is whole grain and the meat sauce is made with veggies and grass fed beef. Making a wonderful veggie stir fry and serving it over a double helping of rice is still going to get you overweight. My problem was portion control. And sitting on my *kitten*. My problem was not that I ate a bunch a processed junk. Sorry to disappoint.

I grew up with a home cooked and well-balanced meal everyday to go along with my packed lunch. Every once in a while my mom would fry chicken or fish or take us out to eat at McDonald's or Taco Bell. I still cook all the time. I LOVE to cook. I love to cook with whole grains and veggies. I always have. Even in college I was the one having baked chicken with brown rice and veggies while everyone else ate their Hot Dogs and top ramen. I had fast food maybe once or twice a week when I was too busy with school to cook.

The fact of the matter is that eating processed junk is not everyone's normal.

Same here. I always ate a lot of veggies and fruits and hardly any junk food. Almost always bought produce and meat instead of boxed stuff. What changed for me when starting MFP was becoming more active again and controlling my portion size. For me to still eat my "normal" foods means still eating pasta/rice, an occasional pastry, ect. but probably less than I use to before joining.

What's considered normal to someone isn't normal to another person, whether that normal is junk food or health food.

There are exceptions to every category and like I mentioned, the MAJORITY of people who are overwieght or obese DIDN'T do it eating this way.

A.C.E. Certified Personal Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

Churble

I feel like we've all somehow gotten distracted from the most important issue, though...

What IS going to happen to my boobs?

mrsdizzyd84

I feel like we've all somehow gotten distracted from the most important issue, though...

What IS going to happen to my boobs?

Two words... Deflated Balloons. Start saving for the breast lift now. LOL

kendra1225

bump

Reignfyre

I eat very clean and healthy for 5 days and my treat for doing so is 2 larger meals (one sat & one sun) and I usually eat out & have a little dessert!!!!

HorrorChix89

You CAN'T eat processed foods and expect things to be great. Just saying

LorinaLynn

You CAN'T eat processed foods and expect things to be great. Just saying

Depends on how much of it you're eating. My body is adaptive enough to be able to handle a Snickers bar, or pizza, or Hot Pocket, every now and then. I wouldn't expect great things if I ate only Snickers, pizza and Hot Pockets, but since more than 80% of my diet is healthy and I'm meeting my nutritional requirements... I'm going to enjoy my weekly pizza and daily fun-sized Snickers, and on days when I'm absolutely stumped on what to have for lunch, I'll have a Hot Pocket.

RainyDayKelli

I want to thank you, so so much for saying this. I have lived my whole life eating bad for you food. I got on here, made some MFP friends, did pretty well at first. The friends that I knew in real life or from other social networks are super supportive, and really don't judge when I don't eat well. On the other hand, there have been some other people that message me telling me "you really shouldn't eat like that, why don't you try more blah blah blah?" When they have no idea how hard it's been to cut out the many many things and quantities that I was eating regularly just a couple of months ago. That losing 15 lbs has been really hard. That I really am doing the best I can. Not everybody grows up like the ORLB... not everybody can afford to eat that way. I certainly can't, which is how I got so big in the first place. Bad food makes you fat. Period. Granted, I'm eating tons less now than I was a year ago, I still have to stick with the same basic foods, because that's what my budget allows.

I realize I'm starting to ramble, so again, thank you.

glenbabe

do agree to a large extent with what you have said ....however I am a 59 year old woman whose metabolic rate is pretty low owing to my age and my job being sat on my butt.... and arthitic knees which hinders excercise apart from walking..... so in order for me to lose weight..... as my allowance is at the lowest 1200 calories.....I have to fill up on plenty of veggies and fruits which are low in calories or I would be so hungry I would crumble.So really its all about doing what works for you which is the beauty of this site and as long as you get what you want from it then all goals are met.
Keep going and doing what your doing its working for you well done.

chrisdavey

You CAN'T eat processed foods and expect things to be great. Just saying

Yeah, this is wrong.

I can't believe this topic is still going. What have people been talking about for the last 10 pages

Ate this x3 last night. OMG.


Woke up this morning. Not dead & not fat. Amazing...

HorrorChix89

You CAN'T eat processed foods and expect things to be great. Just saying

Depends on how much of it you're eating. My body is adaptive enough to be able to handle a Snickers bar, or pizza, or Hot Pocket, every now and then. I wouldn't expect great things if I ate only Snickers, pizza and Hot Pockets, but since more than 80% of my diet is healthy and I'm meeting my nutritional requirements... I'm going to enjoy my weekly pizza and daily fun-sized Snickers, and on days when I'm absolutely stumped on what to have for lunch, I'll have a Hot Pocket.

I'm just saying those of us that eat nothing but pre-packaged foods like Lean Cuisine or Marie Callender's

HorrorChix89

You CAN'T eat processed foods and expect things to be great. Just saying

Yeah, this is wrong.

I can't believe this topic is still going. What have people been talking about for the last 10 pages

Ate this x3 last night. OMG.


Woke up this morning. Not dead & not fat. Amazing...

What IS that? o.O

desirae500

I agree. While I have definitely increased my fruits and vegetables, I don't go out of my way to pick organic. I have changed my diet to I eat less processed but I'm not opposed to it. I have found success by rounding out my diet and moderation of high cal/fat foods. When asked what I do I always answer "Eat better, eat less, move more!"

jworb

THANK YOU!! I agree, and the "you must eat only 'health' food FOREVER NOW!!!" mentality is why I have been starting and stopping on MFP for over a year now.

Now that I've realized that I can have a little of that awful "normal" food now and then and it won't mean that I'll be fat forever, it's much easier to stick with logging and not get discouraged and give up. I'm eating in a way that I could be comfortable eating for the rest of my life - AND I'm losing weight. who'd've thunk it?

dalgal26

You are sooooo right! 'Normal' is the only way for me. Thanks for saying it so clearly!:drinker:

Bikini27

:drinker:

treekins

Haha thank you!
I eat what I love; I'm just smart about it. I used to be 60lbs heavier; I know the consequences of overdoing the treats...but the consequences of not having treats are worse...I get discouraged and eventually give up! So, when I feel like eating a brownie, I DO!

Pebbles536

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! I have been trying to explain this to my hunny who gives me the evil eye if I ask for anything he thinks I shouldn't be eating. :grumble:

Eat Better, Move More!

CharityPearce

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this thread! I have found that I can even eat at fast food restaurants and stay under goal on calories if I make smart choices. Hint: If the place has chili, it's usually in a very moderate portion, and is typically a good choice. : ) I dont' buy any organic. It's expensive and I'm cheap. lol I have started stocking more fruits and veggies, and I try to remember to make a sandwich if I'm going to be out of the house during lunch most days. I can use whole wheat bread and healthy turkey or something and add lots of veggies. I keep things in the house that are adequate substitutes for the ice cream I want, but sometimes I have a small bowl of ice cream. Just plan well. Thanks for the awesome topic!

chrisdavey

You CAN'T eat processed foods and expect things to be great. Just saying

Yeah, this is wrong.

I can't believe this topic is still going. What have people been talking about for the last 10 pages

Ate this x3 last night. OMG.


Woke up this morning. Not dead & not fat. Amazing...

What IS that? o.O

Maple cheesecake with Maple flavoured peanut butter on top

Firesign

Saving to read later

ninerbuff

Processed crap isn't "normal" food to me. I don't like the way I feel after I eat it--physically or mentally. So why would I eat it?

I'm very happy with my healthy options. I actually enjoy them more.

I find it very amusing that so many are so self righteous about the processed stuff they eat; it's like you're looking for validation. I'm just happy that I actually ENJOY healthy foods. My bowl of oatmeal this morning may have had the same amount of calories as an Egg McMuffin, but I know that in the long run, steel cut oats, blueberries, and ground flax seeds are WAY better for my body than the McMuffin. Calories aside, the actual foods themselves are waaaay better for you.

I'd rather have a baked sweet potato than some fries. Honestly.

It has NOTHING to do about being "self righteous". It has to do with NOT fighting against weight gain by FORCING the a person to deny themselves foods that they like to eat. You'd be less likely to die from a car accident if you didn't drive. Or even risk much less of a chance of getting muscle injury by NOT working out or doing physical activity. But that wouldn't be practical for a lot of people. We like our "normal" foods because it's food we ENJOY eating. Take enjoyment out of life, then what are you living for?


A.C.E. Certified Personal Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

luvmybaby333

Processed crap isn't "normal" food to me. I don't like the way I feel after I eat it--physically or mentally. So why would I eat it?

I'm very happy with my healthy options. I actually enjoy them more.

I find it very amusing that so many are so self righteous about the processed stuff they eat; it's like you're looking for validation. I'm just happy that I actually ENJOY healthy foods. My bowl of oatmeal this morning may have had the same amount of calories as an Egg McMuffin, but I know that in the long run, steel cut oats, blueberries, and ground flax seeds are WAY better for my body than the McMuffin. Calories aside, the actual foods themselves are waaaay better for you.

I'd rather have a baked sweet potato than some fries. Honestly.

It has NOTHING to do about being "self righteous". It has to do with NOT fighting against weight gain by FORCING the a person to deny themselves foods that they like to eat. You'd be less likely to die from a car accident if you didn't drive. Or even risk much less of a chance of getting muscle injury by NOT working out or doing physical activity. But that wouldn't be practical for a lot of people. We like our "normal" foods because it's food we ENJOY eating. Take enjoyment out of life, then what are you living for?


A.C.E. Certified Personal Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

Great post!

AntWrig

Processed crap isn't "normal" food to me. I don't like the way I feel after I eat it--physically or mentally. So why would I eat it?

I'm very happy with my healthy options. I actually enjoy them more.

I find it very amusing that so many are so self righteous about the processed stuff they eat; it's like you're looking for validation. I'm just happy that I actually ENJOY healthy foods. My bowl of oatmeal this morning may have had the same amount of calories as an Egg McMuffin, but I know that in the long run, steel cut oats, blueberries, and ground flax seeds are WAY better for my body than the McMuffin. Calories aside, the actual foods themselves are waaaay better for you.

I'd rather have a baked sweet potato than some fries. Honestly.

It has NOTHING to do about being "self righteous". It has to do with NOT fighting against weight gain by FORCING the a person to deny themselves foods that they like to eat. You'd be less likely to die from a car accident if you didn't drive. Or even risk much less of a chance of getting muscle injury by NOT working out or doing physical activity. But that wouldn't be practical for a lot of people. We like our "normal" foods because it's food we ENJOY eating. Take enjoyment out of life, then what are you living for?


A.C.E. Certified Personal Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

Agreed!

Be right back. I am about to break my fast with some skinny cow ice cream. ZOMG!!!

songbyrdsweet

You CAN'T eat processed foods and expect things to be great. Just saying

Yeah, this is wrong.

I can't believe this topic is still going. What have people been talking about for the last 10 pages

Ate this x3 last night. OMG.


Woke up this morning. Not dead & not fat. Amazing...

Um....what is it? :huh:

Barneystinson

This post really resounds with me.

I used to really really try to live to the ideals of the holy church of the ORLB (at one point I was vegetarian) and then the paleo brigade - low carbs! All natural! All hail the chief of raw dairy!

Then I realized I was still overweight, my cholesterol was getting high, and I was still eating too many calories through eating nutrient dense (but organic veggies! raw sugar! whole fat organic dairy!) foods.

I've been approaching my goal weight at a sustainable rate not really giving a damn about whether it's organic, or clean, or any of that happy horses*it. Does it fit my macros? It's fair game. Sometimes I even eat in excess of my calorie level! Rebellion!

You know what's absolutely great about this? I can eat at restaurants, I can travel with no issues, and I can LIVE MY LIFE without being a preachy SOB to everyone around me. Oh and I can lose weight and improve my medical markers while doing it. (side note; I'm also a very active person which affords me more calories on awesome foods).

WINNING...and sitting here drinking non-organic hot tea flavored with Splenda.

ninerbuff

This post really resounds with me.

I used to really really try to live to the ideals of the holy church of the ORLB (at one point I was vegetarian) and then the paleo brigade - low carbs! All natural! All hail the chief of raw dairy!

Then I realized I was still overweight, my cholesterol was getting high, and I was still eating too many calories through eating nutrient dense (but organic veggies! raw sugar! whole fat organic dairy!) foods.

I've been approaching my goal weight at a sustainable rate not really giving a damn about whether it's organic, or clean, or any of that happy horses*it. Does it fit my macros? It's fair game. Sometimes I even eat in excess of my calorie level! Rebellion!

You know what's absolutely great about this? I can eat at restaurants, I can travel with no issues, and I can LIVE MY LIFE without being a preachy SOB to everyone around me. Oh and I can lose weight and improve my medical markers while doing it. (side note; I'm also a very active person which affords me more calories on awesome foods).

WINNING...and sitting here drinking non-organic hot tea flavored with Splenda.

I'll clink your cup with my Diet Pepsi.......................cheers!

A.C.E. Certified Personal Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

Barneystinson

This post really resounds with me.

I used to really really try to live to the ideals of the holy church of the ORLB (at one point I was vegetarian) and then the paleo brigade - low carbs! All natural! All hail the chief of raw dairy!

Then I realized I was still overweight, my cholesterol was getting high, and I was still eating too many calories through eating nutrient dense (but organic veggies! raw sugar! whole fat organic dairy!) foods.

I've been approaching my goal weight at a sustainable rate not really giving a damn about whether it's organic, or clean, or any of that happy horses*it. Does it fit my macros? It's fair game. Sometimes I even eat in excess of my calorie level! Rebellion!

You know what's absolutely great about this? I can eat at restaurants, I can travel with no issues, and I can LIVE MY LIFE without being a preachy SOB to everyone around me. Oh and I can lose weight and improve my medical markers while doing it. (side note; I'm also a very active person which affords me more calories on awesome foods).

WINNING...and sitting here drinking non-organic hot tea flavored with Splenda.

I'll clink your cup with my Diet Pepsi.......................cheers!

A.C.E. Certified Personal Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

:drinker: :drinker: :drinker: