Regularity of fast food consumption

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Baako
Baako Posts: 9
in Food and Nutrition
Hi there folks, I've got a question that I'm hoping someone on here will be able to answer.

I'm keeping my daily caloric intake to a few hundred below my goal which has been working pretty well so far as I've managed to lose a respectable chunk of weight in 20 days.

Because of my success I decided to treat myself to something pretty naughty, a pizza from Dominos. I was still very careful about the calories it contained, resorting to a small low fat cheese pizza. Because of my maintained caution I managed to eat all but one slice of the pizza and still remain under my daily allowances of calories, carbs and protein (Went over my fat allowance by a little bit, oops).

This has gotten me wondering whether it's okay to eat fast food somewhat regularly provided I maintain my calorie deficit, it sounds unlikely, surely there is some other negative health implications of eating fast food beyond the high calories, carbs and fat?

In short: Is eating fast food semi-regularly okay if you maintain your deficit?

Thanks for any responses, I'm horrendously uneducated regarding nutrition and such so please forgive me if the answer to this is obvious, haha!
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Replies

  • pinuplove
    pinuplove Posts: 12,874 Member
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    I think the answer is going to vary a lot from person to person. For me, part of the journey is figuring out how to do this and still live my life without always planning it around food. I typically have fast food once every week or two. Usually just a burrito or a burger, no fries or chips. It's actually quite easy for me to fit that into my calorie allowance.

    BUT I know even though it fits my calories, it doesn't fit my nutritional expectations for myself. So while I don't mind eating out every so often, I wouldn't do it multiple times a week.
  • Baako
    Baako Posts: 9
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    Do you mind if I ask what aspects of your nutrition you are keeping track of? It would be handy to know if there's other things I need to monitor beyond calories, carbs, fat and protein. :)
  • _persephone_
    _persephone_ Posts: 138 Member
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    I think what you have done here is fine...there is nothing wrong with an occasional treat, especially if your usual diet contains all your essential nutrients.

    However, to answer your question a little more fully, there is a difference between a generally healthy, nutritious diet with the occasional treat, and a diet based on junk food that keeps below the desired calorie goal. It would be pretty difficult to get the correct nutritional balance when eating fast food too regularly, but once a week or so I think should be fine.

    I've read in a few places that if you keep your diet healthy for 80-90% of the time, a little junk the rest of the time will not negatively affect you, and this seems pretty sensible to me.

    Hope that helps, and that I didn't ramble on too much :D
  • megs2003
    megs2003 Posts: 90
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    I think it depends on your goals. For weight loss only it's really only about the calories. But for overall health it's about the nutrients (vitamins etc.) too. Plus you can eat way more veggies than fast food so if you are having trouble feeling/staying full within your calorie goals it might be good to concentrate on eat fruits, veggies, lean protein and complex carbs. That being said everything in moderation is fine and you are going to have to do what works for you and what keeps you sane.
  • pinuplove
    pinuplove Posts: 12,874 Member
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    Do you mind if I ask what aspects of your nutrition you are keeping track of? It would be handy to know if there's other things I need to monitor beyond calories, carbs, fat and protein. :)

    I have my diary set up to show calories, carbs, fat, protein, fiber, and sodium. I also watch my daily sugar intake (not usually a problem if I'm staying under on carbs) and cholesterol.
  • chevy88grl
    chevy88grl Posts: 3,937 Member
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    In order for me to be successful in this journey, I've learned to include a lot of the things I truly love to eat. There's nothing that says you can't have fast food once in awhile or whatever - just do it in moderation. Everyone approaches weight loss with a slightly different view. Some people will tell you it is all or nothing for them and if it works, great. Others will tell you it is all about moderation.

    Figure out what works best for you. If you can fit your favorite fast food meal into your daily calories once in awhile and lose - go for it! This is your life and you aren't on a diet. :)
  • CoraGregoryCPA
    CoraGregoryCPA Posts: 1,087 Member
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    Yes, Absolutely! However, you will notice a different with the way you feel. You may not have enough energy to workout after a fried fill of greasy type foods. Or you may get hungrier quicker. Or you may create more cravings. I usually feel the effects the next day.

    It is possible, but the "domino affect" (ha, you just had Dominoe's) is the hard part!
  • Baako
    Baako Posts: 9
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    Thanks for your responses! :D

    My main problem is that my typical eating habits aren't particularly nutritious(not unhealthy, I'm just awfully picky), so continuing to treat fast food with extreme caution is probably best for me.

    I'm pretty good at stopping myself from grabbing a bite to eat when I'm hungry if it means I'll likely go over my calorie goal, I'd rather sit around and be hungry for a while than feel bad about myself for eating too much, so I don't need to worry too much about which foods will fill me and and which won't.

    I'm not suggesting that it's an advisable thing to do, I'm just postulating, but if somebody were to incorporate fast food into their diet every day, whilst remaining under their calorie goal and still taking in a healthy balance of vitamins/nutrients, would they still lose weight?

    Thanks again! :)
  • misscaligreen
    misscaligreen Posts: 819 Member
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    I think it depends on your goals. For weight loss only it's really only about the calories. But for overall health it's about the nutrients (vitamins etc.) too. Plus you can eat way more veggies than fast food so if you are having trouble feeling/staying full within your calorie goals it might be good to concentrate on eat fruits, veggies, lean protein and complex carbs. That being said everything in moderation is fine and you are going to have to do what works for you and what keeps you sane.
    What a great answer! :)
  • tsh0ck
    tsh0ck Posts: 1,970 Member
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    it absolutely is. just watch what you get ... plan ahead. I was getting something today on the go. thought wendy's. but looked up the nutritional data on my phone and didn't see anything that sounded good at the time that fit into my plan for the day. so decided to hit taco bell -- because I know the hardshell there is right about 170 calories is all.

    and all my markers have been getting better, I've dropped near 20 pounds in 2 months and I feel great. have started taking a multivitamin to help me out and fish oil. probably once a week or so, at least, I get something from a fast food joint or subway. like I said, just do it smart and you've got no worries.
  • pornstarzombie
    pornstarzombie Posts: 297
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    Last semester I ate McDonald's and Taco Bell quite frequently, but still managed my weight. Lost muscle, but that was also due to the fact I stopped riding as much and was sitting on my butt a lot at school.

    I don't cut out anything like fast food, etc because I know when I cave...I'll cave badly and eat too much.

    I cannot, however, keep the stuff in my house or I will eat it. I take ambien, so sleep eating is part of that.

    All in moderation. :) I love pizza.
  • CoraGregoryCPA
    CoraGregoryCPA Posts: 1,087 Member
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    Yes, they should. Don't you know of the twinkie diet?
  • _persephone_
    _persephone_ Posts: 138 Member
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    You would still lose weight if you ate fast food and stayed below your calorie goal, but that's not to say that you would not feel like crap, and for some people this can lead to increased cravings for unhealthy food.
  • snrose
    snrose Posts: 233 Member
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    i think it basically comes down to nutrient dense calories versus empty calories. those empty calories are not going to give the body the long term energy and health it needs (just from what i've gathered) plus the immense amount of sodium in fast food is going to bloat you (more than likely)
  • Baako
    Baako Posts: 9
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    I'm afraid I don't know of the Twinkie diet, CoraGregoryCP. In fact, I don't even know what a Twinkie is, haha! :P
  • tsh0ck
    tsh0ck Posts: 1,970 Member
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    In fact, I don't even know what a Twinkie is, haha! :P


    this makes the puppies cry.
  • chrisc16
    chrisc16 Posts: 94
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    The bottom line is that calories is the only thing that matters when losing weight. However, nutrition is another matter!
  • 30yearssincebikini
    30yearssincebikini Posts: 261
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    Personally, I have found that the more I eat fast food, the more I crave it, so I have had to completely eliminate it from my diet. But if you don't feel it is addicting, and you can control those cravings and make good choices, like it seems you did last night with the pizza, then I am sure you will be fine. I don't have that king of willpower. The first time I would reward myself is when I started to slip with the diet altogether and gain the weight back.
  • baxgilter
    baxgilter Posts: 246 Member
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    For me personally eating is a very big part of my life. I cant manage the mindset of eating for fuel only, which really is foods purpose. Eating fast food satisfies something inside me that needs to be satisfied. I certainly don't eat fast food everyday or even once a week but sometimes it just needs to be done. Ive lost 80 lbs in 2 years. Be mindful, research your options, and make sure your goals and your wants for fast food can agree to disagree and you can live with it. Hope that helps and makes sense.

    - JoAnna
  • tabinmaine
    tabinmaine Posts: 965 Member
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    The calories from a big mac is the same as the calories from whole wheat pasta and almonds.....

    however, you will not feel as good as you would if you fed yourself quality food instead of garbage, your workouts might suffer or you may find yourself lacking energy just to get through your day or not fall asleep on the couch....

    I have fast food , probably 1-2x a week for a meal, I make sure it fits into my day, if it doesn't, I may still have it and just commit to working my *kitten* off at the gym that day.... making sure I burn enough to cover it....

    Many recommend, myself included, that you put your fast food into your diary BEFORE you eat it and see if you can afford to have it that day..... stops you from being taken off guard or surprising yourself...... and then being disappointed

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