Splurge because you "can"?

kpederslie

Im a big girl. With that...I am allowed alot of calories which, most of the time I dont have a hard time eating. Some days though, I just cant seem to eat all of them for whatever reason.. too busy, being sick...whatever. Ive been a member of MFP for about 3 months and am consistantly 400-500 calories below my daily calorie goal ( for weight loss - not maint ) but there have been a couple times that if I've been extra good ( by default ) .. I use the rest of the calories on something.. less nutritionally beneficial for me. I dont (personally) believing in rewarding myself with food and never try to skimp throughout the day to afford myself something naughty but have been feeling guilty about eating empty calories, even though I can "afford" them.

I have been blessed with extreme motivation and dont have a hard time staying consistant with my healthy lifestyle but am wondering if I should just not eat the crap even though I can. I burn 500 calories a night and stay 400-500 under my goal and dnt want to be TOO many calries under, but dont feel like empty calories are doing me much good anyways.

Should I stop eating empty calories even though I can afford to?

runnercheryl

This really is your journey, so it's about finding what works for you. Personally, I do eat up to 500 calories of empty calories (usually fewer) in a day, but I do so on the condition that I'm getting plenty of nutritional food as well. I would never reward myself with snacks or hold calories back, but my snacks ARE 'junk food' type items, and that works for me.

Many others here choose to eat clean, not having any junk or processed food, but I find adding some to my day helps to stave off hunger and binge eating. I have no trouble eating balanced meals, but there are no practical and healthy snacks that I really like, so I have no problem picking a chocolate biscuit.

yuliyax

That depends do you want to lose weight or be healthy, and prevent diabetes and high blood pressure?
& If you are having trouble eating back your calories try snacking on nuts - they are full of goodness and you don't hve to eat too much of them.

tigersword

If you are getting the proper amount of nutrition you need for health, then you can eat whatever you want for the remaining calories, that's called normal healthy eating.

AmyLRed

if you are feeling like its something you shouldnt do, look for some healthy higher calorie foods. For example, a couple of tablespoons of peanut butter is a quick 20 calories, but still good for you. Also a glass of milk, nuts, or add olive oil to your cooking.

Great job!

UsedToBeHusky

If you are getting the proper amount of nutrition you need for health, then you can eat whatever you want for the remaining calories, that's called normal healthy eating.

This. It's called a balanced diet. Before you eat those calories though, I would check to see if you are nutritionally lacking somewhere else. People rarely get enough potassium, and MFP doesn't allow you to track but a few things.