McD habit: must I squash it?

katejkelley

There is such a high fat and sodium level in EVERYTHING at McDonald's, I just don't go there anymore. In fact, there aren't really any fast food places I care to to to anymore. Once you start eating clean, that stuff just makes you feel lousy.

Rilke

Once you start eating clean, that stuff just makes you feel lousy.

This is the truth. I couldn't believe how I felt when I tried McDonald's (nuggets and some fries) after not eating it for at least half a year. I felt disgusting, my energy level plummeted, and my stomach and the rest of my digestive system mutinied. Dairy Queen's chicken tenders had the same effect.

Interestingly, Chick-Fil-A's waffle fries don't do the same. Dunno why.

singingsoprano

OK, I'll start with my first reaction: Yuck!

Sorry.

I'd see think of it like junk food--a treat--celebrate when you reach a goal or something like that, because there's pretty much nothing of nutritional value in what you're eating there...and the soda is anti-health too...

there are better choices at McDonalds if you must.

I agree, watch Food Nation or Food inc. and it might cure some of the McDonald's cravings.

Good luck!

carld256

You're an adult, and we aren't the food police. You have to work out what you can live with long-term. If that includes lunch at McD's that's up to you.

She is asking for advice, not the food police. Right place too if you ask me

And my point still stands. She has to decide what she can live with. We can tell her all the terrible things about McDs and encourage her to eat healthy, but the choice is ultimately up to her. She has to decide what she can live with or live without. If she decides that she can do without the fast-food she'll be that much better off, but if she ends up feeling deprived and resentful she might just chuck the whole thing.

She didn't ask if McDonald's food was good or bad, she asked if she has to stop eating it. I still say that's up to her.

Wonderob

And my point still stands. She has to decide what she can live with. We can tell her all the terrible things about McDs and encourage her to eat healthy, but the choice is ultimately up to her. She has to decide what she can live with or live without. If she decides that she can do without the fast-food she'll be that much better off, but if she ends up feeling deprived and resentful she might just chuck the whole thing.

She didn't ask if McDonald's food was good or bad, she asked if she has to stop eating it. I still say that's up to her.

Yeah sure, it's always up to the individual, but she was asking HOW bad it was. I get the impression that she had overlooked everything but the calories and a few people on here pointed out that calories were just part of the problem.

I think because of the advice of some, she is now in a better position to be able to make the choice to which you were referring. Just because she is an adult, doesn't mean she knows all about nutrician. I thought I knew a lot but only recently have I come to realise just how much sodium is in 'fast food'!!! My 320 calorie healthy chicken subway doesn't quite have the same appeal now that I know that it contains 880 mg of sodium - as much as everything else I eat in a day combined!!

carld256

Yeah sure, it's always up to the individual, but she was asking HOW bad it was. I get the impression that she had overlooked everything but the calories and a few people on here pointed out that calories were just part of the problem.

I think because of the advice of some, she is now in a better position to be able to make the choice to which you were referring. Just because she is an adult, doesn't mean she knows all about nutrician. I thought I knew a lot but only recently have I come to realise just how much sodium is in 'fast food'!!! My 320 calorie healthy chicken subway doesn't quite have the same appeal now that I know that it contains 880 mg of sodium - as much as everything else I eat in a day combined!!

Yeah, you're probably right. I'm likely reading more into the original post than there is.

mjcorbs228

How to break a McDonald's habit quick: Work for one week minimum at McDonald's. You'll never want it again.

I worked there for a month, and I avoid it at all costs just because I got tired of smelling the food, having to make it, and just generally being surrounded by it. That, and the pay and hours sucked. So, maybe I just have a grudge?

lizziebeth1028

While it's all about calorie deficit - crap is crap and that's junk food. Maybe try to cut back to once a week as a treat meal? Your body will love you for it:)

mcarter99

It's not even that BAD of food, compared to some of the stuff sold. People act like salt and preservatives and oil are rat poison. Most of us have no medical reason to worry about sodium, and never will. Oil is just another food. Preservatives are pervasive in the American diet, and are harmless and beneficial from a logistics standpoint (unless you're self-sustainable).

I love how we dieters go from totally abusing our bodies with food to treating it like its a fragile blown glass artifact that must have only the highest quality inputs at all times. :laugh:

Wonderob

It's not even that BAD of food, compared to some of the stuff sold. People act like salt and preservatives and oil are rat poison. Most of us have no medical reason to worry about sodium, and never will. Oil is just another food. Preservatives are pervasive in the American diet, and are harmless and beneficial from a logistics standpoint (unless you're self-sustainable).

I love how we dieters go from totally abusing our bodies with food to treating it like its a fragile blown glass artifact that must have only the highest quality inputs at all times. :laugh:

Whilst you are probably right, I think if I made a promise to myslef to get rid of just the 3 things that were worst for me - McDs would be on the list

beckajw

Splenda containes Chlorine....a carcinogen.
Aspartame has been investigated as a possible cause of brain tumors, mental retardation, birth defects, epilepsy, Parkinson's Disease, Fibromyalgia, and Diabetes.

Aside from the above, whether it's true or not, it is "artificial".
I'm only giving my opinion, because that's what I assume is being asked....my personal goal is not strictly weight los, but improved overall health, which includes doing away with as much artificial, processed, additive and chemical saturated food as possible.
I drink coffee and tea unsweatened and with no sugar.....I don't frequent fast food establishments anymore (although, I admit to slipping more often since starting a second job).......I try to eat as much fresh, natural, organic food as possible.
Again, all part of my own personal journey, and the fact that there COULD be any truth to the above statements about artificial sweeteners is enough to keep me on pure cane sugar when I have a sweet tooth.

Drinking water contains chlorine. Aspartame has NOT been associated with brain tumors, mental retardation, birth defects, epilepsy, Parkinson's Disease, Fibromyalgia, and Diabetes. It has been investigated as a possible cause, but has been found to not be a cause.

mcarter99

It's not even that BAD of food, compared to some of the stuff sold. People act like salt and preservatives and oil are rat poison. Most of us have no medical reason to worry about sodium, and never will. Oil is just another food. Preservatives are pervasive in the American diet, and are harmless and beneficial from a logistics standpoint (unless you're self-sustainable).

I love how we dieters go from totally abusing our bodies with food to treating it like its a fragile blown glass artifact that must have only the highest quality inputs at all times. :laugh:

Whilst you are probably right, I think if I made a promise to myslef to get rid of just the 3 things that were worst for me - McDs would be on the list

I don't eat it, either, but I have other vices. Much worse ones. :devil:

spazofthedead

I eat there once in a while if it fits my calorie goal, but my stomach will often get upset within an hour of eating their stuff. (I also did a weird personal experiment in college when I had cancer. I started radiation therapy, started getting nauseous all the time, ate a TON of McDonald's and started associated McDonald's with nausea. Unfortunately the association has all but worn off.)

I've been going a couple of times a week since I started taking night classes two weeks ago and have to go straight from work and I'm noticing I'm not feeling as well the next day, even if all my calories were in order. I'll be going to the store this weekend and buying things for sandwiches to eat in the car instead. :x

wftiger

if it fits in your goals then why not? I do and I have fast food on occasion for the past 7 months of this and it has not hurt my loss whatsoever. It doesn't make me feel any worse, in fact I love it so it make me feel better.

For those that say it is bad, check their diaries and see how many have "cheat meals". Same concept except yours fits in with your goals.

DonniesGirl69

Splenda containes Chlorine....a carcinogen.
Aspartame has been investigated as a possible cause of brain tumors, mental retardation, birth defects, epilepsy, Parkinson's Disease, Fibromyalgia, and Diabetes.

Aside from the above, whether it's true or not, it is "artificial".
I'm only giving my opinion, because that's what I assume is being asked....my personal goal is not strictly weight los, but improved overall health, which includes doing away with as much artificial, processed, additive and chemical saturated food as possible.
I drink coffee and tea unsweatened and with no sugar.....I don't frequent fast food establishments anymore (although, I admit to slipping more often since starting a second job).......I try to eat as much fresh, natural, organic food as possible.
Again, all part of my own personal journey, and the fact that there COULD be any truth to the above statements about artificial sweeteners is enough to keep me on pure cane sugar when I have a sweet tooth.

Drinking water contains chlorine. Aspartame has NOT been associated with brain tumors, mental retardation, birth defects, epilepsy, Parkinson's Disease, Fibromyalgia, and Diabetes. It has been investigated as a possible cause, but has been found to not be a cause.

As I said "whether it's true or not" I prefer to keep it as natural as possible.......just giving my opinion.
To each his own

auria17

This is slightly off topic....but for those that switch to aspertame because they think sugar is bad.....a great choice for a nicer tasting sugar is Coconut Sugar that comes from the nectar of the Coconut plant.

Information on the European Ramazzini Foundation’s study on aspartame:
The long term bioassay on aspartame conducted in the laboratories of the Cesare Maltoni Cancer Research Center of European Foundation of Oncology and Environmental Sciences “B. Ramazzini”, represents the largest, most comprehensive carcinogenicity study ever performed on aspartame, both in terms of number of rodents and dose levels tested. The study used 1,800 Sprague-Dawley rats (900 males, 900 females) of the colony used in the same laboratory for over 30 years. In order to simulate daily human intake, aspartame was added to the standard rat diet in quantities of 5000, 2500, 100, 500, 20, 4, and 0 mg/Kg of body weight. Treatment of the animals began at 8 weeks of age and continued until spontaneous death. A complete necropsy and histopathological evaluation of tissues and organs was then performed on each deceased animal, for a total of over 34,000 slides examined by microscope.

Results of the study demonstrate that aspartame, administered at varying levels in feed, causes a statistically significant, dose-related increase of lymphomas-leukemias and malignant tumors of the renal pelvis in female rats and malignant tumors of peripheral nerves in male rats. These results demonstrate for the first time that aspartame is a carcinogenic agent, capable of inducing malignancies at dose levels lower than the current acceptable daily intake for humans (40 mg/kg of body weight in the EU, 50 mg/kg of body weight in the US).

The first results of the European Ramazzini Foundation’s long term study on aspartame were reported to the Ministry of Health and to the Superior Institute of Health of the Italian government in April 2005. In mid-June, these findings were then communicated to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), the Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center of Columbia University, the National Cancer Institute of the US government, and the National Toxicology Program of the US National Institutes of Health. First results, "Aspartame induces lymphomas and leukemias in rats" were published in the peer-reviewed European Journal of Oncology June 2005, Vol.10, n.2, pp.107-116. Final results of the study, "First Demonstration of the Multipotential Carcinogenic Effects of Aspartame Administered in the Feed to Sprague-Dawley Rats" were published in Environmental Health Perspectives March 2006, Vol.114, n.3, pp. 379-386. Environmental Heath Perspectives is published by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, part of the US Department of Health and Human Services. Internationally, it ranks in the top two environmental sciences journals and top five public health journals.

A 2400+ page report, containing individual rodent data on survival and all pathological results (both benign and malignant) as well a complete statistical evaluation was delivered upon request to the Council of the Superior Institute of Health of the Italian Ministry of Health, EFSA’s Department of Food Additives, Flavorings, Processing Aids and Materials in Contact with Food, the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition of the United States Food and Drug Administration and the Bureau of Chemical Safety of Health Canada.

FelicityEliza36

It sounds like if you are eating there 2-3 times a week its more like a habit and a convenience, than just a "treat"

Me personally, I had to give it up completely because I know I cant do it just ONCE. And if I do it once, I will do it twice, then three times, and I will never lose this weight. Plus - even though you are counting it into your calories think about how unhealthy it is for you still. Go on COOKINGLIGHT.COM they actually have a list on there of the healthiest burgers from fast food, healthiest breakfast from fast food chains, and other good reads // recipes.

Have you tried their yogurt or oatmeal though? The oatmeal is actually pretty good. The fries just seem like a lot of salt, and the chicken is cooked in too much oil. And of course soda is bad for you anyways. Good luck though

slkehl

I find it's easier to lose weight when I change my taste preferences. I used to work at McDs and would have it on breaks since I was so poor, and it was cheap. I became really habituated to the taste. That's what was "good" to me.

Now I've cut out fast food except for on road trips, and it's yummy, but it's not my favorite. Good for a treat, but wouldn't want that on a regular basis. Yes, I could budget McD's to fit my calorie goals, but dieting is easier this way.

caraiselite

i would eat fast food every meal if i could. it just fits so perfectly with low carb (no bread and fries ofc)

BigBrewski

Google how McD's nuggets are made. I'm pretty confident this would cease the habit.

this broke my nugget habit a few years ago. google chicken litter or pink slime will make you think twice about fast food in general. however i also believe that you can treat yourself once in a while and if your vice is 6 nuggets then it is six nuggets

eric198

Personally I kicked the fast food habit over 18 months ago. Like you, I would hit it a couple of times or more per week for lunch, but I was much worse than you on the calories. Now, I've just about eliminated it completely. My thing is that I'm looking for good quality food and that stuff just doesn't make the grade for me anymore. Fast food is basically eating junk, void of all real nutritional value. For me, I like to spend those precious calories on something good for me... but it's taken me 18 months to get to this mindset, and it is still a struggle from time to time.

joenolte

There's a McD right next to my office, and it's my go-to lunch place. I get a grilled chicken snack wrap and a side salad with the light Italian or balsamic vinaigrette. Periodically, I'll grab the southwestern salad. My wife enjoys the oatmeals, and once in a while I might throw in a fruit and yogurt parfait. I've found it's one of the most reliable places for nutrition and weight loss. That's for me--others may not like it, but I'm down 92 pounds so it's obviously doing well for me.

TarezaCH

Cut back. My husband does one bad food day a week. The rest of the week he eats very well. He lost about 50 pounds. He is also doing PX90. I have just restarted my lifestyle change. Good luck!!!!

milkandtea

I had to cut fast food out entirely but I was eating a lot more than just a small order of nuggets and fries. Maybe get it down to a once of week treat? I would be more concerned about what's really in the fast food and how it's prepared than the sodium, honestly. It's truly up to you, if it's not having a negative impact on your loss then go for it.

conniehv40

I am thinking this way: IF you go to McD's 2-3 times a week, even though it is within your calories etc., you are allowing yourself to make some bad choices. IF you do this, then maybe you will allow yourself to do this again?

I am one to eat junk food, McDs whatever a 14-year old boy playing football would want to eat-I eat as a 50-year old! Over the past year, however, I have tried really hard to eat nuts instead of tostitos, eat a banana when I am hungry instead of cookies etc.

Try to do something else besides McDs for a week or so and see how it helps you mentally! You may surprise yourself!

TravisBurns

I see no need to rid it completely. Try cutting it down to once or so a week.

angrodriguez92

I consider McDs poison. I think it's just terrible for my body. If it is the only time you splurge maybe just try to cut back to once a week? You know your body and mind, you know how it affects you.

feltlikesound

I eat McD's semi regularly, i'd say twice a week. Some weeks more, some weeks less. Depends on my crazy work schedule. I certainly don't advocate it as a healthy choice, but it hasn't slowed my weight loss to any noticeable degree. It's all about your priorities -- are you just trying to lose weight, or are you trying to find a really healthy approach to eating? I know I am sacrificing some level of healthy eating for my fast food "vice", but it is a compromise I am willing to make at this point. I don't drink any alcohol, so I figure everyone has their vice/empty calorie splurge .

grapegirl1

I wonder sometimes if all calories are created equal. What does your body do with soda differently than say milk. Or the sugar in all the sauces. How does your body process the sodium that is sometime a days limit in one meal. Food for thought?
Good luck in changing your McD Monster's mind.

gigiangelique

It's posin