How do you feel about advice regarding your diet?

fitpilatesqueen

I have said when people are not even close to 1200 calories per day especially if it a man. I have tried to give advice about lowering sodium intake and drink more water and it hasn´t been taken well. I would want people to tell me if I was doing something wrong because I want to do well and if someone knows better than me, thats ok.

I for example do not feel good about cheering people to eat less than 1200 calories a day, I could just as well be telling them it´s ok to be anorexic.

I would rather want some advice rather than giving up later.

vjrose

If I know a friend is under a specific program I will comment something like, great day on your program or something similar, supportive but not necessarily that I think eating 200g of protein a day with no exercise is healthy. Or really low calorie, but under a doctors care. If they are diet hopping I might give creative advice, however, I don't comment on anyones diet outside of my circle because i know my circle and what they are going through so I feel pretty confident on commenting but I try to make any "suggesitons" private in a pm, and make it clear it is just a suggestion because I know they are struggliing with finding a specific pattern. I read a lot of research papers on their behalf and most of them are grateful to me for being the scientist of the bunch, lol. Now if I like them but hate their diet I will comment on weight loss and exercise and stay the heck away from looking at their diet, we each have our own path and don't want to be convinced otherwise.

eganita

In my opinion, people shouldn't make their diaries public (to friends or to everyone) if they don't want feedback. In that circumstance, I don't think the advice is completely unsolicited, since they are making their food diary readily available for you to see (and potentially comment)...If you don't want feedback, why open it so people can see it? That being said, positive feedback or constructive criticism is the way to go... very negative comments certainly won't do any good.

MotorCityFemmeFatale

I do not give unsolicited advice.

I do like receiving it depending on the source. I'll listen to successful bodybuilders, strongmen/women, professionals and along those lines.

ilysejohnson

I am comfortable doing what I do, so I take unsolicited advice "with a grain of salt" - Kind of depends on the advice-giver's motivation too -- some people feel that the only way to lose weight is the way they're doing it, but that isn't necessarily what works for me. That said, there's often a nugget or two that's worth considering ... and in this life-long journey, it pays to consider all options!

That said, I hope I haven't offended anyone by sharing my own ideas!

Elfinmajic

You can simply make that part of your profile not public. Problem will be solved.

sabolfitwife

Unless I ask for it, then I don't appreciate unwanted advice. At the end of the day, I'm the only one that's going to make me do what I do.

RhonndaJ

I will occasionally say something, if I've a sense of what people are trying to do. Things like 'could do with more veg' or 'a little high on the sodium' or whatever. Nothing major and it wouldn't concern me if someone asked me to stop doing it.

I'm more likely not to comment if there's something major that I think is wrong, because people are making their own journeys.

I don't mind at all if people comment on what I'm doing, their insight can be helpful and I believe people mean well with their advice, even if it might not be on the mark with the journey I'm making.

nataliexxxx

I dont give advice and I would only really want advice if I asked for it I think different things work for different people and I know what works best for me so I dont really need other peoples advice

beccarockslife

I've been known to give and receive unsolicited advice. One thing I've learnt is that if you smile, nod and then do what you were going to most people are happy.

kajpen

I wouldn't give unsolicited advice. They may not be eating what I consider healthy but thats just my opinion and if they are happy and seeing results that's all that matters. Its not up to someone else to decide whether others have had a good or bad day. The best dietary lifestyle is the one that you can maintain for life without gaining weight.

^^^^ This

maspicantexfa

I don't want advice. I know what works for me. If something doesn't work then I change something. My diary is closed.

DanaDark

I give advice. Quite simply, if you actively choose to have the little message pop up on MY screen telling me about your diary, you ARE asking me. Otherwise you are saying: "LOOK everyone! But don't say anything!".

If you don't want advice, TURN THAT FEATURE OFF.

Given the purpose of this site, I value all advice and actively encourage it. I also enjoy good debates on proper nutritional guidelines as well.

I am not here to have everyone simply agree with everything I say regarding nutrition and fitness. I actively want more information!

piesbd

I struggle with this. If I see a pattern that is not great in a diary, I want to say something (mainly because I have been on the loss/rebound weight gain cycle b/c I didn't learn the first time) but then I don't want to because I don't want to upset them....

Interested to hear the thoughts!

WickedSpinSistr

I don't give advice unless I am specifically asked, and even then I hesitate because I am not exactly an expert on nutrition.

I don't want to receive unsolicited advice. But, I do think that having a public diary on MFP is somewhat asking for advice, in a way.

1jlazymom

I normally don't but I have made a couple of unsolicited comments.I look at my pals as part of my journey. I have an open diary for them to see. If I keep logging crap foods I would hope someone would say good job logging maybe try to add more protein or fuel foods so you don't have to work so hard or?? rather than great job today when I ate nothing but junk food.I always try to be positive and give positive feedback I am also non-judgmental of peoples food choices. It's just an honest way to support my pals as I have the pals for a reason their support and I am their pals for the same reason I hope to support them through their journeys. I hope that made sense...

you are the kind of diet buddy anyone would love to have

thebrianmo

I generally get an attitude with people who give unsolicited advice, especially when they eat nothing but trash. I've lost 53 pounds, I think I know what I'm doing, especially since my medical weight loss program is monitored by doctors, dieticians and others. There have been people who say I should or should not do certain things and I will correct them on the spot saying I'm following the plan prescribed by my doctors and medical team. A lot of unsolicited advice seems to come from people who are insecure because you are losing weight and they are not or "can't" because they don't want to invest the effort.

My mother-in-law is one of the worst. Last Sunday we were at breakfast at the hotel and I had nothing but protein, no carbs. Granted it was sausage and eggs and plenty of them and she's eating all these pastries and other junk and has the nerve to ask me if I should be eating that stuff. Even my wife defended my plan on that one. lol

watboy

Depends on whether they agree or disagree with me:)

jawheb

Good points from all. I'm going to just keep
my mouth shut from now on unless someone
asks me my opinion.

JoniGo

Way to go, Brian! Keep up the good work.

For breakfast today, I had four pieces of bacon, 1/4 # of shrimp, and about 1/3# of grilled salmon.
This will last me beyond the normal lunch time.