Processed foods?

bberg0521

Can you lose weight eating processed foods?

So many sites (Jillian Michaels, My Food Lovers, ect) tell you to stay away from Processed foods in order to boost your metabolism. No Hamburger Helper, Miracle Whip, Lunch Meats, Bread, ect.

This is just sooooo hard. Does it have to be this way? Do I really have to eat a certain way or a certain mix of foods at each meal just to lose weight.

I want to eat my 1500 calories and exercise and lose weight. Is that possible with out having to cut out processed foods?

What do you all think?

MuddyEquestrian

For me personally even with a calorie deficit it was very hard for me to lose weight. Now I eat MORE calories than I did eating processed foods and have lost weight very easily. I understand how hard it can be though to stay away from processed foods. Good luck!

Italapps

I stopped processed foods and lost 40lbs w/exercise and felt so much better, but I support whatever you do!! ; )

Four_Leaf_Clover

I think you can eat some - the first time I lost 30 lbs I ate a lot of processed foods. You do really wind up eating less actual food (and a lot more sodium and additives) though. This time around I am trying to eat cleaner more whole foods as much as I can. You can eat a lot more and feel more satisfied this way IMHO. I don't think you need to eliminate anything from your diet, but as you do eat less, I bet you will notice the difference. The last few days I have eaten a lot of junk and processed stuff and I can really feel a difference - less satisfied, more fatigued, more cravings, etc.

1shauna1

For sure it's possible! But as mentioned, I think a lot of them have more calories/sodium/other ingredients than clean foods you prepare yourself. I eat quite a few processed foods, and you can definitely incorporate them into your diet.

o2bADyer

I think there are two questions...one about losing weight vs. boosting metabolism. I honestly can't say that I've cut out processed foods BUT I can say that I have lost 40 pounds since December. Feel free to add me if you want to take a look at my diary.

Jenspark

When I was younger, I could just cut calories and lose, but after about 35 that didn't work for me anymore. If I want to lose weight consistently, I have to stick with less processed foods. If I just focus on counting calories, I either don't lose or I lose very slowly. Counting calories is a lot of work to me if I'm not getting good results so I count carbs as well - helps keep me away from the processed stuff.

wewon

Yes you can lose weight.

However, eating less processed foods is far healthier.

Start eliminating processed food systematically, not all at once where you will feel deprived and fall off the wagon.

Surely you can make some small changes that won't leave you feeling anxious?

melsinct

You can lose weight eating nothing but crap food like Hamburger Helper, McDonalds and Subway for every meal, breakfast through dinner. Will you be healthy? No, but you will weigh less. Just because you lose weight doesn't mean you are healthy.

Even before losing weight I was an avid label reader and generally avoided unnatural ingredients, cooked most things from scratch, etc. This still works for me but I recognize that it isn't for everyone and we all have different lives, different priorities and different obligations. My advice is to eat as many real foods as you possibly can, e.g. foods that don't have an ingredient list like produce, meats, etc. It isn't an all or nothing thing- make changes that can reasonably fit into your life. If you used to eat hamburger Helper 3x week, cut it back to one and make your own meat with a spice mixture the other 2x a week instead of relying on boxed stuff. If you used to eat lunch meats every day on a sandwich, cut it back to a couple of times a week.

I am leery of any fitness guru with an all or nothing approach (as in you must eat paleo! You must eat clean! you must drink protein shakes! you must avoid carbs!). I am especially leery of the people on MFP who have embraced a certain eating style (like paleo or Atkins) and now deems everyone else unhealthy who doesn't eat like them. Us former fatties tend to suddenly think we are expert once we find something that works for us. :laugh:

Baby steps are key, as well as making changes you will stick with in the long run.

ToughTulip

It doesn't have to be that way!

I still eat processed foods daily. Cheese, bread, tortillas, apple juice, lunch meat, jam, all sorts of stuff.
I just have a healthy mix of what I can afford

chivalryder

When I first started out, I switched from eating almost everything processed, to eating nothing processed. Lost 10 lbs in a week, and 17 lbs in a month.

Then I started eating some processed foods again. I stayed under my calorie limit, but gained 7 lbs back.

Now, I've gone back to eating purely "clean" foods, and I'm back down to the full 17 lbs again.

That's all I've got to say on the matter!

Rae6503

I've had plenty of success eating processed foods.

mama2mila

You don't have to give up all processed foods, but as you do, you will feel SO much better! I generally eat clean, and almost never eat out. This past weekend I had too much processed food, and even though I stayed within my calorie range, I feel so sluggish and bloated. Its gross! I can't wait to feel better in a few days after I'm back to my normal way of eating!

Rae6503

http://www.wannabebig.com/diet-and-nutrition/the-dirt-on-clean-eating/

ritmeyer

I mainly eat whole food. Fruits, veggies, protein, legumes, some grains, seeds, heathly oils and nuts. I also use whey protein. Once a week I have a meal where I eat whatever I want. I feel great, lose weight. Now, if I eat a bunch of processed, sugary food a few meals in a row I'm bloated and feel crappy. It's hard to say, this is bad, this is good. You need to find out what works for you.

TheArmadillo

it doesn't have to be all or nothing.

You can start just by eating to your calorie limit and gradually swop heavily processed stuff that is high in sodium and additives for more natural alternatives. Swap sandwich meats for a joint you cooked and sliced yourself (no salt added) - you can slice and freeze so it is ready when you want. Swap white for wholegrain in bread/rice/pasta. Switch premade spice mixes for your own homemade version and don't add salt. Make your soup don't buy it.

Add more fruit and veg to your diet. Up your protein.

Make the swaps one at a time. You'll find you can eat more quantity wise for your calories if you reduce the high calorie portions and bulk meals out with fruit and veg, increase your lean protein portions.

ToughTulip

http://www.wannabebig.com/diet-and-nutrition/the-dirt-on-clean-eating/

this x9000

cinsuccess

You have to figure out what works for you. I eat a lot of processed foods because I just don't have time to cook and it's better for me than eating out a lot. You do need to be aware of sodium and other additives in them but if you read the labels, you'll be ok. I make sure to choose better options and try to have as many freash fuits and veggies as possible.

alexis831

Yes... its calories in and caloires out. I eat alot of processed foods but I workout and do both cardio and weights too.

What motivates me is a twix candy bar, reeses peanut butter cup, or little debbies snack cake at the end of the day.

What does it for you?

Acg67

Can you lose weight eating processed foods?

So many sites (Jillian Michaels, My Food Lovers, ect) tell you to stay away from Processed foods in order to boost your metabolism. No Hamburger Helper, Miracle Whip, Lunch Meats, Bread, ect.

This is just sooooo hard. Does it have to be this way? Do I really have to eat a certain way or a certain mix of foods at each meal just to lose weight.

I want to eat my 1500 calories and exercise and lose weight. Is that possible with out having to cut out processed foods?

What do you all think?

Maintain a consistent caloric deficit while getting in adequate proteins and fats, profit

NikkiGetsFit185

I noticed that when i ate a lot of processed foods and was under calorie and was working out i didnt lose anything at all. So one week i hate a lot more fresh fruits and veggies and leaner meat and it helped. I didnt realize how much sodium was in them. I cut down on some of my processed foods and have been at a plateau for a lil over a month, im am currently doing a detox for 9 days to shake things up a bit. Will i cut them out completly no, but i will not eat as much of them and start incorporating more cleaner eating. feel free to add me if you like, we will see how my detox goes and if it helps get me past this plateau.

alexis831

Can you lose weight eating processed foods?

So many sites (Jillian Michaels, My Food Lovers, ect) tell you to stay away from Processed foods in order to boost your metabolism. No Hamburger Helper, Miracle Whip, Lunch Meats, Bread, ect.

This is just sooooo hard. Does it have to be this way? Do I really have to eat a certain way or a certain mix of foods at each meal just to lose weight.

I want to eat my 1500 calories and exercise and lose weight. Is that possible with out having to cut out processed foods?

What do you all think?

Maintain a consistent caloric deficit while getting in adequate proteins and fats, profit

^this.... Take advice from people with abs like this and your are golden

NoAdditives

I avoid as much processed food as possible. This allows me to eat a lot more. Like last night, I had an enormous bowl of couscous, green beans, peas, corn, and shrimp. It was delicious, filling, and only 500 calories. It was the same for the chipotle chicken and rice I made a few days ago. The chicken and biscuits I'll be eating tonight only has 350 calories. We eat really well, most dinners aren't too difficult to make, and I never have to worry about staying within my calorie goal.

meggonkgonk

You absolutely can lose while you are eating processed foods but there are some MAJOR drawbacks and I think you'd find it harder to lean towards processed food than to avoid it. "Cleaner" foods tend to give you more bang for your buck- they provide more fuel for your body per calorie than fake cheese sauce and processed meat with fewer detrimental elements- such as sodium or transfat. That's really why so many people rely on them as the cornerstone for losing weight- it's just more filling to eat peanut butter oatmeal that Smacks cereal.

I agree with the posters that suggest you work your way towards it. Use MFP to guide your calories. Use your brain to guide your choices as to what those calories are.

Don't listen to Jillian Michaels; at least not exclusively. Personalities like that are created to sell you product. They will give you basic, surface information so as to give generic advice that will mostly work for most people- not the full info you need to make the right choices for you and your life specifically.

stephcthomas

Yes you can lose weight.

However, eating less processed foods is far healthier.

Start eliminating processed food systematically, not all at once where you will feel deprived and fall off the wagon.

Surely you can make some small changes that won't leave you feeling anxious?

I agree with this. Make slow gradual changes. One thing at a time. I found once I started tracking and keeping to my calorie limit I started to eat cleaner just so I could eat more. Doing too much at once could mean failure and you don't want to do that. Best way to start is to start logging what you eat now. You'll see where you need to make changes.

For example if I make my own pizza at home I can keep the calories down and eat 1.5 x what I would of a processed pizza. maybe even double.

beckajw

I never gave up processed foods. I think everyone has to do what works for them and what they feel good about doing.

bluebird321

Cutting back on processed foods worked out for me (along with using a caloric deficit tetc). Experiment and figure out what works for you.

bluebird321

I never gave up processed foods. I think everyone has to do what works for them and what they feel good about doing.

This:)

unlocke

You absolutely can lose while you are eating processed foods but there are some MAJOR drawbacks and I think you'd find it harder to lean towards processed food than to avoid it. "Cleaner" foods tend to give you more bang for your buck- they provide more fuel for your body per calorie than fake cheese sauce and processed meat with fewer detrimental elements- such as sodium or transfat. That's really why so many people rely on them as the cornerstone for losing weight- it's just more filling to eat peanut butter oatmeal that Smacks cereal.

I agree with the posters that suggest you work your way towards it. Use MFP to guide your calories. Use your brain to guide your choices as to what those calories are.

Don't listen to Jillian Michaels; at least not exclusively. Personalities like that are created to sell you product. They will give you basic, surface information so as to give generic advice that will mostly work for most people- not the full info you need to make the right choices for you and your life specifically.

^^^This.