What do YOU consider healthy?

victorious27
victorious27 Posts: 250 Member
in Food and Nutrition
So, every time I see a forum someone is talking about having a healthy diet...but healthy may mean something different for different people, right? "Unhealthy diaries" seems to be the main topic with this -- but really...what is healthy?

Personally, I've noticed that my opinion of what healthy is seems "skewed" compared to the general postings here on MFP. Because I've grown up in a rural setting my entire life, healthy means a good serving of meat with greens and most likely some version of potatoes. It means eating a sandwich for lunch, or munching on some crackers and salami instead of breaking out a bag of chips or a tub of ice cream. Yeah, I eat fruit and yeah, I eat all my veggies at dinner time...but I don't focus my diet around them. To me, that feels healthy and even though there are healthier options...it's really not that bad for you as long as you portion it correctly, in my opinion.

In your opinion, what is healthy?

Replies

  • tommygirl15
    tommygirl15 Posts: 1,012 Member
    My personal view of healthy are things that have nutritional value. If it doesn't have nutrition, then you probably don't need it. I'm not against empty calorie foods, but I don't consider them healthy.
  • nikilis
    nikilis Posts: 2,305 Member
    not stalking your ex girlfriend, or at least maintaining a healthy distance so as to not be seen.
  • love4fitnesslove4food_wechange
    love4fitnesslove4food_wechange Posts: 6,897 Member
    Healthy is having a relationship with food such that you're able to enjoy "bad foods" (i.e. pizza, candy, and dessert) on occasion or heck even daily but you also get in proper amounts of protein, stick to your calorie goals, and get in some activity daily (be it walking or a workout). If you do go over your calories you don't flip out and restrict the next day or take it as a free ticket to continue eating crap. It's about balance! :)
  • Dave198lbs
    Dave198lbs Posts: 8,810 Member
    Healthy is having a relationship with food such that you're able to enjoy "bad foods" (i.e. pizza, candy, and dessert) on occasion or heck even daily but you also get in proper amounts of protein, stick to your calorie goals, and get in some activity daily (be it walking or a workout). If you do go over your calories you don't flip out and restrict the next day or take it as a free ticket to continue eating crap. It's about balance! :)

    one thing I don't understand is when people talk about "bad" foods, it seems pizza is always mentioned. Comparing pizza to candy makes no sense to me. Pizza can actually be a very healthy meal.
  • NocturnalGirl
    NocturnalGirl Posts: 1,762
    Healthy is having a relationship with food such that you're able to enjoy "bad foods" (i.e. pizza, candy, and dessert) on occasion or heck even daily but you also get in proper amounts of protein, stick to your calorie goals, and get in some activity daily (be it walking or a workout). If you do go over your calories you don't flip out and restrict the next day or take it as a free ticket to continue eating crap. It's about balance! :)

    This is EXACTLY what I was going to say :smile:

    I believe a healthy diet is having a healthy relationship with food. So no starving, purging or binging and to not be scared of food.
  • pixiestick
    pixiestick Posts: 839 Member
    not stalking your ex girlfriend, or at least maintaining a healthy distance so as to not be seen.
    :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:
  • nikilis
    nikilis Posts: 2,305 Member
    stage lights down... now cue the good cal vs bad cal argument! we had the matinee earlier today! probably another show or two tomorrow.

    lets just watch it decend into chaos. like I said somewhere between the 4th and 10th the curtains raise, and its all jazz hands.

    although... I've been wrong before....
  • NocturnalGirl
    NocturnalGirl Posts: 1,762
    not stalking your ex girlfriend, or at least maintaining a healthy distance so as to not be seen.

    Hahahaha you crack me up.


    Wait what
  • LeggyAmericanGirl
    LeggyAmericanGirl Posts: 285 Member
    9.5 inches
  • Suzyqall72
    Suzyqall72 Posts: 105
    Healthy is eating your fruits, vegetables, lean meat and whole grains. Eating a cookie every now and then and not obsessing over it, or eating a bunch of cookies. Not eating just to eat, or finishing something that's not even that good. Exercising in some way every day, whether it's exercise on purpose, or dancing, walking, just moving.
  • love4fitnesslove4food_wechange
    love4fitnesslove4food_wechange Posts: 6,897 Member
    Healthy is having a relationship with food such that you're able to enjoy "bad foods" (i.e. pizza, candy, and dessert) on occasion or heck even daily but you also get in proper amounts of protein, stick to your calorie goals, and get in some activity daily (be it walking or a workout). If you do go over your calories you don't flip out and restrict the next day or take it as a free ticket to continue eating crap. It's about balance! :)

    one thing I don't understand is when people talk about "bad" foods, it seems pizza is always mentioned. Comparing pizza to candy makes no sense to me. Pizza can actually be a very healthy meal.

    Because people think that "pizza" is bad so it's used when referring to "bad food" --it can be healthy but so can baked goods. You wouldn't call those "good" or "healthy" though, would you? It takes some work to make it healthy, therefore the rule is that in general it does fall under the "bad" category.
  • love4fitnesslove4food_wechange
    love4fitnesslove4food_wechange Posts: 6,897 Member
    Healthy is eating your fruits, vegetables, lean meat and whole grains. Eating a cookie every now and then and not obsessing over it, or eating a bunch of cookies. Not eating just to eat, or finishing something that's not even that good. Exercising in some way every day, whether it's exercise on purpose, or dancing, walking, just moving.

    Sounds like what I said but worded differently. :flowerforyou:
  • nikilis
    nikilis Posts: 2,305 Member
    Healthy is having a relationship with food such that you're able to enjoy "bad foods" (i.e. pizza, candy, and dessert) on occasion or heck even daily but you also get in proper amounts of protein, stick to your calorie goals, and get in some activity daily (be it walking or a workout). If you do go over your calories you don't flip out and restrict the next day or take it as a free ticket to continue eating crap. It's about balance! :)

    one thing I don't understand is when people talk about "bad" foods, it seems pizza is always mentioned. Comparing pizza to candy makes no sense to me. Pizza can actually be a very healthy meal.

    Because people think that "pizza" is bad so it's used when referring to "bad food" --it can be healthy but so can baked goods. You wouldn't call those "good" or "healthy" though, would you? It takes some work to make it healthy, therefore the rule is that in general it does fall under the "bad" category.

    yeh, don't be ragging on pizza, that dudes just living his dreams

    tumblr_luvdh9Wm591qbp92io1_500.jpg?1321653451
  • Dave198lbs
    Dave198lbs Posts: 8,810 Member
    ,
  • PixelTreason
    PixelTreason Posts: 226 Member
    Personally, I consider it healthy to eat as many whole foods as possible. I try to fill my diet with lots of veggies, some fruit, lean meats and leave out most of the pre-packaged and sugary foods.

    Edit: Oh and non-food wise, it's healthy to exercise in some way! Cardio, lifting, whatever gets you off your butt.
  • brevislux
    brevislux Posts: 1,093 Member
    I think there is more than one way to be healthy. You can be healthy eating meat and you can be a healthy vegan.
    But the way I see it, healthy must be clean and include all the nutrients your body needs. And healthy is still connected with portion control.

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