How do you help guide really bad eaters?

AliceNov2011

Do you know someone who's on a "get healthy" path, who routinely makes their calorie goal and is losing weight, but whose diet is 80% junk? What would you say to help guide them to healthier choices?

redhousecat

I have a type A personality, and luckily, my friends accept that, so I would just tell them. They know they are eating junk.
I usually offer some tips such as treating yourself to "junk" in moderation while tapering off. Or simply offer them healthier alternatives.

I would never really bash them, obviously, but they would hear from me.

lporter229

It's really none of my business what my friends choose to eat. I may think something is healthy, they may not. If I think they are eating junk, I don't feel like it's my place to point it out to them, or to tell them how to eat. They are adults, and by now they should know what is good and bad for them. Honestly, some people can eat nothing but junk and feel great, have no health problems and tons of energy. More power to them. However, I do often talk about some of the healthy things I like to eat. Sometimes this encourages people to try new things they otherwise would not have.

Dianemustang

I always try to say something about their diet - and believe me, it is junk - BUT she has chosen this path and is NOT losing weight and is a WW member....you can't help someone who doesn't want to help themselves.

trixiemou

I think you have to start this and then do this any way you can. Even if you are eating 'Junk' and you are on here and sticking to your goals then you must be eating less 'Junk'. We can all change our lifestyle but if it isn't sustainable, then we would possibly fail at some time in the future.

I do think we are here to guide and encourage which may include giving tips as to other ways to think about what we are doing. People can be very sensitive and even though we may chat on here regularly we still only know a small part of them and it may be very easy to unintentionally upset someone.

And then hopefully if friends will read this and won't think well that's a load of...........

SMarie10

It's really none of my business what my friends choose to eat. I may think something is healthy, they may not. If I think they are eating junk, I don't feel like it's my place to point it out to them, or to tell them how to eat. They are adults, and by now they should know what is good and bad for them. Honestly, some people can eat nothing but junk and feel great, have no health problems and tons of energy. More power to them. However, I do often talk about some of the healthy things I like to eat. Sometimes this encourages people to try new things they otherwise would not have.

I think the OP is sincerely trying to provide some advice, not trying to criticize someones eating. Any change in behavior takes time and for me what worked was making gradual changes, one new thing or change a week vs. everything on one fell swoop. While it all boils down to calorie consumption and that can be on broccoli or donuts, over the long haul it's going to be the healthy plan that wins.

LucyT4dieting

I just saw a friend Saturday night who is a diabetic and overweight. She does not WANT to stop eating junk food, and has not been successful at losing weight and controlling her disease. Her doctor has told her that she is at risk for stroke or a heart attack, but she still insists that she cannot change her eating habits. She is looking into gastric bypass surgery (against the advice of her physician). Many people have told her that even with the surgery, you have to be willing to change your lifestyle, but she does not listen. I think this shows that no matter what anyone says, people are going to eat what they want. Change only occurs when the person is ready to make the change. No one, no matter how well-meaning can make another person change in any way. I suggested MFP to my friend, who just shrugged it off. I believe you can plant the seed, but have to let each person make up their own mind.

DMW914

I sometimes will allow them sample food alternative's, e-mail some facts about how some foods can undo all their hard work, send healthy alternative recipes or make suggestions of healther alternatives. Most people could care less, some may consider and a few actually follow through. For example, my fiance (pre-diabetic/hypertensive) & my dad (diabetic/hypertensive), both either lost weight &/or just feel better about a approach to eating with some of those suggestions & recipes.

sewerchick93

You could make suble suggestions by saying things like " I used to love **** but now instead I eat ****, have you ever tried it, it's really good?"

DebbieLyn63

As long as she is happy with her weight loss, she sees no reason to change her eating habits. If she stops losing, has trouble staying under her goal, or starts not having the energy to exercise, then she might start complaining and even ask for advice. Then would be the time to make suggestions for healthier eating.
If she is young, she can probably get away with eating poorly for a while. I know I did. My body was WAY more forgiving in my 20s and 30s than it is in my 40s now.

And some people of any age can function quite properly on a diet of junk food. If they take supplements to get the vitamins and nutrients they need, and some regular exercise, they seem to do fine. It doesn't work for me, but it does for some others.

My hubby is a competitive cyclist and HATES vegetables. He could live off of chic-fil-A sandwiches and sonic bacon cheeseburgers and fries, plus Starbucks sugary coffees and any sugar he sees. He was fairly happy with his performance in races and training rides, but did have an extra 10 pounds he wanted to lose. When I started on here and started losing, he started eating more like me. Grilled chicken, less starches, sugar, and fried junk, and even has a frequent salad. He dropped those 10 pounds in just over 2 months and he is even faster on the bike! Up til now, he wasn't ready to make the changes, but he finally did and is very happy with the result.

Until we are ready to make changes, it is futile for someone to try to force change on us.

tinlee

If it's a friend in real life I'd try to invite them over to taste some healthy options. But if it's an online friend, I don't think there's much you can do.