Moderatiion or deprivation?

La_dolce_vita_222

Does healthy food have to be way low on the taste scale? Or is it ok to use things like butter, sauces, spreads - in MODERATION so that we can maintain in the long run? For e.g. steamed veggies is SO good with a little butter and I can probabaly maintain that for life...but without, it tastes so bland that I try and avoid it all together or just force feed myself. Will I lose weight with moderation or deprivation? (sorry about the type in the subject line)

AnvilHead

Best post I've ever read on the subject:

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/817188-iifym

Firefox7275

Chilli, garlic, herbs, spices, tomato sauce, stock/ bouillon, yeast extract, lemon juice, flavoured vinegars ... all low in calories and includes vitamins and/ or antioxidants so works towards health goals. if you want the mouthfeel of fat use it close to its whole form where possible for the other nutrients - block creamed coconut, soft or hard cheese, nuts/ seeds, olives.

AmyRhubarb

Does healthy food have to be way low on the taste scale? Or is it ok to use things like butter, sauces, spreads - in MODERATION so that we can maintain in the long run? For e.g. steamed veggies is SO good with a little butter and I can probably maintain that for life...but without, it tastes so bland that I try and avoid it all together or just force feed myself. Will I lose weight with moderation or deprivation? (sorry about the type in the subject line)

I eat butter every day, my friends have nicknamed me "Saucy" for my love of sauces, and I don't deprive myself of any food. For me, moderation is the key - this is a lifelong plan for me, not a temporary diet. I figure I can't make temporary changes and expect permanent results. :bigsmile:

I still eat burgers, pizza, cake, ice cream, chips, and drink alcohol - but not every day. I log everything, which has been very educational for me and helped me to make some healthier choices along the way. Life happens, holidays, parties, unexpected lunch dates, etc - I work all of those things into my daily goals and make good choices as much as possible, while still enjoying life and FOOD!

BarackMeLikeAHurricane

Many people will disagree with me and I know this isn't for everyone, but I cut out any food that I like too much and are calorie dense (i.e. French fries, cake, pizza, etc). I'm a food addict, I can't do moderation. One is too many, a thousand is never enough. If you can control yourself, go for it. If you're like me cut them out.

Sincere24

If you can handle it while maintaining your calorie goal by all means throw it in. I try to avoid using butters and oils, waste of calories for me but stick to using herbs most of the time. However i only do so to add in my treats during the day lol. I look at it this way two tablespoon of butter or EVOO can easily be replaced with a delicious parfait do go alongside my dinner.

It's all about finding a balance, why deprive yourself when you can easily through some creative way fit it in to your calorie goal. This all boils down to whether or not the calorie range you set out for yourself is realistic lool, otherwise you've done deprived yourself

AnvilHead

Many people will disagree with me and I know this isn't for everyone, but I cut out any food that I like too much and are calorie dense (i.e. French fries, cake, pizza, etc). I'm a food addict, I can't do moderation. One is too many, a thousand is never enough. If you can control yourself, go for it. If you're like me cut them out.

Some people can't deal with moderation, or at least have some foods that are "trigger foods". If that's the case, nothing whatsoever wrong with cutting them out - in fact, it makes perfect sense.

AntWrig

Many people will disagree with me and I know this isn't for everyone, but I cut out any food that I like too much and are calorie dense (i.e. French fries, cake, pizza, etc). I'm a food addict, I can't do moderation. One is too many, a thousand is never enough. If you can control yourself, go for it. If you're like me cut them out.

You have to do what works for you.

joyfuljoy65

Does healthy food have to be way low on the taste scale? Or is it ok to use things like butter, sauces, spreads - in MODERATION so that we can maintain in the long run? For e.g. steamed veggies is SO good with a little butter and I can probably maintain that for life...but without, it tastes so bland that I try and avoid it all together or just force feed myself. Will I lose weight with moderation or deprivation? (sorry about the type in the subject line)

I eat butter every day, my friends have nicknamed me "Saucy" for my love of sauces, and I don't deprive myself of any food. For me, moderation is the key - this is a lifelong plan for me, not a temporary diet. I figure I can't make temporary changes and expect permanent results. :bigsmile:

I still eat burgers, pizza, cake, ice cream, chips, and drink alcohol - but not every day. I log everything, which has been very educational for me and helped me to make some healthier choices along the way. Life happens, holidays, parties, unexpected lunch dates, etc - I work all of those things into my daily goals and make good choices as much as possible, while still enjoying life and FOOD!

Ditto - this is not a diet - this is a way of eating for the rest of my life and it needs to fit in with my lifestyle. For me portion sizes have been the eyeopener, never realised how big my portions used to be til I weighed them!! I log everything too no matter what sort of day it has been - and I still eat some of the things that other diets have banned - which of course makes me crave them! - and have lost weight the easiest I have ever found it to go. I guess the old adage of what goes in has to be less that what goes out is true after all, and all those faddy diets made up of streamed veg with no accessorising were no more than that fad.

bathsheba_c

By the way, it is actually healthier to add a little bit of fat to steamed vegetables because the fat assists in the absorption of nutrients from the vegetables.

In short, it's all about how your diet is overall, and not about any specific food.

letjog

Does healthy food have to be way low on the taste scale? Or is it ok to use things like butter, sauces, spreads - in MODERATION so that we can maintain in the long run? For e.g. steamed veggies is SO good with a little butter and I can probabaly maintain that for life...but without, it tastes so bland that I try and avoid it all together or just force feed myself. Will I lose weight with moderation or deprivation? (sorry about the type in the subject line)

I think as long as you can accurately ount the calories/fat in the sauces you use that's absolutely fine, and in fact, good. As previous poster said, fat helps with nutrient absorption.

But fatty sauces/butter can stall weight loss if not accounted for.

Good luck!

Natihilator

I NEVER sacrifice flavour is my way to do things. Food isn't worth eating if you have to choke it down, imo.

For me, it's moderation unless it's a binge-prone food, but I don't really restrict anything from my diet that I like to eat. I cook with butter daily, eat mostly full-fat versions of things like cheese and yogurt. I don't buy foods that I tend to binge on, but if I DO want it, I'll only get one serving. So instead of ordering a pizza, I'd go to a 'by the slice' place and get one slice. Get one cookie or a bagel instead of buying a multi-pack of them at the grocery store. That way I don't feel deprived, but I have to go out of my way to get it, have one and I'm done. Works for me.

nxd10

There are so many good and delicious ways of preparing healthy food that I have to just disagree with the premise that healthy food is low on the taste scale.

Perhaps you might diversify your cooking?

I also think that as you change the way you eat your taste becomes much more sensitive and you find that flavor that used be numbed out of you by too much salt and sugar. (Boy that sounds dogmatic!)

I LOVE sauces, live on spices, and love to cook. But good food that is low on the taste scale is just badly prepared. It doesn't have to be bland and it doesn't always need to be covered with a sauce or buried in butter.

rfsatar

Everything in moderation... I use butter in some cooking. I cook with EV Olive oil and I make sure it's listed in my recipes for logging.
I have cut down on portion sizes, and I plan in the morning, and try and have more healthy nibbles and treats during the day, rather than sweets and a can of coke or ginger beer.
That way at the weekend when I usually kick loose on a maintenance day, I can do so, and feel like it's a bit of a treat and not feel deprived!

La_dolce_vita_222

Thanks everyone...very good to know all your thoughts...i will go the moderation way. I feel better and more cheerful and being happy and positive is important in this journey. It is encouraging to know that people have lost weight using the moderation method. To cut out certain food works for a lot of people as well...so i guess to each, his own. Thank you for all your comments