Sugary/unhealthy foods during celebrations....

afia233

Hey, does anyone else find it really difficult during celebrations like weddings/brithdays/anniversarys to avoid sugary foods.
I mean its just so tough, my little sisters birthday was today and i was litrally the only one not eating cake......

Gallowmere1984

Not really. I despise sweet food, but that's just me. That being said, I am not one of those people who brings their own food to a cookout either. One day won't wreck your body, and you just end up looking like a *kitten*.

EvilShenanigansTX

Today we had a birthday party at the office and someone brought in a cream cheese pie. I had a tiny slice and it was about 200 cals .. but worth each bite! I will have a smaller dinner to compensate.

afia233

im just worried once i get the taste for it (it being cakes and sugary stuff) back, i wont be able to quite it again....its happened before...and your right...i did look a little douchey...urgh.

skolbe29

I just either eat something before hand so I can control myself at the event and am not so hungry, I think allow some room for cake.

kairisika

If it's not wrong to opt out of birthday cake because you're lactose intolerant, and it's not wrong to opt out of dinner wine because you're a recovering alcoholic, I see no reason that it could be wrong to opt out of birthday cake because you find it addictive and want to stay away for your own health.
Anyone who would think less of you for making healthy choices is not someone whose opinion you should care about.

mgmlap

its a celebration..I partake..its not as if celebrations are everyday..you have to learn how to do everything in moderation. i am east indian..so its tradition to atleast have a bite of the cake and whatnot to wish the person a long healthy life...my parents taught me that..and I teach my kids that..its doesnt mean i take 2 slices..but a bite..and it satisfies the sweet tooth

andyisandy

if it for a special event just enjoy it! chalk it up to a bad day and do better next time. Or if your really worried then like someone else said, eat something before hand so your less tempted

infamousmk

Yes, which is why I don't avoid them. Celebrations are the things that make life worth living, and you will take my slice of birthday cake when you pry it from my cold, dead, happy hands.

sunsnstatheart

Um. Why wouldn't you eat the cake? The cake isn't going to suddenly put on 5 pounds. Celebrate life's moments, otherwise its all just one long boring walk to the grave.

kairisika

Why do people assume that it's necessary to eat unhealthy food to 'celebrate'?
Yes, if you enjoy cake, there's nothing at all wrong with having it sometimes. Go for it!
But there's also nothing at all wrong with choosing not to partake in unhealthy things, even when lots of other people do.

The cultural significance of unhealthy types of food, amounts of food, methods of eating, and whatnot are a major contributor to unhealthy lives.

To the OP - eat some if you want it. But don't ever eat something you don't want to eat just because other people try to guilt you into it.

firstsip

Um. Why wouldn't you eat the cake? The cake isn't going to suddenly put on 5 pounds. Celebrate life's moments, otherwise its all just one long boring walk to the grave.

Words to live by.

And let's not even get started on what merits "healthy" or "unhealthy food" here... :can of worms:

Mathguy1

Here at the office, we celebrate birthdays once a month (for everyone who had a birthday during the month). When I first began my journey to a better exercise and nutrition plan, I would skip out on eating a slice (I would be there to show support as we sang happy birthday).

Now that I'm at or near my goal weight, if I feel like having a small slice, I'll do so (200-400 calories). I know that one slice per month wont blow up my nutrition plan. The key is to use it as a rare treat and not every day. Some like to have a treat as part of their "cheat meal" and I say to each their own. Do whatever works for you.

I advise that if you feel like having a rare treat and you stay under your calorie goal, then it's okay to do so. When I began my journey, I knew I was not going to live the rest of my life without ever eating something sweet or gooey (I love Rudy's pudding). If you feel that having a treat may return you to your bad habits, then you have to abstain until your healthy food habits are formed.

PikaKnight

Um. Why wouldn't you eat the cake? The cake isn't going to suddenly put on 5 pounds. Celebrate life's moments, otherwise its all just one long boring walk to the grave.

Words to live by.

And let's not even get started on what merits "healthy" or "unhealthy food" here... :can of worms:

QFT

2012Sonya

Well said!

AuntieMC

What you eat is your business. I take my own food to family celebrations, as I have a very strict diet for health reasons. It is about the company, not about the food.

kairisika

Um. Why wouldn't you eat the cake? The cake isn't going to suddenly put on 5 pounds. Celebrate life's moments, otherwise its all just one long boring walk to the grave.

Words to live by.
And let's not even get started on what merits "healthy" or "unhealthy food" here... :can of worms:

It is really not *necessary* to eat to celebrate. I think it's very telling of the unhealthy mindset that everyone here equates eating with celebrating. It is entirely possible to celebrate without eating anything at all.
As for what is healthy and unhealthy, there may well be grey area, but you have to be pretty deluded to come up with any system that lets you put birthday cake under 'healthy'. Doesn't mean you can't have it. Sure, there would be different ideas as to what level of unhealthy. but surely everyone has the sense to recognise that it simply isn't 'healthy'.

Bobtheangrytomato

Well, I'm making a salted caramel apple pie for my dad's birthday. I had to taste the filling to get it right, and you better believe I'm tasting that pie. Gotta make sure it's worth making again obviously.

SanteMulberry

If it's not wrong to opt out of birthday cake because you're lactose intolerant, and it's not wrong to opt out of dinner wine because you're a recovering alcoholic, I see no reason that it could be wrong to opt out of birthday cake because you find it addictive and want to stay away for your own health.
Anyone who would think less of you for making healthy choices is not someone whose opinion you should care about.

I agree. I have had fat friends say to me, "Oh, come on---just one little piece of cake won't hurt you." To me it sounds like a drunk saying to a reformed alcoholic, "Oh come on--just one little drink won't hurt you."

THEFKENSONZILLANEXTHERCULES

You can indulge once in a while for special occasions. One unhealthy meal isn't going to make you fat, like one healthy meal isn't going to make you ripped.
Just do whatever you want to do.

TyDroid

Um. Why wouldn't you eat the cake? The cake isn't going to suddenly put on 5 pounds. Celebrate life's moments, otherwise its all just one long boring walk to the grave.

I wish there was, like, a +1 button or something I could click for your post.

PikaKnight

If it's not wrong to opt out of birthday cake because you're lactose intolerant, and it's not wrong to opt out of dinner wine because you're a recovering alcoholic, I see no reason that it could be wrong to opt out of birthday cake because you find it addictive and want to stay away for your own health.
Anyone who would think less of you for making healthy choices is not someone whose opinion you should care about.

I agree. I have had fat friends say to me, "Oh, come on---just one little piece of cake won't hurt you." To me it sounds like a drunk saying to a reformed alcoholic, "Oh come on--just one little drink won't hurt you."

Well, for those that find it a trigger to binge - then definitely stay away for awhile until you learn control. But for anyone else that is able to eat it in moderation..then go ahead, I say.

I am an overeater - but I've overeaten on grapes, veggies, fruits, and salads too. Doesn't make it any better. I've had to learn self-control, moderation for any food, and portion controls. Now I'm more confident that I can have a small piece of cake and not end up eating the whole thing..lol.

I've also had to learn to not be scared to eat or scared of food. Makes me sigh when I realize that I had such an "all or nothing" attitude...no wonder I failed so many times!

SanteMulberry

Here at the office, we celebrate birthdays once a month (for everyone who had a birthday during the month). When I first began my journey to a better exercise and nutrition plan, I would skip out on eating a slice (I would be there to show support as we sang happy birthday).

Now that I'm at or near my goal weight, if I feel like having a small slice, I'll do so (200-400 calories). I know that one slice per month wont blow up my nutrition plan. The key is to use it as a rare treat and not every day. Some like to have a treat as part of their "cheat meal" and I say to each their own. Do whatever works for you.

I advise that if you feel like having a rare treat and you stay under your calorie goal, then it's okay to do so. When I began my journey, I knew I was not going to live the rest of my life without ever eating something sweet or gooey (I love Rudy's pudding). If you feel that having a treat may return you to your bad habits, then you have to abstain until your healthy food habits are formed.

A lot of people here say that they can have the occasional sugary indulgence--glad for them. I find that I cannot---it just makes me hungry and craving. If I go ahead and eat it, I'm miserable.

sunsnstatheart

Um. Why wouldn't you eat the cake? The cake isn't going to suddenly put on 5 pounds. Celebrate life's moments, otherwise its all just one long boring walk to the grave.

Words to live by.
And let's not even get started on what merits "healthy" or "unhealthy food" here... :can of worms:

It is really not *necessary* to eat to celebrate. I think it's very telling of the unhealthy mindset that everyone here equates eating with celebrating. It is entirely possible to celebrate without eating anything at all.
As for what is healthy and unhealthy, there may well be grey area, but you have to be pretty deluded to come up with any system that lets you put birthday cake under 'healthy'. Doesn't mean you can't have it. Sure, there would be different ideas as to what level of unhealthy. but surely everyone has the sense to recognise that it simply isn't 'healthy'.

Unhealthy mindset? One piece of cake? Seriously?

bridgelene

Yes, which is why I don't avoid them. Celebrations are the things that make life worth living, and you will take my slice of birthday cake when you pry it from my cold, dead, happy hands.

Same here

firstsip

To consolidate what people have said here:

OP, if you didn't want the cake, that's fine. You can explain to people if it seems like they're pressuring you, but don't worry about feeling douchey or not feeling douchey. Ultimately, what you ate is your business.

However, feeling regret because you wanted it, or are "too afraid" of its sugar and "unhealthiness" is borderline orthorexic. It is okay to eat food like that every once in awhile. There's many that will say, "NO. EVEN ONE SLICE OF CAKE IS BAD BECAUSE OF A. B. AND C." If you wanted the small slice, have the small slice. As others have said, work it into your day, and your body is still good to go.

The issue I'd hone in on is you saying, "I'm worried I would be unable to quit eating." Do you feel like you have issues controlling your food? That might be something to talk to a professional about. Otherwise, I'd say, 1. The cake was at a party... not at your place. If it's not in the house, it's much more difficult to backslide into having it, so don't buy it or take any "leftovers" home. 2. It looks like you've lost a good amount of weight. Congratulations on your loss! It might surprise you to have a bite and be perfectly content with just a bite or small slice. Often, our tastes and appetites acclimate very quickly to what we've been eating, so you might be surprised at HOW sugary it tastes (maybe now a turn off), or realize that it doesn't taste AS good as you thought. Keep in mind, I am by no means discounting that cake tastes awesome, but often after you've made long strides in changing your diet, things that were once much more frequent can quickly fall by the wayside.

And even though now there will be the inevitable, "Excuse you, going off sugar can result in withdrawal symptoms" or "I have a food addiction/ED/etc. etc.," no, offering a piece of cake to someone on a diet is NOT the same as offering a drink to a recovering alcoholic. Alcohol is a drug with very real, very dangerous issues of withdrawal, relapse, etc. You DO need food to live, regardless of its quality, and it has tens of thousands of years of being a communal ritual for homo sapiens.

Alissakae

Um. Why wouldn't you eat the cake? The cake isn't going to suddenly put on 5 pounds. Celebrate life's moments, otherwise its all just one long boring walk to the grave.

Love this!

SanteMulberry

"...offering a piece of cake to someone on a diet is NOT the same as offering a drink to a recovering alcoholic. Alcohol is a drug with very real, very dangerous issues of withdrawal, relapse, etc. You DO need food to live, regardless of its quality..."

Only thing is, sugar is not a real food and you do not need IT to live. I have not had any for two years and I am much healthier for it--don't even WANT it anymore. Sugar and alcohol are metabolized in ways similar to alcohol. I have known recovering alcoholics who decline fruit juice as they feel that the concentrated fructose makes them want a drink. So no thank you, I will NEVER willingly have any. If it diminishes other peoples' enjoyment, that is their problem (and their health), not mine.

PikaKnight

"...offering a piece of cake to someone on a diet is NOT the same as offering a drink to a recovering alcoholic. Alcohol is a drug with very real, very dangerous issues of withdrawal, relapse, etc. You DO need food to live, regardless of its quality..."

Only thing is, sugar is not a real food and you do not need IT to live. I have not had any for two years and I am much healthier for it--don't even WANT it anymore. Sugar and alcohol are metabolized in ways similar to alcohol. I have known recovering alcoholics who decline fruit juice as they feel that the concentrated fructose makes them want a drink. So no thank you, I will NEVER willingly have any. If it diminishes other peoples' enjoyment, that is their problem (and their health), not mine.

Each their own OP..whatever you do..enjoy life. It's far too short to be full of don'ts and can'ts. You are doing great in your goals and just know that *IF* you do decide to eat a piece of cake, that it isn't going to deter you from success :flowerforyou:

kairisika

Um. Why wouldn't you eat the cake? The cake isn't going to suddenly put on 5 pounds. Celebrate life's moments, otherwise its all just one long boring walk to the grave.

Words to live by.
And let's not even get started on what merits "healthy" or "unhealthy food" here... :can of worms:

It is really not *necessary* to eat to celebrate. I think it's very telling of the unhealthy mindset that everyone here equates eating with celebrating. It is entirely possible to celebrate without eating anything at all.
As for what is healthy and unhealthy, there may well be grey area, but you have to be pretty deluded to come up with any system that lets you put birthday cake under 'healthy'. Doesn't mean you can't have it. Sure, there would be different ideas as to what level of unhealthy. but surely everyone has the sense to recognise that it simply isn't 'healthy'.

Unhealthy mindset? One piece of cake? Seriously?

Poor reading comprehension.
As I stated multiple times above, I see nothing wrong with eating one piece of cake if you want it.
The unhealthy mindset is not the idea that you can have one piece of cake. That's moderation.
The unhealthy mindset is that if you turn down the cake, you're turning down the whole celebration. The unhealthy mindset is the idea that you need to eat cake in order to have fun, and that choosing not to eat cake is a life of miserable deprivation.
I support the ability to have a piece of cake if you want it, but in this thread, I'm standing up for the ability to choose not to have a piece of cake without being socially pressured.

kairisika

If it's not wrong to opt out of birthday cake because you're lactose intolerant, and it's not wrong to opt out of dinner wine because you're a recovering alcoholic, I see no reason that it could be wrong to opt out of birthday cake because you find it addictive and want to stay away for your own health.
Anyone who would think less of you for making healthy choices is not someone whose opinion you should care about.

I agree. I have had fat friends say to me, "Oh, come on---just one little piece of cake won't hurt you." To me it sounds like a drunk saying to a reformed alcoholic, "Oh come on--just one little drink won't hurt you."

YES!
To most people, one piece of cake won't hurt. But for some, it will. And for others, even if it won't hurt, they're making a reasonable decision not to have it.