Why not give up certain foods or food groups?

LoraF83

I no longer eat wheat or dairy. I here all over these forums that if you don't have an allergy you shouldn't give certain foods up, why is that?

It's generally, "if you don't have an allergy or medical condition you don't NEED to give up certain foods" for the purpose of losing weight, not "you SHOULDN'T. That context is very important. Usually this advise is given to someone struggling and someone who is being overly restrictive with their diet.

If you can and want to give something up, that's fine...but for many, giving up certain food and food groups ultimately spells failure down the road because it's an unrealistic life style for them. So some of us like to point out that you don't HAVE to give up anything to lose weight.

QFT.

joleenl

because the body makes its own chemicals to break down the chemicals in certain foods so if you stop eating those certain foods your body will stop making those chemicals and then you wont be able to eat those certain foods without getitng sick is how i understand. Hence why vegetarians get sick if they eat meat.

I dont like to disrupt the body's natural defenses unless absolutely necessary.

I disagree. I think people get sick when they return to a certain food group because that food always had negative results for them which is probably why they quit in the first place.

Akimajuktuq

It is about science if you cut something from your diet long term your body stops producing the hormones needed to break down that food. So you have to stay off for life or you WILL gain weight when you start consuming it again. This is why giving up food groups like dairy, fats and carbs can be bad. And for some cause yo-yo dieting.

You refer to "science" and then make a very strange comment indeed. No one can give up "fat" or they would die. Due to the bs low fat craze (supposedly based on science, but NOT actually based on science because the studies did not prove that natural, healthy fats caused any illness at all), people are eating less overall fat, much less natural saturated fat, but with the addition of large amounts of highly processed polyunsaturated fats, never before seen in the human diet. I don't need "science" (or the government or the food industry) to know that if there's a problem with fat, it's probably not from the kinds that humans have been eating for a million years or so.

But yes, one can give up dairy, with ZERO negative effects, and probably many positive effects. One can come close to giving up carbs as well, though I don't see the need to when they come from vegetables. (There are aboriginal societies who did quite well with almost zero carbs in their diet; the Inuit for one.)

Yup, totally right that returning to the diet that made one sick and fat, will have the same effect all over again.

joleenl

Kay, another question, why does everyone assume bad things will happen if/when I go back to wheat and dairy? Wheres the scientific evidence on this?

An example I have on my own, I have quit drinking alcohol many times, and then after 6 months or a year I go back.... I don't develope an intolerance or allergy or get sick from it when I return, nor do I gain weight unless of course I exceed my calories (Remember excesss calories make you gain wieght not certain foods). It'll be the same for wheat and dairy.

stella1314

i think you doing the right thing.!
If you think you dont want dairy...why on earth should u eat it? or wheat?
do whatever You think is right, its your body! As long as you eat healthy , feel great and look great....YOU ARE DOING A RIGHT THING!

WendyTerry420

because the body makes its own chemicals to break down the chemicals in certain foods so if you stop eating those certain foods your body will stop making those chemicals and then you wont be able to eat those certain foods without getitng sick is how i understand. Hence why vegetarians get sick if they eat meat.

I dont like to disrupt the body's natural defenses unless absolutely necessary.

I disagree. I think people get sick when they return to a certain food group because that food always had negative results for them which is probably why they quit in the first place.

When that happens, it's considered a food intolerance or allergy. If a certain food gives you "negative results," then it's certainly best to avoid that item.

WendyTerry420

Kay, another question, why does everyone assume bad things will happen if/when I go back to wheat and dairy? Wheres the scientific evidence on this?

An example I have on my own, I have quit drinking alcohol many times, and then after 6 months or a year I go back.... I don't develope an intolerance or allergy or get sick from it when I return, nor do I gain weight unless of course I exceed my calories (Remember excesss calories make you gain wieght not certain foods). It'll be the same for wheat and dairy.

True. The only way that it would make you gain is if the "yumminess" factor hit and you binged one that item.

GamerLady

i think you doing the right thing.!
If you think you dont want dairy...why on earth should u eat it? or wheat?
do whatever You think is right, its your body! As long as you eat healthy , feel great and look great....YOU ARE DOING A RIGHT THING!

Amen!

joleenl

You seem very hostile about this. Eat what you want to eat. If you hit your macros and your calorie goals, it won't matter much, if at all. It may help you or you may choose to believe it is what's helping you, but it doesn't matter either way. If cutting out dairy makes you happy and healthy, then you're happy and healthy.
People who are unhappy about others giving up food groups generally are for one of two reasons 1. The person giving up foods did it because they felt they had to. 2. The person giving up a food group keeps complaining about how hard it is to stay on their "diet."
You don't have to give up any food group and for most people, it is harder to stick to healthy eating when you give up a food group. If it works for you, why do you care what anyone else says? Ignore the haters and eat what you eat.
It's just like the EM2WL v. 1200 people. There are studies that support every side, there is anecdotal evidence for every side and there are people who are unnecessarily passionate about every side. Ultimately, we all choose the method that we feel works best for us.
Eat, move, be happy and you will be healthy. How you do it is up to you.

I'm not hostile. Not at all. Just wondering if anyone had legit reasons why its not good. But appears there are none. Thanks for the good advice.

joleenl

Giving up wheat and milk is an idea that has been around for several years (Atkins wrote his first book on low carb diets in the early 70s). Most low carb and paleo diets subscribe to this idea. Even now the most popular diets start you off in a low carb diet for the first few weeks where they exclude wheat and dairy (or bread over all).

On top of that there are medical studies going back to the later part of the 1800s where doctors put their patients on diets that cut out processed foods and found a dramatic improvement in their health.

If removing wheat, dairy and processed foods helps you on your quest for weight loss and a healthy diet I say do it. Just ignore the nay sayers. This time next year you'll be much better off and they will be staring at their wheat toast and skim milk wondering why they can't lose weight.

My favourite Response!

joleenl

i think you doing the right thing.!
If you think you dont want dairy...why on earth should u eat it? or wheat?
do whatever You think is right, its your body! As long as you eat healthy , feel great and look great....YOU ARE DOING A RIGHT THING!

Amen!

Agree!

joleenl

I don't think there's anything wrong with giving up certain types of food to see if you feel better. I have been off dairy for the past few weeks (as recommended by a nutritionist) to see if that is what is causing the excess mucus I always seem to have. If that isn't it, I'll try cutting out something else. Most vegetarians I know chose to give up meat/dairy simply because they chose to, not because of any dietary restrictions. I say if it works for you, what's the problem?

Exactly my point. It seems to irk a lot of people on here though for some strange reason.

Yup, some people have a very big problem with the choice of other people to give up certain foods. One doesn't have to wait to be diagnosed with celiac, PCOS, diabetes, sensitivities/intolerances, etc, to be justified in deciding to eliminate problematic foods; though other members will say just that. Prevention is much more effective than treating symptoms later and trying to repair damage already done.

There are many foods that are not at all required for survival and imo, many "foods' that are not even food; ie they are detrimental to our health. So, maybe you should find forums where likeminded people will support your choice? I've found a few and all of my "friends" have more or less the same lifestyle and philosophies. It's great to be supported and to be asked for support, rather than be attacked and ridiculed.

Sound advice. Thank you!

joleenl

It is about science if you cut something from your diet long term your body stops producing the hormones needed to break down that food. So you have to stay off for life or you WILL gain weight when you start consuming it again. This is why giving up food groups like dairy, fats and carbs can be bad. And for some cause yo-yo dieting.

You refer to "science" and then make a very strange comment indeed. No one can give up "fat" or they would die. Due to the bs low fat craze (supposedly based on science, but NOT actually based on science because the studies did not prove that natural, healthy fats caused any illness at all), people are eating less overall fat, much less natural saturated fat, but with the addition of large amounts of highly processed polyunsaturated fats, never before seen in the human diet. I don't need "science" (or the government or the food industry) to know that if there's a problem with fat, it's probably not from the kinds that humans have been eating for a million years or so.

But yes, one can give up dairy, with ZERO negative effects, and probably many positive effects. One can come close to giving up carbs as well, though I don't see the need to when they come from vegetables. (There are aboriginal societies who did quite well with almost zero carbs in their diet; the Inuit for one.)

Yup, totally right that returning to the diet that made one sick and fat, will have the same effect all over again.

Thanks for this ^^

joleenl

I no longer eat wheat or dairy. I here all over these forums that if you don't have an allergy you shouldn't give certain foods up, why is that?

It's generally, "if you don't have an allergy or medical condition you don't NEED to give up certain foods" for the purpose of losing weight, not "you SHOULDN'T. That context is very important. Usually this advise is given to someone struggling and someone who is being overly restrictive with their diet.

If you can and want to give something up, that's fine...but for many, giving up certain food and food groups ultimately spells failure down the road because it's an unrealistic life style for them. So some of us like to point out that you don't HAVE to give up anything to lose weight.

It is about context. I agree you don't have to give up anything to lose weight. Just watch your calories and exercise. I never quit to lose weight. I quit because I feel better. I'm living proof, that giving up things will not help you lose more wieght - a lot of mfp friends eat dairy and wheat and have lost the same amount or in some cases more weight then me.

Thanks for your response. I whole heartly agree with your statement.

Lt_Starbuck

because

Mickers36

Good for you! I can honestly say that I will not be giving up aaaaaaaanything lol