Do you cut out 'bad' foods completely?

IliN82

So I have reached my goal weight and now just focusing on toning. I exercise almost every day, a mix of cardio and strength training.
I was just wondering if there is room in your diet for treats? I have 3 kids and we love to bake, this is always my weakness! It's homemade but obviously still high in sugar. I always go way over my sugar. I still stay within my allocated calories and try to hit those macros but was just wondering if I really need to cut it all out? Same thing with foods like pizza, pasta etc!! I still like to have them once a week or so but I do limit my portions. I will have 2 slices of pizza with a load of salad rather than 5 pieces like I used to. I find having the digital food scales really helps with this. Before I had kids it was so easy to just not buy 'bad' things but now I feel I am surrounded by it lol! I usually cook from scratch and also drink a lot of water so I hope that's a bit of a saving grace. I feel what I am doing at the moment is sustainable for me. Because I allow myself yummy things I do not feel like I am on a 'diet'.
BUT does sugar or carbs make you have cellulite and cause fat?
Thanks

julesxo

Of course you can. I do in moderation. I see no harm Who wants to live a life with no chocolate or cookies? Pfft not me.

PS Don't feel guilty about it, as long as you aren't overeating you'll be fine

pastryari

I don't restrict any foods. If it fits into my cal/macros for the day and I want it, I have it.

Cliffslosinit

I don't discriminate

Mokey41

What's a bad food? Any food is bad in excess, any food is good in moderation.

Unknown

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Timshel_

Everything in moderation, right? And that is true of good and "bad" foods as well. I just don't do those "bad" foods as often anymore.

If I choose something that is more calories I have to compensate in another meal or in adding exercise.

Greenrun99

Goal weight usually implies you start eating at your TDEE.. Eating at that level with doing exercise daily as you mentioned you should easily be able to fit a slice of pizza and a treat into your day if you want.. Your TDEE is probably 1800-2000+ doing cardio+strength daily (guessing at an hour)

cmeiron

Nothing is off-limits for me. Being too restrictive has always led to failure in the past, for me. I'm learning how to control portions (one, smaller serving instead of many large) and be conscientious of my choices now (mindful instead of mindless eating), instead. I now realize that the labelling of some foods as "bad" is closely tied into my former quite disordered eating habits and mindset.

jacksonpt

I care about:
1) good macros
2) appropriate total calorie intake
3) long term adherence

I eat things that help me with those 3 things. If my self control is high, I'll have a little junk food and not worry about it as long as it fall within the first 2 goals. If self control is low, then I know a little chocolate will only lead to mass amounts of chocolate (which screws up both my macros and my total cals), so I'll avoid it.

Francl27

I've cut some things (basically everything that is high in fat except cheese - and I guess it's not totally true as I had one chicken nugget last week). I still have pizza, cookies, just a smaller quantity (like, one cookie).

The main danger with homemade stuff is to completely underestimate the number of calories. You have to enter all the ingredients individually then divide the total by the number of cookies... It's such a pain, it's easier not to eat any LOL.

EmmaReed84

NO SUCH THINGS AS BAD FOOD... IMO

All things in moderation!

I love chocolate and sweets and also loads of other YUMMY foods LOL.

LorinaLynn

The only thing I cut out is calling certain foods "bad." If it reasonably fits within my nutritional and caloric goals, I'll eat it.

darlilama

"BUT does sugar or carbs make you have cellulite and cause fat? "

Excess calories of any kind or type will cause you to gain weight over the long-term. One can eat "clean" (not here to argue what that means) and be overweight if you take in too many calories.

Be reasonable with the treats and honest with yourself on how many you are consuming. You'll be fine!! You have an awesome chance to teach your kids now how to eat properly, feeding their body what it needs and that treats are meant to be treats, not daily meals!

krissy_krossy

Yep, I had 2 slices of pepperoni pizza yesterday. As long as I can fit it in, I can eat it. I don't view foods as "good" or "bad."

My0WNinspiration

I eat what I want

KenosFeoh

So far I haven't give up anything. I probably should, though.

SweetestLibby

1) good macros
2) appropriate total calorie intake
3) long term adherence

Pretty much this. I can have my cake and eat it too! Also since you enjoy baking with your children you can find healthy baking substitutes!

jillybeansalad

Nope, I just endulge in them less.

IliN82

Thanks guys, good to hear that you don't need to cut anything out completely!
I do add all my homemade recipes to mfp and divide by portions so whatever I log is quite close to being correct. I also try and bake healthier cakes etc and my kids enjoy them however they tell me nothing is as good as a chocolate fudge brownie

IliN82

"BUT does sugar or carbs make you have cellulite and cause fat? "

Excess calories of any kind or type will cause you to gain weight over the long-term. One can eat "clean" (not here to argue what that means) and be overweight if you take in too many calories.

Be reasonable with the treats and honest with yourself on how many you are consuming. You'll be fine!! You have an awesome chance to teach your kids now how to eat properly, feeding their body what it needs and that treats are meant to be treats, not daily meals!

Yes we generally eat very healthily and my kids are great eaters thankfully! Things like fish, pork, chicken, lentil soup, any kind of soup etc are on the menu daily. They love fruit too. We also bake healthier things too but they tell me nothing is as good as a double chocolate brownie. They are so darn skinny too, they eat A LOT but they play outdoors in the woods all day when not at school and are very active with sport so for them I need to cram as many calories in them as possible.

So I guess as long as I stay within my calories and make sure I hit those macros then there IS room for the daily cake/ice cream or brownie) I felt so guilty yesterday as I had 2 pieces of cake PLUS pasta for dinner and felt so full! Even went over by 241 cals. But the next morning my weight was the same if not even a bit less. Go figure! It's just that I see so many people's diary's who eat none of the above things and then I feel guilty! But I just love it too much!

DawnieB1977

I still want to lose a few lbs and have a cheat meal once a week, and usually I make something myself with a dessert. My kids love it when I bake things like cupcakes. Last week my husband made a chicken pie and I made an apple crumble. One week we had lasagne and then red velvet cake. Another week I did a chocolate mousse. Yesterday we had pizza - I had 3 slices and a salad - and some chocolate. I feel bad for not making it myself, but our 1 year old has some sickness bug so we're exhausted and wanted something quick and easy.

The rest of the week I generally avoid 'bad' foods although I did have a small cookie on Thurs at work due to only having had 4 hours sleep the previous night.

I don't think you need to cut them out completely. It was my personal trainer who recommended I have a cheat meal.

stines72

I cut treats out because the way my mind works is that if I can't eat it as a meal it's not worth it. Example: I can't be happy with eating only one cookie. I want at least 10 lol. But I do eat things like ice cream and I eat lots of peanut butter.

links_slayer

Hell. No.

angelpearls

I don't cut out any foods, however I may eat a smaller portion of a high calorie/carb food.