Why do people hide their diaries?

In my case, it's because I'm doing this for myself and diaries / logs are the best way for me to assess my situation. I did not really come to MFP for the community aspect. I came here because I can access the site from any computer and it has the food database, which makes things easier than having to make sure I carry a notebook around and having to guess the nutrition information if I didn't get it off of a label.

Honestly, I feel no more desire to leave my diary open here than I felt to leave my old paper and pen logs out in public. I've got nothing to hide, but I just don't feel any great urge to share. It's simply not an important part of my path.

because they feel guilty and shamed of what they actually eat. LOL

THIS is prime example of attitude that keeps my stuff to MYSELF~

THIS exactly.

Stop caring what other people think!

Has anyone honestly had an unsolicited PM criticising their food choices? (By unsolicited, I mean you haven't posted up asking why you're not losing weight or similar.) Because nobody in the 8 months I've been here has contacted me about my food diary. *ExpectsAFlurryOfInsultingPMsNow*

I wish I could stop caring, honestly! In the meantime, yeah, I posted once asking others if they found they had more incidences of getting sick at a deficit, as I had, and it's... you know... scientifically proven that it can happen.

Had people critiquing my one craft beer a week as the cause, someone pointed out, "You haven't eaten any veggies in a week, that's why" when I had been out of town for a week, so you know... I hadn't tracked in a week. By that logic, they might have been better off saying, "Wow, looks like you haven't eaten in a week! Maybe that's why."

I've lost weight and body fat just fine, with thyroid and cortisol issues, with factoring in things in moderation. I'm a healthy weight. Everything else is just gravy by this point. I don't need random people piping up when they haven't lost 1lb in the year they've been there, or said more than 5 posts in the two months they've been here, etc.

Because I wish I didn't care what others think, but as a recovering anorexic, yeah, food comments can really undermine me.

Mine is open to friends only for the same reason my Facebook profile is open to friends only: I want to control what information I make public on the internet. I use this handle for everything, and I don't want my 5 glasses of wine to show up when I'm Googled.

I don't want everyone knowing which boys I think are cute

And that.

I have mine open to friends only, but will add pretty much anyone. I don't care if others look at it, just want to know who.

I don't keep mine open because I don't want any advice or accountability for my diet.

And this!!!

I am accountable only to ME!

^^this.. and it's none of your business.

Just wondering why people don't publicly share their food diaries on here or even lock them with passwords? I love clicking on someone's forum post name and checking out their food diaries for comparison and learning sake but many have their diaries locked or hidden from public view. I realize many probably might not know that they have their settings on private or for friends only.. but just curious anyways. I just don't see any real negative consequences for making them public versus showing them so that others can compare and learn from them based on individual goals.

I have mine private on purpose. My diet is specific to my personal issues and unlikely to be much use to someone who is not celiac and female.

Mine is open to friends only for the same reason my Facebook profile is open to friends only: I want to control what information I make public on the internet. I use this handle for everything, and I don't want my 5 glasses of wine to show up when I'm Googled.

My food diary is open to MFP members, but I hadn't thought of my vodka or rum intake on Friday and Saturday being googled! As I think about it, some may be surprised, but I suspect not many! I like to look at other diaries for the same reason that someone else mentioned - if someone is doing really well, I'd like to get a peek at it and see wth they're eating!

You have a valid point, but it reminds me of my mom (who normally recycles everything) who won't put her wine bottles in the recycle bin because she doesn't want the city workers to see how much she drinks!

I keep mine open. I've learned a lot about food options from looking at other's diaries too. At the risk of opening the door.......I've never had anyone comment on my food choices but I don't ask for input and don't complain when my weight doesn't drop and wonder why.

Thanks to everyone who's kept their's open so I can check them out. I've seen examples of paleo, low carb, vegitarian, and many other types of diet. I can't believe how much some of you weight lifters can eat and still look great.

To each their own.