Is it really that bad to eat processed food??

Courtney24891
Courtney24891 Posts: 29
in Motivation and Support
I been eating healthy for like almost a month now.. and i am already sick of the "fresh food" lol.
I want tysons chicken fingers/french fries.. or beef shaved steak. I'm sick of the "fresh chicken from the butcher" I love beef and steak but everybody says beef isnt good for you so i limit on that.. I don't like fish/pork/or ham.. so what the heck am i suppose to eat.. I mean the french fries its like 100 cals for one serving.. the tysons chicken is kinda hefty @ 190 per 3oz which is literally like one chicken.. but like does it really matter if I just ate one chicken and one serving of the fries for dinner.. Calorie wise thats only about 290 cals. Or since its processed it won't let me lose weight?? I am scared to even buy it.. but like i said idk what to eat i am a picky eater..
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Replies

  • delphineboom
    delphineboom Posts: 4
    Haha I eat microwave meals everyday and I'm still alive, but I guess it's good to have a balance between fresh foods and processed foods
  • Saffyra
    Saffyra Posts: 607 Member
    No, it doesn't matter. Just because its processed does not mean you won't lose weight.
  • rduhlir
    rduhlir Posts: 3,550 Member
    Some processed food isn't that bad, as long as you can fit it into your macros and your calorie intake. The biggest thing with the processed foods I have found is the sodium. Sodium levels can skyrocket if you aren't careful. I eat processed foods every once in a while...for example had kraft mac and cheese last night for dinner. As long as you can fit it in then go for it, just I wouldn't make it a habit. Try to stick to the fresh stuff more often than not.
  • dallensutton
    dallensutton Posts: 11 Member
    I say go for it! As long as you keep the cals under your daily limit you will still lose weight. You just won't be getting as much nutrition from the meal (vitamins etc) and you will probably be hungry again in an hour lol.
  • JonMB
    JonMB Posts: 49 Member
    I really like the Healthy Choice meals. I'll only have them maybe once a week, but I found that they're pretty cheap, taste surprisingly good (for a frozen meal), and are lower in sodium than most other frozen meals too.

    I had this one the other day. It is my favorite so far.

    3705-sundried-tomato-and-chicken-alfredo.png
  • tndejong
    tndejong Posts: 463
    i have to try and eat healthy yet stay in a very very tight budget. i have to include processed foods and yet im losing weight. clean eating is nice in theory. but not realistic for me. i like my bad stuff. i just include it in my daily allowance. i will make something healthy like the chicken and may pair it up with tortellini or bagged pastas and rice. hasnt set me back at all.
  • ILiftHeavyAcrylics
    ILiftHeavyAcrylics Posts: 27,732 Member
    I think it's best (for health, not weight loss) to have a lot of whole foods that are nutrient dense, but I also have plenty of processed stuff. It hasn't hurt my progress. For weight loss it's just about calories.

    ETA there's nothing wrong with beef. If it fits your macros and you enjoy it, then have it.
  • Sabine_Stroehm
    Sabine_Stroehm Posts: 19,263 Member
    I guess it all depends on your goals. Only you can decide that.
  • LindseyAlyssa
    LindseyAlyssa Posts: 156
    Processed food has additional chemicals and is typically rather high in sodium (which will make you retain water).
    I don't feel it's bad if you check the ingredients and nutritional facts, but it IS bad when you don't pay attention and just eat because you want to. I still work with some processed foods, but I make sure it fits into my dietary needs.
  • monty619
    monty619 Posts: 1,308 Member
    no... however if your diet is entirely nutrient void or you over eat on calories then yes it is that bad.
  • katrinajMiles
    katrinajMiles Posts: 71 Member
    I think at the end of the day as long as it's in moderation. If you really want this food that bad then have it as a treat once a week. Also maybe try researching recipes to make non processed food more appealing.
  • jemhologram
    jemhologram Posts: 34
    My goal for this year is to lead a more balanced, healthy lifestyle. For me clean eating is not realistic as i love my "bad" foods so for me i am concentrating on adding more whole foods and healthier foods and cutting down on the unhealthy foods. I cant cut them out completely so i am just eating them less and more in balance with other foods. I have noticed a difference in my moods and energy levels by cutting down on processed foods.
  • kaylinn9
    kaylinn9 Posts: 112
    Of course processed foods aren't the healthiest alternative, but that doesn't mean you have to cut it out of your diet cold turkey. Depending on what type of processed food you're referring to, some of them aren't even that bad.

    But just beware of hydrogenated oils - those are the fancy nicknames of trans fats. Even if the nutrition labels say that transfats are 0g, there are still very small amounts of trans fats in those hydrogenated oils. (Which, if you didn't know, trans fats are man-made fats that are THE HARDEST to burn off).

    Gluten, I've heard, has horrible effects on your digestive system - a friend of mine suffered constipation because of his over-intake on gluten. Just beware of these types of ingredients and you should be fine.

    A change in diet is difficult, but it can ultimately help you lose weight without even working hard.
  • Courtney24891
    Courtney24891 Posts: 29
    no... however if your diet is entirely nutrient void or you over eat on calories then yes it is that bad.

    I actually try to stay in the 900 calories range.. I was doing 1200 for 2 weeks and didnt lose anything and went to 900 and the next week i lost 4.. so I don't go over ever. I am just sick of eating baked chicken and veggies all the time. But i don't wanna buy processed food and have that effect my weighloss.
  • Courtney24891
    Courtney24891 Posts: 29
    I really like the Healthy Choice meals. I'll only have them maybe once a week, but I found that they're pretty cheap, taste surprisingly good (for a frozen meal), and are lower in sodium than most other frozen meals too.

    I had this one the other day. It is my favorite so far.

    3705-sundried-tomato-and-chicken-alfredo.png

    I actually tried 2 of the healthy choices the other day.. And they were pretty gross tasting. lol i had gotten chicken and sweet potatoes/and turkey w/mashed
  • hbm616
    hbm616 Posts: 377 Member
    If you are sick of "fresh food" then you may not be preparing them to their ultimate potential.

    If you like breaded chicken then buy some cutlets and bread them!

    Or just eat the Tysons....I find that having some packaged food on hand (veggie burgers, fake chicken nuggets, frozen lasagna) can prevent me from making terrible choices when I'm too tired to cook. Something quick can mean the difference between eating a healthy dinner and snacking on the entire contents of my pantry..haha
  • chivalryder
    chivalryder Posts: 4,391 Member
    If all you care about is losing weight, then go ahead and eat a pountine every day, just don't go over your macros.

    If you care about optimum health and being fit and healthy for the rest of your life - don't eat the garbage. Beef occasionally isn't bad - if it's fresh and came from the butchers. I.e. it didn't come out of a box in the frozen section of the grocery store.
  • moonsforeyes
    moonsforeyes Posts: 228
    Honestly? Weight loss is calories in, calories out. Just make sure you are logging and eating your allotted calories and in your macros and you will lose weight. Just keep in mind that a lot of the processed food will not have the nutritional value fresh and "healthier," foods have so make sure you are getting your required nutrition and you should be fine!
  • jmkmomm
    jmkmomm Posts: 3,247 Member
    I'm with the others. I eat my fair share of microwave meals, have even tried a hamburger helper! I just look at the sodium intake. Sometimes I am over, one day I was way way over. If that is the only way you can lose weight and ENJOY your foods then go for it
  • alexbusnello
    alexbusnello Posts: 1,010 Member
    In moderation, it's fine. Even some cheese wiz on whole wheat or grain toast for a treat would be fine. as long as most of what you eat or drink is healthy, you should be fine.
  • Courtney24891
    Courtney24891 Posts: 29
    If all you care about is losing weight, then go ahead and eat a pountine every day, just don't go over your macros.

    If you care about optimum health and being fit and healthy for the rest of your life - don't eat the garbage. Beef occasionally isn't bad - if it's fresh and came from the butchers. I.e. it didn't come out of a box in the frozen section of the grocery store.

    I never buy frozen beef. always fresh from the butcher! But I know its not a food you can eat all the time.
  • WDEvy
    WDEvy Posts: 814 Member
    no... however if your diet is entirely nutrient void or you over eat on calories then yes it is that bad.

    I actually try to stay in the 900 calories range.. I was doing 1200 for 2 weeks and didnt lose anything and went to 900 and the next week i lost 4.. so I don't go over ever. I am just sick of eating baked chicken and veggies all the time. But i don't wanna buy processed food and have that effect my weighloss.

    The eating 900 cals part is worse for you than the processed food.
  • ubermensch13
    ubermensch13 Posts: 824 Member
    no... however if your diet is entirely nutrient void or you over eat on calories then yes it is that bad.

    I actually try to stay in the 900 calories range.. I was doing 1200 for 2 weeks and didnt lose anything and went to 900 and the next week i lost 4.. so I don't go over ever. I am just sick of eating baked chicken and veggies all the time. But i don't wanna buy processed food and have that effect my weighloss.

    900 calories?? I'm hoping you are doing this with a doctors supervision.
  • Ramberta
    Ramberta Posts: 1,312 Member
    If all you're concerned about is weight loss, as long as you stay within your caloric limit and watch your fat and sodium to make sure those numbers aren't going excessively high, then yes, you can have your breaded chicken and fries. It won't really make a difference in that sense.

    If you're concerned about the "process" that goes into processed food and what that does to your body (affecting mood, energy levels, etc), then perhaps look at expanding your "fresh" repertoire instead of reverting back to comfort foods. Just because you're a picky eater doesn't mean you're doomed to eat the same three foods for the rest of your life-- try googling healthy recipes and you'll be surprised at what you find.
  • Lleldiranne
    Lleldiranne Posts: 5,516 Member
    I don't think most of it is *bad* … but it may be missing out on some nutrients. Having your chicken fingers, etc, once or twice a week probably won't hurt. Just read the nutrition information and make sure that you are really just eating one serving!

    As far as beef, I don't believe most of what "everyone" says about it. We eat red meat 3-4 times a week. Granted, eating a 6 oz steak each night (btw, that's 2x the serving size), might not be the best for you, but that doesn't mean you have to cut beef out altogether.

    Just make sure you include a good amount of the fresh, too. Especially fruits and vegetables.
  • Espressocycle
    Espressocycle Posts: 2,245 Member
    Processed food will not prevent you from losing weight as long as you maintain a calorie deficit. That said, you're an adult. Time to stop eating like a toddler. We all have those guilty pleasures, but real food really is better!
  • ILiftHeavyAcrylics
    ILiftHeavyAcrylics Posts: 27,732 Member
    no... however if your diet is entirely nutrient void or you over eat on calories then yes it is that bad.

    I actually try to stay in the 900 calories range.. I was doing 1200 for 2 weeks and didnt lose anything and went to 900 and the next week i lost 4.. so I don't go over ever. I am just sick of eating baked chicken and veggies all the time. But i don't wanna buy processed food and have that effect my weighloss.

    The eating 900 cals part is worse for you than the processed food.

    QFT.

    If you want the best thing for you long term, go back to eating more calories and be patient. Healthy weight loss takes time.
  • Courtney24891
    Courtney24891 Posts: 29
    no... however if your diet is entirely nutrient void or you over eat on calories then yes it is that bad.

    I actually try to stay in the 900 calories range.. I was doing 1200 for 2 weeks and didnt lose anything and went to 900 and the next week i lost 4.. so I don't go over ever. I am just sick of eating baked chicken and veggies all the time. But i don't wanna buy processed food and have that effect my weighloss.

    900 calories?? I'm hoping you are doing this with a doctors supervision.

    No, it is only 300 calories shy of 1200.. don't think its that big of a deal.
  • leftybadeye
    leftybadeye Posts: 26
    why are you only eating 900 calories a day?
  • janeite1990
    janeite1990 Posts: 671 Member
    Beef is fine. How about fish?

    Processed? Ideally, obviously the answer is no. However, I bet you have other goals in your life besides weight loss/health. Those are great goals, but I bet you have other ones, too. There are days when the cost/benefit equation weighs in favor of processed for me. Time is a major factor. Most meals I cook with fresh or frozen foods. Sometimes, I don't want to spend that time because we have to get kids to dance or some other event. I understand that is my decision on priorities, and I'm fine with that.

    You can lose weight eating processed foods, but you'll lose faster and be healthier without them. Also, I find that the less of them I eat, the less of them I want. It may be worth toughing it out until your tastes change.

    Good luck!

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