Cutting beloved foods out of my diet??

MisuzuXilas · February 2013

Hi everyone! This is my first time posting. I started doing a diet late spring last year and lost a lot of weight by trying hard to exercise every day, eat to the calorie limit and was super happy with my results at the time. I know next to nothing about nutrition though, so I just assumed I could eat whatever as long as it was in moderation...but once I went off my diet I sort of lost track of portions and since I hadn't really /changed/ my diet-- just limited it, the weight came back.

I know there were probably lots of reasons for this: less exercise, holidays, etc. but I started thinking that maybe this time around I should actually try to change my diet for the better. But here's the problem... I'm from Wisconsin, Irish and have a huge sweet tooth so I LOVE cheese, milk, potatoes, bread and chocolate. I know those are no-nos because of their huge fat content and high calories and I know they are a huge problem when it comes to me losing weight but I can't even imagine cutting those out of my diet.

Should I just do what I did before and just limit everything I eat? Or is it healthier/ more beneficial to try and cut those out of my diet completely with just a small treat now and then? If it's the latter, does anyone have any tips about cutting out favorite foods?

cwolfman13 · February 2013

I eat cheese...I drink milk...I have potatoes with dinner at least 3-4 nights per week...I eat whole grain bread and I eat chocolate. There is nothing inherently wrong with any of these foods. Chesse and milk are good sources of protein as well as essential minerals like potassium...yes, they can be high in fat...but fat doesn't make you fat...consuming calories in excess of burn makes you fat. Whole grain breads are full of fiber that is good for your digestive system, as well as soluble fiber that helps eliminate bad cholesterol from your body. Dark chocolate has shown to have many health benefits, particularly where the heart is concerned.

Yes...definitely more veg, fruit, nuts, etc...but those things above shouldn't be eliminated from your diet. More importantly, and you actually addressed this...get a hold of your portions. Too much of anything will cause you to gain weight.

now_or_never13 · February 2013

You do not need to cut anything out of your diet. Either have it less frequently, have a smaller portion or find a way to make it healthier. As long as something fits within your daily calorie goals and macro goals you can eat it.

Also, don't look at fat content of foods (at least those with healthy fats). You NEED fat in your diet and dietary fat doesn't equal body fat. I find with a lot of full fat varieties of foods you need less of it to still get the taste. So, full fat cheeses... go for a sharp tasting one which allows you to use less and still get the same great taste.

MisuzuXilas · February 2013

Thanks for your response! I guess I just have a lot to learn and I have been getting confused by people always telling me that "carbs are bad~!"
My relative was on a super intensive diet lately too and she advised me to cut bread out of my diet completely because she said once she stopped eating bread, losing weight was "easier than it has ever been!"
I guess since what I was doing before was still getting results I just have to work on a bit more self control once I reach my goal weight.

Edit: I'll try that with the cheeses, thanks.

tigerlily8045 · February 2013

Thanks for your response! I guess I just have a lot to learn and I have been getting confused by people always telling me that "carbs are bad~!"
My relative was on a super intensive diet lately too and she advised me to cut bread out of my diet completely because she said once she stopped eating bread, losing weight was "easier than it has ever been!"
I guess since what I was doing before was still getting results I just have to work on a bit more self control once I reach my goal weight.

Edit: I'll try that with the cheeses, thanks.

Yes it may have been easier for her to lose the weight, it will be also be easier for it to find her again when she resumes eating bread. Unless you have some sort of intolerance/allergy to a certain type of food, don't cut it out completely, learn to portion.

cmeiron · February 2013

I eat all of those things. I haven't cut anything out of my diet other than cream and sugar in my morning coffee...but not because they're "bad", because I would rather eat the calories than drink them. There are no forbidden foods. Although of course you want to aim for nutritious, fresh foods that will fuel your body properly, everything (pizza, chocolate, bread, ice cream, etc. etc.) can be eaten in moderation, as long as you stay in your calorie goals. Cutting out all the foods you love is not sustainable in the long run IMO. I think the reason some people "lose weight better than ever" when they cut out certain things is that in doing so they inadvertently reduce their overall caloric intake, especially if they were foods that were overindulged in.

mmapags · February 2013

Thanks for your response! I guess I just have a lot to learn and I have been getting confused by people always telling me that "carbs are bad~!"
My relative was on a super intensive diet lately too and she advised me to cut bread out of my diet completely because she said once she stopped eating bread, losing weight was "easier than it has ever been!"
I guess since what I was doing before was still getting results I just have to work on a bit more self control once I reach my goal weight.

Edit: I'll try that with the cheeses, thanks.

Forget all that nonsense that people say! The only thing nessesary for weight loss is to eat less than you burn. For some people, and it sounds like your relative was one, certain foods are trigger foods to overeat. If you have some of those you may want to consider minimizing them. But, if a diet is so restricitve that it is hard to comply, it is self defeating.

Beyond that all that is necessary is:

-eat in a calore defict
-eat mostly nutrient dense foods
-eat balanced macro and micronutrients
-give it time

cmriverside · February 2013

I used to eat alot of grains....like 7-8 servings a day. Now I have one serving a day...and it's more likely to be corn than wheat. But that's just because I don't get enough nutrition out of wheat to make it work in my life. If I start on the bread, then it's crackers, cereal, pasta, and it's hard to cut back once I let all that back in.

But like already stated, it's about calories. If you can meet all your nutrient needs and still have bread, go for it.

Love dairy, I even use full fat cheese (one ounce a day) and 2% milk ( 1 cup a day ) and lowfat yogurt (1 cup a day). I think it's more about finding what you need and staying with what you like. If you need calcium, potassium, Vit D, mik is great. Yogurt has the beneficial probiotics. Cheese just tastes really good

stumblinthrulife · February 2013

Limit the intake of the high calorie density foods, and introduce a few more low calorie density foods if you find you can't eat enough to satisfy yourself. You'll do fine. Have regular check ups with your doctor, as we all should anyway, and address any individual nutrition concerns that arise, such as cholesterol or blood-sugar.

The best lifestyle is one you can stick with.

Cutting beloved foods out of my diet??

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