Eating "junk" and losing weight?

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Replies

  • katies2boys
    katies2boys Posts: 69 Member
    I'm not willing to cut out anything that I won't cut out for the rest of my life. It's not sustainable. I eat my fair share of fruit & veg and other healthy foods, but I eat junk too.

    ^^This
    Yep, I feel exactly the same way.
  • skinnyclare
    skinnyclare Posts: 27 Member
    I think basically you should eat what you want, just do it in moderation. If you fancy a greasy burger or a chocolate bar go for it and just compensate on something else. Just aslong as you keep your diet varied so you dont get bored.
  • Shell_7609
    Shell_7609 Posts: 786 Member
    I'm not willing to cut out anything that I won't cut out for the rest of my life. It's not sustainable. I eat my fair share of fruit & veg and other healthy foods, but I eat junk too.

    ^^This
    Yep, I feel exactly the same way.

    ^this^
  • Madaly320
    Madaly320 Posts: 112 Member
    They might use IIFIYM

    what is this?

    If It Fits Your Macros.

    Basically "eat whatever you want as long as you hit your protein, fat, carb goals at the end of the day." Some people also set goals for sugar and fiber, etc.

    Gotcha, thanks! new to this, keep forgetting to pay attention to the macros. I am just at the point where I am making myself track everything.
  • toddis
    toddis Posts: 941 Member
    They might use IIFIYM

    what is this?

    If it fits inside your mouth


    Supposed to be IIFYM=if it fits your macros. forum search that =)
  • Missi3601
    Missi3601 Posts: 264
    if I completely cut out "junk" I would binge.... As long as I am under my goal for the day I'm good-
  • kms1320
    kms1320 Posts: 599 Member
    smh...some people will never get it. I accept that....moving on

    I'm with you. Yeah it's ok to hit taco bell once in a great while. It's not going to kill you or stop your progress dead in your tracks. But to say "the body doesn't care where the gram of fat, protein, or carbs come from" is ignorant. Saturated, monounsaturated, polyunsaturated are very different. Fructose and glucose are different. Refined, simple, and complex carbs are different. There are different types of protein. Ever heard of BCAAs?

    I'm not going to jump into a big debate here but let's not over simplify eating for fitness and nutrition vs eating to lose weight.
  • NavyKnightAh13
    NavyKnightAh13 Posts: 1,394 Member
    I agree with people who say that you should eat what you want just in moderation. Last night for the first time in a while I had pizza because while I love cooking things, I was bored of being in the kitchen and was craving a greasy piece of pizza. And I enjoyed it.

    Do I like fruits and veggies? Nope, not a darn bit, so I try and find ways of making them appear in my food. Do I eat chocolate and chips? Yes. Y? because I know that I can't deprive myself of it and wouldn't want to as well as knowing that I when I reach my goal weight that I didn't exclude anything out (also with my field there are times where I am going to encounter "junk food" especially in the press box during football season and I don't wanna be rude).
  • SStruthers13
    SStruthers13 Posts: 150 Member
    To me junk is prepackaged food as well as traditional junk like chips. You may lose weight but you don't do what is healthy for your body. Having said that I see no reason to not eat junk sometimes.
  • nokanjaijo
    nokanjaijo Posts: 466 Member
    I think you should try a bunch of different things and do the thing that works best for you.

    There are all manner of different strategies that work very well for a whole host of strong, capable, reasonable, intelligent people.

    I am doing a low calorie, nutrient dense, clean, no grains, no processed foods thing that I love. It feels amazing. It might drive another person to suicide. I recognize that.

    Your job is to find your thing.
  • suz155
    suz155 Posts: 326 Member
    Im 58 and Ive seen hundreds of people go on diets, of all sorts. Fads have come and gone and there are many more going on now and in the future. I do look at people that I know, and what they are like in 50's, 60's and beyond. I've observed websites like this and who loses and sustains their weight loss and those who don't. Ive looked at statistics and graphs. I tried to find something that showed me that I could eat what I want, stay under my coloric allowed intake and stay healthy.But, there is an ongoing trend, with the majority of people. The ones who fuel their body, with healthy food or the ones who eat a little bit of junk food, well,,,,, they live longer healthier lives. So, the choice Ive pretty much made is to strive for a balance. Im not giving up my oreos, but, Im not going to have a fried chicken sandwich or similar, wash it down with whole milk and eat 10 oreos and make that my meal for the day. My body needs better fuel than that. Again, to each their own,,,,this is my choice.
  • optimist49
    optimist49 Posts: 28
    There is weightloss and there is fit and healthy. You can eat 'junk' food and lose weight. But you can't follow that path if your goal is to get fit and improve your health. Your journey is yours...decide what your goals are and go for it.

    Ditto
  • SStruthers13
    SStruthers13 Posts: 150 Member
    Here, here's what Taco Bell and Subway and McDonald's and Lean Cuisine and Jimmy Dean Breakfast Sandwiches do to your body:

    progress.png

    During that time, total cholesterol went from 240 to 204; HDL went from 40 to 59, and triglycerides from 92 to 72. My blood pressure was borderline high then, and now it's normally around 115/65.

    So if all that sounds terrible to you, then by all means deny yourself foods you like because someone on the internet said they were "unhealthy."

    /thread
  • HardRockCamaro
    HardRockCamaro Posts: 147
    Here, here's what Taco Bell and Subway and McDonald's and Lean Cuisine and Jimmy Dean Breakfast Sandwiches do to your body:

    progress.png

    During that time, total cholesterol went from 240 to 204; HDL went from 40 to 59, and triglycerides from 92 to 72. My blood pressure was borderline high then, and now it's normally around 115/65.

    So if all that sounds terrible to you, then by all means deny yourself foods you like because someone on the internet said they were "unhealthy."

    This.
    If you work out, do cardio and don't live on fried food alone then you can get great results.
    Not every meal or even 75% of your meals need to have a load of veggies and be cooked from scratch.
    Everything in moderation.
    If I had to prepare 3 meals a day from scratch it would cost a fortune and use time I don't have. Plus I'd miss foods I really like thst may be classed a junk and would fall off the wagon and likely give up.

    I'm loosing weight, I don't eat take out any more (used to eat it a minimum of 3 times a week and large portions of it at that) but I can eat out for lunch with the guys from work, Aside from a couple of coffees per day I drink mostly water now with the occasional fruit juice if I get bored, no sodas, I've had 2 chocolate bars in 2 months (not 1 nearly every day) and I don't snack. I also exercise 5 times per week compared to none.

    So I'm perfectly happy with the improvements.

    It's like people that complain that electric cars still produce some pollution instead of being happy they produce 2/3 rds less. Nothing is ever good enough unless it's 100% perfect. And I can't live like that, I'm only human.
  • TerriAnne53
    TerriAnne53 Posts: 197 Member
    I see SO many people on here who have their diaries open and eat more than half of their calories from what's considered "junk" food. What's the deal with this?! I realize I'm the one with 150 pounds left to lose, but wouldn't these people be losing more if they would eat fruits and vegetables at every meal? I'm striving for 75% fresh food. Is that maybe unrealistic? And there are people losing .5 pounds per week but eating candy, chips, etc. Would it not make a difference if they'd eat real food instead? Maybe I'm just confused!
    I agree with this. I try to eat lots of fruits and veggies and good lean protein. I don't believe in the junk food or processed/packaged foods. just my opinion
  • EmmaKarney
    EmmaKarney Posts: 690 Member
    if I completely cut out "junk" I would binge.... As long as I am under my goal for the day I'm good-

    Eating junk only makes me crave more junk!

    Guess we are all different huh?
  • SStruthers13
    SStruthers13 Posts: 150 Member
    Here, here's what Taco Bell and Subway and McDonald's and Lean Cuisine and Jimmy Dean Breakfast Sandwiches do to your body:

    progress.png

    During that time, total cholesterol went from 240 to 204; HDL went from 40 to 59, and triglycerides from 92 to 72. My blood pressure was borderline high then, and now it's normally around 115/65.

    So if all that sounds terrible to you, then by all means deny yourself foods you like because someone on the internet said they were "unhealthy."

    /thread

    I suspect your values changed because you lost weight and started to exercise. That worked for you but may not work for others with a different genetic makeup. If I ate the foods you eat my cholesterol would be sky high and my bp would be as well.
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 49,024 Member
    There is weightloss and there is fit and healthy. You can eat 'junk' food and lose weight. But you can't follow that path if your goal is to get fit and improve your health. Your journey is yours...decide what your goals are and go for it.
    Well this is basically untrue since weight is the number one determining factor of health risk. So if a person ate nothing but junk, but got their weight lowered substantially from it, then health IS improved. And if they did it running too, then fitness is improved.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness industry for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
  • wickedwendy6
    wickedwendy6 Posts: 117 Member
    Reading this thread makes me wish MFP had a 'like' button!

    I think the very same thing reading any thread! :bigsmile: Although a dislike button would be handy too. :tongue:
  • xMonroeMisfit
    xMonroeMisfit Posts: 411 Member
    I eat whatever i want, but i follow IIFYM.

    Thing is, I'm one of those people that if i deny myself certain foods, i will crash and binge. This is how I have continued my weight loss and been able to keep at it. Not dieting, living.

    This is something that I myself can live the rest of my life doing because It's realistic, for me.

    I've tried it the other way and i crashed too many times. To each his own. :)
  • jenniferlcrumb
    jenniferlcrumb Posts: 20 Member
    I eat a lot of junk. I try not to. I have some will power issues. But I DO track alllll of the junk because I want to see it. I force myself to be accountable for what I eat, good and bad. And so when I had a bad week, and gain, I can look back and see exactly WHY.

    I have 75lbs to lose but I am not in a hurry because I want this to be the last time I lose weight. Each time I lose weight quickly, I always gain it back. SO, this is just a new way of life for me. It may take me 2-3 years to lose it, and that is ok. Baby steps for me.

    As for whether you can lose weight and eat junk. I am sure you can. But for how long? I don't know.

    I totally agree :) We can eat what we want but to track it is what is important.. I have sweets and fatty foods sometimes too but I make sure I track it in case I hit a plateau I can go back and see why lol... This is a lifestyle change for me also and I have changed quite a few things already... ice cream to fudgesicles, cookies to homemade bars that are sweet but made with healthy ingredients, real chips to pop chips... These are a great start for anyone because you can maintain the changes for a long time and the calorie difference is awesome :) As long as we recognise what we are eating and seeing if there are any changes we can make, we should continue to lose wait whether there is junk in our diet or not :)
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 49,024 Member
    80/20 eater ensuring I get in the correct daily macro/micro nutrients each day and stay within calorie limits. I have some "junk" in some form every day.

    Today I had a donut.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness industry for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
  • pholbert
    pholbert Posts: 575 Member
    I'm not willing to cut out anything that I won't cut out for the rest of my life. It's not sustainable. I eat my fair share of fruit & veg and other healthy foods, but I eat junk too.

    ^^This
    Yep, I feel exactly the same way.
    ^I agree with this. I have seen posts like this before and I just usally read a little bit of it and don't comment.. But it is really not your concern what other people eat. I am 56 yrs old and I will do it my way. And my way has been working just fine for me. Find some friends on here that are more like you want to be. Good Luck on your way.
  • jmcreynolds91
    jmcreynolds91 Posts: 777 Member
    I eat junk and loose. I dont cut anything of out my life so i dont feel deprived. It has worked for me. As long as it fits your calories!!
  • scaredofcoasters
    scaredofcoasters Posts: 90 Member
    I'm trying to slowly add more healthy food, cut red meat (and most meat for that matter), and add fruits and veggies. When I get the chance to move out, maybe I can spend more time making menus and shopping for myself. My shopping trips will always include a bit of chocolate, however, because I need chocolate to LIVE (well, stay sane).
  • Faye_Anderson
    Faye_Anderson Posts: 1,495 Member
    I see SO many people on here who have their diaries open and eat more than half of their calories from what's considered "junk" food. What's the deal with this?! I realize I'm the one with 150 pounds left to lose, but wouldn't these people be losing more if they would eat fruits and vegetables at every meal? I'm striving for 75% fresh food. Is that maybe unrealistic? And there are people losing .5 pounds per week but eating candy, chips, etc. Would it not make a difference if they'd eat real food instead? Maybe I'm just confused!

    See my ticker :flowerforyou: :drinker:
  • AllAboutThatTreble
    AllAboutThatTreble Posts: 156 Member
    It's all about moderation for me. If someone can eat 100% "clean" and stick to it for the rest of their life? Kudos to them. On the flip side if someone eats only "junk" and is losing weight and happy? Kudos also.

    I found that even at both ends of the spectrum I will fail. When I eat only junk, I have no energy to exercise, I feel gross, and as a result will feel depressed, then I will overeat. But when I go more than 2 weeks without some "junk" food, I will snap and go on a "junk" food binge. But when I eat with my health in mind and choose nutritiously dense foods most of the time with some "junk" food here and there, that's when I do my best and I really lose weight.

    I wish I knew that when I first started trying to lose weight.
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    I see SO many people on here who have their diaries open and eat more than half of their calories from what's considered "junk" food. What's the deal with this?! I realize I'm the one with 150 pounds left to lose, but wouldn't these people be losing more if they would eat fruits and vegetables at every meal? I'm striving for 75% fresh food. Is that maybe unrealistic? And there are people losing .5 pounds per week but eating candy, chips, etc. Would it not make a difference if they'd eat real food instead? Maybe I'm just confused!

    Weight loss is calories in/calories out. Good nutrition is a different matter altogether...but yes...as long as you have a caloric deficit, you can eat junk and lose weight...did that for awhile myself, but my blood work wasn't improving...so I had to improve my diet overall, not just for weight loss.
  • CasablancasTX
    CasablancasTX Posts: 108
    If they're losing weight, why does it matter to you what they're eating?

    This is the most common response to this type of post.
  • CristinaL1983
    CristinaL1983 Posts: 1,119 Member
    For me, the biggest difference is how much I can eat.

    Today, for example

    Domino - Light Brown Sugar , 2 tsp (4 g)
    365 Organic - Raspberries (Frozen),
    Quaker - Instant Oatmeal , 0.5 cup
    Egg•Land's Best - Grade A Large Eggs, 1 egg
    Nature's Own - Healthy Multigrain Sandwich Thins, 1 Roll
    Oil - Olive, 0.5 tablespoon 60
    Salmon - Atlantic Caught Fresh (Nutritiondata.Com - Salmon Fillet (Half), 120 g
    Squash - Zucchini, includes skin, raw, 135 g
    Green Giant Fresh - Baby Cut Carrots, 85 g
    Kikkoman Original - Teriyaki Sauce Takumi Collection, 2 Tbsp (18g)
    Broccoli - Raw, 60 g
    Hummus - Athenos, 2 tbsp (30g)
    Celery - Raw, 100 g
    Green Giant Fresh - Baby Cut Carrots, 85 g
    Generic - Honeycrisp Apple, 1 medium apple

    I'm still only at 900 calories for the day. So I can still have another meal, eat some ice cream,and have a beer if that's what I want to do and lose weight. Or for the same number of calories I could have had a quarter pounder with cheese and fries. I feel better eating the way I do, feel much more full and have more energy.

    Having said that, I still have a little bit of something that is less nutritious almost every day. I just try to keep it below 150 calories each day because it isn't worth it to me to eat more junk than that.

    To each their own.

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