Why not give up certain foods or food groups?

I don't think there's anything wrong with giving up certain types of food to see if you feel better. I have been off dairy for the past few weeks (as recommended by a nutritionist) to see if that is what is causing the excess mucus I always seem to have. If that isn't it, I'll try cutting out something else. Most vegetarians I know chose to give up meat/dairy simply because they chose to, not because of any dietary restrictions. I say if it works for you, what's the problem?

I think people get aggravated when those that have cut out certain food groups for non-medical reasons try and push their viewpoints (which are often not scientifically based) on others. Also, the placebo effect is huge.

Some people find that if they cut out a food group for non-medical reasons, then when they try to introduce it again, they have a bad physical reaction. For instance, my mum cut out wheat and dairy to lose weight. She was off both for about 4 months in total and when she had lost the weight she gradually added both wheat and dairy back in. But this time round she found that it gave her IBS like symptoms, and when she cut it out again, they went away.

So, in that sense, it might not be sensible to cut out a food group completely for a long period of time because it might cause you problems if you decide to start eating it again.

But hey, if it works for you, then don't listen to anyone else!

Agreed. Some people just like to voice their opinions whether they know something or not. If something works for you (ie giving up dairy and wheat) then good for you! It might now work for everyone but they don't matter. My husband eats Paleo and I am so proud of him! I have been working towards it but I don't have as much self control as he does.
Congrats on finding what works for you

i think its an issue when people start saying the only way to lose weight is to cut out food groups (be it carbs, fats, sugar, whatever)- which isnt true.
just eat what you want to eat and dont worry about what others say/do

I think people get aggravated when those that have cut out certain food groups for non-medical reasons try and push their viewpoints (which are often not scientifically based) on others. Also, the placebo effect is huge.

^^^THIS. It isn't that there is anything wrong with cutting things out. I don't eat certain things because I either don't like them or they affect me negatively because of health issues and food allergies. That doesn't mean everyone should do the same. The point that is usually trying to be made is that if there are no medical reasons for it a person doesn't have to cut anything out to be healthy. If someone is allergic to wheat and goes around saying everyone should stop eating wheat it is going to cause conflict because not everyone has to cut out wheat if it doesn't negatively effect them.

I think the biggest argument against it (in my opinion) is that weight loss changes should be sustainable. If you can give up wheat forever, then great, have at it. But if you can't, then you'll probably find giving up wheat (dairy, cheese, red meat, whatever) is too restrictive, and might lead to weight gain, or a negative physical reaction when you start eating that food again.

I, personally, don't see any need to cut foods out entirely with my own weight loss efforts because just eating a little less of everything is working wonders for me. But do what works for you.

I no longer eat wheat or dairy. I here all over these forums that if you don't have an allergy you shouldn't give certain foods up, why is that? For example, if someone allergic to dairy they can eat other foods and/or take supplements to have a healthy diet, why can't I? I quit dairy as an experiment and am finding great health results from it. Is that so wrong? Also not eating wheat, I know everyone says it's a fad diet, however what do you have to lose by trying wheat free, and if there is no difference you can always go back. Like I don't get it, people on here support other people who eat fast food which is empty calories. People on here support other people who eat "Chemical Shat storms" also known as diet food or diet soda. Is it so wrong of me to want to include these foods or food groups because I feel better or because I "believe" I achieve healthier results. I say believe because I know an army of people will argue how it's not true that there is no benefit to excluding these foods.

For a lot of people it's going to be a lot of sacrifice and not a sustainable way of life to eliminate an entire food group from their diet when they can still get the same weight loss results from eating a variety of healthy foods and staying in their calorie goal.

I think people get aggravated when those that have cut out certain food groups for non-medical reasons try and push their viewpoints (which are often not scientifically based) on others. Also, the placebo effect is huge.

This is what confuses me. It's not a "Placebo effect" at all.

Well, if someone tells themself that by cutting one thing out they are going to feel 100000% better, then yeah, they will wake up the next morning with a spring in their step and suddenly the sky is blue and unicorns are skipping about. It's human nature to believe what we are telling ourselves, whether or not it's really a measurable result. Barring a true food allergy, of course.

It is about science if you cut something from your diet long term your body stops producing the hormones needed to break down that food. So you have to stay off for life or you WILL gain weight when you start consuming it again. This is why giving up food groups like dairy, fats and carbs can be bad. And for some cause yo-yo dieting.

As long as you're getting good nutrition, I don't think it should be an issue.

I think the stigma might come from yo-yo dieters who have cut out this or that (be it a Jenny Craig/Atkins/South Beach/ Dukan/ Zone/etc. etc. situation) and then put the weight back on because they limited a food group without having that specific allergy to physically stop them.

I think it's easier to correlate bad results that come from restricting something if you've ever gone through yo-yo dieting and know how hard it is to say no to things you love forever. It almost makes it into a forbidden fruit situation for some people and once they indulge, they fall off their regimen (not everyone, mind you) or think they are failures. These kinds of dieters need to be able to know they can have this or that without feeling like they have ruined all their progress.

Don't get me wrong, if you are strong willed and feel ten times better restricting a particular food group for life, you should do it. There are lots of studies that show sugar or white flour trigger hunger, for example, and some people choose to limit these things indefinitely because they see the reactions and want to limit it. I see nothing wrong with that.

The slippery slope comes when someone has progress with getting rid of a food group and preaches that (not you, but others) as the only way to success and another does not get those same results, thus resulting in panic/giving up/ weight gain.

Like everyone is saying, weight loss is case by case so I think we are all just trying to be mindful of other people's lifestyles and choices.

because the body makes its own chemicals to break down the chemicals in certain foods so if you stop eating those certain foods your body will stop making those chemicals and then you wont be able to eat those certain foods without getitng sick is how i understand. Hence why vegetarians get sick if they eat meat.

I dont like to disrupt the body's natural defenses unless absolutely necessary.

I no longer eat wheat or dairy. I here all over these forums that if you don't have an allergy you shouldn't give certain foods up, why is that?

It's generally, "if you don't have an allergy or medical condition you don't NEED to give up certain foods" for the purpose of losing weight, not "you SHOULDN'T. That context is very important. Usually this advise is given to someone struggling and someone who is being overly restrictive with their diet.

If you can and want to give something up, that's fine...but for many, giving up certain food and food groups ultimately spells failure down the road because it's an unrealistic life style for them. So some of us like to point out that you don't HAVE to give up anything to lose weight.