Do You use "diet" foods?

What's a "Diet" food?

"diet" soda, "fat-free" dressings, sour creams, etc.

whenever these terms are used, other chemicals and junk are added to make them taste good.

oh and we can't forget your "healthy choice", ""smart ones", and "lean cuisine" meals. those are just terrible. want to gain major water weight? just eat these with all the sodium!

I like Skinny Cow ice cream and chocolate bars.... but I just like them; the low cal is just an added bonus, ha ha! And we get 1% milk, but that's also because it's cheaper where I live. That's about it though; I still eat pizza and bread and cheese and baked goodies (though not so much anymore because it's too hot to bake, lol). I just eat less of it and make it all last longer as a result

My husband and I were told by a lifelong weight watchers friend (lost over 100 lbs. years ago and still there , that she doesn't use any special - lite, fat free, "diet" foods. She just eats her proper rations of the real deal and tracks meticulously. What are your thoughts on this?

I would struggle to make sense of what I eat or justify it. It's really a matter of taste. Your friend is right overall though. I would not seek out, or choke down those diet mish moshes. Eating regular foods is the best overall advice and style of eating. Portion control and making sure you include enough fats and proteins to stay satisfied. That said, a little of anything you like should be okay whether it be a slice of chocolate cake or a can of diet coke over ice. Or both one day. The calorie counts are what counts in the end as far as weight loss and I do find it confusing how they take "fat" or "sugar" out of certain things so that's just a general suspicion on a visceral level that I could never explain and so won't even try. Just try to eat normal real foods as much as possible and don't beat yourself up over minor indiscretions but above all. Count. Those. Cals.

I don't buy "diet" sort of foods generally. I do buy 2% milk instead of full fat just because that is what I am used to. I occasionally will have diet coke as a mixer with alcohol, but not by itself. Once I bought Weight Watchers string cheese because it was on sale and it was awful. I'd rather eat the real thing.

No, I don't eat the "diet" foods because they never satisfy....then there are the chemicals, preservatives, etc. I much prefer real deal foods!

Not only are the diet foods questionable nutritionally, they just set up the brain to want more (in my humble opinion), so psychologically they have a disadvantage for me as well.

Big plate of real foods anytime!

I think eating "real" foods is a very, very good idea. However, I do like to buy lighter versions of Italian dressing and ranch for salads and pastas. Once or twice a year I will buy a pack of protein shakes or protein powder for quick meals and snacks, that's it though.

I use low fat versions of pretty much all dairy products and I still drink a diet soda a couple of times a week. Other than that I try to just make everything from scratch to eliminate all of the preservatives and additives, which I think are potentially far more harmful than any "real" food. Besides, packaged "diet" foods are full of sugar and the aforementioned ton of chemicals.

I probably eat a mixture, but not necessarily just for 'dieting' purposes.

For example:
- I eat low fat cottage cheese and 1% milk and fat free plain yogurt, but I LIKE it.
- I drink diet soda because I haven't kicked the habit yet - I did switch to that from the regular. I don't pretend diet soda is healthy.
- I think fat free ranch dressing tastes like manure. It's disgusting, and I don't care how many calories I could save, I won't bother.
- Fat free cheese doesn't melt so I never buy it. Reduced fat cheese tastes fine to me. Full fat cheese is always good.
- Turkey bacon = pointless. Regular bacon = YUM. Center Cut Bacon = fewer calories & a good compromise.

No. If you looked in my cupboards and fridge you'd think I was trying to get fat. Whole milk, full fat yogurt, a box of cookies squirreled away, Ben and Jerry's in the freezer... But I spend a week eating that pint and well the cookies have been there a month. You wouldn't see any produce because it goes so fast with my fruit and veggie addicted kids.

I am all about portion control and eating stuff that makes me feel full.

I only use nature's diet foods - i.e. fruits and veggies Otherwise I use 'the real deal'.