Do You use "diet" foods?

CindaWhite
CindaWhite Posts: 104 Member
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?
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Replies

  • 1brokegal44
    1brokegal44 Posts: 562 Member
    I use both "diet" and regular foods. Just depends on what it is and how it fits in.
  • jwdieter
    jwdieter Posts: 2,582 Member
    Track your calories. Eat at a deficit. Lose weight.

    Diet foods are generally silly imo.
  • sunlover89
    sunlover89 Posts: 436 Member
    I really dislike "diet" foods, unless they are lower fat naturally. Most diet products = low fat, more sugar. I actually detest WW products, I can't believe a company trying to help people achieve better health would sell garbage like that.
  • lyndausvi
    lyndausvi Posts: 156 Member
    Not really. I will get non-fat yogurt because I find it's easier to find than full fat. We have always bought 1 or 2% milk (I had the smell of full fat milk). Outside of those I can't think of any fat-free, light or low-fat items we buy.
  • pastryari
    pastryari Posts: 8,646 Member
    I eat what tastes good and fits into my calories/macros for the day.
  • tricksee
    tricksee Posts: 835 Member
    The diet or light versions often have other chemicals or replacements inside which are more difficult for our body to handle. Sometimes you're better off with the full fat versions as your body can use and knows what to do with fat. Just have them in moderation.
  • norahwynn
    norahwynn Posts: 862 Member
    I'm not, and really haven't been a 'diet food' type of girl. My fiance kind of is, so we have a couple of items that are fat free this, and low fat that. So I might eat it (it if tastes good) on occasion because I don't want to buy 2 of the same product.

    If it were up to me, I wouldn't entertain that marketing B.S.
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    I eat like a king...dieting doesn't have to suck or be flavorless or fatless. Eat a balanced diet and hit your calorie goals. Also, no fat/low fat substitutes for items that usually contain fat usually have a lot of added sugar and/or other bull****. I like to eat my food however it's supposed to be most naturally.
  • whatjesseats
    whatjesseats Posts: 228 Member
    No, I don't use "diet" foods. I'd rather have a little bit of full-fat cheese than a pound of the low-fat stuff.
  • Joreanasaurous
    Joreanasaurous Posts: 1,384 Member
    I really dislike "diet" foods, unless they are lower fat naturally. Most diet products = low fat, more sugar. I actually detest WW products, I can't believe a company trying to help people achieve better health would sell garbage like that.

    This. However I do get 2% Greek Yogurt since I like the taste more.
  • LaurenAOK
    LaurenAOK Posts: 2,475 Member
    I usually prefer the real stuff - I'd rather eat whole foods than whatever chemicals they have to add to make something "lite." However, I will use "diet" foods occasionally, if I'm going to be eating a large quantity and don't want to deal with all the extra calories. I think it's wise to learn to eat non-diet foods in moderation, though.
  • skullshank
    skullshank Posts: 4,323 Member
    tumblr_ls9dp4N9fX1r3v6f2o1_500.gif

    with the exception of a diet soda now and then.
  • MyChocolateDiet
    MyChocolateDiet Posts: 22,281 Member
    Diet coke ONLY. Oh and slim fast, almost forgot. But I am adamantly and vehemently and confusingly against diet cheese, low fat milks, non fat anythings, and diarrhea potato chips. I think those are off the market now. But yeah, I'm suspicious of lots of that stuff. Diet coke however became an addiction back before I cared about any of this, and slim fast i just like it. So that's all. I admit I drink way less diet coke than I used to but like if you offered me a diet coke and a grilled cheese sandwich and told me that sandwich was made with low fat cheese....I'd grab the coke from you so fast and stare at the sandwich like it was the devil. :devil:
    Then if you tried to feed it to me in romantic shove in my face style I'd long for the real thing and think you were caulkblocking me from a real kraft processed cheese food encounter.

    234637__UNOPT__safe_princess-luna_animated_image-macro_otp_sandwich_grilled-cheese_gif.gif
  • EatClean_WashUrNuts
    EatClean_WashUrNuts Posts: 1,590 Member
    What's a "Diet" food?
  • jus_in_bello
    jus_in_bello Posts: 326 Member
    I don't eat "diet" foods either. They don't taste as good, they don't satisfy, and I don't have the time for that.

    I eat fresh and I eat in moderation.
  • xaMErica
    xaMErica Posts: 284 Member
    Sounds like your friend I doing it right! =)
    There are some low calorie or fat free versions that I just like way more.. but with this 'obesity epidemic' and people trying to lose a lot weight 'real fast'.. 'low calorie snack packs' are usually just crap they are selling to make money. Those 100 calorie pouches are jokes. =/ Who wants to waste 100 calories on like 5 mini short bread cookies that makes you mad and want to eat more?? =|
  • lilcassers
    lilcassers Posts: 163
    she's absolutely right :)

    just focus on clean, natural foods and limit your portions.
  • MyChocolateDiet
    MyChocolateDiet Posts: 22,281 Member
    Sounds like your friend I doing it right! =)
    There are some low calorie or fat free versions that I just like way more.. but with this 'obesity epidemic' and people trying to lose a lot weight 'real fast'.. 'low calorie snack packs' are usually just crap they are selling to make money. Those 100 calorie pouches are jokes. =/ Who wants to waste 100 calories on like 5 mini short bread cookies that makes you mad and want to eat more?? =|

    Oh shoot, I love me some 100 calorie snack packs for the simple maths. I mean they are usually the real deal just thinner or minus something. So yeah.

    i :heart: 100 cal packs
  • TS65
    TS65 Posts: 1,024 Member
    I like real food. Diet foods take out fat and add other cr@p - sugar, chemicals, etc. I find I stay much fuller on full fat stuff than I do with low or fat-free stuff.
  • runfatmanrun
    runfatmanrun Posts: 1,090 Member
    I have come to prefer some things in "diet" form. Actually, just one. I prefer sugar free pudding to regular, or at least I haven't gone back ro regular yet. Other than that, it's really just about moderation.
  • lilcassers
    lilcassers Posts: 163
    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!
  • The_Enginerd
    The_Enginerd Posts: 3,982 Member
    If it fits my macros :wink:

    Quite a bit of diet soda, most other stuff is the regular version. I also sometimes have the lower fat ice cream as a compromise for my SO.
  • tanashai
    tanashai Posts: 207 Member
    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 :D
  • magerum
    magerum Posts: 12,589 Member
    If you consider pop tarts, ice cream, corn bread, pizza, etc... diet food, then yes I do.
  • MyChocolateDiet
    MyChocolateDiet Posts: 22,281 Member
    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.
  • Carnivor0us
    Carnivor0us Posts: 1,752 Member
    The only 'diet' food I consume are diet sodas. Everything else is the real deal.
  • deksgrl
    deksgrl Posts: 7,237 Member
    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.
  • neanderthin
    neanderthin Posts: 10,209 Member
    Nope. I'm what you would call a whole food eater with little processed foods at all and leave chicken skin on, consume full fat yogurt and like ribeyes the way the cow intended them to be AAA.:smile:
  • Flowers4Julia
    Flowers4Julia Posts: 521 Member
    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!
  • _AllieCat_
    _AllieCat_ Posts: 515 Member
    I agree.

    My reasoning: diet, low fat, sugar free, etc. typically have things put in them to make up for what they claim to lack. Usually it's added sodium, sugars, and almost always chemicals.

    I'll pass and eat the real deal.