are you enjoying food MORE now you're being healthier?

just something i noticed as i made my packed lunch last night of smoked salmon & avocado pasta. i actually seem to be eating tastier, more satisfying and flavoursome food than i did when i was filling myself up with crap.

i may not have lost much weight yet, but i feel better just for taking more care over my food choices and knowing it's doing better things for me than a meal made up of crisps, cheese and chocolate!

has anyone else made a new favourite food since starting? mine has got to be cous cous!
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Replies

  • JcMey3r
    JcMey3r Posts: 431 Member
    I have to say I love the way Im eating now. I love chicken with no spices microwaved (Very bland for most people) I like the taste and know its almost just protein im eating.

    Starting to look for more delicious healthy recipes so if you know any let met know.
  • CTcutie
    CTcutie Posts: 649 Member
    Well, I LOVE the idea that I know that I'm eating better, and my cravings are under control... no random grazing these days. But, other than logging my food, the whole process of eating is not "exciting" at this point (only 6-8 weeks watching what I eat/logging so far).

    Though that's a pretty sad statement to make :(

    Going out for a meal is fine as long as there is nutritional info to look at before I go, otherwise it's still kind of anxiety-producing.

    A new favorite food is cottage cheese with dill and chives. I would never eat it before.

    Thinking one's perspective on this topic changes throughout your journey, so hoping I will be enjoying it more soon!!
  • Acg67
    Acg67 Posts: 12,142 Member
    I have to say I love the way Im eating now. I love chicken with no spices microwaved (Very bland for most people) I like the taste and know its almost just protein im eating.

    Starting to look for more delicious healthy recipes so if you know any let met know.

    That's kinda sad
  • emmalouc93
    emmalouc93 Posts: 328 Member
    Definitely. If I have a bad day, I have barely any food, if I have a great day I will be eating a lot, but the right kind of stuff. Feels good.
  • odusgolp
    odusgolp Posts: 10,477 Member
    I have to say I love the way Im eating now. I love chicken with no spices microwaved (Very bland for most people) I like the taste and know its almost just protein im eating.

    Starting to look for more delicious healthy recipes so if you know any let met know.

    That's beyond sad.
  • TheFinalThird
    TheFinalThird Posts: 315 Member
    just something i noticed as i made my packed lunch last night of smoked salmon & avocado pasta. i actually seem to be eating tastier, more satisfying and flavoursome food than i did when i was filling myself up with crap.

    i may not have lost much weight yet, but i feel better just for taking more care over my food choices and knowing it's doing better things for me than a meal made up of crisps, cheese and chocolate!

    has anyone else made a new favourite food since starting? mine has got to be cous cous!

    I love your accent. The way you say, "crisps," makes my toes curl.
  • ItsCasey
    ItsCasey Posts: 4,021 Member
    I have lost a crap ton of weight, and I enjoy eating copious amounts of steak, ice cream, pop tarts, cookies, chocolate, and peanut butter. I'm healthier than I've ever been, which is a nice side effect.
  • _noob_
    _noob_ Posts: 3,306 Member
    I respect the awesomeness of the bad stuff more...I'll just say that.
  • jonnythan
    jonnythan Posts: 10,161 Member
    It's amazing how much more pleasurable something becomes when you get rid of the guilt associated with it.
  • bcattoes
    bcattoes Posts: 17,299 Member
    I have to say I love the way Im eating now. I love chicken with no spices microwaved (Very bland for most people) I like the taste and know its almost just protein im eating.

    Starting to look for more delicious healthy recipes so if you know any let met know.

    There are many websites dedicated to healthier or lower calorie cooking. Just do a search and you'll find more than could every try.
  • notnikkisixx
    notnikkisixx Posts: 375 Member
    I've started to LOOOOVE cooking. I like figuring out how to make my favorite foods more healthy and coming up with new recipes. Last night I made a burrito with grilled chicken, zucchini, peppers, black beans, and homemade guac. I think that one may have to be made every week now!
  • lilRicki
    lilRicki Posts: 4,555 Member
    I respect the awesomeness of the bad stuff more...I'll just say that.

    yep, I appreciate a Burger King whopper a whole lot more. And treats are actually treats now. I try and keep the crap out of my weekday diet, but momma loves her chips and chocolate movie nights.
  • shutupandlift13
    shutupandlift13 Posts: 727 Member
    No matter how I've eaten, fast food junk in college, trying to be paleo/primal, to how I eat now, I've always enjoyed food. I guess it is a little bit more satisfying knowing that in addition to things tasting good they also are more in line with my fitness related goals.

    If anything I enjoy my food more now because I'm cooking most of it myself, I see what goes into it, I have the satisfaction of spending time in the kitchen prepping my own meals. But if I want to splurge on something from a restaurant, 5 start to fast food, I do. Having a much better understanding of my calorie needs, macro needs, realizing I don't need to cut out anything completely to meet my goals, that's probably why I'm enjoying food much more.
  • jennybennypenny
    jennybennypenny Posts: 90 Member
    It's amazing how much more pleasurable something becomes when you get rid of the guilt associated with it.

    This.

    For me, the thing that I appreciate the most is my newly found appreciation of vegetables. I really didn't get excited about them for the majority of my life, but now that I've been trying to eat more of them I've learned how to cook them in delicious ways. The other day I was enjoying the heck out of kale w/shallots and I was like, "Huh. My former self would not have been excited by this."
  • stumblinthrulife
    stumblinthrulife Posts: 2,558 Member
    It's amazing how much more pleasurable something becomes when you get rid of the guilt associated with it.

    This. I hardly ever used to eat desert before I was on a diet. I got fat eating wholesome, home cooked food with lots of veges. I just ate way, way too much of it.

    Now that I'm tracking what I eat, I have treats most days because I can do so guilt free.
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    I don't eat substantially different than I did before...save for I make sure I'm gettin my fruits and veg, but I've never been a "crap" eater...I was just an over-eater. I've always enjoyed nutritious and healthy foods and cooking from scratch, etc. My issue has never really been quality...it was always quantity. I've always been a, "well that was delicious...going back for 2nds" kinda guy. Also...a "wolfman" portion tends to not be an actual portion...so going back for seconds was really like going back for 4ths back in the day...but I've gotten that under control now.
  • stumblinthrulife
    stumblinthrulife Posts: 2,558 Member
    It's amazing how much more pleasurable something becomes when you get rid of the guilt associated with it.

    This.

    For me, the thing that I appreciate the most is my newly found appreciation of vegetables. I really didn't get excited about them for the majority of my life, but now that I've been trying to eat more of them I've learned how to cook them in delicious ways. The other day I was enjoying the heck out of kale w/shallots and I was like, "Huh. My former self would not have been excited by this."

    image.gif
  • cmcollins001
    cmcollins001 Posts: 3,472 Member
    I have to say I love the way Im eating now. I love chicken with no spices microwaved (Very bland for most people) I like the taste and know its almost just protein im eating.

    Starting to look for more delicious healthy recipes so if you know any let met know.

    For starters, because...umm...well, here you go:

    http://bembu.com/healthy-chicken-recipes

    healthy-chicken-recipes.jpg
  • Alwayssohungry
    Alwayssohungry Posts: 369 Member
    ABSOLUTELY ! I have tried more foods within the past few months than I have in years (although I was in a bit of a food slump before). I have also heard of new foods on this forum that I never would have tried. Powdered peanut butter and chia seeds, for example.
  • shutupandlift13
    shutupandlift13 Posts: 727 Member
    I don't eat substantially different than I did before...save for I make sure I'm gettin my fruits and veg, but I've never been a "crap" eater...I was just an over-eater. I've always enjoyed nutritious and healthy foods and cooking from scratch, etc. My issue has never really been quality...it was always quantity. I've always been a, "well that was delicious...going back for 2nds" kinda guy. Also...a "wolfman" portion tends to not be an actual portion...so going back for seconds was really like going back for 4ths back in the day...but I've gotten that under control now.

    This. Rarely is it what you're eating, it's how much you're eating. Portion control/moderation are a beautiful thing.
  • Alwayssohungry
    Alwayssohungry Posts: 369 Member
    I don't eat substantially different than I did before...save for I make sure I'm gettin my fruits and veg, but I've never been a "crap" eater...I was just an over-eater. I've always enjoyed nutritious and healthy foods and cooking from scratch, etc. My issue has never really been quality...it was always quantity. I've always been a, "well that was delicious...going back for 2nds" kinda guy. Also...a "wolfman" portion tends to not be an actual portion...so going back for seconds was really like going back for 4ths back in the day...but I've gotten that under control now.

    This too :)
  • cmb67
    cmb67 Posts: 46 Member
    In response to your topic line, I find I am enjoying food more because no matter what I'm eating (I'm not "clean" or "whole" foods only) I eat slowly and savor every bite. I appreciate what I'm eating, because I know there won't be the endless helpings that I used to have. I never thought it was true that slow eating made you eat less, but it does. Eureka! :o)
  • shutupandlift13
    shutupandlift13 Posts: 727 Member
    I respect the awesomeness of the bad stuff more...I'll just say that.

    yep, I appreciate a Burger King whopper a whole lot more. And treats are actually treats now. I try and keep the crap out of my weekday diet, but momma loves her chips and chocolate movie nights.

    And I appreciate a good burger a whole lot more... I never understand why "cheat" days or meals or whatever are used for things like low quality fast food. I still eat the stuff but I don't ever say to myself, I'm going to be good alllllll week just so I can have XYZ from random crappy fast food joint. Not worth it.
  • deviantcupcake
    deviantcupcake Posts: 136 Member
    Honestly, counting calories makes me miserable and dread eating.

    I do better and enjoy food more when I know it's healthy, I suppose. And eating healthy food the majority of the time makes me REALLY enjoy the junk food I have the rest of the time.
  • TheSlorax
    TheSlorax Posts: 2,401 Member
    I respect the awesomeness of the bad stuff more...I'll just say that.

    yep, I appreciate a Burger King whopper a whole lot more. And treats are actually treats now. I try and keep the crap out of my weekday diet, but momma loves her chips and chocolate movie nights.

    exactly. I used to feel awful because people would talk about their once or biweekly fast food when it was a daily, sometimes twice a day, thing for me. I don't really eat fast food anymore but now when I feel like a treat I have one. they're no longer staples of my diet, and if I have the room for one, I love that I can find such a tasty way to fit my macros. but sometimes I also don't feel like having ice cream, and that's cool too - I just save it for another day.

    it is amazing how great it feels to not classify foods as "good" or "bad". I think the reason you think your healthy food tastes better is because you are happy about how "good" it is. taste buds don't change, only mentalities do. still, if it makes you happy, eat it!
  • Acg67
    Acg67 Posts: 12,142 Member
    I respect the awesomeness of the bad stuff more...I'll just say that.

    yep, I appreciate a Burger King whopper a whole lot more. And treats are actually treats now. I try and keep the crap out of my weekday diet, but momma loves her chips and chocolate movie nights.

    And I appreciate a good burger a whole lot more... I never understand why "cheat" days or meals or whatever are used for things like low quality fast food. I still eat the stuff but I don't ever say to myself, I'm going to be good alllllll week just so I can have XYZ from random crappy fast food joint. Not worth it.

    Convenience
  • shutupandlift13
    shutupandlift13 Posts: 727 Member
    I have to say I love the way Im eating now. I love chicken with no spices microwaved (Very bland for most people) I like the taste and know its almost just protein im eating.

    Starting to look for more delicious healthy recipes so if you know any let met know.

    And to this guy, ditch the microwave and at the very least buy a slow cooker or even a cast iron grill pan.
  • jonnythan
    jonnythan Posts: 10,161 Member
    People suddenly "enjoy" plain microwaved chicken or whatever because they are now eating guilt-free and making progress towards their goals.

    It's great that you suddenly love this stuff, but it won't last. Plain microwaved chicken is bland, and when you get over the joy of guilt-free eating and strength gains you will crave something that *actually* tastes good.

    Start learning to cook and feed yourself in a healthy, but still guilt-free, way now. Do it before you get tired of what you're already eating or you may look to your old standbys.
  • sophiercook
    sophiercook Posts: 46 Member
    just something i noticed as i made my packed lunch last night of smoked salmon & avocado pasta. i actually seem to be eating tastier, more satisfying and flavoursome food than i did when i was filling myself up with crap.

    i may not have lost much weight yet, but i feel better just for taking more care over my food choices and knowing it's doing better things for me than a meal made up of crisps, cheese and chocolate!

    has anyone else made a new favourite food since starting? mine has got to be cous cous!

    I love your accent. The way you say, "crisps," makes my toes curl.

    I'll send you a cd of voice recordings... Also featuring smash hits such as 'cup of tea' and 'trousers' :)
  • jwdieter
    jwdieter Posts: 2,582 Member
    People suddenly "enjoy" plain microwaved chicken or whatever because they are now eating guilt-free and making progress towards their goals.

    It's great that you suddenly love this stuff, but it won't last. Plain microwaved chicken is bland, and when you get over the joy of guilt-free eating and strength gains you will crave something that *actually* tastes good.

    Start learning to cook and feed yourself in a healthy, but still guilt-free, way now. Do it before you get tired of what you're already eating or you may look to your old standbys.

    Good advice.

    The answer to the original question for me is "yes", but only because I paid more attention to cooking. Cooking food that tastes good in various styles is something that made my life better.

    Microwaved chicken breast with no spices sounds like the opposite of that.