What's your opinion on "treats" & "snacks"?

Just1forMe · March 2011

I'm just curious...what do you think about incorporating treats and snacks into your diet? I'm not talking about "healthy" snacks....I'm talking about candy, cookies, etc.

I'll start...
I track everything I eat. Between WW & MFP, I've been doing this for 14 months now. My feeling is that this is not a diet, or a temporary thing until I get the weight off. I will have to do this forever. I generally try to eat pretty well incorporating as many whole foods as I can into my day. I don't do too many processed foods, but I haven't completely excluded them out of my diet either.
In order to maintain this lifestyle "forever", for me, it is unrealistic to say that I will never eat a piece of candy or a rice crispy treat again. So, I will eat a treat or two several times a week. For example, on two different nites this week, I allowed myself 2 Bullseyes (creme-filled caramel candies). My darling husband likes to bring me boxes of Junior Mints or mini charleston chews. I throw them in the freezer and once in a while I will allow myself a serving (I think 14 of them?). Having said this, I realize that there are people out there who can not handle eating just 1 or 2 of something and I can't imagine how difficult this must make things

Opinions?

JennsLosing · March 2011

i agree...cant completely deny yourself!

sargent1976 · March 2011

I am trying to avoid snacks for as long as i can. Saying that i am definitely not planning on living without them. My problem is 1 cookie is not enough. I end up eating the whole packet and then hey presto, off the wagon. Since i joined MFP 66 days ago (not that i'm counting!) I haven't eaten any snacks. I'm too scared because i know how weak i am around tasty treats. Hopefully I will learn to eat them in moderation, but for the time being i have told myself 'i'm allergic'.

nukehiker · March 2011

I see no problem in an occasional indulgence of a snack or what ever. but i guess its up to you if choose to be honest or not and put it in your diary. just my food for thought...lol

sarahliftsUP · March 2011

I definitely cannot live the rest of my life with no treats or snacks. I'm working on the portion control of them though.. I have to realize that I will have another cookie again and that this is not my last serving of chips for the rest of my life so I DO NOT have to eat the whole package/bag of them!

AllyS7 · March 2011

I agree about your comments on lifestyle change. I don't like to think that I cannot EVER have certain foods or treats again. If I want a chocolate bar, I try to choose a healthier version and eat it. If I really want that bag of twizlers, I have a few.

However, I actually think by not telling myself NO to everything, I find myself not craving junk. I did this with soda. Oh the New Year, I told myself I was going to drink more water, NOT I'm not going to have another soda. I never looked back, maybe once every week or so in the beginning I had a soda, but now it's every two to three weeks. Eventually, I probably will not ever want a soda.

My thoughts are this weight loss is going to be a slow and steady journey so should my eating habits.

helma62 · March 2011

How are you doing tracking both ww and mfp. I always did ww. But I do not like the new program. I gained 14lbs during medopause. I am down 5lbs. I was thinking of tracking both programs. But I would do the old program from ww. I notice when track only mfp, I eat higher fat.

mummum2 · March 2011

I can totally relate and I am one that can eat one cookie, chocolate etc. and be satisfied! I also try and not eat processed foods. Speaking entitely for myself, this is a life change and I certainly will not limit myself, eat all but in moderation is my family moto!

dave4d · March 2011

I know everyone is different. We have different goals, ideas, and way to make things work. I believe, do what works for YOU. The problem with snacks is that when you are limiting calories, you will have to replace a healthy, nutritious meal with empty calories. Which means your body may not get the nutrients it needs. I do have snacks on occasion. I take a few free meals a week, sometimes exceeding my calories in the process, but you are right. You need to find a way to make what you are doing, something you can do for life.

mckennamom · March 2011

I feel the same way that you do. I don't want to think of this as a diet and then end up gaining the weight back. It would be unrealistic to believe that I am not going to eat another girl scout cookie, bag of popcorn, or other snack. I try to eat healthy throughout the day, but I do treat myself a few times a week. I keep Dove Dark chocolates in the freezer and 100 calorie bags of popcorn for those days when I really crave a treat. I have been tracking my food since June and have seen a big difference even on the days when I get too busy to log in. I have become very aware of appropriate serving sizes and can predict the days when I may be over on calories and need to add in a little extra cardio. My big goal was to find a way to balance my "diet" with my daily activity level.

Just1forMe · March 2011

I have to realize that I will have another cookie again and that this is not my last serving of chips for the rest of my life so I DO NOT have to eat the whole package/bag of them!

I think that mindset is what really helped me. I tell myself that tomorrow is another day, with X amount more calories and if I want another one (of whatever), I can wait until tomorrow to have it. Sometimes I'll even portion it out and put my name on it so it's there for me and the kids don't eat it! Just knowing that it will be there tomorrow and I've given myself permission to have it again another day makes all the difference.

lynz4589 · March 2011

I denied myself all bad foods for 3 weeks, during that time I lost virtually nothing. Now I allow myself a takeaway once a month, a biscuit when I want one. Since doing that I lose weight consistantly now so it must work. Like you say this is something I am doing forever, not just the short term so I need to learn to work certain foods into my diet while still being able to lose the weight.

shreck1978 · March 2011

Takes Will Power. Hard to accomplish when you are the only one trying to loose weight. Family will sabotage your efforts but not on purpose.

This was very hard for me to get started loosing weight, but I had a health reason for loosing weight. As the family realized I could not eat greasy or spicy foods, so the question is now? What can you or can he have for dinner when you come over?

Once you get them hooked it becomes easier. I learned a lot of the pitfalls and trick from Dr. Phils Books.

The Ultimate Weight Solution and Self Matters

As far as treas go I always keep in mind when i have treats how long it takes to burn off those extra calories, I call it self sabotage. But a little bit wont hurt. I have treats as rewards but not too excess. Buy your treats in small packages then your not tempted the next day.

Typically I don't bother with high calorie treats, candy is a no-no for me, my Doctor says my blood sugar is getting high and I don't eat candy or juice, only fruit.

lovehandles3076 · March 2011

I agree that you have to treat, yourself! For someone like me if I don't give myself that kind of stuff every once in a while I will just gorge the next time I get it. Like Sargent 1976 said 1 cookie just isn't enough! I guess that after you can adapt a healthy lifestyle, moderation is the key! I believe it is called a treat for a reason, reward yourself!

shreck1978 · March 2011

Try Dark Chocolate or as pure as you can get, it good for you too. I always have some in the pantry.

Just1forMe · March 2011

I believe, do what works for YOU.

Me too!!!

The problem with snacks is that when you are limiting calories, you will have to replace a healthy, nutritious meal with empty calories. Which means your body may not get the nutrients it needs.

I usually make myself "earn" the extra calories with exercise. I agree that if you are limited to 1200 calories and don't do any exercise to earn above and beyond, that you would be substituting empty calories for what I consider my "core" meal calories.

Barelmy · March 2011

I snack constantly, rather than eat proper meals. Sometimes it's chocolate. I try to stay under fat and sugar.

A lot of vegan snacks are naturally quite low in fat, so it's not so much of an issue for me. What I'm resisting is firstly animal products, and I get less fat as a result of that. I think it's much easier to avoid animal products because I'm not thinking about me when I do it. It's hard to do things for yourself, when a part of yourself really wants to do it anyway.

Just1forMe · March 2011

Thanks everyone. I asked because even though I know it's right for me in order to sustain this lifestyle, I still feel "guilty" when I eat them!

LorinaLynn · March 2011

I love goodies!!! And I like to think I eat them regularly, but in reality, I don't remember the last time I had a candy bar or piece of cake or a cookie. But in my mind, I know I CAN have cake, candy or cookies, and that makes me not feel any need to splurge.

I do have chocolate milk just about every night. And I love Nutella on an English muffin. Now that the weather is getting nicer, I'll have frozen yogurt some days. Caramel rice cakes are tasty. And all of those satisfy me without harming my calorie intake.

supercatie18 · March 2011

I am a 'sweetsaholic'. I love sweets and there is no way that I could deny myself for a life time of sweets and desserts! Making a plan to do so would just be setting myself up for failure! What I often do is eat healthy balanced meals throughout the day, often do a cardio workout, and then eat whatever dessert I want a few days a week. I know that cutting out the desserts all together would probably make me drop pounds faster... but in the grand scheme of things I would rather be fit, healthy and still get to eat what I want every once in awhile. That sounds like a healthy lifestyle!!

katt2360 · March 2011

I buy the big bag of M&M and count out half the serving on the bag. Then I give myself that little bit of chocolate all day long, but not everyday. I think I will have to get a bag today.

pouka89 · March 2011

I can't deny myself nice things, or I just want them more! I just look for things with less calories, and try and leave it till the evening after dinner so I know how many Cal I have left over. I went the cinema the other night, and left enough for some popcorn!

I eat a lot of chocolate breakfast bars, because they have less calories than a chocolate bar, and fill me up!

perrytyra · March 2011

Well, you know I love pie. I have to have my treats. Not everyday, but when I have a craving, I make sure I can fit it into my calories for the day. Also, I try to make sure it is homeade, and not processed. And I try to make sure it is gone fast. I might make a batch of cupcakes. I eat one, and take the rest to church on Sunday. Or make something I know my husband will finish off for me, like chocolate chip cookies, or banana cake.
But that pie, I don't know if he likes it. But I think the teens will finish it for me.

Shamrock40 · March 2011

I could never go without having sweets and salty things again or I'd be binging every week. For me it's all mental. Knowing I can have something, no matter what it is, makes it so much easier to have just a bite or a half serving of a treat. If I cut myself off completely, I'd want it that much more. Having said that, I know my pitfalls. I can't keep Reese's Peanut Butter cups in the house. I'll eat them until they're gone. Potato chips are the same way, although I'm not as bad with salty stuff. I have been eating small portions of popcorn 4-5 times a week, but I gave it up for Lent and I miss it! That was my salty go-to snack at night.

I will also say that I don't usually have treats on the days that I don't exercise. I definitely tend to have more treats on the days that I exercise because I figure I'm not actually substituting bad calories for good, I'm just eating additional cals.

QueenofCups · March 2011

I eat whatever I want whenever I want as long as I am within calories. I know a lot of ppl have difference of opinion on this, but I agree this is not a diet for me. Its a way to train my brain to not engorge myself on ANYTHING. Fruits, veggies, crap - everything in moderation. So if I have the calories for it, or I want to workout for it - I have my cake and eat it too!

dalscruf · March 2011

I am a picky eater, definitely NOT a health freak, and love sweets/snacks. I eat whatever I want, whenever I want just as long as i'm under my calories or know that I will be able to get exercise in to put me under. Faithfully logging everything on here teaches me to say NO when I'm really craving something. If it's not in my "budget", i'll think about my goals and won't do it or I will make myself work out first and sometimes the craving will go away... or try drinking lots of water when you get a craving! Good luck

callipygianchronicle · March 2011

I think you have to know yourself and what your tolerances are. if a food is too tempting for you and your relationship with it is poor, it needs to be avoided. I wouldn’t keep it in my house and I wouldn’t regularly bring it into my plan and set myself up for a negative challenge.

I am not a sweet binger, but I do like sweets. So, I keep (as I always have) balls of frozen chocolate chip cookie dough in my freezer and I will bake one in the toaster oven and have it for dessert a couple times a week (depending on how many calories, carbs and sodium I have available that day). I will also eat 1 to 2 spoonfuls of ice cream or 1 or 2 sips of milkshake when my husband has some. I do that, because that is enough. I can be satisfied by small amounts of sweets without sabotaging myself.

But there are certain treats that I have to approach with serious caution (meaning I need to be fully aware of how much I’m eating and how many calories I can allot to them), because they are foods I have a poor relationship with, and will stuff in my face long after I’m full: pepperoni pizza, french fries, buttered popcorn, any kind of baked pasta, chips & salsa, Coke, fried chicken, BBQ.

That said, I have consumed almost every single one of the things on that list since I started my weight-loss plan; but they are solely regulated as treats now, and are no longer items that I make a regular part of my diet.

What's your opinion on "treats" & "snacks"?

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