Is it a Bad Idea to Completely Restrict One Food Group?
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Everything in moderation. Including..... moderation.
Of course there are many things part of the Standard American Diet that you can cut out completely. And should.
I've done it successfully for 2 years and I used to have the biggest cravings in the world. This isn't really a question of willpower.
2 keys to success in this area:
Number 1: Find a healthy low glycemic alternative to your craving.
Most people's answer to a sweet tooth craving is high percentage dark chocolate. With a whopping amount of antioxidants, it's really the only desert that works FOR you not against you.
Many people's answer to a salty craving are a wonderful variety of raw nuts or grass fed cheeses.
Number 2: If you simply make it NOT AN OPTION in your mind not to eat things with crap in it (eg. wheat, lots of sugar, things you can't pronouce etc) it actually becomes really easy. No cheats ever. Cravings only really manifest when the offending food is a realistic option.
so dark chocolate "good" and wheat, sugar, etc "bad"…? LOL got ya…
and the sugar in dark chocolate is better then other sugars, because of the antioxidants…okie dokie then …
please exit the forums…immediately ...
your first sentence is correct. good for you.
your second sentence is pathetic b/c it's a strawman. I never compared one sugar to another. The dark chocolate I eat has double fiber per sugar. 85-88%. I would eat chocolate with zero sugar if I could stand the bitterness.
Your third comment.... well I was actually on my way out of this forum...... but since you actually want me to leave.... I'm going to stick around for a while.
directly from your post "Most people's answer to a sweet tooth craving is high percentage dark chocolate. With a whopping amount of antioxidants, it's really the only desert that works FOR you not against you."
so dark chocolate is superior to other deserts AKA sugar because of antioxidants? Feel free to clarify what you meant, but the way you wrote it implies that dark chocolate is superior to other deserts because of antioxidants, which is hogwash…..
why is dark chocolate better than, say, cheesecake..????
Yes, that is directly from my post. Word for word.
And if you don't know the answer to such a basic question yet remain argumentative, I'm not going to help you. Nor am I going to do your homework for you.
so you are saying that you can't explain it? Got ya….
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I have certainly gotten a lot of responses (well, minus that waste-of-time-poster)! Sorry to revive this thread, but I wanted to say thank you to everyone who responded and gave their helpful advice.
I am also wondering if I should perhaps gradually cut out particular food *types*? Or limit myself to twice a week for sweets and trying not to eat out of control, rather than making small portions more days of the week.
I don't know, does that sound realistic?
Also, sorry about the title. You're all right that I shouldn't have said "food groups".0 -
I restrict carbs and I've been doing just fine.0
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rosestring wrote: »I have certainly gotten a lot of responses (well, minus that waste-of-time-poster)! Sorry to revive this thread, but I wanted to say thank you to everyone who responded and gave their helpful advice.
I am also wondering if I should perhaps gradually cut out particular food *types*? Or limit myself to twice a week for sweets and trying not to eat out of control, rather than making small portions more days of the week.
I don't know, does that sound realistic?
Also, sorry about the title. You're all right that I shouldn't have said "food groups".
We can't decide for you, but limiting yourself twice a week for sweets sounds realistic. If you struggle once it's in the house, stop at a bakery and get yourself a cupcake or a cookie on a treat day. If you want something specific, try to find a single serving size, which is a lot more common these days for things like chips. Whatever you do, please introduce it as moderation.
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I think Maitria has a good idea about planning for and going out and BUYING treats rather than keeping them in the house. Lindt truffles are my thing. But you're looking at maybe one a week. It would NOT be that were I to keep them in the house!0
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Sabine_Stroehm wrote: »My kingdom for the ignore feature to return...rosestring wrote: »I have certainly gotten a lot of responses (well, minus that waste-of-time-poster)! Sorry to revive this thread, but I wanted to say thank you to everyone who responded and gave their helpful advice.
I am also wondering if I should perhaps gradually cut out particular food *types*? Or limit myself to twice a week for sweets and trying not to eat out of control, rather than making small portions more days of the week.
I don't know, does that sound realistic?
Also, sorry about the title. You're all right that I shouldn't have said "food groups".
We can't decide for you, but limiting yourself twice a week for sweets sounds realistic. If you struggle once it's in the house, stop at a bakery and get yourself a cupcake or a cookie on a treat day. If you want something specific, try to find a single serving size, which is a lot more common these days for things like chips. Whatever you do, please introduce it as moderation.
Apologies for such time wastage, had I had known that u only wanted advice that u wanted to hear I would have just said:
Just be a real American and don't restrict anything and eat anything and everything you want, just try to eat less of it. Everything will work out fine just magically.
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Oh, for *kitten*'s sake...
I appreciated your FIRST response, and actually did consider (an still am, for that matter) doing what you mentioned. I mean, I might try to cut out certain foods and find a better alternative (such as dark chocolate, which I also agree has its benefits), at least at first. If that doesn't work, I will likely try to switch to the gradually decreasing it until I hardly even eat it.
I'm talking about the back and forth with the other poster who, by the way, was in the same boat I considered you in. It's the irrelevant posting that bothers me.0 -
rosestring wrote: »Oh, for *kitten*'s sake...
I appreciated your FIRST response, and actually did consider (an still am, for that matter) doing what you mentioned. I mean, I might try to cut out certain foods and find a better alternative (such as dark chocolate, which I also agree has its benefits), at least at first. If that doesn't work, I will likely try to switch to the gradually decreasing it until I hardly even eat it.
I'm talking about the back and forth with the other poster who, by the way, was in the same boat I considered you in. It's the irrelevant posting that bothers me.
Apologies for real this time. Just been running in to the same types over and over again on this site. I shouldn't have put you in the same category by default. Yes, I admit being guilty of my part in the tit for tat irrelevance. I also admit that it's fun being mean to mean people but we should step outside and duke it out, not hijack your thread.0 -
I was really too dependent on carby / starchy foods like potatoes, pasta, bread and rice. I cut them out completely and got used to alternatives (vegetables with steak, rather than chips, 'courgetti' rather than spaghetti, side salad rather than rice, nuts for lunch instead of sandwiches). Once I got used to the alternatives and started to enjoy them and look forward to them, then I could reintroduce small amounts of these types of food. I think you can eat everything in moderation, but if you're too reliant on ways of eating that you know are not helpful for you, then cutting them out can be a good way to readjust and learn some new eating habits, as well as experimenting with new, healthier foods. It's nice to have chips occasionally, but I look forward to my broccoli and courgetti too now, so it's really widened my food base in a positive way.0
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I go into "skinny house" mode and do not allow processed foods that temp me. I NEED TO DO THIS FOR SUCCESS. I will allow myself small amounts of "trigger" foods when out, but they are planned, not a whim. Potato chips, rice cakes, popcorn, Cheezits, natural Cheetos are all like crack to me. SO I stay away from them and feed myself more whole foods, which are more filling, less processed, and better for you. For example I had a small baked russet potato and a medium sweet potato with dinner. I am satiated and full. If I had potato chips I'd have eaten the whole bag OR be looking in the cabinet again in two hours. You have to figure out what works for you, because everyone is different. If cutting out certain foods is necessary, then it is. I DO NOT agree with forcing yourself to eat foods you do not like, or eating "diet" foods (lean cuisines, forcing yourself to choke down eggs or cottage cheese if you don't like them, etc.). I ate a whole pomegranate as a snack today, which has 234 cals in it, but is so worth it to fit into my daily calories because I love them so much and they are sooo good for you. Treat yourself right and eat things you love, but make them healthy choices and foods that don't make you want to binge.0
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Think more large scale than food groups. Think macros - protein, fat and carbohydrates.
Protein: Required for retention of lean muscle, repairing cells, providing satiation. Eat 0.8 - 1.5 grams per kg of lean body weight.
Fat: Fat is required to transport essential vitamins and nutrients around your body. It is also required in every cell in the body. It is a slow burning energy source and if people are ketone adapted burn fat for fuel rather than glucose which is much more efficient.
Carbs: Not required unless they are used for short term energy ie, anaerobic exercise. Does not provide any nutrients. Cause spikes of insulin which are a hormone which put the body into fat storage mode if excess calories are consumed.
The fiber which is usually attached to carbohydrates in fruits and vegetables is the only useful carbohydrate. All your carbohydrates should come from vegetables and low GI fruits like berries, these are full of micronutrients your body needs.
If you are specifying that processed carbs, I agree. I disagree with your supposition that low GI fruits are the only kind you need. I try to stay away from rice, pasta, chips, etc., but I eat potatoes, sweet and white and I could not LIVE without bananas. I also love oatmeal and apples (together with cinnamon and a little brown sugar rock). I eat a pomegranate a day in the fall. They are SO good for you and they make me happy. I personally stay away from green grapes. I think they are pretty high in calories for what you get, but that's only because I don't love them (like I do pomegranates). If I loved them, I would find a way to fit the calories in. A lot of studies are out right now about fruit NOT being a cause of weight gain or a hindrance to weight loss. I say eat more of all kinds of fruit, if you like it. Processed carbs (which are low on water, nutrients, and fiber) are problematic for some people, but some people can stay in their calorie goals eating them, so it depends on the individual. I think everyone understands that processed carbs are nutritionally deficient when compared to fruit and vegetables.0 -
rosestring wrote: »Oh, for *kitten*'s sake...
I appreciated your FIRST response, and actually did consider (an still am, for that matter) doing what you mentioned. I mean, I might try to cut out certain foods and find a better alternative (such as dark chocolate, which I also agree has its benefits), at least at first. If that doesn't work, I will likely try to switch to the gradually decreasing it until I hardly even eat it.
I'm talking about the back and forth with the other poster who, by the way, was in the same boat I considered you in. It's the irrelevant posting that bothers me.
Apologies for real this time. Just been running in to the same types over and over again on this site. I shouldn't have put you in the same category by default. Yes, I admit being guilty of my part in the tit for tat irrelevance. I also admit that it's fun being mean to mean people but we should step outside and duke it out, not hijack your thread.
Thanks for the apology, but I will say that I understand what you mean about some of the people on here that seem to like bickering and just being stupid. I've run into similar things, so I feel ya. Anyway, it's cool.
Thanks again to everyone who answered. I think I will try my hardest to just cut out one particular type of food at first before trying to cut out all of the unhealthy foods, so that I don't feel too overwhelmed immediately. What I mean is trying to avoid pure candy and sweets (with the exception of dark chocolate; really) alone, before trying to cut out all the other things I'm trying not to eat (such as generic fast food, such as fried foods). Still, I will try to eat as healthy as comfortable at first, but make the biggest effort at cutting off sweets, then eventually fried foods, and so on.
Sorry to keep coming up with one idea after another, but does anyone see any potential issue(s) with this method?0 -
rosestring wrote: »rosestring wrote: »Oh, for *kitten*'s sake...
I appreciated your FIRST response, and actually did consider (an still am, for that matter) doing what you mentioned. I mean, I might try to cut out certain foods and find a better alternative (such as dark chocolate, which I also agree has its benefits), at least at first. If that doesn't work, I will likely try to switch to the gradually decreasing it until I hardly even eat it.
I'm talking about the back and forth with the other poster who, by the way, was in the same boat I considered you in. It's the irrelevant posting that bothers me.
Apologies for real this time. Just been running in to the same types over and over again on this site. I shouldn't have put you in the same category by default. Yes, I admit being guilty of my part in the tit for tat irrelevance. I also admit that it's fun being mean to mean people but we should step outside and duke it out, not hijack your thread.
Thanks for the apology, but I will say that I understand what you mean about some of the people on here that seem to like bickering and just being stupid. I've run into similar things, so I feel ya. Anyway, it's cool.
Thanks again to everyone who answered. I think I will try my hardest to just cut out one particular type of food at first before trying to cut out all of the unhealthy foods, so that I don't feel too overwhelmed immediately. What I mean is trying to avoid pure candy and sweets (with the exception of dark chocolate; really) alone, before trying to cut out all the other things I'm trying not to eat (such as generic fast food, such as fried foods). Still, I will try to eat as healthy as comfortable at first, but make the biggest effort at cutting off sweets, then eventually fried foods, and so on.
Sorry to keep coming up with one idea after another, but does anyone see any potential issue(s) with this method?
Sounds good. The best strategy is often a step-wise one.0 -
kpedersen3 wrote: »Think more large scale than food groups. Think macros - protein, fat and carbohydrates.
Protein: Required for retention of lean muscle, repairing cells, providing satiation. Eat 0.8 - 1.5 grams per kg of lean body weight.
Fat: Fat is required to transport essential vitamins and nutrients around your body. It is also required in every cell in the body. It is a slow burning energy source and if people are ketone adapted burn fat for fuel rather than glucose which is much more efficient.
Carbs: Not required unless they are used for short term energy ie, anaerobic exercise. Does not provide any nutrients. Cause spikes of insulin which are a hormone which put the body into fat storage mode if excess calories are consumed.
The fiber which is usually attached to carbohydrates in fruits and vegetables is the only useful carbohydrate. All your carbohydrates should come from vegetables and low GI fruits like berries, these are full of micronutrients your body needs.
If you are specifying that processed carbs, I agree. I disagree with your supposition that low GI fruits are the only kind you need. I try to stay away from rice, pasta, chips, etc., but I eat potatoes, sweet and white and I could not LIVE without bananas. I also love oatmeal and apples (together with cinnamon and a little brown sugar rock). I eat a pomegranate a day in the fall. They are SO good for you and they make me happy. I personally stay away from green grapes. I think they are pretty high in calories for what you get, but that's only because I don't love them (like I do pomegranates). If I loved them, I would find a way to fit the calories in. A lot of studies are out right now about fruit NOT being a cause of weight gain or a hindrance to weight loss. I say eat more of all kinds of fruit, if you like it. Processed carbs (which are low on water, nutrients, and fiber) are problematic for some people, but some people can stay in their calorie goals eating them, so it depends on the individual. I think everyone understands that processed carbs are nutritionally deficient when compared to fruit and vegetables.
Yeah, one can do worse than enjoy a variety of fruits and veggies that's for sure! Right now I'm BBQing lamb so it's kinda hard to get that out of my brain.0 -
Sorry to keep coming up with one idea after another, but does anyone see any potential issue(s) with this method?
The only issue I see is the possibility of going overboard and eliminating too much from your diet and ending up unhappy. Could you focus on macros and micros rather than how the food was prepared? Sometimes fried food is sent directly to you by love. It's true.
If you will be happy without all the foods you mention, ignore the above. Or were you meaning to eliminate them from your diet the majority of the time but still allow them for circumstances?
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In my opinion, for most people to lose weight we need to hold the line on calories, hold carbs relatively (but not drastically) low, and completely cut out foods with *added* sugar, which means most things that are baked or otherwise processed. It's hard for most people to indulge a little bit without eating much more than we intend to, because sugar is addictive. Load up on protein and fiber, don't eat added sugars, eat a minimal amount of whole wheat bread and whole wheat pasta. Fruit is good but fruit juice is essentially soda - it doesn't have added sugar, but it has all the fiber subtracted which amounts to the same thing.
In my experience, and it sounds also yours, it's extremely hard to have one treat and not keep going back for more. Your willpower and mine are not going to win out over unhealthy eating habits, which makes us just like approximately 7 billion other people. Get all that stuff out of your house avoid the places where it's served. Counting on will power is a sucker's game; what will work is controlling your environment, meaning what foods you have easy access to.rosestring wrote: »So I am having trouble keeping up with tracking my calories, and I am trying to gradually switch to eating towards an Eat to Live kind of diet (at least for 50% of the time). People keep on saying that completely cutting out a certain kind of food (such as baked goods, candy, fried foods, etc.) will cause you to ultimately relapse. That said, I have heard that in order to get rid of the craving, you should go cold turkey.
Now, I realize I could gradually cut back on a particular food, but I have no self control once I START eating a food.
Knowing this information, what do you think would be the best idea to control these unhealthy eating habits?
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