Okay...McDonald's...Yes, No, Sometimes?

Yikes! All of this is so wrong!! My suggestion is to go to a nutritionist and get some professional advice. This idea that is so pervasive on this app - the idea that you can eat whatever you want as long as your on a calorie deficit is so wrong! Let's talk about McDonald's - loaded full of saturated fat, Trans fat and advanced glycated end products - all cause inflammation. Inflammation in fat cells is associated with obesity. McDonald's does not provide those vitamins or antioxidants which help protect against disease and actually contains carcinogens from cooking at high heat. What is so wrong with propagating this idea that you can eat whatever you want is that many people on here are overweight or obese and at risk for diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Eat real food that is the answer!! In countries like Italy, turkey and France and more - they eat very high calorie meals yet obesity rates are nothing like they are in the usa. Science has not yet figured out exactly how processed foods contribute to the obesity epidemic but they are working on it and so far there is evidence to suggest that they are important contributors. Fast food is the worst thing you can eat - learn how to cook and eat real food. Period.

I can't eat McDonalds or Wendy's. There is no grey area for me with those two so I cut them both out entirely a year and a half ago (along with all pop). It would be nice to occasionally enjoy something from either place but I don't think I could find the right level of moderation with them. Also, since I am almost half way to goal, I can't justify it in my meal plans right now.
So I just use the memory of the shame I felt weighing almost 400lbs, sitting in my bedroom at 3 am eating a double quarter pounder, 20 nuggets, large fries, large rootbeer and a mcflurry (And still feeling hungry afterwards) to keep myself away.

After eating healthier for a while now though, I'm pretty convinced that the high sugar/salt/fat would taste gross anyway. I know that when I tried pop again the carbonation caused a burning sensation in my mouth. Dairy Queen was overly sweet when I ate some of my old favourite Blizzard as well. I'd rather eat Greek yogurt & strawberries over ice cream any day.

Healthexp693 wrote: »

Yikes! All of this is so wrong!! My suggestion is to go to a nutritionist and get some professional advice.

Most nutritionists don't need schooling to get certified and give advice, so this wouldn't be a great suggestion. Much better off talking to a Registered Dietician instead.

This idea that is so pervasive on this app - the idea that you can eat whatever you want as long as your on a calorie deficit is so wrong!

It's not a lie. Regardless if it's junk food, processed food etc., weight loss is about calorie deficit.

Let's talk about McDonald's - loaded full of saturated fat, Trans fat and advanced glycated end products - all cause inflammation. Inflammation in fat cells is associated with obesity.

Actually it's the other way around....obesity causes fat cell inflammation. Still a mystery as to why this happens.

McDonald's does not provide those vitamins or antioxidants which help protect against disease and actually contains carcinogens from cooking at high heat.

You're more than likely speaking of acrylamide here. California's proposition 65 has this posted in practically every restaurant. Dosage does matter. And your statement isn't absolute. Parfaits there have blueberries and strawberries. Both have antioxidant properties.

What is so wrong with propagating this idea that you can eat whatever you want is that many people on here are overweight or obese and at risk for diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

No the point is that it's eating TOO MUCH of what they want being the problem.

Eat real food that is the answer!! In countries like Italy, turkey and France and more - they eat very high calorie meals yet obesity rates are nothing like they are in the usa.

Lol, that's cause they don't exceed their calorie intake limits.

Science has not yet figured out exactly how processed foods contribute to the obesity epidemic but they are working on it and so far there is evidence to suggest that they are important contributors. Fast food is the worst thing you can eat - learn how to cook and eat real food. Period.

Oh please. Processed, low quality food isn't the reason we have an obesity epidemic. If that were the case, then State Prisons should have the same issues with obesity but they don't. Why? Because even with all the "bad" food, eating 3 portion controlled meals a day won't let them get obese. The MAIN reason we have an issue with obesity in the US is because people can't seem to control how much they eat overall and reduced physical activity compounds lack of using CICO correctly.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

Given that I am a vegetarian, they really have nothing I particularly care about anyway...

Sorry, but how can you say Mcdonalds is empty calories but not Wendys? They serve most of the same food!

I hadn't been to Mcdonalds in years. The only thing I really enjoyed was the filet o fish but I'm pretty much a grilled chicken salad girl and their lettuce and grilled chicken never thrilled me. I went recently to try the new artisan chicken filet. It was pretty good and had the protein I was looking for.

LisaClifford731 wrote: »

I avoid McD like the plague. Empty calories and it always leaves me feeling ill when I ate it. You should google what their food really consists of and trust me, you won't be worried about earing there again. I'm not against all fast food (I'll have a burger or chicken sandwich from Wendy's from time to time) but never McD.

Actually practically all food have calories and macro/micro nutrients. Density of the micros will matter. And using Google as a "go to" to get information leads to many sites that have no peer reviewed studies, etc. The issue will lie with high calorie values that taste good. And many people eat there 3 times a day thereby well exceeding their calorie intake.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

Personally a no for me - but that's because I've never liked the food at fast food places. I do eat out at restaurants occasionally though, you've still got to enjoy yourself sometimes!

I've never had a McDonalds. I went in once for a coffee because it was the only place open. The coffee was rubbish, and the food has never tempted me. Guess I'm odd!

Seems like Mcdonalds has a lot of good options. The egg white stuff seems reasonable as well as the grilled chicken stuff. I haven't had mcdonalds in about 10 years, haha but sometimes I still crave it.

I have a kid on the spectrum so we have a "food schedule" that we follow or else chaos ensues so we eat out 3+ time more a week (Taco Tuesdays, Wendy's Wednesdays, Panera Fridays). He'll very rarely eat a home cooked meal and with our schedule of doctors and groups I barely cook at home anyway.
I've learned the better choices on the menu or will pay the extra few cents to not get the full meal. It's within my calorie range. Is it as good for us as a home cooked meal nutrition wise?..no...but it's better than not eating at all.