Reccomended amount of treats a day?
Izzyxo3
Posts: 29 Member
Hi there, I'm curious to know how many treats you allow yourself a day? Also do you work them off? I personally know for sure I eat to many with my sweet tooth for crisps and chocolate.
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I concentrate on eating enough whole foods to keep me feeling full throughout the day and allow me to meet my basic nutrition goals (I try to eat at least 3-5 servings of veggies and 1 serving of fruit plus hit my protein minimums). Beyond that, I'll fill in with treats. It's largely going to be personal with what keeps you satiated, makes you happy, allows you to stay within your calorie goals, and allows you to have enough energy throughout the day.0
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AI concentrate on eating enough whole foods to keep me feeling full throughout the day and allow me to meet my basic nutrition goals (I try to eat at least 3-5 servings of veggies and 1 serving of fruit plus hit my protein minimums). Beyond that, I'll fill in with treats. It's largely going to be personal with what keeps you satiated, makes you happy, allows you to stay within your calorie goals, and allows you to have enough energy throughout the day.
Wow sounds like you eat better than me. I think I may be making my three main meals much too small and filling in the gaps with junk. I mainly eat fruit and veg for my meals although I do love a bit of pasta! I will try to keep my portions a size that will satisfy my hunger x Thanks for the feedback0 -
The recommended amount is as little as you need to be happy. Only you can answer that question.
Most days for me that's none -- if I don't eat it I don't want it. But on holidays and special occasions where food is a part of the celebration I would not be happy to abstain so I eat considerably more.0 -
I typically have 2 treats. I'm trying to meet protein, fat, and fiber goals. Too many treats get in the way of this. I do eat exercise calories back to maintain my "original" deficit. So in a sense I do exercise for treats.
Limiting the number of treats makes me pick and choose. What is the thing I'm craving? Not a cookie here, a few Hershey Kisses there....whenever thing. That mindless treat thing got me here....that has to change FOREVER.0 -
AI concentrate on eating enough whole foods to keep me feeling full throughout the day and allow me to meet my basic nutrition goals (I try to eat at least 3-5 servings of veggies and 1 serving of fruit plus hit my protein minimums). Beyond that, I'll fill in with treats. It's largely going to be personal with what keeps you satiated, makes you happy, allows you to stay within your calorie goals, and allows you to have enough energy throughout the day.
Wow sounds like you eat better than me. I think I may be making my three main meals much too small and filling in the gaps with junk. I mainly eat fruit and veg for my meals although I do love a bit of pasta! I will try to keep my portions a size that will satisfy my hunger x Thanks for the feedback
To be fair, I usually have a single serving of gelato most nights. Or I'll save up calories and have a beer or three. I also save calories every week for Saturdays because I go to a friends house where they have tons of chips (crisps), cookies, etc. I eat my fair share, but I don't want my snacks to limit how I feel either. That's the theory, sometimes Saturday nights/Sunday mornings don't go so well... I'm a work in progress
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I always save calories for something salty in the evening... Doritos or my new favorite, Kellogg's Salt & Vinegar Cracker Chips. But I track the calories, even if I go over. Serves me right when I see those numbers telling me that my Calories In were more than my Calories Out for the day.
Snacking without being accountable is what got me into this mess.0 -
Define 'treat'. All my foods today were treats, lol.0
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In order to answer the question, you should first define what you consider "treats". It could be anything from dog biscuits to a giant hunk of cake.
I do not limit treats, I eat a balanced diet and stay within my calorie goal.0 -
Wow sounds like you eat better than me. I think I may be making my three main meals much too small and filling in the gaps with junk. I mainly eat fruit and veg for my meals although I do love a bit of pasta! I will try to keep my portions a size that will satisfy my hunger x Thanks for the feedback [/quote]
To be fair, I usually have a single serving of gelato most nights. Or I'll save up calories and have a beer or three. I also save calories every week for Saturdays because I go to a friends house where they have tons of chips (crisps), cookies, etc. I eat my fair share, but I don't want my snacks to limit how I feel either. That's the theory, sometimes Saturday nights/Sunday mornings don't go so well... I'm a work in progress[/quote]
Well to be fair at least you save up. I do but not nearly enough0 -
I don't quantify it. If I want cake and have the calories for it I eat it. Sometimes it fits my macros and sometimes it doesn't.0
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I don't count my treats as treats because I just add it to my calorie intake, if I eat a 100 cal chocolate bar, I'll just eat 100 less calories later on in the day.0
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Oh ok, I guess that's probably the best way x I'll definitely start doing that! Thankslrachel011 wrote: »I don't count my treats as treats because I just add it to my calorie intake, if I eat a 100 cal chocolate bar, I'll just eat 100 less calories later on in the day.0 -
I guess most do however sometimes I really do misjudge just how many calories things have x I will make sure to keep it low calorie to make sure I have no more calories than my goal x Thank you!I don't quantify it. If I want cake and have the calories for it I eat it. Sometimes it fits my macros and sometimes it doesn't.
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AlabasterVerve wrote: »The recommended amount is as little as you need to be happy. Only you can answer that question.
I agree with this. For me, it varies. I may have zero treats, I may have 2-3.0 -
beemerphile1 wrote: »In order to answer the question, you should first define what you consider "treats". It could be anything from dog biscuits to a giant hunk of cake.
I do not limit treats, I eat a balanced diet and stay within my calorie goal.
Sorry, to be more specific I mean high in fat and sugary foods like cake, chocolate, sweets etc. No matter what quantity
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I guess most do however sometimes I really do misjudge just how many calories things have x I will make sure to keep it low calorie to make sure I have no more calories than my goal x Thank you!I don't quantify it. If I want cake and have the calories for it I eat it. Sometimes it fits my macros and sometimes it doesn't.
I tend to plan my day ahead and leave 20% of my calories for unexpected things.0 -
Hi there, I'm curious to know how many treats you allow yourself a day? Also do you work them off? I personally know for sure I eat to many with my sweet tooth for crisps and chocolate.
How do you define a treat?
I guess I'd define it as a food where the calorie count is substantially greater than the nutrient benefits, at least compared to other alternatives. Using that definition, I'd include something like cheese in that, as well as higher calorie/fat meats (liked pulled pork), at least in part.
It's impossible to count up a specific number, though, especially since it makes a huge difference how much you eat. A lunch place near me sells squares of different sorts of high quality chocolates. Eating one of them for, say, 80 calories shouldn't count the same as eating a 600 calorie piece of cake.
Anyway, I find it impossible to quantify--instead I think of it as eating mostly nutrient dense foods and satisfying my nutrition goals (but always in a tasty way!) and then incorporating some extras for just taste (for example, some butter on fish, some cheese in my omelet), as well as some kind of extra--maybe a Quest bar as a post workout snack and/or dessert (usually about 200 calories of ice cream or sometimes cheese post dinner).
How much I can fit it depends on my overall calories. I fit in less when I was doing 1250 calories as now, when I've been doing 1700 or so. I fit in more when doing maintenance and on a biking trip!
I don't specifically "work off" the treats I eat--I really don't think that's a healthy way to approach workouts or food, for that matter. I do factor my activity level and workouts into my calorie goal.0 -
Need2Exerc1se wrote: »AlabasterVerve wrote: »The recommended amount is as little as you need to be happy. Only you can answer that question.
I agree with this. For me, it varies. I may have zero treats, I may have 2-3.
I get the sense that you define "treats" differently than I do.
To me a ribeye could easily be a treat or roasted chicken with the skin on. Or, as mentioned above, cheese or brown butter with my skate or some pasta.0 -
lemurcat12 wrote: »Need2Exerc1se wrote: »AlabasterVerve wrote: »The recommended amount is as little as you need to be happy. Only you can answer that question.
I agree with this. For me, it varies. I may have zero treats, I may have 2-3.
I get the sense that you define "treats" differently than I do.
To me a ribeye could easily be a treat or roasted chicken with the skin on. Or, as mentioned above, cheese or brown butter with my skate or some pasta.
I definte treats as anything outside my normal diet. Something eaten not for it's nutritional value, but strictly for taste. It may be cake, nuts, pasta, chips and dip, shrimp cocktail, pizza, or anything else I like. It's more about the reason for eating than the food type.
Though the OP clarified her meaning as high fat sweets, my answer would be the same. I eat them when I need them to be happy.0 -
Need2Exerc1se wrote: »lemurcat12 wrote: »Need2Exerc1se wrote: »AlabasterVerve wrote: »The recommended amount is as little as you need to be happy. Only you can answer that question.
I agree with this. For me, it varies. I may have zero treats, I may have 2-3.
I get the sense that you define "treats" differently than I do.
To me a ribeye could easily be a treat or roasted chicken with the skin on. Or, as mentioned above, cheese or brown butter with my skate or some pasta.
I definte treats as anything outside my normal diet. Something eaten not for it's nutritional value, but strictly for taste. It may be cake, nuts, pasta, chips and dip, shrimp cocktail, pizza, or anything else I like. It's more about the reason for eating than the food type.
That's a fine definition, I just have a hard time segregating the two as I make taste a priority for all my food (not saying you don't) and in many cases something has nutrient benefits but fewer than another alternative, so choosing it has something to do with the particular taste.
For example, like I mentioned before, adding cheese to a pasta or omelet or butter to fish or veggies or choosing to have pizza (with lots of veggies and some lean protein) for dinner or some pulled pork instead of leaner pork chops. Nuts would also fit in this category for me, as would ice cream or chocolate or a Quest bar.
I don't consider it a positive to keep these as low as possible (while still being happy). If nuts give me some good fats and are filling, the fact I mainly want to eat them because they taste good don't make them a thing to be limited to me. That their calories are high means I have to pay attention to that when fitting them in, that's all.
I suppose it's just a different way of approaching food; I'm not claiming anyone is right or wrong, although of course I like my way of doing it because I'm me. ;-)0 -
Hi there, I'm curious to know how many treats you allow yourself a day? Also do you work them off? I personally know for sure I eat to many with my sweet tooth for crisps and chocolate.
I pre-log my entire day of meals and snacks and make sure to include something sweet at the end of the day. It's usually a chocolate protein bar for 190 calories (I struggle with hitting enough protein, so this is a win-win treat for me). Some days I might allow a little more or even less. But I pre-log and try to stick to my plan. As long as it fits my calorie budget, and generally fits my macros, I'm ok with it. I indulge more over the weekend or at special events. I don't see exercise as working it off...I generally exercise to proactively increase how many calories I can eat that day.
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lemurcat12 wrote: »Need2Exerc1se wrote: »lemurcat12 wrote: »Need2Exerc1se wrote: »AlabasterVerve wrote: »The recommended amount is as little as you need to be happy. Only you can answer that question.
I agree with this. For me, it varies. I may have zero treats, I may have 2-3.
I get the sense that you define "treats" differently than I do.
To me a ribeye could easily be a treat or roasted chicken with the skin on. Or, as mentioned above, cheese or brown butter with my skate or some pasta.
I definte treats as anything outside my normal diet. Something eaten not for it's nutritional value, but strictly for taste. It may be cake, nuts, pasta, chips and dip, shrimp cocktail, pizza, or anything else I like. It's more about the reason for eating than the food type.
That's a fine definition, I just have a hard time segregating the two as I make taste a priority for all my food (not saying you don't) and in many cases something has nutrient benefits but fewer than another alternative, so choosing it has something to do with the particular taste.
For example, like I mentioned before, adding cheese to a pasta or omelet or butter to fish or veggies or choosing to have pizza (with lots of veggies and some lean protein) for dinner or some pulled pork instead of leaner pork chops. Nuts would also fit in this category for me, as would ice cream or chocolate or a Quest bar.
I don't consider it a positive to keep these as low as possible (while still being happy). If nuts give me some good fats and are filling, the fact I mainly want to eat them because they taste good don't make them a thing to be limited to me. That their calories are high means I have to pay attention to that when fitting them in, that's all.
I suppose it's just a different way of approaching food; I'm not claiming anyone is right or wrong, although of course I like my way of doing it because I'm me. ;-)
Re: the bolded part Nuts are part of my daily diet. I eat them literally every day, on purpose, because they are good for me and I like them. But, I also sometimes eat them as treats.
I don't think I ever eat any food that offers no nutritional value and I don't eat any food I don't like regardless of it's nutritional value, but if I'm eating them strictly for pleasure and no other reason, it's a treat.
This definition from Google describes what I mean best:
noun
noun: treat; plural noun: treats
1. an event or item that is out of the ordinary and gives great pleasure.0 -
That ends up kind of circular doesn't it? The question is how often or how many treats a day do you eat. If all that counts as a treat are those things I rarely eat, then fewer than one per day, for sure. (Although I still don't think that means I ought to eat them as rarely as possible. Pie is a treat for me and I eat it on holidays and maybe 5 times a year otherwise. I'm sure I could be just as happy eating it just on holidays and cutting out those other 5, but why would that be a positive?)
Anyway, I guess I need to know what OP considers a treat to answer the question.0 -
lemurcat12 wrote: »That ends up kind of circular doesn't it? The question is how often or how many treats a day do you eat. If all that counts as a treat are those things I rarely eat, then fewer than one per day, for sure. (Although I still don't think that means I ought to eat them as rarely as possible. Pie is a treat for me and I eat it on holidays and maybe 5 times a year otherwise. I'm sure I could be just as happy eating it just on holidays and cutting out those other 5, but why would that be a positive?)
Anyway, I guess I need to know what OP considers a treat to answer the question.
She did, about halfway up the page:
Sorry, to be more specific I mean high in fat and sugary foods like cake, chocolate, sweets etc. No matter what quantity
Eat treats how ever often you like. I was just stating my opinion.0 -
Hi there, I'm curious to know how many treats you allow yourself a day? Also do you work them off? I personally know for sure I eat to many with my sweet tooth for crisps and chocolate.
Theres a fine like what people consider treats and not. I don't put a number to them, I have as numerous a day if my calories fit them.
To me a treat is peanut butter and celery but to others a treat could be a deep fried oreo. Its what ever you can make fit in your macros, and most importantly don't punish yourself over the number of treats you eat one day, it just means they could fit! Hope this helps
Quality over Quantity in this case0 -
Need2Exerc1se wrote: »lemurcat12 wrote: »That ends up kind of circular doesn't it? The question is how often or how many treats a day do you eat. If all that counts as a treat are those things I rarely eat, then fewer than one per day, for sure. (Although I still don't think that means I ought to eat them as rarely as possible. Pie is a treat for me and I eat it on holidays and maybe 5 times a year otherwise. I'm sure I could be just as happy eating it just on holidays and cutting out those other 5, but why would that be a positive?)
Anyway, I guess I need to know what OP considers a treat to answer the question.
She did, about halfway up the page:
Sorry, to be more specific I mean high in fat and sugary foods like cake, chocolate, sweets etc. No matter what quantity
Ah, I totally missed that, thanks.Eat treats how ever often you like. I was just stating my opinion.
I didn't think otherwise. I think we are simply understanding "treat" differently, though, so I was interested in that.
IMO, two of the biggest treats of the year are the first strawberries and the first corn.0 -
AlabasterVerve wrote: »The recommended amount is as little as you need to be happy. Only you can answer that question.
Most days for me that's none -- if I don't eat it I don't want it. But on holidays and special occasions where food is a part of the celebration I would not be happy to abstain so I eat considerably more.
Fair enough, I would obviously exceed my treat intake by alot on celebrations.0 -
Sounds good having 2 treats, sorry to be a pain but is that 100kcal treats or more/less?I typically have 2 treats. I'm trying to meet protein, fat, and fiber goals. Too many treats get in the way of this. I do eat exercise calories back to maintain my "original" deficit. So in a sense I do exercise for treats.
Limiting the number of treats makes me pick and choose. What is the thing I'm craving? Not a cookie here, a few Hershey Kisses there....whenever thing. That mindless treat thing got me here....that has to change FOREVER.0 -
tekkiechikk wrote: »I always save calories for something salty in the evening... Doritos or my new favorite, Kellogg's Salt & Vinegar Cracker Chips. But I track the calories, even if I go over. Serves me right when I see those numbers telling me that my Calories In were more than my Calories Out for the day.
Snacking without being accountable is what got me into this mess.
My snacking bought me here
Doritos sound good tho I do prefer sweet things. I think the calories in being more than the calories out us a shared problem. Thanks for the feedback
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