What was your unhealthy dishes you stopped eating

MinmoInk
MinmoInk Posts: 345 Member
When I think back on what I used to eat many years ago in actually horrified. I was very ignorant of nutrition and calories. I remember some of the stuff I ate wasss:

-Alfredo chicken with linguini
-Cheese spaghetti tacos
-Chicken carbonara sandwich at Quiznos
-burgers with mayo and fries

Looking back on those things makes me terrified to think how many calories I was consuming but it's super interesting to look back on it regardless. It helps me to remember that I don't eat like that and because of that I'll never slip back to my old weight.

Anyone else here remember dishes that was just total excess? Maybe it freaks you out to think back on those dishes because they were so bad?
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Replies

  • cityruss
    cityruss Posts: 2,493 Member
    I've found nothing that I have been unable to fit in.

    Frequency may have changed, but nothing has required elimination.
  • lynn_glenmont
    lynn_glenmont Posts: 10,080 Member
    cityruss wrote: »
    I've found nothing that I have been unable to fit in.

    Frequency may have changed, but nothing has required elimination.

    Same here. And nothing that I used to eat more often "freaks me out" when I think about. It's just food. I don't invest it with emotional power or moral values.
  • MinmoInk
    MinmoInk Posts: 345 Member
    edited March 2016
    cityruss wrote: »
    I've found nothing that I have been unable to fit in.

    Frequency may have changed, but nothing has required elimination.

    Same here. And nothing that I used to eat more often "freaks me out" when I think about. It's just food. I don't invest it with emotional power or moral values.

    Well certainty I think cheesy spaghetti tacos would freak out many people ;)

    And why not? Food is a culture and for some it's a passion! I like learning new things and cooking and eating new things is certainly an emotional thing! It doesn't please our brain for nothin!

    For me personally I do have to eliminate the above foods since I just can't fit it into my meal plans without feeling hungry. Plus that stuff is pretty gross fat and sodium bombs on carbs lol.

    I can't be the only person who had terrible eating habits here hmm ;)

    I'll add to my list- Giant Cinnabon with sauce!

    Mind, I can certainly feel happy indulging on many many things but it's these sorts of *excessive* foods that I am glad to not be eating and wanting anymore.
  • momo_t90
    momo_t90 Posts: 288 Member
    You know I am, lol. Still working on mine. I'll let you know once I've given them up for good.
  • MinmoInk
    MinmoInk Posts: 345 Member
    momo_t90 wrote: »
    You know I am, lol. Still working on mine. I'll let you know once I've given them up for good.

    I'll take a Alfredo zoodle dish, a juicy simple hamburger, a *meat* taco, and a cinnamon swirl oatmeal over the real things now a days, but it's always ok to have a snack sized Cinnabon if ya know what I mean :D
  • momo_t90
    momo_t90 Posts: 288 Member
    MinmoInk wrote: »
    momo_t90 wrote: »
    You know I am, lol. Still working on mine. I'll let you know once I've given them up for good.

    I'll take a Alfredo zoodle dish, a juicy simple hamburger, a *meat* taco, and a cinnamon swirl oatmeal over the real things now a days, but it's always ok to have a snack sized Cinnabon if ya know what I mean :D

    Well, I did get a tip from a friend to try these:

    http://dessertswithbenefits.com/chocolate-chip-cookie-dough-protein-bars/

    Just might have to. :wink:
  • fishshark
    fishshark Posts: 1,886 Member
    nothing. We just had chicken alfreado that i make a homade sauce with.. olive oil garlic.. add heavy cream s+p boil to thickn a little then add fresh shaved parm. Husbands fave.. sometimes il add a tablespoon of pesto. at this point i work out/burn calories to eat.
  • brrrycicle
    brrrycicle Posts: 64 Member
    I still eat the stuff I like, but now in smaller portions, or alternative versions. Here are a few of my food graveyard occupants:

    Costco Hot Dogs (just not worth it)
    Large Sonic Milkshakes (gotta order the small ones now)
    Whole Pumpkin Pies (now just a slice or two)
  • Orphia
    Orphia Posts: 7,097 Member
    If I could think of anything I'd deprived myself of since I started counting calories a year ago, I would instantly make a plan to fit that food I love into my day ASAP. :)
  • kommodevaran
    kommodevaran Posts: 17,890 Member
    I haven't really stopped eating anything, but:
    I eat some things less often.
    I eat just one or two calorie dense foods (ie hamburger OR fries; pizza and cake OR ice cream) and combine it with other less calorie dense foods.
    I don't keep typical junk foods in the house, and never eat them when I'm alone.
    I eat more varied (more species, not just lots of spices).
    I eat more balanced (regular meals, with a proper mix of carbs, fat and protein).
    I eat things in more sensible portions.
    I cook/make/assemble more things from single food ingredients; that way I can control the composition myself to better suit my nutritional needs as well as taste preference.
    I choose more nutritious options, whether calorie dense or not.
    I don't usually buy "light" foods; a smaller amount of the real deal is more satisfying for less calories.
    I try to eat because I'm hungry AND because I like the taste; not just because there's food left, or because it's cheap, or I think I "should" because its's "healthy", or I am offered something. I don't dwell or regret, I just enjoy.
  • 257_Lag
    257_Lag Posts: 1,249 Member
    Only two:

    Chicken Wings (I don't want 6, I want 30!)
    My go to snack of american cheese wrapped around green olives. Ate that my whole life never caring that the sodium was 5000 in what I ate in one sitting.

    Managing to fit just about everything else I want in.
  • RobertCotton
    RobertCotton Posts: 28 Member
    I still fit everything I want in, just in moderation. I used to go to Krispy Kreme doughnuts and order a 6 pack for myself. Of course doing that, I couldn't sit and eat with anyone, they would be appalled sitting there watching me eat 6 doughnuts. I still eat my favorite doughnut, but its just one now with coffee and conversation.
  • WinoGelato
    WinoGelato Posts: 13,454 Member
    I'm with others that have said that I haven't completely eliminated anything from my diet other than large portions, and the frequency with which I consume some foods has changed. But if there is something I love, I find a way to work it in.

    But I really want clarification on cheesy spaghetti tacos. Does. Not. Compute.
  • MinmoInk
    MinmoInk Posts: 345 Member
    edited March 2016
    WinoGelato wrote: »
    But I really want clarification on cheesy spaghetti tacos. Does. Not. Compute.

    Yep I had some strange eating habits! Mom used to make spaghetti With a 1 to 1 ratio of cheese to spaghetti. Add some flavor like onion and then eat it with tortillas.

    Yes. Very gross. I think it's perfect use of the word gross :) I don't wish to work that in my diet lol
  • sylkates
    sylkates Posts: 173 Member
    My personal one was something the diner in my town made: waffle fries covered in melted cheddar, chopped bacon, and sour cream.
    F those were good.

    The only way I ate them back then was my metabolism was intensely strong as I was a teenager.

    If I still lived near that diner, I'd probably get them on a cheat meal. Good thing I'm 480 miles away now I guess!
  • sylkates
    sylkates Posts: 173 Member
    Oh man. And elephant ears / fried dough. I think even eating one on a cheat day would make my stomach upset now.
  • AigreDoux
    AigreDoux Posts: 594 Member
    I cut out eating things that were high calorie and not that good.

    Example: getting burger and onion rings for lunch because I didn't plan and bring my own, but a crappy cafeteria burger that was overcooked and soggy onion rings. Not worth it. OTOH, a really good burger and onion rings may be something I would work to fit in, and maybe not on the same day. I've been a lot more mindful of "is this actually delicious and worth the calories? Or just convenient and comforting?" and skipping if it's the latter.
  • Sabine_Stroehm
    Sabine_Stroehm Posts: 19,263 Member
    Pizza and sodas. I ditched the sodas altogether, and learned to make a healthier pizza.
  • MinmoInk
    MinmoInk Posts: 345 Member
    sylkates wrote: »
    My personal one was something the diner in my town made: waffle fries covered in melted cheddar, chopped bacon, and sour cream.
    !

    Oh boy haha yep that's pretty heavy! That's like a deep fried loaded potato. And elephant ears yeah, that sounds like carnival food. I stick to donuts when I want fried dough now at least it isn't in carnival-sized portions!
  • Sabine_Stroehm
    Sabine_Stroehm Posts: 19,263 Member
    Aint this the truth! The number of crappy student union meals I ate because I didn't plan.
    AigreDoux wrote: »
    I cut out eating things that were high calorie and not that good.

    Example: getting burger and onion rings for lunch because I didn't plan and bring my own, but a crappy cafeteria burger that was overcooked and soggy onion rings. Not worth it. OTOH, a really good burger and onion rings may be something I would work to fit in, and maybe not on the same day. I've been a lot more mindful of "is this actually delicious and worth the calories? Or just convenient and comforting?" and skipping if it's the latter.

  • bepperson30
    bepperson30 Posts: 40 Member
    i stopped eating sweet cereals. I LOVED fruit loops, captain crunch, cinnamon toast crunch, pops, frosted flakes, and all those other kid cereals. it was a different box all the time. I didn't discriminate. when I started MFP I realized how much sugar and calories were in those. And I never ate the 3/4 cup serving size. It was always 2 cups or more. now I switch to special K or something equivalent, that isn't as terrible for you but still satisfies my cereal cravings :) and I try to stick with a more appropriate serving size.
  • WinoGelato
    WinoGelato Posts: 13,454 Member
    I definitely have cut out things that are high calorie that really aren't worth it to me. If anything I think that this process has taught me to be more discerning about my food. For example, husband just called and said he's picking up donuts for the kids for the last day of spring break. I asked him from where, and he said Dunkin Donuts. I was hoping for one of the awesome shops that has funky flavors like maple bacon or gooey butter cake or something like that. DD just isn't worth the cals to me today since we have dinner plans tonight, so I said no thanks! I will just eat my yogurt...
  • Need2Exerc1se
    Need2Exerc1se Posts: 13,575 Member
    There are several things I used to eat but don't anymore.

    Fast food would be a big one. When I was young I used to eat a lot of it, now I rarely eat it. Like once every 2-3 years.
    Prepackaged meals - I used to eat things like Lean Cuisine, frozen lasagna, etc. quite a bit. I can't even remember the last time I had them.
    Cheesecake - haven't had it in decades
    Soda - only drink it if that's all that is offered, I don't like it anymore

    But there are far more things that I've simply altered my recipes to be healthier and/or lighter over the years.
  • JeromeBarry1
    JeromeBarry1 Posts: 10,179 Member
    I freaked out looking at the on-line nutrition menus of my favorite restaurants. Almost every single entree dish has calories and sodium that exceed my daily budget. There's one dish that I can have among all of them, the grilled salmon at OG. For everything else, it's the entree and a to-go box, with half going into the box before the other half goes into the mouth.
  • snickerscharlie
    snickerscharlie Posts: 8,578 Member
    edited March 2016
    WinoGelato wrote: »
    I definitely have cut out things that are high calorie that really aren't worth it to me. If anything I think that this process has taught me to be more discerning about my food. For example, husband just called and said he's picking up donuts for the kids for the last day of spring break. I asked him from where, and he said Dunkin Donuts. I was hoping for one of the awesome shops that has funky flavors like maple bacon or gooey butter cake or something like that. DD just isn't worth the cals to me today since we have dinner plans tonight, so I said no thanks! I will just eat my yogurt...
    ^^^ This
    I, too, find that having the knowledge has given me the power to make better choices. And if I decide to make a high calorie choice, I now know what I have to do to offset it.

    Case in point: We had Popeye's Chicken last night. Which I love, love, love, and would never want to give up. The thing is, I don't *have* to give it up and then end up fluctuating between feeling self-righteous about that, and feeling miserable about that. ;)

    I just don't have it as often, and when I do, I make it fit in by cutting back on other things for a day or two. No biggie.

    I also avoid classifying food as healthy or unhealthy, good or bad. That gives it power that it shouldn't have. It's just food. :)
  • scline2166
    scline2166 Posts: 3 Member
    From Kommodevaran
    I eat more varied (more species, not just lots of spices).
    I eat more balanced (regular meals, with a proper mix of carbs, fat and protein).
    I eat things in more sensible portions.
    I cook/make/assemble more things from single food ingredients; that way I can control the composition myself to better suit my nutritional needs as well as taste preference.
    I choose more nutritious options, whether calorie dense or not.
    I don't usually buy "light" foods; a smaller amount of the real deal is more satisfying for less calories.
    I try to eat because I'm hungry AND because I like the taste; not just because there's food left, or because it's cheap, or I think I "should" because it's "healthy", or I am offered something. I don't dwell or regret, I just enjoy.


    LOVE this!
  • Sabine_Stroehm
    Sabine_Stroehm Posts: 19,263 Member
    One thing that I ate almost daily before that wasn't unleathy, per se, just too many damned calories was a breakfast burrito with eggs, sausage, hash browns, cheese and gravy. It was HUGE. Probably 1,000.
  • Francl27
    Francl27 Posts: 26,371 Member
    I actually had to think about this hard lol. But I'd say pasta dishes in sauce, fish'n chips and other fried foods from restaurant. If I want some, I make it at home for less calories, or I make it fit in my day, but frankly that's happened once in 3 years, because for me it's just not worth spending a ton of calories on anymore.

    And milkshakes. Just not satisfying at all for the calories anymore, sadly. Now I'd rather spend half the calories and just have the ice cream.
  • MinmoInk
    MinmoInk Posts: 345 Member
    Francl27 wrote: »
    I actually had to think about this hard lol. But I'd say pasta dishes in sauce, fish'n chips and other fried foods from restaurant. ...
    And milkshakes. Just not satisfying at all for the calories anymore, sadly. Now I'd rather spend half the calories and just have the ice cream.

    Here here! Same! I used to order fish n chips and honestly I just don't want them either. Too many calories and not really worth it.

    Milkshakes too!

    Deep fried monte cristos with powdered sugar on fries at Bennigans as well! Oh wait that was just me again.
  • AmandaOmega
    AmandaOmega Posts: 70 Member
    I haven't given much up, although portions have definitely changed. I have also substituted out ingredients, though. Like with spaghetti I swap beef for turkey. I eat more chicken and a lot more salad with light dressing.

    I've definitely cut out biscuits and homemade sausage gravy since it is so calorie dense. I eat fast food a lot less, and when I am at a restaurant, I avoid pasta, cheesy foods, and anything fried. One thing I have cut out (that I kind of miss) are breaded chicken tenders and mac and cheese. What a comfort food!