Should I ditch my favorite snack?
roobe18
Posts: 45 Member
Ok, I'm 7 months post partnum and I've decided I need to get back on the wagon and lose the 20lbs that has hung on since baby.
Anyway, I have current favorite snack that's just not "healthy". It's about 1oz cheddar cheese, a slice of white bread, and some ranch for dipping. Other than possibly the cheese, I know it's not healthy. Should I ditch it, or is it ok as long as I have enough calories for it?
Anyway, I have current favorite snack that's just not "healthy". It's about 1oz cheddar cheese, a slice of white bread, and some ranch for dipping. Other than possibly the cheese, I know it's not healthy. Should I ditch it, or is it ok as long as I have enough calories for it?
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Replies
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Ok, I'm 7 months post partnum and I've decided I need to get back on the wagon and lose the 20lbs that has hung on since baby.
Anyway, I have current favorite snack that's just not "healthy". It's about 1oz cheddar cheese, a slice of white bread, and some ranch for dipping. Other than possibly the cheese, I know it's not healthy. Should I ditch it, or is it ok as long as I have enough calories for it?
That. And, may I add, as long as you're getting enough nutrition otherwise. I think we make things harder on ourselves when we wall off certain foods we enjoy as forbidden.9 -
What isn't healthy about it?
If I have cheese as a snack, I usually eat it with fruit or Triscuits. Bread/dip wouldn't be enough to satisfy me.3 -
How isn't it healthy? If you like it and you have calories for it then eat it. Just make sure you weigh the cheese and ranch because they are calorie dense and you could be eating more calories than you realize.
When it comes to health and eating healthy start thinking about it in terms of overall food rather than individual items.9 -
Yup just have it in moderation within your calorie goals and you should be fine. There is no such thing as bad foods, Its what kinds of macros are you looking for.
Heck there is even a thread where someone was asking for carb only food (no fat no protein). So everyone was posting their favorite sugar candies lol.
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How isn't it healthy? If you like it and you have calories for it then eat it. Just make sure you weigh the cheese and ranch because they are calorie dense and you could be eating more calories than you realize.
When it comes to health and eating healthy start thinking about it in terms of overall food rather than individual items.
I guess it just seems like a healthier alternative would be carrots or fruit or something. I just feel guilty eating something relatively nutrient free. I keep thinking that since I'm eating so much less (1500 ish calories) I should make every bite be as nutritionally sound as possible. But then again, my little snack makes me happy!1 -
How isn't it healthy? If you like it and you have calories for it then eat it. Just make sure you weigh the cheese and ranch because they are calorie dense and you could be eating more calories than you realize.
When it comes to health and eating healthy start thinking about it in terms of overall food rather than individual items.
I guess it just seems like a healthier alternative would be carrots or fruit or something. I just feel guilty eating something relatively nutrient free. I keep thinking that since I'm eating so much less (1500 ish calories) I should make every bite be as nutritionally sound as possible. But then again, my little snack makes me happy!
but its NOT nutrient free, its just different nutrients. Your body still needs fats, sugars, carbs, proteins from many sources to function.
Its a myth that you can only lose weight eating veggies. You can GAIN weight if you eat enough of them. Its all about moderation and calories.5 -
How isn't it healthy? If you like it and you have calories for it then eat it. Just make sure you weigh the cheese and ranch because they are calorie dense and you could be eating more calories than you realize.
When it comes to health and eating healthy start thinking about it in terms of overall food rather than individual items.
I guess it just seems like a healthier alternative would be carrots or fruit or something. I just feel guilty eating something relatively nutrient free. I keep thinking that since I'm eating so much less (1500 ish calories) I should make every bite be as nutritionally sound as possible. But then again, my little snack makes me happy!
Life is too short to be unhappy about a snack. Eat what you enjoy and make it fit your calories. You don't need to torture yourself or be miserable to lose weight. It's just a snack. Eat it!
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Poisonedpawn78 wrote: »How isn't it healthy? If you like it and you have calories for it then eat it. Just make sure you weigh the cheese and ranch because they are calorie dense and you could be eating more calories than you realize.
When it comes to health and eating healthy start thinking about it in terms of overall food rather than individual items.
I guess it just seems like a healthier alternative would be carrots or fruit or something. I just feel guilty eating something relatively nutrient free. I keep thinking that since I'm eating so much less (1500 ish calories) I should make every bite be as nutritionally sound as possible. But then again, my little snack makes me happy!
but its NOT nutrient free, its just different nutrients. Your body still needs fats, sugars, carbs, proteins from many sources to function.
THIS!
It is not unhealthy in any way...
This is what keeps people from losing weight... the media induced delusion that 'healthy' means bland, raw... well grass, I dunno what to say... carrots... lol.. and daemonising regular food.
Unhealthy is overeating, that's what's unhealthy.
I doubt that you'd eat all your necessary daily calories in the form of pure sugar so I don't think there's anything else to be said there.
Eat regular food and eat a reasonable amount of it.
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If you've got a snack that's within your calories and it makes you happy, do it. Eat the thing! I know there's the whole "food is fuel, not fun" mindset at times but eh. Food is still fun. So enjoy it, responsibly.1
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Imma have a Christmas tree cake before I brush my teeth tonight! Woo!
EAT THE THING!1 -
gebeziseva wrote: »Poisonedpawn78 wrote: »How isn't it healthy? If you like it and you have calories for it then eat it. Just make sure you weigh the cheese and ranch because they are calorie dense and you could be eating more calories than you realize.
When it comes to health and eating healthy start thinking about it in terms of overall food rather than individual items.
I guess it just seems like a healthier alternative would be carrots or fruit or something. I just feel guilty eating something relatively nutrient free. I keep thinking that since I'm eating so much less (1500 ish calories) I should make every bite be as nutritionally sound as possible. But then again, my little snack makes me happy!
but its NOT nutrient free, its just different nutrients. Your body still needs fats, sugars, carbs, proteins from many sources to function.
THIS!
It is not unhealthy in any way...
This is what keeps people from losing weight... the media induced delusion that 'healthy' means bland, raw... well grass, I dunno what to say... carrots... lol.. and daemonising regular food.
Unhealthy is overeating, that's what's unhealthy.
I doubt that you'd eat all your necessary daily calories in the form of pure sugar so I don't think there's anything else to be said there.
Eat regular food and eat a reasonable amount of it.
^^^this
Views on "healthy" vs "unhealthy" foods tend to be arbritrary and trend towards whatever macro or micronutrients are being demonized at the time. There is nothing unhealthy about your favorite snack, in moderation. In fact, if it helps you feel satisfied, even better! Just make sure you aren't over in your calories, and you're good!3 -
clicketykeys wrote: »Imma have a Christmas tree cake before I brush my teeth tonight! Woo!
EAT THE THING!
Lol! I'm not sure what that is, but good for you! 0 -
Thanks all. I did have my nummy snack and didn't even feel bad about it after reading all your comments5
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Take a look at the food diary on myfitnesspal. Granted, I've only bee using it since the first but it is very helpful.
And remember, moderation is the key to success (especially with moderation)
Use the my fitness pal tool to help you set your goals. Dieting shouldn't have to be painful or boring. Keep eating your snack.
anyway, hopes this helps.
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the only thing I would add is that ranch dressing can be a huge fat bomb and you can have more of it then you intend - so measuring out a serving may help with that0
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Okay, let me tell you all about the gloriousness that is Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes.
This is a Zebra Cake. Yellow cake with creamy white filling and white chocolate ganache icing, drizzled with milk chocolate. Quite good, and available year-round. I like them a lot. My husband puts them in the freezer, but I like them best refrigerated, because it firms up the ganache, but the filling stays soft and creamy. The blend of textures is delightful.
THESE are Christmas Tree Cakes. Same cake/filling/icing. HOWEVER. The shape of the cakes, with the points all around, gives you these differences in the texture, because there's more ganache at the points, whereas with the hexagonal Zebra Cakes it's more even. So at the points you get more firmness and white-chocolately yum, and toward the middle it's softer and fluffier.
And then on top of that there's the sugar crystals, which are perfectly sized to give you just the right amount of sparkly crunch. If they were smaller, they'd be sandy and not very interesting. If they were bigger, they'd be too hard and spiky. But they're neither too big, nor too small. They are just right.
The effect overall? PERFECTION.
Alas! They are only available seasonally.
However, some people might, erm... stock up ^.^ (Naming no names, of course...) 4 -
mmm little Debbie! they sponsored the ironman that I did (oh the irony) since they are a local TN company - we had snack cakes on the course at one stage1
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Weigh in 138.0
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Sorry, wrong thread, lol0
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Ok, I'm 7 months post partnum and I've decided I need to get back on the wagon and lose the 20lbs that has hung on since baby.
Anyway, I have current favorite snack that's just not "healthy". It's about 1oz cheddar cheese, a slice of white bread, and some ranch for dipping. Other than possibly the cheese, I know it's not healthy. Should I ditch it, or is it ok as long as I have enough calories for it?
Gotta ditch them. These high carbohydrate foods trigger over-eating. All calories are not the same. Bread, chips and other starchy foods cause blood sugar spikes that make you hungry sooner.1 -
tinallen863 wrote: »Ok, I'm 7 months post partnum and I've decided I need to get back on the wagon and lose the 20lbs that has hung on since baby.
Anyway, I have current favorite snack that's just not "healthy". It's about 1oz cheddar cheese, a slice of white bread, and some ranch for dipping. Other than possibly the cheese, I know it's not healthy. Should I ditch it, or is it ok as long as I have enough calories for it?
Gotta ditch them. These high carbohydrate foods trigger over-eating. All calories are not the same. Bread, chips and other starchy foods cause blood sugar spikes that make you hungry sooner.
Not for everyone. I have a diet that is higher in carbohydrates (including bread, chips, and other starchy foods) and my appetite is very controlled. For *some people* this may be true but other people have great success with a higher carbohydrate diet, great success with appetite control, weight loss, and achieving fitness goals.1 -
How isn't it healthy? If you like it and you have calories for it then eat it. Just make sure you weigh the cheese and ranch because they are calorie dense and you could be eating more calories than you realize.
When it comes to health and eating healthy start thinking about it in terms of overall food rather than individual items.
I guess it just seems like a healthier alternative would be carrots or fruit or something. I just feel guilty eating something relatively nutrient free. I keep thinking that since I'm eating so much less (1500 ish calories) I should make every bite be as nutritionally sound as possible. But then again, my little snack makes me happy!
Read the labels on those items - you will find they do in fact have nutrients.
"Better" choices available (in the context of your overall diet) - quite possibly. But that doesn't make them nutrient free let alone unhealthy.
Ditch the negative language and you might find feelings of guilt around ordinary foods goes away.2 -
Nothing wrong with that snack. (It would be unhealthy for me, but only because I would eat the whole 800 calorie brick of cheese if I tried).How isn't it healthy? If you like it and you have calories for it then eat it. Just make sure you weigh the cheese and ranch because they are calorie dense and you could be eating more calories than you realize.
When it comes to health and eating healthy start thinking about it in terms of overall food rather than individual items.
I guess it just seems like a healthier alternative would be carrots or fruit or something. I just feel guilty eating something relatively nutrient free. I keep thinking that since I'm eating so much less (1500 ish calories) I should make every bite be as nutritionally sound as possible. But then again, my little snack makes me happy!
Just watch your macros if a concern- if you are otherwise fitting in adequate protein and fiber, then no issue.0 -
How isn't it healthy? If you like it and you have calories for it then eat it. Just make sure you weigh the cheese and ranch because they are calorie dense and you could be eating more calories than you realize.
When it comes to health and eating healthy start thinking about it in terms of overall food rather than individual items.
I guess it just seems like a healthier alternative would be carrots or fruit or something. I just feel guilty eating something relatively nutrient free. I keep thinking that since I'm eating so much less (1500 ish calories) I should make every bite be as nutritionally sound as possible. But then again, my little snack makes me happy!
You should be eating whatever makes you the most satisfied within your calorie limit - are there small changes you could make that would make this a better snack? Would you be just as happy with, for example, whole grain bread or an apple instead of white bread, and Greek yogurt mixed with ranch mix instead of ranch dressing, or would those changes ruin it for you so that the whole point would be lost? Are you eating good tasting cheese? Happiness is important to long term weight loss.
If this particular snack is what gives you the most mental bang for your calorie buck, then go for it - the difference between this snack and a more nutrient dense snack is pretty negligible. Just make sure you aren't accidentally creeping up to 2 oz cheese and twice as much ranch, if you don't weigh that's easy to do. I know from experience that I like to underestimate cheese, so when I buy it I mark it with a knife blade in 1 oz segments.1 -
tinallen863 wrote: »Ok, I'm 7 months post partnum and I've decided I need to get back on the wagon and lose the 20lbs that has hung on since baby.
Anyway, I have current favorite snack that's just not "healthy". It's about 1oz cheddar cheese, a slice of white bread, and some ranch for dipping. Other than possibly the cheese, I know it's not healthy. Should I ditch it, or is it ok as long as I have enough calories for it?
Gotta ditch them. These high carbohydrate foods trigger over-eating. All calories are not the same. Bread, chips and other starchy foods cause blood sugar spikes that make you hungry sooner.
Which high carb foods? The high fat cheese or the high fat ranch?
(Yes, I know that white bread is mostly carbs, but this is *not* a "high carb" snack. It's got a good balance of fat and carbs with a little protein from the cheese.)5 -
tinallen863 wrote: »Ok, I'm 7 months post partnum and I've decided I need to get back on the wagon and lose the 20lbs that has hung on since baby.
Anyway, I have current favorite snack that's just not "healthy". It's about 1oz cheddar cheese, a slice of white bread, and some ranch for dipping. Other than possibly the cheese, I know it's not healthy. Should I ditch it, or is it ok as long as I have enough calories for it?
Gotta ditch them. These high carbohydrate foods trigger over-eating. All calories are not the same. Bread, chips and other starchy foods cause blood sugar spikes that make you hungry sooner.
I'm a diabetic who is terrible about carb related cravings - for example, I've never been able to drink Coca-cola without craving everything in sight - and not even I would find my whole diet sabotaged by one slice of white bread a day. You're talking what, 15g carbs? Eaten with cheese, which is protein and fat, and ranch, which is fat, one slice of bread is not likely to spike a healthy person's blood glucose. Heck, it wouldn't even spike mine, and I have full blown diabetes.2 -
tinallen863 wrote: »Ok, I'm 7 months post partnum and I've decided I need to get back on the wagon and lose the 20lbs that has hung on since baby.
Anyway, I have current favorite snack that's just not "healthy". It's about 1oz cheddar cheese, a slice of white bread, and some ranch for dipping. Other than possibly the cheese, I know it's not healthy. Should I ditch it, or is it ok as long as I have enough calories for it?
Gotta ditch them. These high carbohydrate foods trigger over-eating. All calories are not the same. Bread, chips and other starchy foods cause blood sugar spikes that make you hungry sooner.
Nice anti-carb collection of myths.....
High carb foods may trigger you - that's not universal.
Starchy carbs are my most filling and satisfying food choice, does no harm to my blood sugar as I don't have any metabolic illness.
Do you actually measure your blood sugar do see if you in fact do get spikes?
What is universal is that all calories are in fact identical, that's how units of measurement work.7
This discussion has been closed.
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