Do some people feel this way?

imanibelle · July 2017

Do some people feel that eating healthy is only something you do to lose weight?

bbell1985 · July 2017

I don't. I can lose weight eating crap anyway.

I also think most foods are healthy within the context of a balanced diet.

livingleanlivingclean · July 2017

No. I eat healthily to be healthy.

zyprexa17 · July 2017

No, not really. I'm not actively trying to lose weight (have a few vanity pounds to lose) but if I have a few days where I eat "bad", its typically followed by my craving vegetables and the like. I think if you truly listen to your body it will naturally want healthy foods.

malibu927 · July 2017

I think some people do, because they think that's how you lose weight. They don't realize that once you lose the weight, you have to find a way to keep it off. Plus, eating healthy isn't the issue...eating less is how you lose.

usmcmp · July 2017

There are people who eat "healthy" and still gain weight.

I do think many people don't understand nutrition and think that you have to eat in a strict manner to lose weight.

AnnPT77 · July 2017

Not me. I eat mostly "healthy foods" because I find them the tastiest and most satisfying. I got fat by overeating them, stayed fat for decades that way, and lost weight still eating them, but in sensible amounts. I've been maintaining a healthy weight (BMI around 21) for a year and and a half, still eating them.

rmgnow · July 2017

I personally try to eat healthy because I think it fuels my body more efficiently.
It's like filling up your car with premium instead of regular gasoline.

hunhun57 · July 2017

I eat heathy to be healthy. Exercise to get fit.

InkAndApples · July 2017

I don't eat "healthy" as it triggers off a very specific thought pattern that leads to my ED (probably because of the "healthy food only to lose weight" mentality). I try to eat a balanced diet that is above all, normal.

kommodevaran · July 2017

I did, and I secretly (even to myself) hated what I believed was healthy food, and that was why I always regained. Now I've redfined "healthy eating" to "enough of everything every day, but not too much over time", which means that I eat food I enjoy in appropriate amounts, don't fret, worry or exhaust myself, but love to feel comfortable and strong and energetic every day, so I continue eating well day after day after day.

puzzledstill · July 2017

I try to eat a balanced diet - so nothing's off limits. Obviously moderation required with alcohol, cake and similar.
Currently trying to lose up to a stone. The aim is that the way I eat now will work for me when I need to maintain.Just a bit more scope for treats.
I've previously managed to lose weight - but haven't got the maintenance worked out.
The difference with MFP compared to other approaches (for me) is I'm not buying any food that is specifically diet / low fat. My hope is that this will work long term.
Fingers crossed !!

middlehaitch · July 2017

No idea if some people think that.

What I personally think is that 'healthy' is as ambiguous a term as 'clean', 'good', 'bad', and 'cheat'.
I eat what I please so long as my nutritional needs are met to sustain good health whether I am losing, maintaining, or gaining.

Cheers, h.

duddysdad · July 2017

Whatever healthy means anymore. I eat what I like as long as it fits within my calorie goal. I don't care how much saturated fat, cholesterol, gluten, sugar, HFCS, etc. it has, none of that matters for weight loss. I get regular blood work and I know my numbers are good.

CattOfTheGarage · July 2017

Personally, no. I'm all too aware that I could get fat eating any kind of food, I just love food so much, so I focus very much on calorie counting to lose weight, and see healthy eating as a separate thing.

Having said that, I am aware that certain aspects of "healthy eating" - specifically, eating more fruit and veg and reducing portions of the calorie dense foods - can help me stick to my goals.

But your question is certainly a useful one, as I'm convinced a LOT of people do think of it that way, and too much emphasis on that link can cause weight loss frustration (due to overeating "healthy" foods) and also make people ignore good nutrition when not actively trying to "diet". It also offers a ready made excuse if you're in circumstances where you "can't eat healthy". Similar effect if someone overemphasises the role of exercise.