If You Eat Cookies, Cakes, Ice Cream Daily Do You Consider Yourself Dieting?

P.S. I also never dropped below 1400 calories/day and most of the time I stayed around 1700 cals/day for weight loss. Since the OP seems to be staying under 1100 calories a day I can see why she might not feel there's room for snacks or sweets in a diet. There isn't much room for anything on so few calories.

lantana411 wrote: »

I'm surprised at how many people eat cookies, croissants, ice cream, cake, chips, etc. on a daily or near-daily basis BUT LOG THEIR FOOD!

1) Nothing wrong with having a treat on a daily basis. What do you think is wrong with these items?
2) Logging these items is valuable because they tend to be more calorie dense than some foods, so logging keeps people aware of their total calorie intake, which is a requirement for calorie counting.

I want to know - is it because they consider themselves dieting or getting ready to diet?

I do it because I am keeping my calorie intake at a level that helps me reach my weight goals. I presume others do that as well, whether that be gaining, losing, or maintaining their weight.

Is this why people who diet are considered 'eating cleanly'?

Eating clean is a nebulous term that is completely irrelevant for weight loss. If you are referring to eating a balanced diet comprised of mostly whole foods, that can be beneficial to ensure proper nutrition. The "health" of a diet is not negated because someone eats a cookie. It's not like the body goes, whelp, she ate a cookie, I'm going to just flush all those other vitamins and minerals out. I think the term "eating clean" is used to denote moral superiority, and yet many people who do not claim to be "clean eaters" probably eat just as much of a nutritionally balanced diet as anyone else. (I'm generalizing here.)

What do you do and what do you consider it?

I eat the foods I want while keeping an eye on nutritional and caloric balance. I don't consider it anything other than me meeting my needs.

If you stay within your calories but drink/snack them away instead of eating meals is it dieting?

I don't use the term dieting, but if that's the word you want to use, I don't see why having a treat as being something that needs to mean you've ruined your diet and therefor aren't doing it right.


ETA: under the second last quote: meeting my needs while not depriving myself of delicious foods and occasional treats.

I'm counting calories in order to lose weight. I'm not concerned if anyone thinks it's a "diet" or not.

i dont 'diet'.

i eat within m calories.

that includes sweets on occasion.

if you omit everything good and fun to eat ... you'll burn ou VERY quickly and end up binging on them, losing motivation, and gaining back lost weight plus, usually, more.

ive lost 100 pounds and never had a birthday or holiday or gathering with friends or fun weekend where i deprived myself of anything i wanted.

that homemade cinnamon roll i had yesterday as a snack sure was good!

Is this going to be one of those threads where OP makes a provocative statement/inquiry, then everyone chimes in to refute it or provide clarity and the OP never returns but we all still go on agreeing with each other?

Ok just checking. Carry on with all these examples of being able to eat delicious foods AND achieve our goals.

WinoGelato wrote: »

Is this going to be one of those threads where OP makes a provocative statement/inquiry, then everyone chimes in to refute it or provide clarity and the OP never returns but we all still go on agreeing with each other?

Ok just checking. Carry on with all these examples of being able to eat delicious foods AND achieve our goals.

It should be in success stories.

lantana411 wrote: »

I used the term 'diet' to identify the goal of losing weight. I spend my calories on mostly lean protein and produce but have no issue with eating whatever I want on occasion. I've lost and gained a lot of weight in my life - currently I'm enjoying an 80 pound weight loss (I started 'this time' on 1/2/16). I became curious about how people view MFP and the point of tracking their daily food when I started reading 'meals' of ice cream sundaes - which I did today, it was someone's 600+ calorie lunch - no food just the sundae. I wondered what the point was in tracking the food - was it with the goal of losing weight or just keeping track of food intake.

Everyone picks their food plan and food they enjoy. But some people seem to eat dessert every day. They may not have any produce but they are certain to eat refined sugar/carbs. Some of them seem defensive of their food choices, almost like they want to lose weight but not if they have to back away from sweets. To me, it's a balance. I don't want dessert daily but I would eat it every once in a while IF I believe I can have it once and be done with it. NOT if I think it'll start me in a spiral of binge eating. That's why I was so curious about the mindset of others on MFP. And I'm glad for your answers - truly!

You could always ask that specific person, but you'll likely be told it's none of your business because it isn't. You seem to think that someone can't lose weight while eating a 600 calorie sunday for lunch. Why not? It's not necessary to give up these things. Many health markers are improved just through weight loss alone, so if someone wants to eat nothing but ice cream, as long as they are under their calories, they can still lose weight. Not that I'm advocating for that. There is a strong undercurrent of judgment in your posts, like you think that these people are somehow delusional for not doing things the way you are doing them.

Hmmm your suprise people log Thier food? That's the whole point of mfp..... To track calories consumed
Do you think weight loss would happen if people chose to pretend the doughnut didn't happen?

I don't "eat clean" I've no time to wash all my food in washing up liquid before I consume it

What I prefer to do is weigh and accurately log everything that passes my lips to make sure I'm in a calorie deficit so I can lose fat

I also keep an eye on my macros so that I'm getting enough protein and fats. Once those are reached if I still have calories left I'll have a little ice cream or some chocolate because there are no prizes in life for eating bowls and bowls of broccoli and a little of what I fancy will stop me binging on supposed "forbidden foods" when I reach breaking point

lantana411 wrote: »

I'm surprised at how many people eat cookies, croissants, ice cream, cake, chips, etc. on a daily or near-daily basis BUT LOG THEIR FOOD! I want to know - is it because they consider themselves dieting or getting ready to diet? Is this why people who diet are considered 'eating cleanly'? What do you do and what do you consider it? If you stay within your calories but drink/snack them away instead of eating meals is it dieting?

I fit treat into my calories. Many of them have nutrients. Why shouldn't I eat food I like while losing weight, so long as my nutrition is good and my energy level is high?

P.S. I don't eat clean, but I do eat healthy. Mostly.

lantana411 wrote: »

I used the term 'diet' to identify the goal of losing weight. I spend my calories on mostly lean protein and produce but have no issue with eating whatever I want on occasion. I've lost and gained a lot of weight in my life - currently I'm enjoying an 80 pound weight loss (I started 'this time' on 1/2/16). I became curious about how people view MFP and the point of tracking their daily food when I started reading 'meals' of ice cream sundaes - which I did today, it was someone's 600+ calorie lunch - no food just the sundae. I wondered what the point was in tracking the food - was it with the goal of losing weight or just keeping track of food intake.

Everyone picks their food plan and food they enjoy. But some people seem to eat dessert every day. They may not have any produce but they are certain to eat refined sugar/carbs. Some of them seem defensive of their food choices, almost like they want to lose weight but not if they have to back away from sweets. To me, it's a balance. I don't want dessert daily but I would eat it every once in a while IF I believe I can have it once and be done with it. NOT if I think it'll start me in a spiral of binge eating. That's why I was so curious about the mindset of others on MFP. And I'm glad for your answers - truly!

Maybe the reason you’ve lost and gained so many times is that you are stuck in this pattern of yo-yoing between extremes? Many of the phrases you use “dieting” “clean eating” and the thinly veiled judgement toward those who choose to indulge seems to suggest that you’ve yet to accept that there can be a very comfortable middle ground. Maybe if you spent a little more time there you’d find the long term success you’ve failed to achieve up to this point?

It's interesting that ice cream is the example being given because I've used it to hit my macros plenty of times. It has fat and protein plus many micro-nutrients. Yes, it's easy to over eat but that's what food scales and logging are for.

nutmegoreo wrote: »

RivenV wrote: »

nutmegoreo wrote: »

lantana411 wrote: »

I used the term 'diet' to identify the goal of losing weight. I spend my calories on mostly lean protein and produce but have no issue with eating whatever I want on occasion. I've lost and gained a lot of weight in my life - currently I'm enjoying an 80 pound weight loss (I started 'this time' on 1/2/16). I became curious about how people view MFP and the point of tracking their daily food when I started reading 'meals' of ice cream sundaes - which I did today, it was someone's 600+ calorie lunch - no food just the sundae. I wondered what the point was in tracking the food - was it with the goal of losing weight or just keeping track of food intake.

Everyone picks their food plan and food they enjoy. But some people seem to eat dessert every day. They may not have any produce but they are certain to eat refined sugar/carbs. Some of them seem defensive of their food choices, almost like they want to lose weight but not if they have to back away from sweets. To me, it's a balance. I don't want dessert daily but I would eat it every once in a while IF I believe I can have it once and be done with it. NOT if I think it'll start me in a spiral of binge eating. That's why I was so curious about the mindset of others on MFP. And I'm glad for your answers - truly!

You could always ask that specific person, but you'll likely be told it's none of your business because it isn't. You seem to think that someone can't lose weight while eating a 600 calorie sunday for lunch. Why not? It's not necessary to give up these things. Many health markers are improved just through weight loss alone, so if someone wants to eat nothing but ice cream, as long as they are under their calories, they can still lose weight. Not that I'm advocating for that. There is a strong undercurrent of judgment in your posts, like you think that these people are somehow delusional for not doing things the way you are doing them.

If I limited myself to 1100 calories/day of "clean" food, I would have a mental breakdown...

... I know because I did. Good times. Now I eat what I want, log it, and meet my macro and calorie targets as best as I can.

I logged the scotch I drank last night, too.

Anytime I've tried a restrictive diet where I had a list of things that were "bad" or "off limits" I would lose it. Eat everything in site, and then feel horrible about myself. I agree that treats keep a person sane, and makes this long process tolerable. How many treats is an individual choice.

Same. The second you tell me I can't have XYZ, I must--and in spades. Then the wallowing and the guilt, followed by a renewed sense of diligence/unkindness towards myself. "This time... this restrictive, wrong-headed 'diet' will work for me. This time. It's my fault this bologna mentality around food isn't working for me. Maybe I just need to also cut out ABC in addition to XYZ. Yeah, that's the problem. I'll eliminate another perfectly reasonable food group because that's the problem here."

lantana411 wrote: »

I used the term 'diet' to identify the goal of losing weight. I spend my calories on mostly lean protein and produce but have no issue with eating whatever I want on occasion. I've lost and gained a lot of weight in my life - currently I'm enjoying an 80 pound weight loss (I started 'this time' on 1/2/16). I became curious about how people view MFP and the point of tracking their daily food when I started reading 'meals' of ice cream sundaes - which I did today, it was someone's 600+ calorie lunch - no food just the sundae. I wondered what the point was in tracking the food - was it with the goal of losing weight or just keeping track of food intake.

Everyone picks their food plan and food they enjoy. But some people seem to eat dessert every day. They may not have any produce but they are certain to eat refined sugar/carbs. Some of them seem defensive of their food choices, almost like they want to lose weight but not if they have to back away from sweets. To me, it's a balance. I don't want dessert daily but I would eat it every once in a while IF I believe I can have it once and be done with it. NOT if I think it'll start me in a spiral of binge eating. That's why I was so curious about the mindset of others on MFP. And I'm glad for your answers - truly!

This post was about me. I'm a "friend" of Lantana's (maybe not for long, LOL).

To date, I've lost 61 pounds. At 4'9", I need to lose more, but I'm happy with what I've done so far. I weigh myself daily to keep track of things.

I log to be honest, accountable, and so that I can identify "patterns" and determine where I might need to make changes. I try to be honest and put a note in my diary (as I did today) or post a comment. It is extremely rare that I only have something sweet for a meal; it happened twice this week (I honestly can't recall ever doing this before, but it's possible). The first day was Monday, when I was under by a few hundred calories for the day. I didn't have time for lunch and ended up eating four Hershey's Miniatures. At the end of the day, I noted on my feed that I had completed my diary (which didn't post since I was under 1000 calories), but that I was embarrassed. I knew I had not made good choices that day and that I hadn't planned well.

Today I had other (healthier) plans for lunch, but as I wrote in my diary, I couldn't find parking. I made a conscious decision to have that ice cream sundae. I was under my calorie goal a number of times within the last week. I ordered a small, and some of the ice cream is still in the freezer (I ate all the whipped cream and hot fudge), but I didn't want to underestimate the calories.

I'm far from perfect. I'm a work-in-progress. Like many of us, I think, I have a lot of "issues", which I won't go into. Honestly, I'm "happy" that I'm still trying and haven't given up.

SaraKim17 wrote: »

lantana411 wrote: »

I used the term 'diet' to identify the goal of losing weight. I spend my calories on mostly lean protein and produce but have no issue with eating whatever I want on occasion. I've lost and gained a lot of weight in my life - currently I'm enjoying an 80 pound weight loss (I started 'this time' on 1/2/16). I became curious about how people view MFP and the point of tracking their daily food when I started reading 'meals' of ice cream sundaes - which I did today, it was someone's 600+ calorie lunch - no food just the sundae. I wondered what the point was in tracking the food - was it with the goal of losing weight or just keeping track of food intake.

Everyone picks their food plan and food they enjoy. But some people seem to eat dessert every day. They may not have any produce but they are certain to eat refined sugar/carbs. Some of them seem defensive of their food choices, almost like they want to lose weight but not if they have to back away from sweets. To me, it's a balance. I don't want dessert daily but I would eat it every once in a while IF I believe I can have it once and be done with it. NOT if I think it'll start me in a spiral of binge eating. That's why I was so curious about the mindset of others on MFP. And I'm glad for your answers - truly!

This post was about me. I'm a "friend" of Lantana's (maybe not for long, LOL).

To date, I've lost 61 pounds. At 4'9", I need to lose more, but I'm happy with what I've done so far. I weigh myself daily to keep track of things.

I log to be honest, accountable, and so that I can identify "patterns" and determine where I might need to make changes. I try to be honest and put a note in my diary (as I did today) or post a comment. It is extremely rare that I only have something sweet for a meal; it happened twice this week (I honestly can't recall ever doing this before, but it's possible). The first day was Monday, when I was under by a few hundred calories for the day. I didn't have time for lunch and ended up eating four Hershey's Miniatures. At the end of the day, I noted on my feed that I had completed my diary (which didn't post since I was under 1000 calories), but that I was embarrassed. I knew I had not made good choices that day and that I hadn't planned well.

Today I had other (healthier) plans for lunch, but as I wrote in my diary, I couldn't find parking. I made a conscious decision to have that ice cream sundae. I was under my calorie goal a number of times within the last week. I ordered a small, and some of the ice cream is still in the freezer (I ate all the whipped cream and hot fudge), but I didn't want to underestimate the calories.

I'm far from perfect. I'm a work-in-progress. Like many of us, I think, I have a lot of "issues", which I won't go into. Honestly, I'm "happy" that I'm still trying and haven't given up.

I don't think you need to explain or justify to anyone why you ate what you ate - I think your accuracy and honesty in logging is far more important than eating "diet" food and is a strategy that will bring you greater long term success - navigating through the ups and downs of life but still sticking to your calorie goal sounds like a win to me! Congrats on the weight loss