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"worth every calorie" - inappropriate phrase??
paperpudding
Posts: 9,271 Member
in Debate Club
https://metro.co.uk/2021/10/20/great-british-bake-off-prue-leith-sparks-upset-with-calories-remark-15456076/
I dont watch the show myself but stumbled on this news item.
Do the fans have a point or are they over reacting?
We often read the same phrase on MFP posts about cake or whatever - admittedly this is a calorie counting site not a TV cooking show.
does anyone find it inappropriate here? or Ok in different context? or ok in both??
What do you think?
I dont watch the show myself but stumbled on this news item.
Do the fans have a point or are they over reacting?
We often read the same phrase on MFP posts about cake or whatever - admittedly this is a calorie counting site not a TV cooking show.
does anyone find it inappropriate here? or Ok in different context? or ok in both??
What do you think?
2
Replies
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Food has calories and weight should be managed for health reasons, denying that reality seems... foolish? Commenters thinking body image is the only motivation to think of calories are a bit short-sighted imho.
One important change I've made during my weight loss journey, an important mentality change, is that I 'spend' my calories on food that tastes good (while also aiming for good nutrition of course). That's what 'worth every calorie' means for me: enjoyment in food, not just eating because food is available/offered/... I don't feel guilt when I eat high calorie food that tastes good, I do feel regret when I eat high calorie food that turns out to be 'blah' and will refuse or not finish food much more easily now.
Also: she's a judge, she needs to sample all of the contestants' foods. I can very well imagine that she's thinking of her weight while doing so!17 -
Idk, this seems bengin to me. I do want a rich dessert to be good since it's so dense in calories7
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Not inappropriate at all.
Enjoying your food purely for the taste and enjoyment is perfectly reasonable. We are social animals and enjoying food and drink together is a strong bond and driver. Seems a very sensible and balanced comment to enjoy the cake but be aware of the calorie load.
In the context of an overall healthy diet not every morsel has to be eaten purely based on nutritional benefit.
It's also important to acknowledge that all food has nutrition, those calories are coming from macronutrients after all.
My overall philosophy is the majority of my diet comes from nutritious good quality food that I actively enjoy, there's a small proportion I don't really enjoy but provides a nutritional or exercise benefit and there's a proportion eaten purely for enjoyment.
Yesterday's calorie goal was an exceptional 4,435 - if I wanted cake, I could have eaten a lot of cake and still hit every nutritional need. Both my eaten for exercise performance and eaten for fun allowances were higher than normal.
Context matters! If someone is restricted to a paltry calorie level then the "fun food" allowance is going to be a lot different, a smaller piece of cake perhaps.8 -
Over reacting. WAY over reacting.
It's a show where food is being judged, there are only so many ways to express an opinion about that food. Perhaps folks who are hypersensitive to "diet words" should find a different show to watch?20 -
Good grief, could people get offended over anything less inoffensive?
I do watch the show.
It's a cute comment and one of her signature sayings and yes ma'am I'm not eating a grocery store pie when there's a specialty pie baking shop a mile away - because the pie shop? Ohemmgee those pies are worth every calorie.
My bigger (and I'm JK here) gripe is that with Netflix I can sit and watch 10 of those shows and they all make me want bread and sweets
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Good grief! If people are that sensitive over remarks like that and feel "triggered," then maybe they need to not watch the show? The only thing that would irritate me is that apparently she says it all the time, and I get irritated when people use the same catch phrase over and over....but that's my issue! It reminds me of the whole thing about 6 months ago when Demi Lovato got "triggered" by seeing sugar-free products at a Frozen Yogurt shop (in LA of all places, probably one of the most body-conscious areas in the country).
I absolutely have learned to decide if I want a treat or not based on whether or not I think the flavor will be worth the calories. It's called moderation, and doesn't mean I deprive myself. If that's how people want to moderate their diet and it's not harming themselves or others, why is it up to someone else to decide if that's "offensive?"8 -
Huge over reaction.
I actually think it's a helpful comment for people who are over-immersed in "diet culture".
We often see posts here from people who restrict to the point of never allowing themselves a treat, or anything that doesn't have "nutritional value".
We see questions from people asking if they can have a cookie as long as it's within their calorie goal.
Most of us advise that in order to have long-term success, you have to determine what is "worth the calories" to you and what is not. I make decisions like that every day.
I think her comment, which she makes often, drives home the fact that you CAN choose to include treats like baked goods in your diet...and sometimes it's definitely "worth the calories".13 -
"Some explained how saying that something is ‘worth the calories’ feeds into ‘diet culture’, while others highlighted how phrases such as that one can impact people who have been affected by eating disorders."
I'd suggest if people with eating disorders are watching the show - the impact of the show on their thinking is going to be much worse than a phrase.
They probably shouldn't be watching the show in the first place if that easily affected.
"Diet culture"? - meaning a lot of people are on, or have been on, or desire to get on, or know they need to be on, a diet to lose some fat for health or vanity reasons - but that's a bad thing?
I just don't get that one.
Ditto's to using the phrase is actually useful to so many people that may not realize you can account for the calories and enjoy something in moderation.10 -
I don't understand why it would be a problem.7
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Friggin' ridiculous. People need to get a life.8
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Pure nonsense...6
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cwolfman13 wrote: »Friggin' ridiculous. People need to get a life.
How many calories does being outraged at how someone else spends their calories burn?7 -
Welcome to the internet.
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The Great British Bake Off is one of my favorites, and I agree that the whole show should probably be avoided by those who would find "worth the calories" triggering. As a small, elderly woman, I weigh the merits of all my food to maintain a healthy weight while getting maximum enjoyment. Prue Leith fills Mary Berry's shoes nicely.8
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spinnerdell wrote: »... Prue Leith fills Mary Berry's shoes nicely.
I miss Mary Berry but agree that Prue Leith is about as good a replacement as possible.
7 -
"Some explained how saying that something is ‘worth the calories’ feeds into ‘diet culture’, while others highlighted how phrases such as that one can impact people who have been affected by eating disorders."
I'd suggest if people with eating disorders are watching the show - the impact of the show on their thinking is going to be much worse than a phrase.
They probably shouldn't be watching the show in the first place if that easily affected.
"Diet culture"? - meaning a lot of people are on, or have been on, or desire to get on, or know they need to be on, a diet to lose some fat for health or vanity reasons - but that's a bad thing?
I just don't get that one.
Ditto's to using the phrase is actually useful to so many people that may not realize you can account for the calories and enjoy something in moderation.
I think "Diet Culture" is sort of a code word, in some circles, for a whole complex of ideas around prizing thin-ness, thinking fat people are lazy gluttons, pushing others toward abstemious self-denial and intense workouts as a pure virtue for reasons of weight loss/appearance, and that sort of thing.
Depending on one's own personal mindset, "diet culture" might be a real thing, or a mythical thing, or a straw-man to rail against, or one of many other things. But I think usually when someone uses the term, it's a specialized, loaded term - like I said, a code word, kinda.
I don't think it's usually understood to mean something simple and potentially benign like your bolded paragraph . . . granting, of course, that some segment of the world would be triggered by the bolded ideas, and consider it a clear case of Diet Culture. 😉
ETA, in case it's not clear: I also don't understand why someone who struggles with EDs or the like, or who'd be triggered by "worth the calories" should or would be watching an indulgent-foods baking show. This story seems like outrage for outrage's sake, from folks not liking what's in other folks' lane.
I find worth/not-worth the calories a useful concept, to me as a calorie counter. For example, grocery store cookies? Mostly not worth the calories. My favorite banana chocolate chip cookies from mama's recipe? Sometimes very much worth the calories, maybe even two of them as components in an impromptu ice cream sandwich.5 -
SuzySunshine99 wrote: »I actually think it's a helpful comment for people who are over-immersed in "diet culture".
Excellent point!
The show is pure food porn. Possibly not the best viewing choice for someone who is hypersensitive to dietesque words or imagery.5 -
Is it wrong that I watch the show while I workout?
I also appreciate the show for teaching me some British slang/lingo...I never knew what "chuffed" meant until watching that show.13 -
"Some explained how saying that something is ‘worth the calories’ feeds into ‘diet culture’, while others highlighted how phrases such as that one can impact people who have been affected by eating disorders."
I'd suggest if people with eating disorders are watching the show - the impact of the show on their thinking is going to be much worse than a phrase.
They probably shouldn't be watching the show in the first place if that easily affected.
"Diet culture"? - meaning a lot of people are on, or have been on, or desire to get on, or know they need to be on, a diet to lose some fat for health or vanity reasons - but that's a bad thing?
I just don't get that one.
Ditto's to using the phrase is actually useful to so many people that may not realize you can account for the calories and enjoy something in moderation.
I think "Diet Culture" is sort of a code word, in some circles, for a whole complex of ideas around prizing thin-ness, thinking fat people are lazy gluttons, pushing others toward abstemious self-denial and intense workouts as a pure virtue for reasons of weight loss/appearance, and that sort of thing.
Depending on one's own personal mindset, "diet culture" might be a real thing, or a mythical thing, or a straw-man to rail against, or one of many other things. But I think usually when someone uses the term, it's a specialized, loaded term - like I said, a code word, kinda.
I don't think it's usually understood to mean something simple and potentially benign like your bolded paragraph . . . granting, of course, that some segment of the world would be triggered by the bolded ideas, and consider it a clear case of Diet Culture. 😉
ETA, in case it's not clear: I also don't understand why someone who struggles with EDs or the like, or who'd be triggered by "worth the calories" should or would be watching an indulgent-foods baking show. This story seems like outrage for outrage's sake, from folks not liking what's in other folks' lane.
I find worth/not-worth the calories a useful concept, to me as a calorie counter. For example, grocery store cookies? Mostly not worth the calories. My favorite banana chocolate chip cookies from mama's recipe? Sometimes very much worth the calories, maybe even two of them as components in an impromptu ice cream sandwich.
I just had a peek at Twitter and I didn’t see anything out of the ordinary there.
I mean, everyone pops off about every little thing on Twitter. Sure. Some people were saying they were tired of Peru’s catch phrases. But OK. It’s a show that’s had a pretty good run so far. Sometimes the catch phrases will get a bit stale.
I think this is a case of the newspaper trying to find something to write about that will sell papers.
We do watch the show here. In binge-bursts. It’s really lovely to see all the wonderful efforts the bakers make. And it’s a great deal healthier for the emotional side of entertainment than anything Gordon Ramsey has starred in.
I will admit to really cheering on some of the contestants. Even though we watch what are essentially reruns. 4 -
paperpudding wrote: »https://metro.co.uk/2021/10/20/great-british-bake-off-prue-leith-sparks-upset-with-calories-remark-15456076/
I dont watch the show myself but stumbled on this news item.
Do the fans have a point or are they over reacting?
We often read the same phrase on MFP posts about cake or whatever - admittedly this is a calorie counting site not a TV cooking show.
does anyone find it inappropriate here? or Ok in different context? or ok in both??
What do you think?
As you do not watch the show perhaps you are not aware of the context of this comment?
When the food produced by the contestants is horrible the phrase "Not worth the calories" is used for laughs so it was just a quip with reference to that when someone, on this occasion, produced a particularly delicious confection.
So, with respect, you are over thinking this.
0 -
well, no, I dont know that I am over thinking it - I didnt say I agreed that the comment was inappropriate
I dont agree at all, in fact
Just stumbled across it and thought it was a relevant topic to debate on MFP
I deliberately made my OP neutral so as to open discussion from an unbiased starting point11 -
paperpudding wrote: »well, no, I dont know that I am over thinking it - I didnt say I agreed that the comment was inappropriate
I dont agree at all, in fact
Just stumbled across it and thought it was a relevant topic to debate on MFP
I deliberately made my OP neutral so as to open discussion from an unbiased starting point
I don’t think you were overthinking it.
I do think the newspaper writer was specifically to drive curious readers to the article.
And, in order to prove my point, here is another recent article about how Twitter users are reacting to the show. Spoiler: It’s wholesome as heck. Zero fuss about Prue or calories
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/great-british-bake-off-tweets_l_615b69abe4b008640eb7faaf/amp2 -
paperpudding wrote: »https://metro.co.uk/2021/10/20/great-british-bake-off-prue-leith-sparks-upset-with-calories-remark-15456076/
I dont watch the show myself but stumbled on this news item.
Do the fans have a point or are they over reacting?
We often read the same phrase on MFP posts about cake or whatever - admittedly this is a calorie counting site not a TV cooking show.
does anyone find it inappropriate here? or Ok in different context? or ok in both??
What do you think?
I'm reposting the article as I am not sure everyone read the link and so missed the comments that sparked the article.
Yes, they are way overreacting. Either their relationship with food is such that they shouldn't be watching the show or they like outrage for outrage's sake.
I stopped watching the show because it made me feel inadequate and hungry 4 -
kshama2001 wrote: »paperpudding wrote: »https://metro.co.uk/2021/10/20/great-british-bake-off-prue-leith-sparks-upset-with-calories-remark-15456076/
I dont watch the show myself but stumbled on this news item.
Do the fans have a point or are they over reacting?
We often read the same phrase on MFP posts about cake or whatever - admittedly this is a calorie counting site not a TV cooking show.
does anyone find it inappropriate here? or Ok in different context? or ok in both??
What do you think?
I'm reposting the article as I am not sure everyone read the link and so missed the comments that sparked the article.
Yes, they are way overreacting. Either their relationship with food is such that they shouldn't be watching the show or they like outrage for outrage's sake.
I stopped watching the show because it made me feel inadequate and hungry
Heh...yeah, that's why I watch it while working out instead of sitting on the couch with food nearby.
While most everything on the show looks amazing, I will admit that some of the very traditional British dishes they are tasked with making are not very appetizing to me.
I really don't like the look of steamed puddings, fruitcakes, or lard-filled pastry dough packed with game meat.
Sorry, @paperpudding, but your profile picture always turns my stomach a little...1 -
Sorry, @paperpudding, but your profile picture always turns my stomach a little...
ha ha ha, over the years have had various comments on my picture.(have had same one since joining 7 years ago)
Ranging from how appetisting it is, makes people want dessert etc - to stomach turning.
Even one poster who assumed, (incorrectly) because of my picture that I was from UK
ah well, such is life
4 -
kshama2001 wrote: »
I'm reposting the article as I am not sure everyone read the link and so missed the comments that sparked the article.
I stopped reading the article once I realized it contained spoilers for the 2021 season. Here in Canada we get the show a year behind, so the 2020 Bake Off just aired.
And, old cynic that I am, I think "outrage for outrage's sake" is pretty much the defining characteristic of most popular social media platforms these days, sadly.
eta quote tag mess1 -
Y'know I try really hard to be sensitive to other people and see how things that could be hurtful to others, even if they don't bother me.
...but this whole thing reads a lot to me like 'Calories exist and being reminded of that is upsetting'.
In which case even I have to say "sounds like a personal problem". As in: Sounds like an issue for them to manage because asking everyone else to avoid mentioning a unit of energy is just silly.13 -
I think it's a completely appropriate comment. Understanding that some foods are calorie dense, understanding what you are consuming and how that can affect you, are good things. And sometimes, some things really ARE worth every calorie to enjoy them! Recognizing how that may affect the rest of your day and your other choices is a good thing.
That said, I have some friends who've historically been "large" and find any comment that might somehow be construed about being related to weight, very bothersome. Generally these are also the people who don't want to put any special effort into losing weight, either.8 -
"Some explained how saying that something is ‘worth the calories’ feeds into ‘diet culture’, while others highlighted how phrases such as that one can impact people who have been affected by eating disorders."
I'd suggest if people with eating disorders are watching the show - the impact of the show on their thinking is going to be much worse than a phrase.
They probably shouldn't be watching the show in the first place if that easily affected.
"Diet culture"? - meaning a lot of people are on, or have been on, or desire to get on, or know they need to be on, a diet to lose some fat for health or vanity reasons - but that's a bad thing?
I just don't get that one.
Ditto's to using the phrase is actually useful to so many people that may not realize you can account for the calories and enjoy something in moderation.
1 -
Seems like outrage for outrage sake. I think it’s a great lesson in the way people think about food. It’s about trade offs and as most of the things they bake are treats without much nutritional value so they need to taste amazing or they aren’t worth the calories. It should be taught to children,…. The show is great and I love when the contestants help each other. I do admit it makes me hungry for baked goods!3
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