Food Diary - Private or Public?

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Replies

  • mrsjennifermaffei
    mrsjennifermaffei Posts: 469
    It's food, not my private thoughts. Therefore, mine is public. It also keeps me accountable as I know others may be looking at it.
  • aimeercole
    aimeercole Posts: 33
    I had it said to "friends only" at first... But I often pre-log my calories for the next day, and I didn't want people thinking I was eating the next day's food at midnight, so I just made mine private for now. LOL
    Ha! I never thought of that. Mine is set to friends only, but I pre-log mine a day out. I hope people don't think I am eating a day in advance! haha.
  • PinkEarthMama
    PinkEarthMama Posts: 987 Member
    Public! It helps me to know that if i eat a whole bag of chips... someone is gonna see.
  • flstarlady65
    flstarlady65 Posts: 129
    Mine is set to Public. I think that what I'm doing at this point is good and I would like others to see what I'm eating. I have had many years of good and (bad) eating habits. I know what it takes to make the work pay off... it's applying those rules that takes hard work and dedication.
  • itsjustdawn
    itsjustdawn Posts: 1,073 Member
    Mine is public :)
  • bettyboop573
    bettyboop573 Posts: 610 Member
    Mine's set to friends only otherwise I ind that you post on here and get people looking and giving advice that you didn't ask for nor want.

    agreed ...that is why mine is set to friends only
  • peacelily0507
    peacelily0507 Posts: 114
    Mine is public. Just because I don't really care who sees what I'm eating. Also, makes it easier if you ask for help on the forums.



    agreed... I recently switched mine to public for that reason as well
  • tjpinch
    tjpinch Posts: 87 Member
    Mine is friends only. It hols me accountable to my friends, but doesn't put me out there for random criticism by strangers.
  • mirrim666
    mirrim666 Posts: 17
    Mine is public. I know I'm eating well, so it might help someone else who is looking for ideas. Also I don' t mind constructive criticism :)

    This.
  • sizzlinoverthefat
    sizzlinoverthefat Posts: 136 Member
    Mine's public. I'm a pre-planner. I sit w/morning coffee and entre all that I plan on having for the day including snacks. If I need to change coz to much cal I'll know before it hits my lips. I recently started the public thing coz I needed accountablity too!:flowerforyou:
  • alibur85
    alibur85 Posts: 122 Member
    Public. Call me out on my bad choices or send me suggestions!!!


    Same here!

    I'm also celiac (gluten free) and let people know that if they need ideas to just look at my diary and see what I'm eating. I'd love to help others if I can. Also helps to keep me accountable as I lead by example :)
  • slyder432
    slyder432 Posts: 475 Member
    Mine is friends only. It hols me accountable to my friends, but doesn't put me out there for random criticism by strangers.

    THIS!!
  • emmyvera
    emmyvera Posts: 599 Member
    Friends only. I love having the support from my MFP friends. It's awesome. Never thought about Public. Wouldn't matter to me... something to try I guess.
  • CrazyDaisysMommy
    CrazyDaisysMommy Posts: 472
    Mine is locked with a code that I've given to one of my friends and to another MFP member who wanted to see a gluten-free diary. I use the note section to record the adventures of my GI tract, and I'm pretty sure that would be TMI for the average MFPer!
  • rebecca_chess
    rebecca_chess Posts: 101 Member
    Public but would change it to friends only if I were receiving nasty comments by someone not on my friend list. "Open food diary" is one way to mentally hold myself accountable for what I eat. I also like looking at other's as well because if they are eating something that sounds yummy I can ask for the recipe and have something new!!! :smile:
  • MamaLuvsDJ
    MamaLuvsDJ Posts: 29
    I have it set to Public, I really don't care who sees it. I am looking for support, but with that I understand that people will always add their 2 cents. I usually brush off comments that don't suit me too well. Or just take it as constructive criticism. It all depends how you take things. So far....yes I have had people want to say something about the way I eat...but I know in the end they probably say it because they want the best for me and that is their way of being supportive.
  • sms1986
    sms1986 Posts: 113 Member
    Mine's public and as far as I can remember, it has always been.
  • jillica
    jillica Posts: 554 Member
    This is the age old MFP question. It comes down to your personality and motivation.

    If having your diary public and knowing that people will comment on your diary motivates you into eating healthier, do it.

    If having an open food diary will cause you to NOT log, then definitely don't do it.

    If you want others to help tweak your menu, do it because THEY WILL:-)
  • MHunte
    MHunte Posts: 149
    Set it to public it's just food, come on now really, what's there to hide about food? You can look at other people log and maybe see something on the log that might help you out and the same goes for them......smh my log has always been open and will never change.
  • JulesKilvo
    JulesKilvo Posts: 61 Member
    Friends only - I get a lot of support and guidance off the people on my friends list and they keep me accountable :-)
  • Maggie_Pie1
    Maggie_Pie1 Posts: 322 Member
    I had it said to "friends only" at first... But I often pre-log my calories for the next day, and I didn't want people thinking I was eating the next day's food at midnight, so I just made mine private for now. LOL

    I do that too (log all my calories for the day so my meals are planned out), and I remember a while back someone had started a thread because they were appalled that someone whose food diary they were in had eaten all their calories for the day by 10 am. *rolleyes* That's why mine is private.
  • perpetuallyfit
    perpetuallyfit Posts: 153 Member
    Mine was set to "private" by default and the first thing I did after I realized that I set it for friends only. I am kinda technically challenged! :laugh: I don't mind going public as I feel I would be more accountable to everyone. That is precisely the reason why I am here. I want people to hold me accountable if I am not doing things right. I need help,motivation and support from everyone,and also criticism. But I would not comment on someone who is under the calorie goal if their diary is locked for me.For all I know they are starving themselves or stuffing themselves up with junk food!!:indifferent:
  • kennedar
    kennedar Posts: 306 Member
    When I was trying to lose I had mine set to public. I find it makes me more accountable for others to see what I am doing. Now that I am pregnant and using MFP to control gestational diabetes, its set to private. I email it to my dietitian every week so that keeps me honest and my motivation is keeping my child healthy. Its easier to make it private than to try to explain my food choices to strangers.
  • usafbeach
    usafbeach Posts: 147 Member
    Friends only. I enjoy having friends on MPF and so it provides incentive for people to add me.
  • chachita7
    chachita7 Posts: 996 Member
    Public - I don't mind everyone seeing and even commenting. If what we are seeking is some sort of accountability then it shouldn't be private, just my thought.
  • kealey1318
    kealey1318 Posts: 290 Member
    Mine is private. Since everyone has an opinion, and most people are more than happy to share theirs, it just opens me up to entirely too much critiquing... Since I tend to lose resolve when I get negative feedback, I figure I stand a better chance of success if I keep that to myself. However, I am my worst critic. :o)
  • simplyblessed5
    simplyblessed5 Posts: 130 Member
    mine is private. I have my calorie allotment set to custom and don't wish to have opinions on what I eat or don't eat.
  • jody664
    jody664 Posts: 397 Member
    Mine is set to private. There are some crazy, obnoxious people on this site who feel it is their duty to proselytize their pet diet philosophy. I'm fairly new here, but I think if i get to the point where I need help, I'll ask some people whose opinion I trust to take a look. At that point, I'll open it up to that person.
  • MHunte
    MHunte Posts: 149
    Public - I don't mind everyone seeing and even commenting. If what we are seeking is some sort of accountability then it shouldn't be private, just my thought.

    I agree 100%!


    I don't understand why people would not have a public food log, to me thats like a little kid who worries about standing up in front of the class to read a paragraph or something, we are all adults here and by keeping your food log private, locked or friends only shows you have a weakness, you need to overcome that by going public, don't like people because they said something in your favor, like them because they also disagree with some of the things you are eating, some friends don't want to hurt your feelings so they will agree with everything you do,sometimes it takes a stranger to step in and open your eyes to some of the things you are doing wrong.....
  • GMPetti82
    GMPetti82 Posts: 43 Member
    I found that I was more inclined to track my bad days if I knew that my diary was private (or at least locked with a password.) We all have good and not so good days, but I really need to make sure that my not so good days aren't a wash, and I don't like to worry about being embarrassed about my off days.
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