How much feedback do you really want on your food diary?

Feedback and accountability are the main reasons why I'm here. I've learned so much from all my awesome friends. My goal is long-term health, not weight loss or getting a six pack. Take a look and tell me what you think! Brutal honesty is appreciated.

Maybe it's a defense mechanism i have yet to figure out, but i get perturbed when someone criticizes my food diary.Kinda like: "I'm 43 years old and quite smart thank you, yes I know i did not get enough protien today, or i indulged in something, etc. I really don't need you to type it out for me."It's like seeing a long unseen relative and they say "you've gained a lot of weight"...what is that comment for? You have a mirror, you buy clothes...you probably know you've gained weight. The remark serves no purpose but to point out a negative, that is obvious even.

Now if you see i like a certain food, and know a good alternative, great; or if you know how to constructively criticize without being offensive, like "I'm working on getting my protien up too" or "isn't it difficult to keep sodium down? Here's a link to a great site i found with low sodium foods"...then i am fine with it and totally appreciate the support!

Now of course i do not expect people to pat me on the back or say great job when i've flubbed up either. Again, we can all see my misstep, no need to tiptoe, you can even jokingly rib me, again with tact!

I look at diaries to get ideas for myself, not to judge anyone else, i would provide support whether or not a diary is public by giving encouraging comments when i can or when i see someone that really deserves it because they are so great in any way. Now if I or someone else asks or indicates that they want criticism, ideas, comments, etc...on their diary, that's all good too. I just don't like blatant criticism, i think it's rude.

I think my main reasoning is just that everyone has a different journey. We don't know the reasonings of why they eat what they eat, some people lose weight eating junk, some are focusing on low carb, some on protien, salt, whatever....so it just seems odd that anyone would try to advise you when a)its not asked for, b)they are in the same boat (i.e., overweight or working on a physical goal of some sort, thus not experts (primarily, we do have some experts here, that is a different matter ;-), c)no one knows your journey.

I think if you feel strongly about the type of support you want/need, it is probably a good idea to post it to your profile - i've seen some do that, whether it's a "if you want to friend me, please write me an email too" or whatever. Something to think about.

That all sounds grumpy, but i hope you know what i mean. Now i need some morning coffee lol

I am always open to constructive feedback about my eating. (hint hint ) Actually, I love it!

Personally, I'd be looking for feedback on my nutrition. I know I often have "crap" in my diary--a couple candies here and there, because I'm a compulsive/bored snacker and EVERYONE around me at work has candy all the time. But I do make an effort to make sure everything else that I'm putting in my body is good for me, and that's what I'd be looking for feedback on. I know candy is crap, I know I shouldn't be eating it--I don't need someone else to tell me that part.

If they don't ask, I won't say. I'm not out to be nit-picky about other people's diaries, considering I don't know just what they are going through that particular day. Hey, it could be a cheat day, and if I grill them about it then I'll either get cussed or reminded, and thus will feel silly for even opening my mouth.

As for people coming my way, i don't mind it. I look forward to it actually. I'm constantly worried about whether I'm doing a good job or not.

My diary is not up for discussion unless i ask for it. You never know what a person is going through, that causes them to under eat. For instance this week im going through a REALLY REALLY BAD patch. And for the 1st time i have not used food to comfort myself. For the past 3days, nothing can go down my throat. I literally put my all bran flakes in a blender for me to eat them. For supper i make 2min noodles, and i cant even finish the little packet. This is not permanent, and not my choice. So i wouldnt want someone making comments about me under eating while knowing jack about what im going through.

I want honest feedback on my diary, so if I have no veggies, tell me, if I've snacked too much, tell me. But also tell me when I've had a good day. I want criticism but if that is all someone gives, it's not very supportive.

I also give feedback on diaries, either when I know the people don't mind, or I try to phrase it in such a way that it won't get them down, but be supportive instead. Such as 'try to do x' instead of 'don't do y'. Constructive criticism, positively phrased. I also don't think that one 'bad' meal necessarily makes an entire day bad or that you have to eat completely clean to be healthy, so I don't call my friends out on every chocolate or pizza they have.

I will not say good job on someone's diary if their day consisted of only junk and/or processed foods the WHOLE day and they still stayed under their calorie goal. A snickers and diet soda for lunch and popcorn for dinner are not healthy choices. I don't care if you still stayed under your goal, it was nothing but CRAP going into your body.

I don't want my diary critiqued. If someone noticed me eating crap for a few days in a row and called me out I wouldn't mind. But nitpicking macro nutrients would get them deleted.

I would welcome it if it was done in a spirit of helpfulness. In fact, I could really USE some advice..so please feel free