Yes. You CAN eat 'normal' food! (my rant.)
Replies
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Reading that ''your life is food'' is what makes me sad. As I said before, why do you think junk food = joy and organic lettuce = miserable. It's not as black and white as that. I crave avocados soooo much! I recently discovered steamed kale and it makes by tastes buds dance! Love it! To me greasy food is not worth it. People think that as long as they lose weight and keep their BMI in the healthy rage, they are fine. But yet, cancer rates raise, depression rates raise, Alzheimer appears in younger and younger people, etc. Being fine today doesn't mean you'll be fine in 30 years. Of course, I don't even know if I am going to be fine in 30 years, but by controlling what goes in my body, I put all chances on my side. There are so much in this world that we can't control: the air we breath, our genetics, etc. But I can decide what goes in my body and it doesn't mean that I don't enjoy the food that I eat, of course I do! I just don't let my happiness being controlled by it. And as someone else said, tastes can change, and frequently do. You'd be surprised by a lot of ''rabbit food''! Just be open-minded and try it! We often hear that kids have to taste a new food about 10-12 times to really like it but it's definitely the case for some adults as well.
As someone else who also enjoys "rabbit food" (I've eaten steamed kale every day this week, can't get enough) I agree with a lot of what you're saying to a point, but I can see how your approach isn't being taken to very kindly.
I HATE the "Eat to Live, don't Live to Eat" mantra, I think it's black and white garbage. I love gourmet food, hell I have a food bucket list of things to try before I die. Does that mean I'll be unsuccessful in losing weight? Nope. Does that mean food rules my emotions and dictates my happiness? No again, because of one word: Moderation. If someone told me I couldn't eat another Mcdonalds burger for the rest of my life, I'd shrug my shoulders and move on. But if it was a French macaroon or a slice of grasshopper pie? I'd probably shed more than a few tears. If you have a balanced diet then there's no problem with brightening up your day with a cupcake.
BTW, I'm not the one who said ''eat to live, don't live to eat''.
And yes I'm fully aware that my approach towards food is not taken very kindly.
I can't be mad at everyone who disagrees with me, because apparently I'm in minority here. It's ok.
It's a public forum, I stated my opinion. We can't all agree, life would be boring!
Please don't think I was attacking you, I'm also aware that it's a public forum where anyone is welcome to state their opinions, and others are welcome to respond to them as well. I know you didn't say "eat to live, don't live to eat" in your post, and it wasn't meant to be a direct quote from you, but that's sort of the impression that I got from your posts. I think I'm also in the minority as I see a middle ground between the two extremes that most people are expressing here, just trying to offer a different perspective.0 -
But why is junk food a reward? Why do you let your happiness be guided by food? Why not reward you with a massage, a night at the movies
A night at the movies costs more than a bowl of ice cream or a 7-Layer Nacho Supreme.0 -
Unless you have a sister who's a manager there.................A night at the movies costs more than a bowl of ice cream or a 7-Layer Nacho Supreme.
A.C.E. Certified Personal Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition0 -
indeed!0
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Reading that ''your life is food'' is what makes me sad. As I said before, why do you think junk food = joy and organic lettuce = miserable. It's not as black and white as that. I crave avocados soooo much! I recently discovered steamed kale and it makes by tastes buds dance! Love it! To me greasy food is not worth it. People think that as long as they lose weight and keep their BMI in the healthy rage, they are fine. But yet, cancer rates raise, depression rates raise, Alzheimer appears in younger and younger people, etc. Being fine today doesn't mean you'll be fine in 30 years. Of course, I don't even know if I am going to be fine in 30 years, but by controlling what goes in my body, I put all chances on my side. There are so much in this world that we can't control: the air we breath, our genetics, etc. But I can decide what goes in my body and it doesn't mean that I don't enjoy the food that I eat, of course I do! I just don't let my happiness being controlled by it. And as someone else said, tastes can change, and frequently do. You'd be surprised by a lot of ''rabbit food''! Just be open-minded and try it! We often hear that kids have to taste a new food about 10-12 times to really like it but it's definitely the case for some adults as well.
As someone else who also enjoys "rabbit food" (I've eaten steamed kale every day this week, can't get enough) I agree with a lot of what you're saying to a point, but I can see how your approach isn't being taken to very kindly.
I HATE the "Eat to Live, don't Live to Eat" mantra, I think it's black and white garbage. I love gourmet food, hell I have a food bucket list of things to try before I die. Does that mean I'll be unsuccessful in losing weight? Nope. Does that mean food rules my emotions and dictates my happiness? No again, because of one word: Moderation. If someone told me I couldn't eat another Mcdonalds burger for the rest of my life, I'd shrug my shoulders and move on. But if it was a French macaroon or a slice of grasshopper pie? I'd probably shed more than a few tears. If you have a balanced diet then there's no problem with brightening up your day with a cupcake.
BTW, I'm not the one who said ''eat to live, don't live to eat''.
And yes I'm fully aware that my approach towards food is not taken very kindly.
I can't be mad at everyone who disagrees with me, because apparently I'm in minority here. It's ok.
It's a public forum, I stated my opinion. We can't all agree, life would be boring!
Please don't think I was attacking you, I'm also aware that it's a public forum where anyone is welcome to state their opinions, and others are welcome to respond to them as well. I know you didn't say "eat to live, don't live to eat" in your post, and it wasn't meant to be a direct quote from you, but that's sort of the impression that I got from your posts. I think I'm also in the minority as I see a middle ground between the two extremes that most people are expressing here, just trying to offer a different perspective.
Ok! I'm not mad at you, don't worry! I understand that you thought I was an extremist because of the way I've been replying. I'm not! I eat lean mean instead of full fat meat, dairy (full fat or low fat) and dark chocolate 70-80% cacao instead of Snickers bars. But I don't eat (anymore, yes I used to eat all that junk too) McDonald's, Domino's pizza and all that trans fat grease. I know people talk a lot about moderation, but to me, one mcnugget is the same as 30 mcnugget (although I know the quantities of calories matters in weight gain/loss). I believe in what you (general you) put in your body reflects your risk of developing cancer and other diseases. I disagree with the poster who said as food is broken down into the same nutriments, it doesn't matter what you eat. I'm not going to bother arguing with him as he obviously has strong beliefs and I do to, just opposite ones.
People keep commenting that they eat junk because it tastes good. But tastes can be changed. Once you don't have junk food in your life you don't crave it and you don't miss it. And yes, you can be happy and satisfied if you don't eat junk food (again, general you). And calling healthy organic products ''rabbit food'' is quite extremist IMO.0 -
Unless you have a sister who's a manager there.................A night at the movies costs more than a bowl of ice cream or a 7-Layer Nacho Supreme.
A.C.E. Certified Personal Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
We use to just sneak in the back door xD0 -
Just the rize size! Omnomnomnomnom!0 -
And calling healthy organic products ''rabbit food'' is quite extremist IMO.
umm ok not sure if that WAS directed at me lol, but it's not my term of choice, which is why I put it in quotes, it's just what everyone else is using as a blanket term for healthy food.0 -
Well said, I found it so much easier to start out modifying the portions of my favorite foods and adding fruits and veggies, then totally altering what and how I ate after a while my body and taste started changing to where I enjoyed the more nutritious foods. We really need to focus more on a "whats best for you" mentality rather then a it's all black and white kinda thinking.
Removing foods from your diet entirely may work for some but it never worked for me. I was in a terrible restrict/binge cycle. I would eat low carbs for ages, being extremely restrictive over my calorie intake and what I was putting in my mouth. I would then go through binge cycles where I would stuff my face with junk because I had deprived myself of. I think in the back of my mind I thought this was 'scarce' and I didn't get to do it often so I should make the most of it.. it meant that instead of eating a small bag of chips, I would eat two large bags of chips. I now realised when I have my small portions of foods like pizza, chips, etc. that it is not the end of the world, that I can just enjoy it and not stress over it. This moderate approach is the best approach for me.0 -
And calling healthy organic products ''rabbit food'' is quite extremist IMO.
umm ok not sure if that WAS directed at me lol, but it's not my term of choice, which is why I put it in quotes, it's just what everyone else is using as a blanket term for healthy food.
Again, no, not directed as you! Sorry! I should stop posting my thoughts that are unrelated to a quote.
If it changes anything, English is not my first language. Don't want to use it as an excuse, but just want to let you know that if you see some weird sentences, that might explain it
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Just the rize size! Omnomnomnomnom!
Even if I don't want to eat it, I think it's a pretty cute little burger!0 -
for a while, I was seeing an abundance of "what's gonna happen to my boobs" threads. new batches daily, it seemed. but, lately, I'm seeing new folks coming in and asking if they can eat so-called 'normal' food. and, of course, soon thereafter they are informed by various members that, no, all of that food is terrible and they must stock their fridge with organic lettuce grown under the sunshine reflected off a tropical rainbow.
that really bothers me. people join this site, often, after years of failed attempts. many are frustrated ... discouraged. so much so that it probably wouldn't take much for them to just throw it in and give up. and you know what just might be that push? the organic rainbow lettuce brigade.
you know what, that food is certainly nutritious. no one is really going to argue that point. and is nutritious food better for your body than not-so-nutritious food? well, yeah. but here's the thing, ORLBs. that's an extreme change many -- if not most -- people can't make. and, yes, I said can't -- not won't. it isn't always as simple as just throwing away all the food you've got and restocking with fresh produce and tofu burgers. the first obstacle is cost. the second is ease/feasibility. and that's not even figuring in the fact that many -- if not most, again -- don't like to eat that food!
I get the concept that food is fuel. sometimes you have to eat things you may not like. but I'm not going to make it long by making that kind of food my only kind of food. that's no way to live, dreading your next meal. and most people won't. that's why diets fail. and that's why MFP works. because a calorie is a calorie.
Yes. You CAN eat 'normal' food. I'll eat pizza. I'll eat chocolate. I eat pasta and bread and even, now and then, a cookie or some candy. I lost 3.5 pounds this past week. I've lost more than 17 pounds in less than two months. and it's because I'm learning to keep my food portions under control. I keep under my calorie limit. I plan ahead if I know I'm going to have a larger meal or a higher-calorie treat that day. and if it just happens without planning and I decide to take that treat? that means a longer stint at the gym to burn those extra calories off.
the ORLBs will now start sputtering, 'but that's not healthy!' and to that, I'd like to ask if being obese is healthy. I think ... no. so. let's move to basic food math:
eating less of most the food I like, keeping calories under my limit = weight loss;
weight loss = a healthier me;
therefore, eating less of most the food I like, keeping calories under my limit = a healthier me.
shedding that extra weight automatically makes you healthier, no matter what it is you are eating. there's simply no way around that fact. now, that isn't to say that you shouldn't make smart decisions. that isn't to say that you shouldn't work to find 'healthy' foods that you like, working them into your daily life. but, like weight loss, that's a process. it doesn't need to happen overnight.
focus on what works. turn yourself into a better you. and do it in a way that will allow it to be a life change. and if, for you, that means 'normal' food? do it, and do it without any of the guilt you've been programmed or pressured to feel.
at last !!! ...0 -
Bump0
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i agree too i have lost 7lb in 2 weeks just by not snacking and controlling portion sizes i havent changed what i eat, if i did i think my 10 yo would starve we are just encouraging eating more veggies trying different ones to see what we all like so it can become more frequent0
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I have never stopped eating "normal" food, means I didn't change my eating habits at all, except for cutting portions... a little bit ;-)
I upped my water intake, and started working out. So far I lost about 50 lbs (in 1.5 years).
I know: it could have been much more, I could already have reached my goal weight... but I didn't want to!
I prefer to have a social life, I prefer to eat whatever I like, whenever I like and how much I like. This means that I go over my calories goal most days, sometimes even a lot. This means I get to eat french fries a few times a week. This also means I haven't had a single binge eating day/meal. This means I never feel deprived of any food. This means I very seldom have bad conscience about what I have to put into my diary.
I'm not a perfect pal on here. A lot of people who take a look at my diary, may think I'm lying when I adjust my weight to a lower number because with all of what I eat I "just cannot lose weight", but I still do.
My next goal is to start eating healthier food, but only if it's convenient to do so ;-)
I may change my food choices, sometimes, slowly, one at a time, but I won't give up any of the not-so-healthy foods.
So, to conclude with the OP: yes, you can eat normal food and lose weight. If you ate only healthy food, you might lose faster though but on the long term that's not always the best way.0 -
BUMP
So I can show my friend who seems to think she can cut out chocolate and coke overnight and won't get disheartened >.<
Also well said!0 -
On a side note, if I ever met a guy who had amazing six pack abs (as the argument early on was saying is impossible to getting eating "normal food") that was so concerned about healthy eating and losing it that he was afraid to have a beer or spilt a plate of fries on our date, it would be a huge turn off.
I am all for eating healthy foods, but as the OP said, I think its perfectly fine to have some of the foods that you really like now and then. If your favorite thing to eat on a night out with your husband is a glass of wine and a cheese plate, then you shouldnt avoid that for the rest of your life. Moderation is key, and I personally prefer the people who can keep "normal" food in their diets then someone who only eats clean because they are so scared that they will gain it all back if they eat one potato chip.
Now if you like eating clean and thats the food you really enjoy, then go for it!0 -
for a while, I was seeing an abundance of "what's gonna happen to my boobs" threads. new batches daily, it seemed. but, lately, I'm seeing new folks coming in and asking if they can eat so-called 'normal' food. and, of course, soon thereafter they are informed by various members that, no, all of that food is terrible and they must stock their fridge with organic lettuce grown under the sunshine reflected off a tropical rainbow.
that really bothers me. people join this site, often, after years of failed attempts. many are frustrated ... discouraged. so much so that it probably wouldn't take much for them to just throw it in and give up. and you know what just might be that push? the organic rainbow lettuce brigade.
you know what, that food is certainly nutritious. no one is really going to argue that point. and is nutritious food better for your body than not-so-nutritious food? well, yeah. but here's the thing, ORLBs. that's an extreme change many -- if not most -- people can't make. and, yes, I said can't -- not won't. it isn't always as simple as just throwing away all the food you've got and restocking with fresh produce and tofu burgers. the first obstacle is cost. the second is ease/feasibility. and that's not even figuring in the fact that many -- if not most, again -- don't like to eat that food!
I get the concept that food is fuel. sometimes you have to eat things you may not like. but I'm not going to make it long by making that kind of food my only kind of food. that's no way to live, dreading your next meal. and most people won't. that's why diets fail. and that's why MFP works. because a calorie is a calorie.
Yes. You CAN eat 'normal' food. I'll eat pizza. I'll eat chocolate. I eat pasta and bread and even, now and then, a cookie or some candy. I lost 3.5 pounds this past week. I've lost more than 17 pounds in less than two months. and it's because I'm learning to keep my food portions under control. I keep under my calorie limit. I plan ahead if I know I'm going to have a larger meal or a higher-calorie treat that day. and if it just happens without planning and I decide to take that treat? that means a longer stint at the gym to burn those extra calories off.
the ORLBs will now start sputtering, 'but that's not healthy!' and to that, I'd like to ask if being obese is healthy. I think ... no. so. let's move to basic food math:
eating less of most the food I like, keeping calories under my limit = weight loss;
weight loss = a healthier me;
therefore, eating less of most the food I like, keeping calories under my limit = a healthier me.
shedding that extra weight automatically makes you healthier, no matter what it is you are eating. there's simply no way around that fact. now, that isn't to say that you shouldn't make smart decisions. that isn't to say that you shouldn't work to find 'healthy' foods that you like, working them into your daily life. but, like weight loss, that's a process. it doesn't need to happen overnight.
focus on what works. turn yourself into a better you. and do it in a way that will allow it to be a life change. and if, for you, that means 'normal' food? do it, and do it without any of the guilt you've been programmed or pressured to feel.
Amen! You tell them. A calorie is a calorie. The body doesn't know a lettuce calorie from a cake calorie. If I want to have pizza I just have eat less later.0 -
The ONLY foods I've cut completely out of my diet are those that have trans fats. And even those, if I'm at a party or something, I'll eat to be polite.
But if other want to eat that, that's their business. I agree with the OP. People need to lose weight in their own way. They can be educated, but they still need to make their own choices. My motto is if it works for you, that's what you should do.
Not everyone has the same goals or likes and dislikes.0 -
I actually see both sides of this one.
I'm a total junk-food addict - nothing is better to me in this life than a big slice of chocolate fudge cake and cream. To my delight, last year I was able to lose 39lbs through portion control, and still eating most of the yummy stuff I was eating before - cakes, crisps, chocolate, takeaways etc on a regular basis, just less often and in smaller quantities.
However, there were some days where I just couldn't resist that fudge cake, and to stay within my 1200 calorie limit I would therefore be able to eat precious little else for the rest of the day - not the healthiest way to be by anyone's standards. And while I felt a lot better than before, I honestly didn't feel as great as I thought I would. Plus towards the end of the year I started to hit the dreaded 'plateau'.
So this year I decided to make a change - I still wanted to lose weight which, of course, in itself makes for a much healthier lifestyle, but I also wanted to start feeling better and looking after my body so it's in great shape for later in life. So now I've over-hauled my diet - on a daily basis I eat plenty of fresh fruit and veg, seeds, nuts, wholegrain foods, organic lean meat and fish and soya, and I've 'cut out' (by this I don't mean totally, but only allow them once every few weeks as a true treat) the stuff we all know is bad - saturated fat, refined sugar and processed foods.
After 4 weeks I now find I don't even crave the bad stuff much, even though I've told myself that no food is off limits, just for treats only. Refined sugar in particular is like a drug - when you go without it for a while your body stops craving it. I've started losing weight again (1-2lbs a week) and I feel SO much better! I have more energy, my skin looks amazing and people have been telling me how great I look. I also sleep better and can concentrate when I had difficulty before.
It's absolutely true that you can still lose weight by eating saturated fat, refined sugar and processed foods daily. But I think I owe myself more than that. My Dad is 58 and has all manner of health problems - diabetes, high blood pressure, back and knee problems, to name a few. Most, if not all of these are down to him being obese for most of his life and eating junk (empty calories) as the basis of his daily diet. If he had just cut down on the junk and limited his portion sizes I have no doubt he would be much slimmer now, but I'm not convinced he'd be much healthier.
I think life's too short to go without food treats altogether - we all deserve these occasionally. But we also deserve to be healthy and feel great well into our old age. Losing weight shouldn't be the priority, it should be the side effect of giving your body all the nutrients it needs.0 -
Mmmmm....rainbow lettuce bridge.0
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DEAD ON!!!!!!!!
I started just tracking and found I really didn't need 8 meatballs I could live with 4 and some side. Or one pc of chicken and not 3.
I've list 10 lbs in just 2 weeks and I feel great!!!!
I never at veggies till I was an adult (nope my parents didn't even make me take that one profunctory bite) but now even if I'm having a veggie I'm not crazy about I know it fills me up and is good for me so I take one bite of my "good" food, eat all my veggie, and go back and slowly, happily finsish my "good" food.
I think it just comes down to planning. I know whats for dinner so I know what I can have for lunch.
I'm so glad someone took the time to make this point!!!0 -
totally agree!! You have to reward yourself here or there or else you will fall of the bus and be right back where you were at.
But why is junk food a reward? Why do you let your happiness be guided by food? Why not reward you with a massage, a night at the movies or going on vacation in Hawaii?
Yea if I had the money for that maybe i would. After 23 weeks of great eating, new PR's in the gym I might have a slice or two of pizza and a beer with my teammates. Its the social interaction and I like rewarding myself with food. I see no problem with it
This! If I could get a massage, a night out, or a tropical vacation for five bucks, I'd be one happy camper!
I don't consider eating pizza a reward, because it's part of my normal menu rotation. It's not so much the junk food or even taste aspect of it that's so appealing, it's that it's cheap and easy. I'm sure I could make a cauliflower crust, low sodium, all organic pizza that would be absolutely delicious, but there's some days when all I want to do is rip open a box of frozen pizza and have a delicious meal for two in less than a half hour for about five dollars. Cooked on a pizza stone, we generate exactly two dirty dishes and one dirty pizza cutter in the process. Cheap, quick, easy, delicious and mess free? I'm sold!
The four slices (half the pie) of DiGiorno Buffalo Style Pizza I had last night was 850 calories, about half my daily net calorie allowance and about average what I have for dinner. 43g of protein, which is a bit lower than a normal home-cooked meal for me, but close to half of the 100g I aim to get each day. Sodium is high, but I have no problems with blood pressure and I'm not going to flip out if I weigh a pound or two more in the morning.
I'm not a genetic freak blessed with a great metabolism. In fact, I always thought my metabolism was kind of slow. But I've busted my butt to raise my TDEE to counteract my middle-age metabolism. Because I really enjoy pizza night and want to continue it.0 -
for a while, I was seeing an abundance of "what's gonna happen to my boobs" threads. new batches daily, it seemed. but, lately, I'm seeing new folks coming in and asking if they can eat so-called 'normal' food. and, of course, soon thereafter they are informed by various members that, no, all of that food is terrible and they must stock their fridge with organic lettuce grown under the sunshine reflected off a tropical rainbow.
that really bothers me. people join this site, often, after years of failed attempts. many are frustrated ... discouraged. so much so that it probably wouldn't take much for them to just throw it in and give up. and you know what just might be that push? the organic rainbow lettuce brigade.
you know what, that food is certainly nutritious. no one is really going to argue that point. and is nutritious food better for your body than not-so-nutritious food? well, yeah. but here's the thing, ORLBs. that's an extreme change many -- if not most -- people can't make. and, yes, I said can't -- not won't. it isn't always as simple as just throwing away all the food you've got and restocking with fresh produce and tofu burgers. the first obstacle is cost. the second is ease/feasibility. and that's not even figuring in the fact that many -- if not most, again -- don't like to eat that food!
I get the concept that food is fuel. sometimes you have to eat things you may not like. but I'm not going to make it long by making that kind of food my only kind of food. that's no way to live, dreading your next meal. and most people won't. that's why diets fail. and that's why MFP works. because a calorie is a calorie.
Yes. You CAN eat 'normal' food. I'll eat pizza. I'll eat chocolate. I eat pasta and bread and even, now and then, a cookie or some candy. I lost 3.5 pounds this past week. I've lost more than 17 pounds in less than two months. and it's because I'm learning to keep my food portions under control. I keep under my calorie limit. I plan ahead if I know I'm going to have a larger meal or a higher-calorie treat that day. and if it just happens without planning and I decide to take that treat? that means a longer stint at the gym to burn those extra calories off.
the ORLBs will now start sputtering, 'but that's not healthy!' and to that, I'd like to ask if being obese is healthy. I think ... no. so. let's move to basic food math:
eating less of most the food I like, keeping calories under my limit = weight loss;
weight loss = a healthier me;
therefore, eating less of most the food I like, keeping calories under my limit = a healthier me.
shedding that extra weight automatically makes you healthier, no matter what it is you are eating. there's simply no way around that fact. now, that isn't to say that you shouldn't make smart decisions. that isn't to say that you shouldn't work to find 'healthy' foods that you like, working them into your daily life. but, like weight loss, that's a process. it doesn't need to happen overnight.
focus on what works. turn yourself into a better you. and do it in a way that will allow it to be a life change. and if, for you, that means 'normal' food? do it, and do it without any of the guilt you've been programmed or pressured to feel.
love you0 -
i love love love love love love this post and am so happy a "NEWBIE" realized this early in his journey....
i agree 100%....i eat chinese takeout every thurs night with my hubby and i bust my butt that day and the day before and the day after to get my calorie burn in and drink my water to flush the extra sodium and burn the extra calories....i also still drink diet coke and I'M NOT giving it up...i drink well over 100oz of water a day in addition to the 32oz of diet soda i drink....i know that diet can trigger the "sugars" or something and make you crave other sweets but it doesnt happen to me and a nice crisp icy diet coke is a treat for me....
in the last 4 years i have lost almost 80lbs and kept it off....i'm shooting for 20-30 more and IT WILL come in time...
could i be further along or been lower quicker if i had been more restrictive?? maybe but i wouldnt still be doing what i do and keeping my changes a part of my everyday life....
i have completed a 1/2 marathon at 225lbs in jan 2010 and have another at the end of this month (50lbs lighter)
i bettered my 5k time last weekend from last year by 6 mins....
i can RUN a 5K......
i can lift weights like a guy but still feel like a girl....
i have a NICE bicep...
i work out 6 times a week (typical weekly burn between 2500-3500 cals) including running, walking, elliptical, lifting weights, spin class, playing with my kids in the yard...
i drink 100+oz of water every day....
i eat 5-6 times a day healthy balanced meals/snacks....
i'm making changes that i can live with for the rest of my life....i'm not on a DIET so why should i feel like i am by making choices i can't live with???
so thank you to the original poster for making this thread....i have to be honest, i didnt go back and read all the replies and i hope that it doesnt turn into a well you should do this or you shouldnt do that thread...i hope those that read it take away just a little bit of the knowledge for us, TRIED AND TRUES, have to offer...0 -
Whether you eat a "natural" hamburger or a McDonald's hamburger, the body can't tell. Both meats will be broken down to it's simplest forms of amino acids and absorbed by the intestine and distributed to the muscle cells. This isn't a "belief" it's actual science. I would challenge you to find any information on human digestion that disagrees with it.I believe in what you (general you) put in your body reflects your risk of developing cancer and other diseases. I disagree with the poster who said as food is broken down into the same nutriments, it doesn't matter what you eat. I'm not going to bother arguing with him as he obviously has strong beliefs and I do to, just opposite ones.
All foods are "chemicals". They are broken up with "chemicals" in the body. In fact every action in the body is a "chemical" one including thinking.
Even an allergy to food is a "chemical" reaction.
As for cancer and diseases, while avoiding some foods may reduce risk, cancer and disease is based more on your genetics. You can eat perfect and exercise, etc. and still get it, while some who eat "bad" (meaning not getting in their essentials) doesn't exercise, smokes, etc. lives a full life with no disease. My grandmother died of old age and she smoked, ate pretty bad and didn't get hardly any exercise. If you talk to a vegan, they'll tell you meat in any form is a high risk for colon cancer. So if you're belief that cancer and disease is increased by meat, then you should stop eating that too. Like you said, you'll get over craving for it if that's your stance about cravings.
A.C.E. Certified Personal Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition0 -
I think this is a bit of an oversimplification of both sides.
I wouldn't call processed foods normal. They might be habit, but the fact that half the ingredients in most processed foods aren't food at all I don't think is normal. That's just me.
I enjoy eating healthy. I almost never eat salads personally, but I like my organic turkey burgers on whole wheat buns with organic romain lettuce and tomato and cheese with a side of sweet potato fries. The whole meal is less than 500 calories and it's all healthy and I don't consider it a "swap" for any food I'd rather have. My life got so much better when I learned to cook great food in a clean and healthy way. After about two weeks of cleaning up my eating habits I stopped craving any of those foods. I haven't eaten fast food in 10 weeks. I've gone out to eat a couple of times but our resteraunt choices, my choices off the menu, and my portion sizes have changed a lot. I do not treat food as a reward, even if it tastes amazing.
But here's the thing. I didn't jump straight into clean, healthy food when I started losing weight. The changes I made were slow and deliberate. One week I swapped out our regular skim milk for organic. Then I swapped out most of our cheeses for organic and low fat. Then one week I swapped out our thin skinned veggies with organic versions. I researched what foods are best eaten organic and swapped those out. I think all in all my grocery bill has gone up about $15 overall. Worth it, I think, especially since we don't really spend money eating out anymore.
Eating this way is a personal choice and not one I regret. I don't miss any food in particular and I still make pizza and burgers and chinese food at home. I still have desert. There are still some processed foods in my diet, but not as much. I don't think it's just a scale thing. For me it's the way I feel. I feel better and I like not craving certain foods anymore. I like controlling what I eat and when. If you don't want to do it this way, that's fine, but I don't think there's anything wrong with it either.0 -
You won't see change until you CHANGE.
That's kind of the point.
Michael Pollan says it best: Eat Food, not too much, mostly plants.
...but...
by Food, he means things that your grandmother would consider food, things that will actually rot in days if not weeks if left on the counter, things that contain less than 5 ingredients, all of which are recognizable to normal people. Oh, you mean "Normal" food? Yes, that's what "Normal" is.
Pizza Rolls and processed potato paste reconstituted and fried in an oil that needs 12 modifiers is not normal.
You don't have to buy certified organic lettuce grown in sheep peat on the north slope of Tuscan hills. Just eat lettuce once in a while. Regular grocery store lettuce. (And eat it without covering it in Ranch dressing - BTW, every read the ingredients of most salad dressings?)0 -
ORLB!! I love it!!!!!! I call them vultures...their the ones that sense weakness and that pick apart the new person until there is nothing left but a pile of bones and the person sits there thinking, 'what the heck just happened?' But I do like ORLB too!!!0
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What should be taken away from this is that IF you are getting in the correct amount of macro/micro nutrients, exercising, getting enough rest, reducing stress and drinking enough water, chances are that indulging in "junk" food shouldn't really hurt you as long as you're not exceeding a calorie goal. Restriction, abstaining, and eliminating actual foods that you like has been the bane for many a dieter since it's usually by doing this that they gain the weight back. I know it because I've had clients do great on restricted diets, get to goal and only to regain back most of the weight. I currently DON'T advocate diet to my clients, but try to make sure that they hit the macro/ micro nutrients required and stay under calories limits I set for them. There is a HUGE difference in those clients that do this since weight regain amongst them is minimal compared to the way I used to do it with restrictive measures on carbs, sugars, etc.
I don't advocate only eating fast foods, junk food, or all processed foods for meals. Personally I eat 80% good and the other 20% is whatever I feel like eating. But you can definitely have a GREAT life and enjoy foods you like as long as you follow good guide lines. It DOESN'T have to come to the extreme of only eating "healthy" all the time.
A.C.E. Certified Personal Trainer
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Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition0
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