my diet concerns for some members of mfp

I totally understand your concern for other people, but what I have learned from responding to posts or from reading posts is that you cannot really voice your concern because alot of times you will get blasted for it. Different things work for different people and if its working for them, they will be completely resistant to your suggestions. I see plenty of food diaries that consist of small snacks rather than real meals. I see people eating 1000 or less calories and being congratulated for that. Yes they are losing weight but that will not work for them in the long run but who are we to tell them otherwise. its something they will have to figure out on their own. I see plenty of people eating like birds and losing 1-2 lbs per week while I am eating over 2,000 calories per day and only losing 1/2 lb per week (granted Im only looking to lose a few lbs). I would rather know that I can eat over 2,000 calories per day and still lose weight at a slower rate then eat very little to the point where I am hungry all the time and feel like Im starving myself.

The best thing that you can do in my opinion, is focus on YOUR goals and make sure you are doing what you need to be doing for YOU!

Be concerned about your own diet and let others be concerned about theirs, unless they ask for your help. Regardless of what your personal issues with food are, no one likes to be called out on it by a total stranger. If someone asks, offer your best, non-judgmental help. But if they don't, it's really better to mind your own business.

I find other people's diaries fascinating.
Some tend to eat foods that I consider total rubbish, but they're losing weight & doing really well, so good on them.
I also love reading about all the 'diet' products you guys have in the U.S - so many things already tailored for weight-loss. We have nowhere near the amount over here, so it seems (for want of a better word) 'easier' in America to grab something low-cal & prepackaged all ready to go straight off the shelf.
It makes me a bit jealous actually, but then I remember all the things I've heard about food in the USA (absolutely HUGE portions, cheap 'junk food', and a very high obesity rate) and realise that the journey is just as difficult for all of you as it is for those of us down here.
So, I love seeing all the different diaries, and seeing how everyone is tacking their own individual goals, plus I get lots of ideas to try. Just yesterday I was so excited to find Laughing Cow cheese in my local supermarket (I wasn't even looking for it) and knew it was something I'd heard about on here so bought some to try. And it's ok - a bit plastic & fake tasting, but at 20-something cals I'm happy to give it a go

I see a lot of concerning food attitudes and behaviour, as well as many food diaries that are cringe worthy. Particularly among the younger female set. It seems now that thinner is always better no matter the cost. When I graduated high school I weighed 130 at 5' 3.5, word a size six and had full blown curves. I never thought I was too fat. I loved my body and took care of it. The seeming prevalence of what strikes me as borderline eating disorders here is upsetting.

I have my goal set for .5 loss per week, but I usually try to eat closer to my 1 pound goal. So many days it looks like I undereat calories when in reality I just want that wiggle room to be able to eat a little more sometimes without going red. I cam eat to my upper calorie goal and still know I'm in a deficit. But I try to always eat real food.

I find other people's diaries fascinating.
Some tend to eat foods that I consider total rubbish, but they're losing weight & doing really well, so good on them.
I also love reading about all the 'diet' products you guys have in the U.S - so many things already tailored for weight-loss. We have nowhere near the amount over here, so it seems (for want of a better word) 'easier' in America to grab something low-cal & prepackaged all ready to go straight off the shelf.
It makes me a bit jealous actually, but then I remember all the things I've heard about food in the USA (absolutely HUGE portions, cheap 'junk food', and a very high obesity rate) and realise that the journey is just as difficult for all of you as it is for those of us down here.
So, I love seeing all the different diaries, and seeing how everyone is tacking their own individual goals, plus I get lots of ideas to try. Just yesterday I was so excited to find Laughing Cow cheese in my local supermarket (I wasn't even looking for it) and knew it was something I'd heard about on here so bought some to try. And it's ok - a bit plastic & fake tasting, but at 20-something cals I'm happy to give it a go

Don't be too jealous! Most of those packaged diet foods are either really high in sodium, sugar, or contain artificial sweeteners and a list of ingredients I can't even begin to pronounce. You (general you) are so much better off learning to eat real food in proper portions. You are right about portion sizes here - they are enormously bloated. In some fast food places a 'medium' soda is 32 ounces!

I don't think the OP was trying to bash anyone, just giving his two cents

I totally understand your concern for other people, but what I have learned from responding to posts or from reading posts is that you cannot really voice your concern because alot of times you will get blasted for it. Different things work for different people and if its working for them, they will be completely resistant to your suggestions. I see plenty of food diaries that consist of small snacks rather than real meals. I see people eating 1000 or less calories and being congratulated for that. Yes they are losing weight but that will not work for them in the long run but who are we to tell them otherwise. its something they will have to figure out on their own. I see plenty of people eating like birds and losing 1-2 lbs per week while I am eating over 2,000 calories per day and only losing 1/2 lb per week (granted Im only looking to lose a few lbs). I would rather know that I can eat over 2,000 calories per day and still lose weight at a slower rate then eat very little to the point where I am hungry all the time and feel like Im starving myself.

The best thing that you can do in my opinion, is focus on YOUR goals and make sure you are doing what you need to be doing for YOU!

Hey that is well said,

I don't open my mouth or type because i don't want to upset people, however if i see someone meeting their calorie target with 80%plus nutritious food i will compliment them as they are the examples for everyone else.

thats a good point about being full and losing slowly... its how it should be and that way you will stick to it.

Everyone... how good does she look!!!!!!!!! you look AWESOME

This is my personal opinion... If you have information or knowledge you want to share with me, I am completely open and want to hear it. The more I can learn and the healthier I can be the better. If you have some expertise in the area, then by all means share what you feel is appropriate. I would never "blast" someone when they share their experience or knowledge with me. I am like a sponge.... I will take everything in, what works for me I keep, what does not- I let go.
I think some people may have unrealistic goals. I personally expected that as heavy as I am and what seemed like a drastic eating change, I would have lost more, more quickly. I have lost and gained the same 2 lbs over the last 2 weeks. So, I am tweaking things to see what really works for me. And others may be doing the same. I think one of my issues may be that I am under estimating the amount of food I am eating. I don't measure...except salad dressing. I just use the palm, cards, dice est. So, I may be eating more qty than what I log.
Ignorance is bliss... and if people are doing something that is not good for them and you could say something that MIGHT help... don't hold your tongue for fear of backlash. Stand your ground. Share what you know. There is a lot of BS out there..if people have half a brain or care, they can figure that out for themselves.