If i did not make it im not going to eat it

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Is anyone on here doing anything similar to If you didnt make it yourself and exactly what is in it then you dont eat it. How is it working out for you. I know this is something that i need to start doing and get over the comfort and laziness of packaged food. Do you just pack snacks and such everywhere you go. are you feeling better more healthy??
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Replies

  • Acg67
    Acg67 Posts: 12,142 Member
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    No, because that is an utterly silly mindset
  • jamiesadler
    jamiesadler Posts: 634 Member
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    I try to do this most of the time. I pack my lunch with snacks the night before and if I know I am going to be out then I will have a big breakfast or take a bag of snacks with me.
  • Rae6503
    Rae6503 Posts: 6,294 Member
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    What about bread and pasta?
  • TavistockToad
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member
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    i like eating out too much to follow that rule!
  • Pandorian
    Pandorian Posts: 2,055 MFP Moderator
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    bread and pasta are super easy to make yourself, I'm making bread today... chili for dinner but fresh pasta is in the cards this week :)
    That said my car always has a couple cans of kipper snacks, as well as a sleeve of almonds or small jar of them, whichever I happen to grab. Pre-packaged in the case of the kipper snacks but they are convenient snack in a pinch ;)
  • ethompso0105
    ethompso0105 Posts: 418 Member
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    I won't make all the bits and pieces (I eat a lot of yogurt, for instance), but most meals I try to make myself. I started eating gluten free about 3 months ago, so rather than spend exorbitant amounts of money on pre-packaged gluten free food, I make a lot of my own. As far as weight loss, I haven't really noticed much of a difference. My stomach, however, knows when I've made something as compared to pre-made food. Knowing what you're putting in your body helps. Just don't go overboard--there's nothing wrong with SOME pre-made foods.
  • tannerjared
    tannerjared Posts: 29 Member
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    I have been doing that for a while now. The rewards are amazing. You always know what to log when you make it yourself. Yes I pack my homemade snacks for work and make a lunch. it is a little difficult at first to not just stop somewhere real fast, but it actually takes me less time to make my food now than to go out somewhere. If you do it you will be grateful, and lose weight in the process. It is much easier to make healthy choices.
  • hauer01
    hauer01 Posts: 523 Member
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    I, for years, was an "eat on the run" kind of person. I still am to an extent. But know there is much more planning involved. Every Sunday is "cooking day" for me. I cook everything that I will need for the week. I live alone, so I only cook for me. Many times I will make a soup, package a couple of servings for me during the week and package the rest in the freezer for me to pull out some other week. At first, this was overwhelming. But now, after doing this for about a month, it's not so bad. Cook a meal or two, pull a left over meal or two from the freezer. All of a sudden, the week is planned. No more pre-made,boxed food.
  • LoraF83
    LoraF83 Posts: 15,694 Member
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    I'm not that extreme.....but I cut out almost all processed food - except items that have ingredients in them that I recognize. If it has chemicals, preservatives, or additives, I don't buy it (with the exception of the coffee creamer that I love.....). I also gave up fast food and soda. I will eat in restaurants, but no fast food (going on 8 weeks now!).
    It wasn't easy at first, but now I feel so much better. My skin is brighter and my hair is shinier. I'm not perfect at this whole thing yet, but I do mostly just eat what I make at home. I take my lunch and snacks to work with me. Feel free to add me and we can swap recepies and tips!
  • PinkEarthMama
    PinkEarthMama Posts: 987 Member
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    I make a big portion of our food... but I eat out once a week with Hubby. I just try to remember that 1x a week won't kill me, and make healthier choices.
  • onedayillbamilf
    onedayillbamilf Posts: 662 Member
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    I'm finding the more I cook, the more I prefer my cooking over restaurant food....mainly because learning to cook is like a new little adventure for me so it's especially exciting when it's edible!! BUT, we still go out to eat once or twice a week because I want to. And I like it.
  • anasf139
    anasf139 Posts: 101
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    6 days out of 7 I stick to this, well kind of. Fruit and salad to do buy prepackaged sometimes but everything else I make myself. Generally it goes fine as long as I am organised and plan ahead. I tend to eat very low carbs so dont worry too much about bread and pasta because I tend to eat those one a week if that. The biggest probelem for me is socialising, I end up having to meet people for lunch/diner at home where I know what's in my food or one on 2/3 restaurants.
  • merilynb111
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    Its a good practice to get into but I wouldnt call it a 'rule' as there are always going to be exceptions. I find it fairly easier now that I no longer work but even when I works I wasnt so difficult. I grow most of my food and buy fresh protein (chicken, red meat, fish, dairy etc). I enjoy the whole food preparation and thinking of new ways of cooking or presenting meals. Snacks out can be difficult so take a piece of fruit- apple travels well. Other than that if I am out I try to do 'nil by mouth'. That way you just get into the habit of associating food wih home only. Good luck
  • grinch031
    grinch031 Posts: 1,679
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    My philosophy is that its too tedious and impractical to live like that, and I just don't see myself succeeding like this in the long term. You have to pick your battles.

    Start with the worst offenders and work backwards. Not all processed foods are equally bad. First thing I cut out is trans fats. Then I cut out refined carbs and sugar. And so on.
  • fitniknik
    fitniknik Posts: 713 Member
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    Impossible! Thats not a lifestyle thats a unrealistic obstacle you have set up for yourself that you will ultimatly fail at. Eating in moderation- realistic. If you want to do this your whole life do things you can actually do your whole life!
  • meshashesha2012
    meshashesha2012 Posts: 8,326 Member
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    I'm pretty much starting to do this. But I also have been recently diagnosed with a gluten allergy and since gluten is in just about everything, i have to be careful what i buy. there are things that I ate before that I can still theoretically eat now during my weight loss phase, but I stopped because of the allergy. Now I'm learning to cook more so I can modify these things and bring them back to my diet. So far I've done pretty well with gluten free veggie lo mein, protein bars, replacement soy sauce.
  • 2012x
    2012x Posts: 149 Member
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    Kinda like clean eating.
    What im trying to do 80% of the time
  • mandacloye
    mandacloye Posts: 26 Member
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    I don't adhere to "if I didn't make it I don't eat it", but one thing that REALLY helps me is portioning almost everything when I bring it into the house. I do this so meal preparation is easier, esp when I need to pack quick for work. It is already in the amount I need. My family was "fore-warned" of my intentions, and actually were ok with it. Hope this helps some.
  • amuhlou
    amuhlou Posts: 693 Member
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    My philosophy is cook as much as possible and carefully read the labels on anything pre-packaged. Avoid weird sounding chemicals. Research ingredients that sound suspect. For example, once you try to avoid BHA or BHT in cereal, your options get very limited.

    At work I usually eat 2 snacks and lunch. It's a lot to pack but I wouldn't have it any other way. On weekends I'm much less regimented about the schedule.

    I enjoy cooking, so this is what works for me. I know that's not the case for everyone.
  • Jorra
    Jorra Posts: 3,338 Member
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    Do you grow your own wheat and make it into flour too? Do you raise the cow and butcher it yourself?

    No matter what, at some point, your food is at the mercy of another's hands.