Pros/Cons to making Food Diary public??

classycouture
classycouture Posts: 888 Member
in Motivation and Support
Is your food diary public? Do you think it helps in the long run to have a public diary?

Currently, mine is private. I think I'm afraid that if I have a "bad" day, I'll be embarrassed to fully log it, thus, cheating myself by not putting it in my diary. But then again, maybe knowing that I have to log everything will help prevent me from having a "bad" day!

What are your thoughts??

Replies

  • WhitneyAnnabelle
    WhitneyAnnabelle Posts: 724 Member
    I have a key to mine. I give it to anyone who asks, but some days I turn it back to private. Then people come asking why they can't see it. Haha. I don't really like having it public because I don't eat a lot (naturally), and I don't feel like being chastised about it. I do see the pros, though, if you know you eat unhealthfully, and you want someone to look good and hard at what you're taking in, then it's good to have it public I'm guessing. I like it when I can see other people's diaries, so I'm not sure why I don't just make mine public. I guess I'm just selfish, haha. And vain about my eating.
  • TurtleTape
    TurtleTape Posts: 254 Member
    On one hand, people can give you help and tips. On the other...people can give you help and tips >.>

    Mine is private because I'm still trying to get some things under control, namely sodium, and I don't want people looking and griping at me for processed foods and that kind of thing. With $300 left on a school meal plan and the only options being the restaurants on campus to use that money on(or let my money go to waste), processed/take out is about the only option much of the time.
  • pinuplove
    pinuplove Posts: 12,871 Member
    Mine is public and has been since I became fully active here about a month ago. I've had no cons. Nobody has ever commented negatively on it, and I've had less than perfect days. Having it open usually makes me think twice about eating something I don't need, so in that way it's a benefit to me.
  • echoica
    echoica Posts: 339 Member
    i like the accountability of having it public. i want honest feedback whether it hurts or not because i really want to succeed in this journey in a healthy manner. there is no half-way for me :)
  • adamtall
    adamtall Posts: 275 Member
    mine is public because i really dont care what others say or think about it and i know i have lied to myself for years what would stop me from doing it now. I feel im strong enough to take the brunt of any crticisim that comes to me (mainly because I use quick calories because its quicker for me to log them) and if i really dont like what someones saying or disagree with it i dont listen to them.

    i can understand why some people do the private diarys because for some people it is easier to be completly honest with it if you know your the only one that will call yourself on it.
  • classycouture
    classycouture Posts: 888 Member
    Thank you all for your input! I'm going to seriously consider it. It may be what I need!
  • CMmrsfloyd
    CMmrsfloyd Posts: 2,380 Member
    Mine is set so that my friends can view it but I have no interest in making it public to the rest of the world. 147 people being able to comment on it is enough. LOL
  • Scorpioangel
    Scorpioangel Posts: 951 Member
    Mine is open to people on my friends list. I don't eat what people think I eat by the way I look, I found what works for me and I do it. I log everything even on what some may say are "bad days" just for my personal records. What I do works for me and I have been criticized on my carbs, etc. but look at my abs :) Carbs aren't hurting this girl :)
  • michelleinpa
    michelleinpa Posts: 68 Member
    LOL, I've been begging for a Diary review and can't get two people to so much as glance at it - - so it's public and I honestly can't think of a con. Feedback would be welcome good or bad.
  • hepsi
    hepsi Posts: 27 Member
    Mine is private...I do not like the idea of a stranger commenting about my food habits....no offence but unless I know the friend is an experienced nutritionist, their advise could be wrong....even though the note nation is right....
  • hepsi
    hepsi Posts: 27 Member
    Mine is private...I do not like the idea of a stranger commenting about my food habits....no offence but unless I know the friend is an experienced nutritionist, their advise could be wrong....even though the note nation is right....

    I meant even though the intention is right....damn dictionary and auto correct....
  • Runningirl7284
    Runningirl7284 Posts: 274 Member
    PUBLIC! I do not make 100% perfect decisions all day every day. BUT if you have a public diary it keeps you much more aware of every little thing you are eating and logging b/c you do have it for all your friends to see. My friend keeps hers private she is too ashamed for me to see what she ate each and every day....she is not losing weight. Do it.
  • Beastette
    Beastette Posts: 1,497 Member
    Visible, just to friends.

    The problem is that I know that I can stay under calories, and still eat like crap. Which is fine, because you can still lose weight with that approach. But I don't care if no one actually looks at it, knowing it's out there takes the secrecy out of it. I don't want to hide what I'm eating because I want to have nothing to hide.
  • CheleLynn44
    CheleLynn44 Posts: 339 Member
    Mine is public, I have no problem with people seeing what I am eating. Pretty much every Thursday I am over cause its my one day if I have a craving that is when I eat it. I try very hard to log everything I put in my mouth. I have not had any negative comments or reactions to my diary and I have been losing every week so far except one week I stayed the same. Plus if someone can get ideas from my diary then that's a positive too.

    My mom knows I'm looking at her diary everyday and she says it helps her stay on track!! LoL
  • nayrairam
    nayrairam Posts: 35
    I keep it public! I am not a very healthy eater most days and haven't received any criticism. I have to eat and sometimes what I have available to me isn't healthy. Most people understand that. I like having the accountability and the records. My main reason for keeping it open is because I thoroughly enjoy looking at other people's food diaries to get ideas!
  • Vash41288
    Vash41288 Posts: 41
    I eat what I can, and what seems the healthiest. I am currently at a set budget So I try with what I got,however
    No one has glanced at any of my diary stuff or mentioned anything at all. It would be nice for some feedback though but eh. So far though its all been good for me :)
  • JanieJack
    JanieJack Posts: 3,831 Member
    Mine is visible to friends, for a couple reasons:

    - so they can keep me accountable
    - so I can help them (they see what I eat and what I'm doing and they can do it too)
    - because I wanted to be able to prove to folks that when I say I work out a lot and don't eat that much they see it's true. I'm not eating chips and ice cream all night.

    People on this site can be pretty mean at times, I'm seeing, but most of the comments have been helpful (and mean people are easily defriended)
  • poledance
    poledance Posts: 15
    Mine is public and has been since I became fully active here about a month ago. I've had no cons. Nobody has ever commented negatively on it, and I've had less than perfect days. Having it open usually makes me think twice about eating something I don't need, so in that way it's a benefit to me.
  • AZKristi
    AZKristi Posts: 1,801 Member
    MIne is usually open to friends, although I only have a few Real Life friends on MFP. I wouldn't want everyone I work with for example seeing my food diary. Sometimes, if I'm struggling consistently and start feeling embarrased, I'll switch it to private for a bit. I love that MFP lets me go back and forth.

    Ultimately when its public, someone can scroll back and see those bad days, but that doesn't bother me as long as I'm doing relatively well in the present.
  • JennyB05
    JennyB05 Posts: 2
    I believe in choosing for yourself and what suits your needs. I don't have any pros or cons either way because it's such a personal decision.
  • Tonnina
    Tonnina Posts: 979 Member
    Mine is open to friends. Usually they are pretty good about it... Very helpful and encouraging. I had one friend harass me about not eating back my calories (my choice) when I told them my plans and why I don't eat them back they didn't stop. So I got rid of them.
  • amykathleen2005
    amykathleen2005 Posts: 79 Member
    LOL, I've been begging for a Diary review and can't get two people to so much as glance at it - - so it's public and I honestly can't think of a con. Feedback would be welcome good or bad.

    I am impressed by your fiber intake, that has been one of my goals! Doesn't that hurt your stomach though?
  • sevencallmemom
    sevencallmemom Posts: 505 Member
    Mine has almost always been private because I don't feel like I need help with my fuel choices at this point and well intentioned comments from people that disagree with those choices aren't something I'm up for.
  • wittlelacey
    wittlelacey Posts: 391 Member
    I keep mine private. I personally feel like it's nobody's business what I'm eating. I don't necessarily eat "clean" and I'm not always exactly on my calorie goal-sometimes I'm a few hundred (coincidentally) below my goal. It's hard to please everyone, so I'm focusing on pleasing myself. I'm happy with the amount of calories I consume and I'm content with what I'm eating. I don't need other people telling me what's wrong, how to improve, etc. I know this website promotes helping others, but there's a difference between critiquing and making suggestions. So far, I've received way too many snide comments on things I don't plan on changing so I'm keeping to myself. I didn't intend for this to seem like a rant, but I feel very strongly about keeping my choices to myself :) This mostly stems from the obvious fact that my parents aren't too supportive about my healthier eating habits. I eat far better than most people I know, but as well as I could and not nearly as well as "clean" eaters I've run into on MFP. Even if there were things I wanted to change, it would hardly be an option. I'm content, and that's all that matters!
  • msespresso
    msespresso Posts: 153 Member
    Mine is open to my friends, but not public. I have bad days, but my goal is clean eating and I believe having that accountability (that someone could look if they wanted) helps. The friends I've made here so far have been nothing but encouraging!

    Also, when I'm on track and making good choices, my diary can be an inspiration to my friends.

    I think it's a personal choice, but I have seen random people on message boards criticize other people's diaries and eating habits... as someone who struggles with emotional eating, I'd rather not have someone criticize me when I'm having a bad day!

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