Should I eat McDonalds?

BecomingElle
BecomingElle Posts: 112 Member
in Food and Nutrition
I'm really craving it! Hahaha

If I do choose to have it, it won't be until tomorrow for lunch (planning ahead!). I'll just have a small chips and a McChicken burger with no mayonnaise, and I can easily fit it into my calorie intake (1,250).

I'm torn between my "within calorie goal = okay" mentality (as I want to live like this forever, a lifestyle change) and that little voice in my head that's like "NO. People on MFP will hate you because you're trying to lose weight and eating junk! BAD" Hahaha

I suppose this also applies to other areas of my diet... should I work in some chocolate/treats every day into my daily intake? I think that as long as its within my target calories its okay, but that just can't be right! I can't possibly lose eating junk....can I?

To eat McDonalds or to not? That is the question...
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Replies

  • MeliJean78
    MeliJean78 Posts: 249
    No. I haven't had McDonalds in years ... don't do it!
  • dhakiyya
    dhakiyya Posts: 481 Member
    My view is that if you really want to eat something, and it's within your calorie allowance, then it's better to have it and enjoy it than to start to obsess over it. I let myself have junk food once or twice a week if I really want it, also a high calorie meal can boost your metabolism.... provided that you're not having them too often and you're staying within your calorie allowance and eating healthy the rest of the time. i.e. the 90% rule... if 90% of what you eat is healthy then the other 10% won't hurt.

    The exception would be if someone can't have one thing as a treat because then they're unable to stop eating treats/junk, or if you're allergic/intolerant to the food in question. In those situations never having those foods would be a better option. But IMO if you can have a treat meal/snack without it making you ill or messing up your eating for the rest of the week, then go for it.

    For me it wouldn't be McD's though, there's better and more filling junk food out there!!
  • simatif
    simatif Posts: 32
    I do it now and then. I try to keep it within my cals for the day, and i know i will notice it on the scale for a few days after ( sodium) There are quite a few cheats I have from time to time, you're allowed ;) But, if you think it will open a pandora's box, wait until you are ready.
  • shaycat
    shaycat Posts: 980
    The last time I ate there I got the worst tummy ache! It fit into my calories, but I still regretted it.
    If you are really craving it then do it. You may notice how gross it seems to you now and you wont crave it again.
    I mean I cant even look at the chicken, it is so processed and nasty. I dont know how I use to eat there so much before.
  • AlyRoseNYC
    AlyRoseNYC Posts: 1,075 Member
    Yeah, why not? Make it fit into your daily calorie allowance.
  • TrophyWifeSass
    TrophyWifeSass Posts: 490 Member
    Only if you like it. Have the cals for it eat it. Not difficult.
  • moea432
    moea432 Posts: 75 Member
    if your craving it i would say do it otherwise you could indulge on other things to fill in the craving....but do it minimally and maybe even exercise a little more that day!
  • cheesy_blasters
    cheesy_blasters Posts: 283 Member
    In my mind, it's better to plan ahead and eat something you normally wouldn't than deny yourself and end up binging on something worse later on because you're craving it.
  • geo4314
    geo4314 Posts: 6
    I would eat it,,,and occasionally I do,,,everything in moderation,,,and have never noticed a difference on the scale:
  • BigDaddyBRC
    BigDaddyBRC Posts: 2,395 Member
    If it fits your calorie goals, eat it if you want it.

    /endthread
  • myfitnessnmhoy
    myfitnessnmhoy Posts: 2,105 Member
    There are no wrong answers if you can fit it into your caloric intake and you concentrate on filling the rest of your calories that day with very healthy food. Also, watch the sodium - it'll probably kick you up an extra pound or two the next day. Don't panic.
  • dodgersprincess
    dodgersprincess Posts: 77
    I love McDonalds too, but what I would do it put it in the diary 1-4 days in advance (I am going to do this too since I am going to Carrows on monday and it worked this year for my birthay) and plan the other meals around it. Then make sure you head to the gym each day afterward and before. My TOPS pals just say to plan your day accordingly.
  • LovingLisa2012
    LovingLisa2012 Posts: 775 Member
    for me, I am not on a diet ..so unless I plan on never having mcd's again .. then yes, I eat it and fit it into my calories
    it doesn't mean I eat it every day .. but every now and then is fine ...

    enjoy your meal
  • EvanKeel
    EvanKeel Posts: 1,904 Member
    Never try to fit a lifestyle change decision to what you think MFPers (or anyone else really) will think of you. Unless you live the rest of your life based on whether or not random people approve of what you're doing.

    Enjoy the McDonalds if you can work it in.
  • stacymama5
    stacymama5 Posts: 391 Member
    My view is that if you really want to eat something, and it's within your calorie allowance, then it's better to have it and enjoy it than to start to obsess over it.

    I totally agree with this, however I don't eat at McDonalds. If I have fast food its usually Subway or grilled chicken w/no mayo on a wheat bun at Sonic.
  • cwatson1214
    cwatson1214 Posts: 88 Member
    Can you choose another fast food place to help satisfy your craving???? Chik-fil-A is ,uch better, Wendys next. McDonalds is the worst. I know it is tasty but what about pink slime?????
  • tnmomof3
    tnmomof3 Posts: 177
    no mcdonalds for me jus gross
  • taso42
    taso42 Posts: 8,980 Member
    I think that as long as its within my target calories its okay, but that just can't be right! I can't possibly lose eating junk....can I?

    It sounds like you know that you can, but you're just being superstitious or something. Have the McDonald's for chrissakes.

    edited to fix typo
  • psideon
    psideon Posts: 24
    I say eat it. Satisfy your cravings (maybe reduce the portion size so you get the emotional fix and less of a calorie hit) and move on. One meal a week is fine. God willing, you'll probably find that after not having it for so long, it no longer holds as much satisfaction as your remember. Diet Coke and fast food burgers now taste strange and funky for me after just 2.5 weeks of eating healthy.

    Work through it and Good Luck!
  • BecomingElle
    BecomingElle Posts: 112 Member
    I guess it all really comes down to myself and what I can live with, like you're all saying :) hahaha

    But on a side note, I live in Australia so McDonalds isn't quite as bad and/or big as it can be in the U.S! Hahaha Of course it's still fatty fast food
  • direwolfprincess
    direwolfprincess Posts: 261 Member
    I am torn as well. Personally I would probably end up doing it, regretting it and moving on. I can't deny I did love the food there.

    However if it is a matter of cravings you can choose to satiate them or have you ever seen the "if you are craving this... eat this...? Here is a link:

    http://www.naturopathyworks.com/pages/cravings.php

    I can guarantee it isn't infallible because darn it when I want chocolate I don't want nuts and seeds, legumes, fruits but it is worth a try for a lot of constant cravings. I am not one for the holistic approach but still thought it was a great resource.
  • BigBrewski
    BigBrewski Posts: 922 Member
    I think that as long as its within my target calories its okay, but that just can't be right! I can't possibly lose eating junk....can I?

    It sounds like you that you can, but you're just being superstitious or something. Have the McDonald's for chrissakes.

    ^^^What he said.

    If it fits in the calories then go for it. You need ot have rewards here and there to keep going as others have said if you don't take a reward here and there you may just take one GIANT reward and be sorry after.
  • Nessiechickie
    Nessiechickie Posts: 1,392 Member
    I would say yes, as i don't think one meal will change much on your body.
    But eating it could cause later cravings for it. Hope this makes sense. I find this happens for me.
    But if i go a long time without say carbs or even Mc****s then i don't crave it.
  • Beezil
    Beezil Posts: 1,677 Member
    Yes.
  • BecomingElle
    BecomingElle Posts: 112 Member
    I think that as long as its within my target calories its okay, but that just can't be right! I can't possibly lose eating junk....can I?

    It sounds like you that you can, but you're just being superstitious or something. Have the McDonald's for chrissakes.

    You're right I'm being a bit petty hahaha

    My mind is just trying to figure its way around the fact that if the portion is small enough, I can basically eat what I want... Very different approach to weight loss than what I've been used to! :)
  • Dave198lbs
    Dave198lbs Posts: 8,810 Member
    so many more tasty choices...why settle for less?
  • GasMasterFlash
    GasMasterFlash Posts: 2,206 Member
    Wow. Nobody's posted the pink slime pic yet? Where are the McParanoid folks?
  • Thomasm198
    Thomasm198 Posts: 3,189 Member
    If you can't find a place selling real burgers then have the McDonalds.
  • AlyRoseNYC
    AlyRoseNYC Posts: 1,075 Member
    FYI, if you look in my diary, last Friday I had McDonald's.

    I had two cheeseburgers, medium fries, diet coke (lol), a packet of Hot Mustard sauce, and four packets of ketchup. I ate EVERY. SINGLE. BITE. And I enjoyed it too. Yummmmmmmmy!!!!!!!

    I didn't log my dinner that night but I had some steak and shrimp lolipops and a few pieces of fried shrimp as well. I made sure to drink TONS of water that day. The next day, I had a pretty significant weight loss. I'm not saying that this is typical for everyone, I was suprised myself that I had not gained some water weight. What I'm trying to say is that one day of indulgence is not the end-all of your weight loss progress. As long as it does not become a habit, I think you should eat what you want.

    We need to learn self-control here, while still eating the things we love. Just my two cents...
  • chapparra27
    chapparra27 Posts: 115 Member
    I'm really craving it! Hahaha

    If I do choose to have it, it won't be until tomorrow for lunch (planning ahead!). I'll just have a small chips and a McChicken burger with no mayonnaise, and I can easily fit it into my calorie intake (1,250).

    I'm torn between my "within calorie goal = okay" mentality (as I want to live like this forever, a lifestyle change) and that little voice in my head that's like "NO. People on MFP will hate you because you're trying to lose weight and eating junk! BAD" Hahaha

    I suppose this also applies to other areas of my diet... should I work in some chocolate/treats every day into my daily intake? I think that as long as its within my target calories its okay, but that just can't be right! I can't possibly lose eating junk....can I?

    To eat McDonalds or to not? That is the question...
    This is a lifestyle change not a diet! Can you never again eat Mcdonalds? If not then have it in moderation.....everything in moderation! If it fits in your goals then yes have it otherwise you will obsess over it and begin to hate the process! DO NOT DEPRIVE YOURSELF OF ANYTHING! Just be smart about how often you have it.
    Now enjoy your Mcchicken and fries :)

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