McD habit: must I squash it?

You're an adult, and we aren't the food police. You have to work out what you can live with long-term. If that includes lunch at McD's that's up to you.

She is asking for advice, not the food police. Right place too if you ask me

In my opinion the calories are just half the story. Too much sodium, lack of protein, lack of fibre, too much saturated fat, artificial sweetners, addictive nature of fast food, surrounded by like minded people etc etc

I used to eat there as it was convenient however although I miss virtually EVERY food from my previous eating habits, McDs isnt one of them

Google how McD's nuggets are made. I'm pretty confident this would cease the habit.

Yeah I gotta agree with this one... and it wouldn't hurt to watch Super Size Me (I know that's WAY more extreme then what you are eating but it did help me get turned-off to fast food in general and helped me to resist eating it).

I personally think that YES you should cut back. I don't think multiple visits per week to McD is healthy even if you are within your calories. I used to eat fast food a couple times per week and it was just not good news... weight gain, sluggish, didn't feel well, etc.

The less you eat it the easier it will be to resist - I swear it can be addicting but if you cut it out you will eventually stop craving it/wanting it all together!

Of course the weight gain came from too many calories, not the McD's.

I agree - I never said it was just based on eating McD alone.

Lately, for completely unexplained reasons, I've been hitting McD 2-3 times a week for lunch. I eat reasonably (6 nuggets, buffalo sauce, small fries, diet soda == ~550 cals), and usually fit it into my total calorie goal. How bad is this, do I need to force myself to be more disciplined and quit this behavior, or is it okay?

i love mcds and would love to eat there more as it is perfect for low carb.. and i lose when i eat it. i don't see why you have to cut it out at all.

Dont worry, eventually you wont be able to imagine eating there. your stomach will turn and all you'll be able to think about will be what it does to your digestive system and your poops.

True story. Grease is gross.

false. fat is amazing.

Honestly check out the Eat This, Not That series of books that will help you make better choices at a a whole bunch of chain restaurants without killing your progress

Hey, you not only have to look at the calories, but the cholestoral, fat, etc.. If you really want to have a healthy lifestyle I suggest you cut the McD's. Reward yourself maybe once every two weeks.. Im not the best at this healthier living but I know that the fast food isnt healthy. Wishing you the best of luck! Trust me I know how hard it is, I love McD's..

When I was still eating fast food I fit it into my daily calories just fine and never lost any weight. Once I cut out the crap food I lost weight. My body seems to take the content of my food more seriously than my calorie counts. I can lose weight on high calorie healthy foods but not low calorie unhealthy foods. You can eat whatever you want, but if you stop losing, then you know what to cut out, or at least cut way down on.

2-3 times a week?
I think you should do an experiment--keep all things the same but have a more nutritional lunch of 550 cals and see the difference.

Let's remember Bill Clinton jogging to McDonalds for his big mac and having a heart attack.



That said--I ate McDonalds twice this week, too.

However, this morning I said no to myself and came home and made breakfast burritos--much healthier and filling than what I would have gotten at McDonalds. I didn't have to buy anything--I already had it all and the eggs probably would have gone bad had I not eaten them.


I actually posted this on my MFP wall this morning:
2 McDonald's sausage breakfast burritos, large sweet tea and a hashbrown. mmmmmmmm... sound yummy doesn't it? That's way over a thousand calories for breakfast alone.. usually I can save one burrito for lunch, moving 300 calories to another meal but still. This morning the call of sweet tea was loud, inviting and oh so sweet. Still feeling the dehydrating effects of yesterday's frappe (new chocolate chip--so not worth 530 calories--not like a 270 caloried dip cone is worth its weight in cold gold) I knew that a sweet tea would be very very very bad results for my camel-itis (I'll start retaining big time). So home I came, directly and made three significantly larger breakfast burritos for only 310 calories each, 20.333 grams of protein and way less fat since I use Morning Star Farms sausage.


Obviously you know the answer you just wanted to double check it. Smart move.

I avoid fries and diet soda like the plague. But I do occasionally (max twice/month) have a double whataburger on wheat. Nothing really wrong w/ the burger itself, it's the 'sides' that cause the problem.

It's "krap" food but if you must indulge, I would only do it about once every 2 weeks - not 2 to 3 times a week. I get Happy meal, burger, fries and unsweetended ice tea.

PS DIET POP WILL KILL YOU - Aspartame / Splenda worse than sugar !!

There is nothing wrong with Aspartame. You're spouting junk.

It's "krap" food but if you must indulge, I would only do it about once every 2 weeks - not 2 to 3 times a week. I get Happy meal, burger, fries and unsweetended ice tea.

PS DIET POP WILL KILL YOU - Aspartame / Splenda worse than sugar !!

There is nothing wrong with Aspartame. You're spouting junk.

Oh wow, the controversy has finally been put to rest! It makes you wonder why they are spending billions on research as it sounds like you have already got the conclusive evidence

Splenda containes Chlorine....a carcinogen.
Aspartame has been investigated as a possible cause of brain tumors, mental retardation, birth defects, epilepsy, Parkinson's Disease, Fibromyalgia, and Diabetes.

Aside from the above, whether it's true or not, it is "artificial".
I'm only giving my opinion, because that's what I assume is being asked....my personal goal is not strictly weight los, but improved overall health, which includes doing away with as much artificial, processed, additive and chemical saturated food as possible.
I drink coffee and tea unsweatened and with no sugar.....I don't frequent fast food establishments anymore (although, I admit to slipping more often since starting a second job).......I try to eat as much fresh, natural, organic food as possible.
Again, all part of my own personal journey, and the fact that there COULD be any truth to the above statements about artificial sweeteners is enough to keep me on pure cane sugar when I have a sweet tooth.

Are you losing weight? Is it adversely affecting you? If not, do what makes you happy - if you're controlling your portions, then what's the issue?

Noooo, please don't start the aspartame thing again here. Take it where it's on topic:

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/646860-the-aspartame-thread

the debate is over - Beckajw has said there's nothing wrong with it

Are you losing weight? Is it adversely affecting you? If not, do what makes you happy - if you're controlling your portions, then what's the issue?

There are loads of things to consider other than just 'losing weight'

To lose fat healthily has got to be the goal we all seek isn't it?