I don't want to start an argument ...........

I just don't understand. There are those out there who bash people who eat processed foods.
I have noticed this for a long time and kept my mouth shut but I don't understand where they are coming from.

I personally eat processed foods and natural foods.
I have gone from eating well over 5000 calories a day filled with fats and sugars and all the stuff that will kill you and very little of the foods that feed your body, to now I eat around 1000 calories a day. And it for the most part is healthy foods.
I used processed ingredients, I use fruits and veggies I eat whole grains.

I guess what I am trying to get at is that we all have our own way to figure out what works best for us. Why do we have to talk down to or make someone feel bad for the way they are choosing to lose their weight.
I have made a life style change just like many people on this site and I try so hard to be proud of myself. But when I read posts that cut a person down for eating processed foods it makes me feel like I am being bad. Like I am not following my diet even though the way I have choosen is a healthy way of eating and far healthier than I ever did before.
Not to mention I can stick to this. I can see myself eating this way for the rest of my life. And that is important. It is not just for a certain span of time.

I guess I just don't understand why we can't all be supportive of eachother. Isn't that what Peertrainer is all about.

And for the record, I am proud of every one of you who puts healthy food into your bodies. And for those who are struggling, remember every possitive change is a step in the right direction. Keep working at it and you will get there.

Thu. Jan 17, 2:43pm

i completely agree with you. early on i was in a group that ragged on me for eating lean cusines for lunch. i tried to explain that even if it's the only processed thing i have in a day, i'm still mostly eating whole foods for everything else. i found them to be very helpful in my successes, as they are portion controlled, calorie controlled and super convenient.

thanks OP for bringing this up, let's be supportive!

Thursday, January 17, 2008, 2:56 PM

your fellow PTers are just informing you that you could be doing much better for yourself if you tried to limit your processed foods. they are not as good for you.

BTW- did a nutruitionist put you down to 1000 calories. b/c you should not go below 1200.

It is great that you are changing your lifestyle, ubt you could be even healthier

Thursday, January 17, 2008, 3:00 PM

I agree OP. I guess everyone just wants to say how they eat and how they feel it's the "best" way to eat. But I'm with you, it works for me to have some processed foods in my diet. I'm not worried about the small amount of processed food I eat so why is anyone else worried about it!?

Thursday, January 17, 2008, 3:18 PM

I get soooooooo aggravated by people who want everyone to support their choices. Peer trainer is about support, but that doesn't mean you're entitled to have everyone support your approach. I mean we have the vegans here with all their anti-meat diabtribes, we have the anti-dairy people, we have weight watchers people (and I for one hate the ww approach), atkins people, south beach people, "everything in moderation" people, people who think diet soda is great, people who think diet soda is evil...

I'd say if you really truly believed you were doing enough, you wouldn't or shouldn't care what others think. I eat red meat daily. I don't care about the vegans and what they think. I'd rather skip a meal than eat a pre-frozen packaged meal.

This forum, is open to all and is a place for people of all different opinions and apprpoaches to weight loss to chat. If you are looking for people to agree with you, then find a group with like minded people and stay there. Because we don't have to agree (support) you when we think you're doing something unhealthy.

Thursday, January 17, 2008, 3:19 PM

Op here
I am not looking for someone to agree with me. I even appreciate when a person points out that there are healthier ways to do it, lose weight that is. What is difficult for me is to be put down for the way that I have choosen to go at this.
Giving of opinions isn't what bothers me it is the way it is given.

I have vegans in my family, people on WW, and those who don't watch what they eat at all. I support them. I may even try to introduce new things to them when they are over for dinner. I do find it difficult to cook for the vegans as almost everything that I have in my cupboard has some type of meat or dairy in it. But at holiday time I go out of my way to make something that they can enjoy too and they bring a dish or two for the rest of us to try. They give me a hard time about my eating dead cow or whatever animal it is. But I support their choice.
I think that is what I am getting at. To be supportive of eachother and leave the nastiness out of it.

3:00
I actually had my dr put me on a lower calorie diet than that but found that I couldn't function at a lower calorie.
I am trying to work my way up to 1200 calories but in my head I get caught at the 1000 cal mark.

Oh and by the way I like lean cuisine too. I just don't have it every day.

Thursday, January 17, 2008, 3:38 PM

"almost everything that I have in my cupboard has some type of meat or dairy in it"
It doens sound like you are eating very healthy. Where are the fruits, veggies and whole grains?
Maybe your group is down on you b/c you arent being healthy.

you said you could eat the way you eat for the rest of your life. If you are eating a bunch of processed junk- then that isnt a healthy lifestyle. The rest of your life might not be very long.

Thursday, January 17, 2008, 3:43 PM

supporting each other doesn't mean we all have to agree with everyone's choices. it means accepting what is working the best for them without bashing their ideas in return.

Thursday, January 17, 2008, 3:55 PM

OP - funny I was just thinking this the other day. Partly b/c I'm someone who's trying to go that next level of eliminating processed foods - it's a part of my overall process. Someone is infinitely better off eating 1200 calories of crackers and frozen meals and sugary granola bars than they are 5000 calories of those those same things. It's kind of like telling someone who has never exercised they should make their treadmill workout a little more challenging - add some hills, amp up the speed, let go of the bars, etc. Instead of saying - hey, that's great that you're making changes in the right direction!

Of course, even with the clean eating group there's dissent! I remember reading that going organic fruit and veg is actually no better than the stuff you get in the regular grocery store. You need to go to your local farm. It never ends! lol

Thursday, January 17, 2008, 5:31 PM

Setting and meeting one goal at a time is perfectly reasonable. If your goal is weightloss and you find a way of eating that works for you and get into a good groove, you will meet that goal.

When you've stabilized at a healthy weight, then if you feel like it you can try to "perfect" your diet -- whatever that means to you, whether it is eliminating processed foods, eliminating meat, or adding brussels sprouts.

Thursday, January 17, 2008, 5:56 PM

It is no argument!

If the current way you are eating is helping you to reduce unnecessary pounds who are we to bash you for it. I eat measured processed food everyday. It helps me to to keep myself regulated. I am single and it just makes more sense to use the foods that I choose.

Thursday, January 17, 2008, 7:38 PM

Just a note,
3:43
I said cupboard not refrigerator.
I eat tons of veggies and a couple of servings of fruit a day.
I think my point was it is amazing to me how many things have an animal derived protien in it when you look at it.
For example Worchestershire sauce has anchovies.
Who would have guessed?

Thursday, January 17, 2008, 7:53 PM

http://www.leancuisine.com/Index/Index.aspx

They are processed and forzen foods that have low calories.

Friday, January 18, 2008, 10:00 AM

I agree with you OP. Maybe those folks have nothing better to do with their lives than totally obsess about what they're going to eat, buy it, prepare it, plan for it, etc. I have made many changes in my lifestyle. I used to eat Lean cuisines ALL THE TIME and haven't recently but mostly because of sodium content. But hey, sometimes we do what we have to do and our lives get in the way if we have one at all. So, just know that the changes you've made will help you in the long run and don't let the "foodie snobs" get you down! Sounds like you've come a long way! How's that for support?! :0)

Friday, January 18, 2008, 1:24 PM

Our lives get in the way? Food is vital to health, and we let other things get in the way of that? Some of us don't. Some of us would rather cut back on other things (like internet time or cost) than resort to convenience garbage to fuel the only body we're going to get.

See, it's rather hypocritical to whine about people being "foodie snobs" when you're going to insult them.

Friday, January 18, 2008, 2:20 PM

argument started

I think you started an argument LOL maybe we should talk about something calm like religion or abortion next? LOL.
Tidyed

Friday, January 18, 2008, 2:37 PM

Ok if you're that stupid to think that I meant something as little at the internet you're truly an idiot! I meant like our children, careers, you know those important things. Or, do you put your obsession with your snobby food ideas ahead of them and your family too? Get over yourself!
I swear some people are so frigging ignorant.
CAN YOU SAY "I am and not happy with my life and just looking to put everyone else down who does not comply with my life standards?"
A little high and mighty aren't you? Maybe you should seek some guidance or... therapy. You might have an anger management issue.

Friday, January 18, 2008, 2:58 PM

Processed food is bad for you. Period.

We all know this. I mean, come on when bacon can sit out on a shelf for weeks and still just be microwaved and eaten, there is something wrong. But not all of us have the time, money nor the talents to make a 600 ingedient recipe so we can have a tasty cracker.

There are some things I WILL NEVER eat (i.e. Velveeta Cheese) but I would never critize someone for eating it. I would try to introduce (or explain) a healthier option.

Friday, January 18, 2008, 2:58 PM

I love the title of this thread

Because arguing is ALL that goes on in the community section! haha

Now someone argue with me for generalizing and site threads without arguments...hehe

Friday, January 18, 2008, 3:00 PM

OP here
For those of you who have offered support, I thank you.

For those who don't I hope one day you will understand but not by being in my shoes.

I hope all of you find the way that works best for you to get healthier day by day. Just remember it is a process and not something that will happen overnight.
My best to you all

Friday, January 18, 2008, 4:45 PM

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