8 replies to this topic

[jayce]

I don't have a problem with diet programs that stress the idea of eating healthy and balanced while maintaining portion control. I do have an objection to diets that are extremely restrictive, or that base themselves around the participant eating only one type of food in large quantities and not a lot else. Why would a person go on a diet that is so outrageously limiting, instead of just eating a proper, balanced diet and enjoying more variety? I am truly curious.

[Russintosh]

I believe it's because most of us grew up in this fast food, cheap food, crap food society and just dont know any better. People eat at McDonalds 3 times a week and feed their kids the same way - because that's what they can afford not realizing that all they're eating is crap... plain and simple - CRAP.

Eating a balanced diet is more time consuming to prepare proper, heathy foods, and most people would rather go through the drive-thru and make it fast so they can get home to their X-Box...

My opinion - sad but true...

[adyna]

I personally think that the more restrictive you are to yourself the better the chance to fail. I have seen it time and time again. And yes fast food is cheap but is is really worth it? I can not even stand the smell of a burger bun anymore from a fast food joint.

[livin4me]

I think it is two issues. First, I think that a lot of people don't feel like they are "dieting" unless they are "depriving" themselves. Second, I believe that people want the quick fix. Why eat healthy and lose 2 pounds a week, when you can eat nothing but cabbage soup all day long and lose 7 pounds a week? Plus, as Russintosh said, eating healthy requires a little effort, and many of us have a fast food mentality. It is sad.

[JKland]

Yeah, I agree with you about the fast food mentality. If we grew up with the habit of eating healthy food, we wouldn't have had overweight problems in the first place.

[bethann]

I avoid fast food joints like the plague. I can count on my right hand the number of times I've gotten dinner from a drive-thru in the past year. I think some people need to follow a strict regimen to feel "in control" of their diet. If given too many options, I think some people feel out of control. Just a thought, I may be wrong.

[Gotta Goal]

I can handle the idea of a fairly restrictive diet for a couple of weeks that is designed to help your body reset it's natural chemistry. The South Beach Diet is one such example. The toxins in many of the foods we eat can contribute to inefficient metabolism.

[livin4me]

I just think that many people give up or drop out before the restrictive portion of the diet is finished. Getting through that first week is so hard! I have an extremely hard time doing it. That may be why I'm not a size 4.

[kathyjoyce]

Eating healthily isn't really hard. The trick is to plan meals ahead and only buy fresh produce. I often make my own soups from ingredients such as brocolli, cauliflower and watercress. I haven't eaten meat for about 20 years, but often grill a salmon fillet or make a quick tuna pasta bake. It really doesn't take long, and is much less expensive to make healthy, nutritious meals