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Enough Whole Food Hating

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We need to talk.

The four scariest words in a woman’s vocabulary; at least for the person on the receiving end.

I’ve got a serious topic today, born from reading a blog post which set my little bitty brain a flutter and not in a good way. The short version: it pissed me off. It made me angry for the people reading it and sorry for the person writing it. I am not going to point my spindly finger or speak badly about this person, although I do want to talk about the topic of their post. Let’s just say it struck a nerve, a rather large one at that.

The message began simply: losing weight and being healthy are not the same thing. I agree.

The post went on to suggest weight loss should be the optimum goal though. The author expressed disappointment with nutritionists and dietitians whose focus is on health instead of weight loss, and said in order to shed those pounds, you must eliminate all natural, high sugar, whole foods. Examples were given: potatoes, bananas, grapes, figs, pineapple, corn, peas, beets, winter squash, you get the idea. Once you’ve actually lost the weight, then you can worry about being healthy. 

You see why this a huge problem for me, yes? To say I was livid would be an understatement.

When it comes to healthy and sustainable weight loss, the way you get there matters a great deal.

Case in point:

I could cut out all solid foods and lose weight. 

I could binge and purge and lose weight.

I could pump my body full of sugar free, fat free, chemical substitutes and lose weight.

I could drink diuretics for breakfast and lunch and lose weight.

I could subsist on two meal replacements shakes a day plus dinner and lose weight.

I could exercise six hours daily, splurging on egg whites and celery sticks and lose weight.

I could pop laxatives like they’re going out of style and lose weight.

I could cut carbohydrates and eat all the bacon and lose weight.

I could consume metabolism boosting pills and lose weight. Sure, I’d fuck up my ticker in the meantime, royally too, but hey at least I’d be skinny.

My point is it’s easy to drop weight utilizing a fad diet, a quick fix or eliminating food groups. That doesn’t make it right, nor does it make the weight loss permanent.

“Congratulations, Meghan you’ve lost thirty pounds in fifteen days. Tell her what she’s won, Johnny.”

“Meghan, Meghan, Meghan have we got a sweet deal for you today. You can expect to receive a lifetime of scale watching, with food being your main enemy. In addition, you’ll experience emotional anguish, physical damage, you’ll gain those same thirty pounds back and then some, although we will happily lighten your bank account along the way. All of this comes with a side of intestinal issues and an eating disorder. Hooray. We’ll also rob you of your ability to think clearly because we’re real peaches like that, although you’d do well to stay away from stone fruits; too much sugar. Even better, we’ll tie all these delights up in a pretty package with a pink bow, purple if that’s your preference. As always, it’s been a real pleasure having you with us. I look forward to our ongoing and tumultuous relationship.”

Enough shenanigans.

Enough quick fixes.

Enough fad diets.

Enough whole food hating.

Enough with the bullshit already.

Enough.

Switch the focus to being healthy, and the weight loss, or gain depending on your situation, will come, and in a manner which is sustainable, without doing irreparable harm to your emotional, mental and physical well being.

Thanks for letting me Rant Out Loud today, Ms. Amanda.

When it comes to #healthy and #sustainable #weightloss, the way you get there matters a great deal

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No questions today. Just your feedback.  

Comments

  1. What that blogger said? That’s just sad. Besides, I’ve lost 35 lbs & actually maintained it for over a year – for the first time; I’ve lost that much before & not been able to maintain it – & I still eat potatoes, bananas, etc. it’s the actual sugar & processed foods, folks! And even they can have the occasional place in a healthy diet. Yeah, I could go on & on about that one, too.
    Judy @ Chocolaterunsjudy recently posted…The food-running cycle: Thursdays are for thinking out loudMy Profile

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  2. WOW what a rant! I’ve had my fair share of experiences with cutting out entire food groups because they would make me fat/ would keep me from losing weight. Some of them still make sense to me like processed fake food, some luckily don’t anymore like bread for example. Looking back all I can do is shake my head at my delusional younger self and hope for people who are still caught in that mindset that they wake up eventually and get a better understanding about what they are doing now. Health matters most! And what I can say from my 18+ years of experience with health at risk alternated with being sick is that nothing is ever as good as it is when you’re healthy!
    Juli@1000lovelythings recently posted…What I ate Wednesday #93 – The Sprint 2 the Table EditionMy Profile

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    • Amen sister and I do agree with you on the processed food part, although I don’t actually consider that stuff food. It’s more of a food like substance or frankenfood. Either way, it’s not high on my list.

      Think of all the sandwich porn we’d be missing.
      Meghan recently posted…Enough Whole Food HatingMy Profile

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  4. Oh URGH I don’t even know what post your talking about and I feel cross.
    I’ve been skinnier than I am and living off crappy foods and bigger than I am and living off crappy foods. But I don’t think I’ve been happier than I am, it’s all about the b-a-l-a-n-c-e.
    Since eating real foods (and real sugar now and again, she says finishing off a GF marshmallow brownie. It was awesome if you’re wondering) my moods are more stable, my body stronger and quite simply my life happier. That’s my kind of healthy.
    Pip {Cherries & Chisme} recently posted…The Intimidation Factor in Geneva, SwitzerlandMy Profile

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  5. Ugh.
    This is my beef with the whole ‘IIFYM’ and so many other eating “plans”. You could lose a significant amount of weight on a diet of Snickers bars but there’s a good chance that wouldn’t be super healthy (just a slight chance).
    Quality trumps quantity, every time. Besides you need to learn to eat for every day life if you ever want to stop dieting.
    Fantastic rant and well deserved!
    Michelle
    Michelle @ PerfectlyImperfectLife recently posted…Recipe Wednesday ♥ Apple Pie OatmealMy Profile

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  8. When I was a teenager, I’d make a list of forbidden foods like chocolate and donuts and I’d date it and sign it and then about 45 minutes later I’d eat chocolate and donuts. If I hadn’t obsessed about them and written them down as forbidden, I probably wouldn’t even have thought to eat them. Whatever we focus on is where we will end up. For example, I had major daddy issues and when I was in counseling, I told my therapist that I don’t want to turn out like my dad, and I listed all the reasons why. And my therapist was like, guess what! You’ll turn out like him because he is the person you are focusing on. So if we focus on forbidden foods, we’ll eat them. Well, that’s my experience anyway. Balance IS everything, and your blog helps me with that. You inspire me to eat phallic veggies.
    Suzy recently posted…Crossing the LinesMy Profile

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    • Mmm chocolate and donuts….wait, what were you saying?

      Just kidding, restriction tends to fail for that very reason and where you focus IS what you become. I always liked the saying, “The grass is greener where you water it.” Focus on the good stuff or the stuff you want to become and that is what will happy.

      It makes me happy to know I inspire you to eat phallic veggies.
      Meghan recently posted…Enough Whole Food HatingMy Profile

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  10. Ah well, you already know where I fall on this issue. Food is food. That’s it. It’s fuel for our bodies, and you will pry my banana out of my cold dead fingers, thank you very much.

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  11. Wow. I understand your rage! That is just plain crazy talk! There is so much to be gained by just making healthy choices, by way of whole foods.

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  12. THIS POST. I completely agree. Yes, I’ve done Whole30 a couple times in the past year-ish, but I can guarantee it wasn’t for the purpose of weight loss. I knew I would lose weight (I’ll take the bonus where I can get it), but it was more to get me back on a healthier track when I was slacking… both times. I’ve slacked many times in life, and I was on and off fad diets from age 10 to 20. After that, I knew fads didn’t work so well (took long enough to sort that out, genius). And it took many more years after that to figure out what exactly was the right process, even if it didn’t result in weight loss as quickly as I wanted. I’d rather go the healthier route at this point (your route, naturally) and maybe not lose as fast as I want than continue this yo-yo of fad to fail, fad to fail, on and on and on. Long story short, I agree with you. WHOLE FOOD, YO. I mean, who could stop eating bananas!? That’s just silly.

    Reply

    • Bananas are one of my greatest loves. I will never give them up nor do I understand people who could live a banana free existence. My brain can’t even compute.

      I’m so glad you found a path which works great for you. Whether your diet of choice is, so long as the focus is on whole foods, it’s all gravy baby.
      Meghan recently posted…Enough Whole Food HatingMy Profile

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  13. You know my thoughts on this — I agree with you 100%. I think one of our biggest societal problems (at least when it comes to diet stuff), is that people are way too focused on weight. WAY too focused. They set their whole lives to revolve around it, think and stress about it constantly, and then wonder why they’re not losing. Uhm. Hi. Because all the stressing is working a number on your hormones and your body is clinging to everything you give it. Same with metabolism. I definitely think that weight loss should be secondary to health gain. Because who cares about being skinny if you’re too sick (physically and/or mentally) to enjoy it. Without health, nothing else really matters.
    Amanda @ .running with spoons. recently posted…. thinking out loud #136 .My Profile

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  14. A freaking MEN…you know I’m 100% on par with you on this topic. Sure all those you listed can help one achieve weight loss…heck that is the easy part. Although if the weight loss is achieved through a quick fix, good luck with keeping it off. Let’s just say that the quicker the weight is lost, the harder maintenance becomes.

    Fab post- loved the emotion behind it!
    Khushboo recently posted…Monday favourites: 22/06My Profile

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  15. Preach it, baby. I spent a chunk of my life eating Lean Cuisines and sugar-free Jell-O, and cutting out salads and vegetables because the taste wasn’t worth it for the extra calories. Was I skinny? You betcha. Was I happy and healthy? Not even close.
    Carly @ Snack Therapy recently posted…Apartment TourMy Profile

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  16. Well said. You can be super healthy and active and yet not skinny. You don’t have to be an ideal weight to be healthy either. And you don’t always need to be in weight-loss mode.I hate to see people doing crash diets, because they are bound to gain it all back and become disheartened. However, there is so much information out there though, that it can be hard for people to know what to do — I feel for those confused people who buy into extreme diets. Thanks for sharing your rant, because I certainly agree with it!! 🙂
    Ashley @ A Lady Goes West recently posted…My five favorite free photo apps and websitesMy Profile

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    • Exactly, I hate the idea of always being in weight loss mode or even worrying about weight maintenance. It doesn’t seem like a great way to live or enjoy your foods. I think we need to shift the focus entirely away from weight and move it over to healthy.

      I’m glad you appreciated my rant. I really want to encourage people to ditch the restrictive diets. Life is so much better without them.
      Meghan recently posted…Enough Whole Food HatingMy Profile

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  17. This is quite the rant, friend…I love it 😉 It makes me sad when people demonize certain foods, especially ones with proven health benefits. Bananas are your friend, dammit! But unfortunately, that is the world we live in…weight and weight loss seems to take precedence over general health for a lot of people, making them think that sugar-free jello is a better option over say, a banana or some full-fat yogurt. It’s something that definitely needs to change.
    Sam @ Better With Sprinkles recently posted…WIAW: Day In The Life.My Profile

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  18. Well, you know I agree with everything you say.
    Although I must say I feel a little guilty since I did this ‘I am unhealthy but at least I am skinny’. I was exactly like that and I swallowed all that shit. Though I made up these ideas all by myself, but yes I stuffed all the money into their asses. It’s all a business, simple money, nothing more, they don’t give a shit about anyone’s health.
    Lucie@FitSwissChick recently posted…You can prep but not always succeed – Swiss Team CHallenge 2015My Profile

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    • You shouldn’t feel guilty at all. We’ve all done things which aren’t ideal or healthy. I smoked cigarettes for years and years and years. We learn from those situations and if we’re lucky we grow and change for the better.

      You’re right. I don’t think the industry gives a shit at all. In fact, the money is in the repeat behavior, not the cure. It’s sad and frustrating.
      Meghan recently posted…Enough Whole Food HatingMy Profile

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  19. meow meow, yes yes yes! i love your little saucy sassy scratchy side 🙂 of course i whole-heartedly agree. first of all, i don’t like the dogmatic approach to anything. if you tell me that everything you are doing is what i SHOULD be doing, i’m going to basically tune you out. please people, do what the fuck you want to your body but don’t tell me what not to eat. you want to spend your life eating nothing but shrimp scampi? FINE do whatever the fuck you want!!!!!!!! but don’t tell me that this is THE way and will work for everyone else because it works for you… and when i say you say this works for you,it just did for this season. next season it will be something fu@$ing else. eerrrrrrrgh.
    i get very fired up about this… i used to follow this paleo athlete chick who preaches simple but STRICT paleo and basically says you’re a fucking twat if you can’t eat this way. well guess what? she was a VEGAN before all of this. a VEGAN?!!!!! clearly she has experimented so please respect others. i will never say my way is the only way. i strive to eat the things that make my body, mind, and soul feel good. END OF STORY. if i didn’t mean my fucking green algae kelp quota for the day, well so what.
    i don’t like liver – many people say we should all eat liver. does that mean i’m going to force myself? NO! i like salmon and eat it because i want to. it might be healthy, too. who cares.
    ok girl i’m fired up. i’m sorry for the bleeps. i need to chill… with some tubers and a banana. love you <3
    danielle recently posted…Week of MEMy Profile

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  21. Preach it, lady! It’s very considerate of you to not disclose the author of this – as you nicely put it – bullshit. Because: seriously?! I’ve read a lot of non-sensical weight loss advice, often anithetic concepts in one and the same magazine but this leaves me speechless. It is making me SO sad to even imagine there are people who’ll follow any of this and essentially sign up to loose maybe a few pounds but most importabtly all joy in life. Now that’s a fair trade. Not.
    Miss Polkadot recently posted…Of evil laptops, Greek yogurt secrets and kittenMy Profile

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    • Thanks sunshine! I wouldn’t dream of disclosing the author. The idea isn’t to point out a person, but more so to talk about healthy and not so healthy ways to lose weight. Besides it’s really just a difference of opinion, nothing to do with a specific individual. Their post simply struck a nerve for me, which then spiraled into my thoughts on all sorts of weight loss fads and gimmicks. It was the spark for something which has been bothering me for some time. Truth be told, while I found their post upsetting, I’m thankful because it allowed me to articulate something which has been irking me for sometime. It was good to get this off my chest.
      Meghan recently posted…Enough Whole Food HatingMy Profile

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  22. Great post and a well said message. As others have said weight loss is often the focus along side calorie counting and labeling diets (paleo, vegan, fat free, etc) instead of general overall health. While all those statements may help one lose weight I would almost guarantee they are unsustainable in the long run. I recently tried a session at Orange Theory and the constant message of calories burned and achieving my fat burning level was a complete turn off and almost made me walk out. It is another example of the sad trend of ignoring overall health and focusing only on weight or calories. As someone who has lost a lot of weight and kept if off for many years I attribute it to not following any of the fad diets and eating a whole food based diet but allowing flexibility and going with what my body is craving or wants….sometimes it may be processed food and sometimes it is good whole foods (like the bowl of frozen cherries and grapes I enjoyed last night)!
    Kate @ Kate Lives Healthy recently posted…WIAW #53My Profile

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      • Thanks Kate. I appreciate you noticing the new design. 🙂

        I agree. I love the idea of eating whole foods to get healthy, but I’m not a fan of banishing other whole foods along the way. I really don’t know the ins and outs of paleo, primal, whole 30, etc but I’m pretty sure one of them doesn’t allow potatoes and whole grains and that simply doesn’t sit well with me. I don’t want anything whole food based to be off limits.

        Also, amazing job on your weight loss. You’ve got every reason to be proud of yourself.
        Meghan recently posted…Enough Whole Food HatingMy Profile

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  23. PREACH IT GIRL! I loved this post. Loved, loved, loved. It drives me bonkers when people turn to expensive plans dependent on processed foods and junk just for weight loss. I just think “yeah, you might lose weight, but what about your overall health?!” I’m so glad I switched from the “I need to lose weight” mentality to “I want to be healthy”. It’s a world of difference. Whole foods all the way!
    I definitely agree with you that quality is important. That’s why eating whole foods is important to me. The focus should be on eating whole foods…and if you find out that there’s a food that your body just doesn’t react well to (say, gluten or dairy or even specific foods like bananas) then don’t eat that. It’s that simple.

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  24. Oh snap! Sucks that this is the culture today, huh? No one wants to learn how to eat properly because that is HARD! It’s time consuming, it’s expensive, it isn’t always fun. I know more than most and I definitely don’t do nearly all that I should be doing to eat a proper, healthy lifestyle. If people stopped to think about one of these shortcuts and how they are marketed as “SAFE”… why would the question of safety even exist in the first place? Oh, that’s right, because that’s not the HEALTHY thing to do! It isn’t natural! It all comes back to the teach a person to fish proverb and then them holding themself accountable enough to do the fishing.

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  27. While there is a fine line between consuming healthy foods and consuming TOO MUCH healthy food, this blogger’s words truly sadden me as well! The focus should never, EVER be on weight alone- and too many girls get caught up in vicious cycle of trying to lose weight the with the quickest method no matter what the consequences are. No one should ever have to resort to unsustainable methods, and I hope everyone remembers that true health is what matters, not weight.
    Niki @Life With Niki recently posted…Eating Even When You Don’t ExerciseMy Profile

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    • I think there’s a fine line between consuming too much food period, although if we’re eating to excess, I’d rather it be nutritionally dense whole foods. At least this way, we’re pumping out bodies full of good vitamins and minerals.
      Meghan recently posted…Enough Whole Food HatingMy Profile

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  28. Ummm..pardon my French, but f^ck yes. It’s frustrating and sad that people buy into this, but that’s America for ya. Damn media. Keep livin like this though, you’ve got the right idea! Another reason why I love ya so.
    Brittany recently posted…When I’m NotMy Profile

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  29. Agreed! I just finished reading Body of Truth by Harriet Brown which speaks directly to this issue. The author did an excellent job of reporting studies demonstrating ho the pursuit of health does not need to be about weight loss. She discusses in frank terms how sick our society has become when it comes to weight and body dissatisfaction. I’d like to send a copy to the person who made the comment.

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  30. Well said M!!! BTW, I’m not getting your blog posts via email anymore. I had assumed you’d taken a break from posting until I saw this on FB. Just a head’s up.

    I was missing your posts, so glad that wasn’t the case.

    C

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  31. So well said…and true. I’ve never dieted for weight loss, but I know firsthand you can stay “skinny” on Lean Cuisine and cereal bars but feel like utter shit and damage your health in the process. Good, natural, whole foods are NOT the enemy. I haven’t read the original post, but that’s probably for the best.
    Catherine @ foodiecology recently posted…On the Right Foot: Kushyfoot ReviewMy Profile

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    • Yep, totally true. I always find it humorous when people say it’s organic so it must be healthy, or she’s a vegan so she must be healthy. You can eat organic and vegan doritos; it doesn’t make either of them healthy and the same thing goes for Lean Cuinsine.
      Meghan recently posted…Enough Whole Food HatingMy Profile

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  33. Standing ovation with a massive round of applause Meghan!
    I wish more would come out and say things like this. The amount of blogs I read that make me shudder with fear both for the writer and all the readers out there who believe that being ‘stick like thin’ equals health… Hopefully, folk who believe that will read this and change their mind!
    Jen @ Chase the Red Grape recently posted…CrossFit – Whip it!My Profile

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    • Thanks. I appreciate it. I normally steer clear of blogs which preach these types of messages. I happened onto this post by accident though and the rest is kind of history or all over the internet. 🙂
      Meghan recently posted…Enough Whole Food HatingMy Profile

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  35. I absolutely love your prerogative on this. It’s so, so sad to see all of the messaging out in the media and in our society in general that perpetuates this idea that skinny should be the #1 focus. Hell, I grew up in a household that focused on that too, and only in adulthood did I start to realize that I wanted to be first and foremost HEALTHY. Nowadays I admire an athletic, toned physique so much more than a skinny chick who looks like she eats 500 calories a day. It just isn’t attractive to me, and I feel like so many women look for happiness and validation in that, and unfortunately they usually don’t truly find it.
    Nicole @ Foodie Loves Fitness recently posted…Red, White & Blue Pancakes [Vegan & Gluten Free]My Profile

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  38. Ugh I feel your pain, sister.
    I get so frustrated when I see things on pinterest showing young women how to lose 15 pounds in ten days, or drop 6 dress sizes in the time it takes you to re-pin this post…
    I struggled with body image and weight issues for YEARS. It wasn’t until I realized that there was no miracle diet, no powder, no shake, no “21 Day Fix” that would make me 100% happy with myself. At that point I decided if I was going to be forced to live in this body (we really do only get one) then I was going to make it the healthiest body I possibly could. And you know what? I’m happier with myself now than I ever have been.
    Frugal Foodie Frank recently posted…Monthly Meal PrepMy Profile

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