Quote Originally Posted by Muirenn View Post
Okay. This is simple. Ready for it?

There is nothing you shouldn't be eating.

There is nothing that is not allowed.

There is no: I can't eat this, even though others can.

If you want something, calculate the calories. Measure it. Write it down. Do it with everything else too. Eat a reasonable amount based upon your daily total that works for your body size and metabolism.

Now. There are many things I don't want to eat because I've decided they are too processed. They don't provide adequate nutrition for the amount of calories consumed. Perhaps they don't taste quite good enough for the number of calories they give. Those things I don't eat. But it's because I truly don't want them. Not because I cannot, shouldn't, don't qualify to eat them. And frankly, those words are red flags for me. They lead to some very unhealthy habits. (For me, not necessarily for anyone else here).

If I want something. I eat it.

Guilt is not an option. It's food.

YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO EAT FOOD.
I agree. When I started losing weight I went low carb. This probably was a good idea as it totally shook up the way I was eating and made the diet more of an adventure in new and tasty foods. It wasn't suffering. It made sticking to 1200 calories a day doable. But over time I've drifted away from low carb and now have no forbidden foods. That said, I at least make an attempt at decent nutrition and don't live on chocolate and jelly rolls.

I count all the calories. I have to. I have no reliable judgment about when to stop eating if I don't keep a running total.