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Original poster

Persuade me eating healthily is worth it

216 replies

Gwenhwyfar · 01/12/2020 16:42

Already posted in Health, but I thought I'd try and get additional answers.

I know I should eat healthily and have my 5 a day (currently struggling to get just 1 despite being 90% vegetarian), but even though I know it, I struggle to really understand it if you see what I mean. I know scientists say you should eat fruit and veg and that ideally it should be way more than 5 and I presume that's based on studies of people who've developed certain illnesses, but it's not something I can SEE or FEEL like I can with other things. When I've made an effort myself, I haven't seen any improvement.
I can see that overeating makes you overweight. That's clear.
I can feel that too much sugar rots your teeth. I can feel that happening, but I just can't see the damage I'm doing by eating cheese sandwiches and the like.

I hear people saying things like 'I haven't been eating healthily, I'm craving fruit/veg now' and I'm quite confused by that or 'you may not be overweight, but you'll be really unhealthy inside'. I don't really know what they mean by that.

Can anyone help make it more 'real' for me rather than just something people say.

Thanks in advance.

OP posts:
florascotia2 · 02/12/2020 21:59

OP Doctors don't talk like that, as I'm sure you know.

Have a read of this, however:

www.wcrf.org/dietandcancer/exposures/wholegrains-veg-fruit

And of this www.wcrf.org/dietandcancer/recommendations/wholegrains-veg-fruit-beans which says:
"“Our evidence shows that fruit and vegetables, as well as wholegrains and fibre, play a crucial role in protecting us against certain cancers..."

psychomath · 02/12/2020 22:07

To be honest I don't really know if there are enough short-term benefits to be noticeable. I normally eat quite a lot of veg and if I don't have any for a few days I do start feeling a bit sick and craving it. But I think that might just be psychological - if I'm eating badly it normally coincides with times when I'm feeling exhausted or mildly depressed, and it contributes to a general sense of my life getting out of control. If there are noticeable benefits then I think you'd have to try it consistently for at least a few weeks to experience them.

If you want to try it then I'd suggest making the absolute easiest changes possible, every day for about three weeks - buy microwave soups (that you can eat straight out of the pot if you're feeling especially lazy), smoothies, beans on toast, an apple or banana to eat between meals. You don't have to hit five a day - if your starting point is zero then 2-3 per day would be an improvement. See if you notice any benefits. If so then great, and if not you're no worse off than you are now.

Girliefriendlikespuppies · 02/12/2020 22:12

Op I'm similar, for me eating fruit and veg takes effort which doesn't always feel worth it.

Today I had a bowl of soup at lunchtime which might be one portion (it was tomato and red pepper soup.) and a small portion of salad with my dinner.

Most days I would say I have 2 of the recommended 5 a day 😬

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Weight management
psychomath · 02/12/2020 22:18

Oh and definitely avoid big bags of salad and spinach, like you said - I always struggle to finish those before they go off and I actually like them! I do a small shop maybe every other day and just buy whatever I feel like using that day. But if you don't want to go that often then tinned or frozen fruit and veg might be the way to go.

HeyGirlHeyBoy · 02/12/2020 22:37

Sometimes habit has to go before motivation and then changes come and you continue it. I felt exhausted earlier and then I just stuck the oven on and HD my veg chopped in 5 mins, peppers and aubergine, they're now tossed with (bought) lentils, chickpeas and edamame with feta. Couldn't be more flavoursome. Genuinely looking forward to lunch. You won't reach for them when you're eating what you are but if you add a little as habit you'll start to include them more. The energy surge is the biggest pay off for me.

Flossie44 · 03/12/2020 10:25

Without sounding rude or offensive, how have you not got time to chop some veg or salad? It takes minutes. It can be done while you wait for the kettle to boil to make a cuppa!! That quick!!
To write your posts on this thread would take longer than chopping a few veg...

I’m sorry to say, but I think you’re throwing excuses around here. If you WANTED to change your diet, you’ve had a lot of ideas given to support that.

WhatWouldYouDoWhatWouldJesusDo · 03/12/2020 10:41

I'm very overweight, but > healthy.

I recently spent a week in hospital, (( not weight related )) the bed opposite was occupied by a lady who'd been in there for 8 months. Her foot had literally rotted away because of diabetes. And still she ate, she had staff bringing her food that her sister sent up. She'd sit on the bed gorging. Her life is her mobile phone and gazing out the window she was lucky to get a bed next to.

We all need our rock bottom, she obviously hasn't hit hers yet. Despite the constant agony, her being made homeless because she'd been in hospital so long, not being able to see her new grandchild, her mobility being ten times worse because she was so big. But for me it was a.huge, wake up call.

Because for me being trapped in a room with the reality of obesity has literally switched off my desire to eat junk and all the cheese snacks I was so fond of...... I eat three healthy meals a day and one small snack. I drink plenty of water. I've been getting out more, I aim for 10000 steps a day which includes a walk up a very steep hill.

This is the perfect time of year to start exercising, even I don't end up hot, sweaty and uncomfortable because it's nice and cold outside.......it's a far more pleasant experience than it is during the hell that is summer.

Original poster
Gwenhwyfar · 03/12/2020 16:48

"OP Doctors don't talk like that, as I'm sure you know."

How do you mean? If it was lung cancer caused by smoking they woud say so wouldn't they? That's my issue really. I've met people whose illnesses have definitely been caused by smoking, but it just doesn't seem to be so clear cut when it comes to fruit and veg.

OP posts:
Original poster
Gwenhwyfar · 03/12/2020 16:54

"how have you not got time to chop some veg or salad?"

I never said I don't have time. I said I didn't want to. The effort is not worth it for me. I have tried going on health kicks before, but I never stick to it. I hate cooking so I open the fridge and choose something I like, then the food goes off.
That's why I'm looking for some motivation to do it. I know that doing it just because other people say I should won't work.

OP posts:
Original poster
Gwenhwyfar · 03/12/2020 16:57

@WhatWouldYouDoWhatWouldJesusDo

I'm very overweight, but > healthy.

I recently spent a week in hospital, (( not weight related )) the bed opposite was occupied by a lady who'd been in there for 8 months. Her foot had literally rotted away because of diabetes. And still she ate, she had staff bringing her food that her sister sent up. She'd sit on the bed gorging. Her life is her mobile phone and gazing out the window she was lucky to get a bed next to.

We all need our rock bottom, she obviously hasn't hit hers yet. Despite the constant agony, her being made homeless because she'd been in hospital so long, not being able to see her new grandchild, her mobility being ten times worse because she was so big. But for me it was a.huge, wake up call.

Because for me being trapped in a room with the reality of obesity has literally switched off my desire to eat junk and all the cheese snacks I was so fond of...... I eat three healthy meals a day and one small snack. I drink plenty of water. I've been getting out more, I aim for 10000 steps a day which includes a walk up a very steep hill.

This is the perfect time of year to start exercising, even I don't end up hot, sweaty and uncomfortable because it's nice and cold outside.......it's a far more pleasant experience than it is during the hell that is summer.

I'm not overweight and I do exercise. Confused

If I saw someone in hospital for having eaten cheese sandwiches, it might shock me into doing something, but I've never seen or heard of that.

OP posts:
Flossie44 · 03/12/2020 17:11

Gwenhwyfar - I don’t think we will convince your. If your future health isn’t a reason to do so, then I don’t know what is! You have a counter argument for all the sensible reasons people are giving you.
It’s sad that you aren’t prepared to broaden your outlook and are convinced this is the only way

CorianderQueen · 03/12/2020 17:30

Stop going on about your cheese sandwiches OP. The only way someone would be able to directly relate their death to them would be choking.

If you don't believe scientific research that states that certain foods have bad things that may eventually do X and good foods which can prevent against X then that's your choice.

But you're being obtuse and it's pathetic.

florascotia2 · 03/12/2020 17:34

OP But doctors and scientific researchers DO say, over and over and over again, that eating fruit and veg DO protect against certain cancers and (in a Mediterranean diet) DO lead to longer life.

I don't know what else you can reasonably want. There are people really unwell in hospital - as a PP eloquently described - as a result of unhealthy eating. That doesn't specifically have to be cheese sandwiches FFS - most doctors won't have time to cater for your personal eating whims - but it does include a diet based on avoidance of healthy foods.

Having followed this thread for some time, I supect that you are being goady. You do you, of course, but if it really is your idea of a good time to pretend that you can't (for whatever reason) eat anything other than unhealthy foods, then just go away and stew in your own juice, as the old saying goes.

If , on the other hand, you really do have a disordered relationship with food - and how can any of us other than your own clinician tell? - then for heaven's sake please do seek proper professional help.

Snog · 03/12/2020 17:52

OP have you gained anything from this thread?

Original poster
Gwenhwyfar · 03/12/2020 18:05

" If your future health isn’t a reason to do so, then I don’t know what is! "

Current health and wellbeing might do. That's how I can make myself not eat too many calories and not too much sugar - because I can see and feel the effects. I had heard people saying before that they feel better when they eat healthily and I wanted to explore that. A couple of people have said that on this thread, but most have said that they're like me in that they can't see a difference, but they're doing it for their future health

OP posts:
florascotia2 · 03/12/2020 18:10

Current health and wellbeing are fine as far as it goes, but it really doesn't go very far. Present short term gratification vs future health might genuinely be worth considering, with help if you need it.

Snog · 03/12/2020 18:28

Drum roll....

florascotia2 · 03/12/2020 18:40

I agree with you Snog but just in case the OP might need help...

And of course to counter disordered eating posts - so very, very dangerous.

Original poster
Gwenhwyfar · 03/12/2020 19:16

@Snog

Drum roll....
Why are you here then Snog?
OP posts:
Original poster
Gwenhwyfar · 03/12/2020 19:19

@Snog

OP have you gained anything from this thread?
Not from people like you, no, but from the nice people, yes, it's been interesting.
OP posts:
Snog · 03/12/2020 19:22

So what did you gain?

Original poster
Gwenhwyfar · 03/12/2020 19:30

Some of the answers have been interesting. In any case, I won't be engaging with you any more Snog.

OP posts:
Flossie44 · 03/12/2020 19:41

Gwenhwyfar - have you got any cookbooks??

Snog · 03/12/2020 19:42

Best stick to the cheese sandwiches then OP

Lydia777 · 03/12/2020 19:52

Op I just came on to say I know exactly how you feel because I am so similar to you. I get it!

I'm a healthy weight and exercise so I am fit but really struggle to eat healthily. I do eat some veg etc but overall I eat so much unhealthy food. And I always feel fine. I was overweight a long time ago and didn't feel good but feel fine now I'm a healthy weight. My skin could be better though.

I keep reminding myself of the long term impacts-cancers, stroke etc so that gives me a push but honestly I am like you-I don't feel any better for eating healthily so that's why it's so much easier not to bother on a day to day basis. I've started buying prepared veg and roasting it, then eating it before my inevitable starchy dinner!