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Weight loss chat

A space to talk openly about weight loss journeys and challenges. Mumsnet hasn't checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. You may wish to speak to a medical professional before starting any diet.

Do you allow yourself treats while on a diet - say once a week and if so...

9 replies

MrsHuxtable · 22/04/2012 10:48

what kind of stuff are you having?

I've got a stone of baby weight to lose and because I'm still breastfeeding (DD is 11 weeks) I'm going for the sensible healthy eating approach. I'm not eating any crap but since I'm looking at a longer lifestyle change kind of thing, I reckon that I need to be allowed 1 treat a week in order to be able to stick with it. So today, after a week of super healthy eating I'd like one of those little Scottish Snowball Cakes from M&S.

Would that be ok or will it ruineverything I'm trying to achieve?

How is everyone else handling treats like cake anc chocolate while on a diet????

OP posts:
bagelmonkey · 22/04/2012 12:18

Sugar free jelly?
Are marshmallows okas a treat?
Low fat chocolate dessert or yogurt eg shape delight?
Frozen yogurt?

MyChildDoesntNeedSleep · 22/04/2012 12:30

It depends on if a little treat a day (say 150 cals worth) will keep you on the straight and narrow, or if it will cause you to crave more. Little treats can work well with calorie counting, but I don't think there's much room for them on those low carb regimes.

StinkyWeimaraner · 22/04/2012 20:47

Get yourself on myfitnesspal. I am breastfeeding my 17 week old and have been on this since she was 5 weeks. I have so far lost 10.3 kgs. It lets you input that you are breastfeeding and gives you an extra allowance which is brilliant as I would definitely not have been successful if I couldn't have a little treat every day.

I don't consider myself to be on a diet, it just helps me be aware of what I am eating. It even tells you the nutritional contents of your foods if you are wanting to cut carbs, for example.

foreverondiet · 22/04/2012 22:26

As you are breastfeeding and your DD is so young I don't see why a 100-150 calorie treat each evening would stall your efforts.

BettyBathroom · 23/04/2012 08:36

I have allowed myself puddings when we occasionally eat out - if they were particularly tasty sounding, it hasn't thrown me off the low(er) carb train. Thankfully no cravings for more afterwards, no life changing impact on my weight and man were those puddings good! Grin

happyhorse · 23/04/2012 11:30

Just pick your treats carefully and have one every day. I eat far more crisps and cake on my diet than I did before (Walkers Squares and Weightwatchers lemon slices are my favourites). If you keep an eye on the overall calories of your meals then there should be room for these things. I've just got down to the size I want to be so it obviously works.

Schmokeandapancake · 23/04/2012 11:33

I have had the occasional bit of chocolate, cake, glass of wine and am still losing weight successfully on my low carb diet. I am also exercising a lot so I think that helps. Personally I would not stick to a diet long term if I didn't allow myself the occasional treat.

tiredmumma · 23/04/2012 13:42

I defininately have a treat, if I didnt I would go stir crazy!!!
After weigh in (I do SW) I have what I want for tea, last week it was fish and chips (small portion mind you) from the chip shop then a curly wurly. Next morning back on track, its out of my system then I look forward to the following Tues.

This keep me going I think

Lifeisquiteabsurd · 24/04/2012 20:39

You really want to develop a realistic healthy everyday diet otherwise what happens when you stop? The problem of all diets. Add in exercise when you feel able and don't exclude any particular food which you love just because it is deemed "unhealthy". Don't make yourself miserable or you will fail in the long-term.

I thought you might find this article from Healthland Time helpful :

"Health gurus may gasp in horror, but Alan Aragon, a southern California-based nutritionist who works with professional athletes, welcomes pretty much anything into his diet. ?There are no foods I can think of that I would completely avoid,? he says. ?I like to say, ?avoid food avoidance.? This helps reinforce the principle that everything ? and I mean everything ? is fine in moderation.?

French fries? Cheese curds? Taco Bell?s Dorito-shell tacos? It?s all acceptable. ?Junk food can be eaten as often as you want ? even daily ? as long as it only comprises a minor proportion of your overall calories for the day. This allows people to not feel boxed into a diet that has no leeway for letting your hair down,? says Aragon. ?I?ve always said that life is far too long to spend on a strict diet.?

Aragon cites studies looking at ?orthorexia nervosa? ? an unhealthy obsession with eating healthy food. ?It reminds me of the counterproductive dietary perfectionism I?ve seen among many athletes, trainers and coaches. One of the fundamental pitfalls of dichotomizing foods as good or bad, or clean or dirty, is that it can form a destructive relationship with food,? he says.

In a 1999 study, researchers found that flexible dieting was associated with less overeating, lower body weight and better psychological health. Extremely strict dieting was linked to the opposite. Aragon believes those who restrict themselves too much can end up overeating later. ?Anyone who spends enough time among fitness buffs knows that these findings are not off the mark,? says Aragon.

Aragon is by no means encouraging junk food binges, but for him, everything in moderation is just fine."

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