silvermint

@@VSGAnn2014
You forgot the "dead bodies of helpless, slaughtered animals". I, too, am healthier now than I ever was before. High fat, high Protein, high spice, fresh foods. I'm not sure what food that has sunshine in it is either, but I do prefer free range chickens and humanely raised beef and they lived out in the sunshine, so...
I totally get why some people are vegan or vegetarian. It's kind of like religion or sexuality, it's a personal choice. What I don't understand is the inflammatory and provocative language that some choose to use regarding other's choices.

What's stopping me is that the diet talk and fake foods is so prevalent that I keep thinking I must be missing something. Plus my NUT really pushes all this diet stuff too, tries to make me feel like I'm not serious about this if I'm not willing to get with the program.

Love this thread! I'm with you all. I don't eat diet food either. I eat foods that are yummy and enjoyable. I think that's critical to my long-term success. I do track my foods and make sure to meet Protein goals, keep carbs low, and avoid too many sweets. But yes to healthy fats! Veggies sautéed with olive oil and garlic, fatty delicious salmon, etc. One of my faves, especially after a workout is rotisserie chicken - and yes I eat the skin!
Also - while I track my eating, I don't deny myself a little extra if I'm hungry. I want to maintain a healthy relationship with food, and for me that means not depriving myself.

("Since starting this program and especially post surgery, I'm told to eat a TON of dairy (which I don't tolerate well), and lots of chemical laden sugar free fake foods like the Protein shakes and jellos and puddings and Protein Bars, etc."
I totally agree with you and I was wondering about all the diet sugar free fake foods too. . . . . First of all, we all know now that using the diet sugars makes one crave for more sugar. Also, who wants to put these chemicals in
one's body ? When I had surgery(breast reduction) i was told to refrain from diet food chemicals. The reason
being that with surgery /anesthia you are receiving lots of chemicals so the idea was not to put more chemicals
in your body !!!
Also, the sugar free stuff usually has higher sodium in them. like the sugar free puddings. Plus , some sugar free stuff produces laxative effect. Also, since i am eating only a couple tablespoons at each meal why would I
want to limit my calories with sugar free stuff. A calorie equals energy and if i eat next to nothing already i will
have zero energy to do all the exercise the surgeon/staff wants you to do.

I refuse to eat anything I don't like. I eat full fat cottage cheese, cheese, sour cream, butter, and salad dressing, if I'm going to have it. I don't eat all of those things all the time, and when I do, it's a small, measured amount. I work it into my calories for the day. I rarely drink milk, but if I do, it's whole milk. I don't eat much bread, rice, or Pasta, but I do on occasion. I also take advantage of some "diet" foods like Quest bars. One fat free thing I do eat is Fage 0 fat greek yogurt - because I like it.