Comments on: keeping it real.

By: Abby

Abby — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 13:22:46 +0000

I don’t watch the show for that very reason, in that of course eating 12 bananas at a time would cause you to gain weight–eating too much of anything will result in a gain. The problem is that people are always looking to eliminate things instead of practicing moderation and taking the time to educate themselves.

Because of my history, I do have a thing about fruits, and it stems from an environment I was in that deemed the sugars as “bad.” So, the past couple years I’ve been trying to retrain myself in the mindset that if it’s natural, it’s naturally good for me. Fruits, veggies (any kind, corn and tater haters) and whole grains are what I crave, what I need and what I want, so why label them as anything other than a natural food choice?

By: Brooke

Brooke — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 07:50:01 +0000

mangoes & bananas are my two most favorite fruits…and likewise, we have a very funny relationship. especially mangoes! i love them! and kind of had an addiction/obsession a year back. but i am so happy that i have become comfortable enough to eat one the size of my head, without measuring or counting the negligible calories. same goes for winter squash. because i would much rather enjoy a sweet, juicy mango, than a portioned bowl of splenda laden fro-yo. i do not understand why the media is making up these rules for fruits and veggies! a plant based diet is so natural, and so perfect. this issue, along with the biggest loser, really irks me. rant over.

leslie, i loved this post! thank you. xo

By: Katerina

Katerina — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 22:42:58 +0000

I agree with you, BUT I get that some people need more structure the that. i.e. a serving of almonds is a dozen. Certainly if your main goal in life is to lose weight then these details matter.

Also – to that first poster I know that Jillian recommends to her contestants to not count calories on leafy greens at all, they are suggested to eat as much as they want. Whew.

I am more concerned about eliminating things entirely then when they make strange portion control announcements. (i.e. bananas are evil don’t eat bananas).

That said, don’t even get me started on the Extra gum or the disgusting protein powder those poor contestants drink.

Off to eat a banana (my 2nd of the day)

By: katie

katie — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 22:34:41 +0000

AMEN girl..mangos=amazing..especially frozen :)

By: julie

julie — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 22:17:22 +0000

mangoes bananas and pineapples rock my socks off and will forever never leave my life I don’t care what the freak JM says.

By: Hil

Hil — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 21:31:47 +0000

Great post. For the most part, I agree. Presenting pronouncements like that out of context is bound to promote fear of certain foods, which is an incredibly toxic thing. It would be hugely refreshing to have someone with a wide audience express a more common sense view of food.

At the same time,I always want to be careful about making blanket pronouncements. I am more carbohydrate sensitive than many people, and my body doesn’t feel good if I eat a lot of high glycemic index foods. Mangos aren’t a problem for me, but they might be for some people, especially people who are trying to manage diabetes or have other medical reasons to maintain a steady blood sugar.

I have never been obese or had weight-related medical problems, and from what I gather, the tyical person who hangs around our sort of food blogs hasn’t either. I am not endorsing Biggest Loser’s methods by any means, but I want to avoid disparaging people who desire or require more structure to their eating than “eat lots of plant based foods.”

By: Taylor@Joy of Food

Taylor@Joy of Food — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 21:13:11 +0000

Great topic and when I was trying to loose weight I would listen to people like that and stay away from bananas or what was called “bad fruits or veggies” I now realise that’s ridiculous and they should be teaching about cutting out most foods, but teaching about portion control, swapping unhealthy foods for healthy foods. I myself don’t watch the Biggest Loser either.

By: Eliza

Eliza — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 20:42:36 +0000

loved this topic so much Leslie, i agree 100% with everything, and i hate that bananas and mango’s are deemed “weight gain” fruits Ugh, as Maya said in treatment a girl said that to us, and before that i never thought anything, just thought bananas are bananas lol…
then i was so scared of them for like 1 year, now i eat like 1 a day or even 2…they are so healthy for you,
and ugh biggest loser, hate that show too! :/ well also i hate how peas are considered a starch according to the fda or food pyramid or w/e, ugh then my ED never lets me have peas b/c its a starch? so stupid.
food from the earth is so amazing and healthy as you said, and the quantities shouldn’t be limited like 5 fruits a day or w/e pisses me off ;) because i tend to eat like 6 or 7 on most days lol…okay i could go on about this…but i will end my mini novel haha ;)

love you
xx
Eliza

By: maya

maya — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 20:34:16 +0000

ugh yes! i hate that, its so ignorant to think that fruit could be “bad” unless its drenched in high fructose corn syrup and eaten in large quantities lol..i dont think any fruit should be deemed good or bad..In IP one girl said to me my 2nd day when i was 17..”ohh bananas are a weight gain fruit!!” WTF!…so ehhugh :/ and i was scared of nanas for like 1 year and now i am pretty much a lil monkey ;) i have one every day if not 2 times :) anywhoo…EVErything in moderation and all food is great! and the biggest loser pisses me off ;)

loved this post great topic!

xo
maya

By: rebecca lustig

rebecca lustig — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 20:13:17 +0000

What a powerful, important post! The media sends out such a twisted, unhealthy message– especially for adolescents and teenagers. I wish there were registered dietitians and nutritionists on the show (and actually, just in general).

Way to go with this post. I love it.
Have a fantastic day, lovely lady!
Becca
http://fromheretothereinpurple.blogspot.com/