I have worked with a number of my colleagues for well over a decade. They have seen my transformation over the years along with what went into the journey. For me, so much of what I do makes sense because I have been successful. Meanwhile, some things I do cause people to shake their heads.
We were talking about my current cut and what I have been eating and more interestingly, what I am not. I continue to eat in my usual "IIFYM-If It Fits Your Macros/Flexible Dieting manner. That is, I eat healthier versions of foods I enjoy. I eat grilled cheese, french toast, steak, burgers, fries, tacos, etc. What I don't eat are so called "healthy" foods such as boring and bland boiled chicken with steamed broccoli.
Actually, it's those foods that are deemed "healthier" which clearly are more nutrient-dense, that I usually give up. I usually eat a salad every day with mixed greens, lots of veggies, and a low cal dressing. It's just under 100 calories. The same goes for a Greek yogurt and berry parfait. That's also just around 100 calories.
Now, I do enjoy those foods mentioned above, but not as much as I might enjoy two grilled cheese made with Schmidt 647 Italian bread and Borden's fat-free American cheese. You get where I'm going with this. I sacrifice the "healthy" stuff to fit in more of the fun stuff. As long as I'm hitting my macros for fat, protein, carbs, and fiber, I'm good to go in my book.
This doesn't mean I have swapped out all of my nutrient-dense foods. I eat a primarily healthy diet, but I'm sure many would be surprised by the number of processed foods I eat. But when push comes to shove, I'm going to drop kick something healthy to the curb if I can tickle my fancy with some baked Lays potato chips especially when on a cut.
I feel far less deprived when I get to somewhat sate my cravings. However, there are some that would argue eating four cups of broccoli would do more to curb hunger and overall be better for me. To that I say, the most important thing I can do for my health is to bring my body weight/fat down.
The thing about dieting is, there's no one size fits all. In fact, even my diet has taken many twists and turns over the years. So I'm not inclined to tell anyone what plan to choose. I just like to share what has worked for me. And right now, giving up some fruits and veggies for more palatable alternatives is the ticket.
