I want to lose weight, but I can’t just give up junk food. It’s like an addiction. Every time I try to quit, I end up binging and ruining my diet. Chewing gum helps a bit, but not enough. Any tips on losing weight without cutting out all the snacks?
You can still lose weight if you keep your calories in check. As long as you stay in a calorie deficit, you can eat junk food and still lose weight. I’ve had fast food and sweets and managed to lose 32 pounds by sticking to my calorie goals.
@Zorion
That’s true, but not all calories are equal when it comes to nutrition. Sure, a calorie deficit will help you lose weight, but a diet with more nutrient-dense foods could have better overall results. Two people can be in the same calorie deficit, but the one eating healthier foods might end up looking and feeling better.
@Briar
Yeah, but the point is you don’t have to avoid junk food completely. You can balance a mostly healthy diet and still have some treats now and then without it ruining your progress.
Remy said:
@Briar
Yeah, but the point is you don’t have to avoid junk food completely. You can balance a mostly healthy diet and still have some treats now and then without it ruining your progress.
True, just don’t go overboard. Having a mostly clean diet with a couple of treats works best. I’d suggest keeping it 90% healthy and allowing yourself a few cheat meals here and there.
@Briar
Exactly, I was just saying OP can eat junk food in moderation while still hitting their goals.
Same here. My husband always buys junk food, and with five kids, it’s everywhere. I’ve been losing weight by eating smaller portions, like grabbing snack-sized packs instead of the whole bag. It really helps.
For me, it helped to quit entirely. Cutting out all junk food made my cravings go away after a while. Now, I can even have a cheat day without going off track.
I make my own treats with healthier ingredients. I still eat something sweet every day, and allow myself a treat or two each week. It’s all about finding balance. I also snack on things like frozen grapes if I’m craving sweets and have already had my treats for the week.
When I crave something sweet, I’ll start with a piece of fruit. If that doesn’t cut it, then I’ll have a small treat. I’m losing about 1 pound a week this way, even with special occasions along the way.
I don’t buy big packs. If I really want something, I’ll just buy one bar or ice cream so I’m not tempted to overeat.
I got a few candies from Whole Foods recently, and I eat one every now and then with lunch, staying within my calorie goal.
Save your calories for the treats. I keep my meals light and fill in the rest with junk food, staying under 1400 calories. I’ve been able to reach my goal weight this way without feeling deprived.
I had a bad sugar addiction too. Going low-carb for a few weeks really helped me break it. Now, I’ve lost 80 pounds and feel amazing.
Sure, just go for it and see how it works for you.
It’s not just ‘like’ an addiction – it really is one. If you can stop cold turkey, you’ll notice you start to lose the cravings. After a while, you might not even want junk food anymore.
Dark chocolate can be a good option. It’s sweet but not too addictive, so it helps with cravings.
If you can control portions, it’s totally possible to still enjoy junk food and lose weight. Just make sure to keep an eye on your calorie intake.