I think it’s great to know your body and what works for you.

However, I do disagree here. I know the “all or nothing” way of eating. Sometimes I am like that. Sometimes, I have a spoonful of ice cream and I end up eating the pint. Sometimes I have four pieces of pizza. But you know what? That’s okay! Do I blow up like a balloon? No. Do I gain even a pound? No. Do I feel like I have to eat like that day in and day out? No.

I’m a healthy person. I eat tons of veggies, lean proteins, fruits and whole grains MOST of the time. I exercise. So it’s okay for me to have the occasional “all” eating experience. It’s about balance. I know that I’m usually healthy, and it’s okay if I give in to cravings and overdo it once in a while. It’s NOT a catastrophe.

I worry that the fear of food drives too many people to say “I can’t.” “I can’t eat that. I’ll eat it all.” Okay. And then what? Will the world end? Will you get diabetes? Will you get fat? Will you be an “unhealthy person”? NO! This is a diet dictated by fear…fear of “relapse,” fear of fat, fear of losing control…not empowerment. I used to have this fear. Empowerment is much healthier.

Here’s part of what you said:

As another commenter noted above, its troubling that the supposedly “healthy” food blog community admits they can either binge or restrict and can’t actually do anything in moderation.

The entire tone of this post is quite simply scary. Not because the sentiment is *wrong* per se (I don’t fully agree, but I get the idea behind why you say it)…but because its dangerous.

With respect, I’d like to address what you shared. While I can sympathize with your thoughts and feelings, I don’t think Heather (or most of us other health bloggers) are trying to be “dangerous” or anything like that.

I’ve lost over 100 pounds myself and I didn’t do it by keeping white sugar in my diet and I haven’t kept it off by splurging on white sugar either. I did have cake and ice cream for my birthday but I have to be very careful or I’ll get in a habit of reaching for something I shouldn’t too often.

I think it’s really awesome that you’ve been able to get to the place of moderation you’re at but while you have found a place of eating and drinking in moderation, there are other people who aren’t like you in those ways. I’ve met people who are now sober after years of alcohol or drug abuse and they won’t even take a prescription medication because they feel they can stay sober easier and longer if they avoid them.

It’s an individual preference and we’re all different. That’s what’s so amazing about being able to blog. While Heather shares her sugar-free life, someone else can share their gluten-free life and you could also (if you don’t already) share your life of balanced moderation via your own blog.

I really don’t believe Heather would say anything with the intention of harming anyone who happens to read her posts; I also don’t believe it’s wrong to be proud of maintaining a 100 pound weight loss (or any amount of weight loss). Unless you’ve been 300 pounds and experienced the long, long journey of losing it and trying to maintain it, plus all the ridicule and heartache that comes with it, I don’t believe it’s possible to totally relate or understand it 100%.

I don’t believe we need white sugar in our diet to thrive and survive. There’s stevia, agave, honey, and other alternatives.

In the end, whether it’s food, drugs, or alcohol, I think it’s best to be considerate and mindful of others’ choices. We are, after all, completely different individuals just trying to make it in this world the best way we know how.

Healthy blessings,
Michele

Thanks for sharing!