I think I see it both ways. On the one hand, I've noticed that as I've replaced junk foods with more healthy foods that I seem to have more energy during the day. THe biggest issue for me is that I used to want to nap almost every day when I came home from work. Now I notice that eating fruit, yogurt, protein (cheese), or a granola bar -- something healthier than the fritos I WAS eating as an afternoon snack -- seems to help give me a boost. I'm not tired. Clearly, food as fuel is an important concept for me to learn, as this is one area where its effects have been most obvious to me. I'm sure there are others!

But on the other hand, I love food. The best thing for me about this lifestyle change is that I continue to love the food I eat. In fact, I think I pay more attention to how the food tastes than I used to. I don't think I really tasted the fritos I ate every day, I just ate them.

So for me, it has been a real balance. Eat more healthy, "fuel" foods, but learn that I really do love them. A win-win situation!

Yeah, I see it both ways too. I do enjoy food and I don't think of it only as fuel. But, a year ago the pleasure I got from food was strictly limited to taste, sight, and texture. I still love those things and I do still eat foods for no other reason than they decadant and good. When I started exercising and becoming strong and fit I added another food "pleasure" was added to my list. I realized that it wasn't just taste, sight, and texture but that I also loved how good food could make me feel physically. For instance, my morning bowl of oatmeal and veggie sausage taste great but what I really enjoy about it, what makes me keep having it on a regular basis is that I feel stong and energetic when I eat it. Something that the honeybuns I used to eat just can't offer.

Does this thread have any correlation to this thread?
http://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/showthread.php?t=53112

Hmm...

I think in a recent post of mine I defended my theory of food as fuel. But not because I think food is boring or its sole purpose is to give us the energy we need...just that if you're going to work really hard at only the best for your car, or the best kibbles for your dog, why not work hard for yourself too? A twix bar is a tasty treat...but it won't fill me up, and afterwards I'll have the sugar high, low, and then want to go to sleep. I'll thoroughly enjoy the first bite but after that I'll forget I'm eating it. The pleasure derived from food is nothing like the pleasure derived from other things (hugging someone, smiling, finishing a project, seeing your hard work displayed, getting better at a hobby, watching a really good movie). I definitely don't think food is without pleasure...but if I decide to eat that tasty carne asada burrito on a saturday morning it's just never AS tasty or AS fulfilling as my mind thinks it is. My body wonders what I am feeding it and when it will get real good food with protein and less fat. That's I think why I think of food as fuel...it doesn't dictate what I do or don't eat but it reminds me I need to eat better to feel better.

I think we HAVE to think of food as fuel. It is. I don't think there is anything wrong with that. I mean eating food because it was good was what got us here, right. Sometimes I wish they had people kibble too, than we could never eat bad and not have to think about it. You just eat three or four times a day and be done, I get tired of always thinking about food, what's good for me, whats not, Than the guilt if I slip up. If you know you have no self control than I guess people kibble would be the way to go. No temptations. Now if you can think of food as fuel and fun than what a way to "diet". That's the secret right? Finding foods that we love to eat but are also healthy. I think you have to find what works for you. It would get boring eating the same thing everyday but it would also be easier. No matter which way you go food IS fuel for the body, hopefully you can find a balance. fuel and fun!!! but not too much fun. LOL If you change your whole mindset and lifstyle than finding foods that are good and good for you will be easier to stick with, and don't completly deprive yourself of your favorite "sin food". It is ok for a special treat on holidays or once a month or something like that. But I have found that the more healthy I am eating the less I crave those bad foods. Good luck!!!