Originally Posted by TheBunneh:
Technically every person is on a diet. Diet is simply what we eat - whether it's restricted for weight loss or not.

What I HATE is when I use the word "diet" in the generic sense (synonymous with food plan, or foods I happen to be eating) and get pounced on by the "pc language, lifestyle police" - that is when I use the "d-word" in its generic sense and someone haughtily tells me that I'll never succeed until I see it as a lifestyle, and there's no convincing them that I do, just because I used the D-word.

I've seen people call the craziest scam fad diets a "lifestyle" just because it's become the politically correct term. Saying lifestyle doesn't make it healthy or sustainable, and saying diet doesn't make unhealthy or unsustainable, either.

I do agree that in general (as a culture) we need to stop seeing dieting (monitoring one's food intake for any purpose) as a temporary fix, but I don't think it's the terminology that's the main problem.

To me there's a distinction between "a diet" and "diet". As has already been brought up, there's a big difference between the two. It's usually obvious within context which is being referred to.

We all talk about "the American diet" or the "Asian diet" without too much trouble.

And frankly, going on "a diet" works for some people. It doesn't work for me but many people are able to drop the pounds and maintain that loss having been on "a diet". I think the odds are just stacked against such a method. It's the life style changes that statistically have more success.

Oh, and I often use the words "My DIET consists of...."

The word diet looks really weird now and it's bothering me. ha.

OP, I agree that I don't like that use of the word "diet." The word itself doesn't bother me, it's how it's used.

Haha! I agree with KenzideRhae. It's why I like calorie counting. I CAN eat anything, I just don't usually. I've had people who have monitored my eating in the past (without ANY invitation from me). :rolleyes:

That's kinda why I purposefully have, to date, avoided telling anyone what my food choices consist of or that I calorie count. That way, they can't moniter my food and intake because they don't know what they are. :D

I suppose I can only get away with that for so long, but I'll hold out until someone gets all specific on me and I can't shake 'em.