jimrandomh comments on What should I have for dinner? (A case study in decision making) - Less Wrong

23 Post author: bentarm 12 August 2010 01:29PM

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Comment author: jimrandomh 12 August 2010 09:02:20PM 3 points [-]

I'm trying to use it to combat claims that you can eat as much "good" food as you want as long as you avoid "bad" food.

Hang on - does "as much 'good' food as you want" mean "arbitrarily much food", or does it mean "enough to sate appetite and no more"? My position is that the latter ought to be okay, and if it isn't, it's because something is wrong that needs to be dealt with directly, using thought and observation, not willpower.

Comment author: ObliqueFault 12 August 2010 09:42:15PM 1 point [-]

I was using it to mean "arbitrarily much food". My position is similar: If you eat just until you're full and you get moderate exercise but you're still overweight, you should talk to your doctor. You may still need to change your eating or exercising habits, but you should do research first, and not make any sweeping changes all at once.

Changing your habits is always difficult, and that's where the willpower comes in. It should only be needed until you settle into your new habits, though. And you should never have to be constantly hungry, or end up having to eat almost nothing, as Janet said. Both outcomes are extremely unhealthy.

I think I'll add this to my original post to clarify my position. I seem to have come across as more extreme than I intended.