Diddlee's Journal, 28 April 2019

You're overthinking it. It's not to benefit anyone who wants to keep us fat. We do that just fine ourselves. It's the current online photo culture in the era of Pinterest, Instagram, etc. We never would have taken endless food photos in the old days, but now it's a thing. Post different types of pics and get users talking about them, and they might move into "featured" positions too. 

kpwcalories Thanks for your comment. Maybe Fat Secret Staff think Obesogenic Food Porn belong here too, like on Instagram and other sites. To me it is so weird, that I cannot help wonder why we cannot see other peoples stories without. 

Wow! I guess what each person may see can vary widely. I see many who are succeeding with their journeys to weight reduction. Unfortunately, there are other who still struggle with being human. 

It is obviously what the users of this app wants to do so we have to adjust. Some people post photos of other things and progress photos as well. If I do not want to see photos I sometimes just scan the notification or comment section (web version). 

My thinking is that FS users share mostly great food that is healthy. My photos are typically good tasting food that is good for you. I do eat empty food from time to time and I think it’s important to share that side too. 

Not discounting your frustration at all but may I suggest a couple of ideas? I know I'm always going to have food in front of me in some manner. I don't get food commercials watching TV because I only watch internet TV but the characters in shows and movies eat. Driving down the street there are restaurants a plenty. I live two doors away from a restaurant downtown so my backyard is often heavy with the grill scents. Grocery shopping presents so many options to be chosen or rejected. And even if I have my groceries delivered I still have to pick and choose online. And NOW I get a notice that we have restaurant delivery in our one horse town. Okay now finally getting to the point. I view these photos on Fat Secret as a safe way to view and think about food in general without it being right in front of me. I think you and I follow the same type WOE. So at a time when I'm thinking about portion control and balancing my macros I will look at the photo and if it makes me drool I'll look up the nutrition details. I'll determine if it fits in my plan. If it doesn't I'll think about whether it's worth eating off plan and if I decide it is I'll think about how to eat to balance out eating the next day to keep the week on track. I guess I do all this to break it down to JUST FOOD - not some undeniable delectable life changing dish.  

I would vote for being able to block photos.  

And I understand if you feel like Fat Secret should be a safe place from temptation but it's really helped me with the tracking and information. The photos as detailed in my previous comment help desensitize the culinary mystique. I appreciate the opportunity to explore and make these decisions here where it's just data than in front of the pastry section at the grocers.  

It would be difficult to create one site that pleases everyone, as we all like different things. You can narrow your views to only the people you follow, which may help. I just focus on what I'm interested in and ignore the rest. 

diddlee- there is positive reinforcement and negative reinforcement in our lives everywhere. Posts about donuts, pizza, cookies, cakes, even on FS. I know what is right for me and my health. So bring it on it only affirms what I am committed to, I fuel my body with unprocessed "food" that has minimal human intervention.....i see others who are the extreme opposite of me and it only makes my resolve stronger. I do not share much because I do not want negative criticism in my choice of healthy choices. Block out the FS noise and focus on you!! 

Hey, your post is a "Featured" discussion without pics! Well played! 

Just scroll by them. I see some things that just aren’t for me but it’s mostly people doing maintenance and or treating themselves here and there. You’re doing amazing!!!🤗🤗💪 

Um. 

I didnt really intend on being a part of the FS community. I initially came just to log food. Never even scrolled the activity feed for some time. When I journal it was strictly for myself. Then one day I received a few comments on a post - really didn't dawn to me that people would pay what I wrote attention. But it peeked my curiosity about the feed and then I started responding to other's post. I say this to say, if the feed isn't your thing - you really can take advantage of FS without it. And there are other tracking apps. I actually think the food photos are the best thing about the feed. I wish people shared more of the meal plans they use for weight loss and maintenance. As well as the foods they have challenges with and what they did to approach it in a healthy way. Or, how to eat what you love and still not gain. Honestly tho, as I approach maintenance I am considering making my profile private and removing myself from posting. FS isn't the real world. Supportive people, yes, but our network outside is what matters. Photos on FS is a walk in the park. In real life, food is everywhere.  

Felt sure my rant would get blocked. Certainly not featured. Big surprise to me. Food photos does not bother me at all, but obesogenic junk food (drugs) does. If Fat Secret did not hit the Feature This Post Button on posts with Food Drugs photos, I imagine users would love this place even more. An oasis on the Internet. Where we can build great health. 

Algorithms don’t usually block posts. I’m sure people won’t report you, so all is good. Honestly, I’m not seeing the posts in mass that you are seeing. Must have just had an unfortunate string of posts. 🤷🏻‍♂️ 

love2educate Featured posts change. When I logged in yesterday, all I could see was a wall of drug photos. It made such a profound impression, that I decided to leave this place, and find other ways to keep records. I found one, but find it difficult to leave the wonderful people here.  

Please don't leave.  

I believe you can filter to yourself only or the people you follow only. It's not perfect but it may decrease the photo posts you're seeing that bubble up to featured Everytime someone likes or comments on the post.  

Maybe you get used to it. I just skim past a few things quickly if there are things that do not interest me. Stay.