What are you eating?

[SoxFan562004]

I think a good addition to this section would be this thread dedicated to exchanging healthy meal ideas. As we all know diet is one of the most important parts of losing weight or adding muscle. Also, I think it's important to get in a good eating routine that isn't a fad crash diet.

 

So, I eat this meal about 4-5 times a week:

 

1 chicken breast

1 serving brown rice

1 serving jarred marinara sauce

 

Simply prepare each ingrident and combine! It's simple and if you need to you can make alot of it on Sunday night to warm during the week. I use Sricacha (sp?) sauce to spice the dish up.

[Balta1701]

In response to SF#'s, I've found it to be more effective to make sure I have some variety in most meals especially at dinner. If you load up on one particular type of product too much, then you tend to wind up deficient in some nutrient or another, and your body winds up needing additional intake to cover it. Mixing stuff up can be healthy as well.

 

My usual weekday breakfast is a bowl of cereal w Milk, something high fiber/multigrain (whatever I can get on sale, adds some variety from week to week), with some orange juice and a cup of coffee.

 

Lunch...maybe a little less variety. I'll usually have an apple and a banana, sometimes substituting another piece of fruit if something is on sale, along with a yogurt or a small protein bar (again, whatever's on sale. Man I'm good at grocery shopping.) I mix in 2 cups of unsweetened tea, at least 1 of which is green tea, during the day, to keep hydrated and because it helps keep appetite under control. I'll also space things out so that I'm not crying in hunger pains at any point in the afternoon.

 

I'll usually eat until I'm full with dinner. The one thing I avoid here is fast food, and the thing I always try to do is make sure there's a couple servings of vegetables mixed in. Fair amount of pastas, rice, tried out some lentils this week, stews, whatever. Like having some variety. Do have to avoid over-doing it at dinner though, my stomach has always been bigger than what my body needs.

 

I'll snack some, typically on Sundays (guacamole works quite well for me), but I typically don't wake up early enough to eat breakfast that day so I just have a larger lunch.

 

I've felt like the key thing for me in losing the weight I'd put on was adding in the fruit at lunch. That really seemed to make a difference when I got on that. It makes sure I get a couple servings of fruit a day. Once I got to the point that I was building muscle and my weight was holding steady I started adding in some extra yogurt or protein bars to add a little more of that substance to my diet.

[maggsmaggs]

One of the keys is a salad at some point in the day. One it can be filling, two it gets you some of your most important nutrients. I always eat one with spinach, shredded carrots, broccoli, peas and low-fat ranch dressing. Sometimes, I'll put croutons or bacon bits to get some flavor. For most of my life, I have never been a veggie person, but now I love em.

[SoxFan562004]

One of the keys is a salad at some point in the day. One it can be filling, two it gets you some of your most important nutrients. I always eat one with spinach, shredded carrots, broccoli, peas and low-fat ranch dressing. Sometimes, I'll put croutons or bacon bits to get some flavor. For most of my life, I have never been a veggie person, but now I love em.

that's a good suggestion and one I should probably start up

[Y2HH]

This is a very subjective thing -- diets in general have to be catered to each individual, as every metabolism and body is different so different things work different ways for each individual in question.

 

The obvious usual's will be the first things people say to avoid, such as no fast foods, no greasy/fried foods, etc. This list includes ice cream, sugar, cream, etc...I say bah to that -- I love ice cream, and I love fast food from time to time, too. Oh, and I also love me some hot dogs/polish at the Sox games (with beer, of course)...so for that reason alone these types of diets are out of the question.

 

I've found in my time, which is years and years of working out, experimenting with high calorie, low calorie, high fat/low fat, fast food no fast food, you name it I've tried it over the years -- what I've found is boring strict diets are just that -- boring and strict and almost impossible to stick with. It's good to eat healthy, obviously, so what I tend to do is no matter where I go try to do things on the healthier side without being insanely strict about it. Just little changes here and there can make all the difference in the world. If you usually eat a lot of cheese, switch it to 2% cheese, rather than outright not eating it. If you drink soda a lot, try a diet soda here and there, rather than trying the bound to fail cold-turkey method of crash dieting. Small gradual changes without outright changing everything you eat can be the key to a successful and sustainable diet.

 

If you find yourself hungry, nuts, fruit, etc can be a nice tide-me-over snack. There are many potato chip varieties that aren't full of saturated fats, but poly and mono unsaturated cooked in peanut oils or even baked, eat those instead, especially for you chip lovers that just will not keep off of them forever.

 

All that said, depending on how I feel I'll eat whatever I want -- I just wont overdo it. If I could offer any advice on this subject, do NOT crash diet. Do NOT adopt any diet that makes massive unsustainable changes, either. Find something in the middle, something you can stick with and something that is EASY to do. If everything you eat takes too long to prepare, you will fall off of that diet the moment things get hectic in your life, so don't bother starting something like that. Keep it simple, and don't make it drastic. The key is small changes that cut corners without chopping off the entire block. Also, avoid tasteless crap like no-fat products, they're chemical garbage, stick with low-fat alternatives in place of the things you normally eat and you'll find it makes a world of difference.

Edited April 2, 2009 by Y2HH

[LosMediasBlancas]

I just try to make suure my meals get healther as the day goes on. I'll have heavy carbs for breakfast, I figure I'll burn them off during the day, less at lunch and very few at dinner. I recently switched to 'MGD 64' beer, because I'm not giving up beer.

[Rex Hudler]

This is a very subjective thing -- diets in general have to be catered to each individual, as every metabolism and body is different so different things work different ways for each individual in question.

 

The obvious usual's will be the first things people say to avoid, such as no fast foods, no greasy/fried foods, etc. This list includes ice cream, sugar, cream, etc...I say bah to that -- I love ice cream, and I love fast food from time to time, too. Oh, and I also love me some hot dogs/polish at the Sox games (with beer, of course)...so for that reason alone these types of diets are out of the question.

 

I've found in my time, which is years and years of working out, experimenting with high calorie, low calorie, high fat/low fat, fast food no fast food, you name it I've tried it over the years -- what I've found is boring strict diets are just that -- boring and strict and almost impossible to stick with. It's good to eat healthy, obviously, so what I tend to do is no matter where I go try to do things on the healthier side without being insanely strict about it. Just little changes here and there can make all the difference in the world. If you usually eat a lot of cheese, switch it to 2% cheese, rather than outright not eating it. If you drink soda a lot, try a diet soda here and there, rather than trying the bound to fail cold-turkey method of crash dieting. Small gradual changes without outright changing everything you eat can be the key to a successful and sustainable diet.

 

If you find yourself hungry, nuts, fruit, etc can be a nice tide-me-over snack. There are many potato chip varieties that aren't full of saturated fats, but poly and mono unsaturated cooked in peanut oils or even baked, eat those instead, especially for you chip lovers that just will not keep off of them forever.

 

All that said, depending on how I feel I'll eat whatever I want -- I just wont overdo it. If I could offer any advice on this subject, do NOT crash diet. Do NOT adopt any diet that makes massive unsustainable changes, either. Find something in the middle, something you can stick with and something that is EASY to do. If everything you eat takes too long to prepare, you will fall off of that diet the moment things get hectic in your life, so don't bother starting something like that. Keep it simple, and don't make it drastic. The key is small changes that cut corners without chopping off the entire block. Also, avoid tasteless crap like no-fat products, they're chemical garbage, stick with low-fat alternatives in place of the things you normally eat and you'll find it makes a world of difference.

 

I agree with that assessment. Radically changing your diet is okay, but you cannot completely eliminate foods you like. Finding ways to eat healthier in a way that you can sustain and not feel guilty about allowing yourself to indulge on occasion is the right recipe. Granted, it's best that one does not indulge 3 times a day!

 

I will add that for those that tend to be picky (as I am), experiment with foods and find things you may not have thought you would eat, even some you may not have liked when you were younger. In my old fast food, meat and potatoes world my diet was pretty liimited. Simple additions such as oatmeal, fresh fruits, yoguart, almonds, etc. have allowed me to find healthier options that still taste great.

 

[SoxFan562004]

I just try to make suure my meals get healther as the day goes on. I'll have heavy carbs for breakfast, I figure I'll burn them off during the day, less at lunch and very few at dinner. I recently switched to 'MGD 64' beer, because I'm not giving up beer.

MGD 64 tastes like water! I cut back on my drinking alot, so when I actually do it I drink Miller Lite or captain and diet pop.

[LosMediasBlancas]

MGD 64 tastes like water! I cut back on my drinking alot, so when I actually do it I drink Miller Lite or captain and diet pop.

 

64 tastes better than I was expecting.

Miller Lite is higher in calories and carbs than I thought.

Sierra Nevada (my favorite) went directly to my gut, I only have that if I'm out.

[BigSqwert]

Try incorporating quinoa in your diet. Replace your rice dishes with it. Stuff is amazing. A true superfood.

 

From wiki:

...this crop has become highly appreciated for its nutritional value, as its protein content is very high (12%–18%)...Unlike wheat or rice (which are low in lysine), quinoa contains a balanced set of essential amino acids for humans, making it an unusually complete protein source. It is a good source of dietary fiber and phosphorus and is high in magnesium and iron. Quinoa is gluten-free and considered easy to digest.

[RockRaines]

64 tastes better than I was expecting.

Miller Lite is higher in calories and carbs than I thought.

Sierra Nevada (my favorite) went directly to my gut, I only have that if I'm out.

Its just MGD light rebranded.

 

 

If you guys really want to eliminate weight and fat, you HAVE to cut beer out of your diet at least for awhile. If you must drink, have some clear booze with water. I would suggest cutting out drinking all together at least for a few months.

[southsideirish71]

Try incorporating quinoa in your diet. Replace your rice dishes with it. Stuff is amazing. A true superfood.

 

From wiki:

 

I was looking at adding that to my breakfast regiment. Looks pretty good. I am also looking some spagetti made from it as well, more expensive. But lets sugars in the mix.

 

[BigSqwert]

I was looking at adding that to my breakfast regiment. Looks pretty good. I am also looking some spagetti made from it as well, more expensive. But lets sugars in the mix.

I've made something very similar to this a few times. Fantastic stuff.

 

http://www.cookworm.com/2008/04/12/black-b...lad-with-mango/

[RockRaines]

I was looking at adding that to my breakfast regiment. Looks pretty good. I am also looking some spagetti made from it as well, more expensive. But lets sugars in the mix.

Replace regular bread if you are eating toast with Spelt bread as well.

[BigSqwert]

Replace regular bread if you are eating toast with Spelt bread as well.

Indeed. Great suggestion.

[greasywheels121]

[Rex Hudler]

 

You have got to be kidding! Please tell me that is fake????

[Y2HH]

It's not fake, but it is disgusting... :/

[RockRaines]

Now, egg white sandwiches on spelt bread almost exclusively. I suppliment it with fruit, some greens for dinner and protein shakes.

[G&T]

It's not fake, but it is disgusting... :/

 

I think it was an April fool's joke.

[Balta1701]

I think it was an April fool's joke.

This, however, is not.

[NorthSideSox72]

I was looking at adding that to my breakfast regiment. Looks pretty good. I am also looking some spagetti made from it as well, more expensive. But lets sugars in the mix.

If you like pasta, but want to get more out of it nutrionally, I highly suggest Barilla Plus. Unlike a lot of the wheat pastas that taste like crap, this stuff actually tastes as good as any pasta you'd get from a box (not as good as true homemade, but, who eats that at home anyway?). They use chickpeas and lentils, so its got 17g of protein per 100g serving, very little fat, and a 7g fiber in that same serving. Great stuff.

 

[RockRaines]

If you like pasta, but want to get more out of it nutrionally, I highly suggest Barilla Plus. Unlike a lot of the wheat pastas that taste like crap, this stuff actually tastes as good as any pasta you'd get from a box (not as good as true homemade, but, who eats that at home anyway?). They use chickpeas and lentils, so its got 17g of protein per 100g serving, very little fat, and a 7g fiber in that same serving. Great stuff.

I actually use brown rice pasta when cooking the stuff. Its hard to find a good brand that doesnt get mushy, but the whole grain is better for you than regular.

[Y2HH]

I really feel sorry for some of you dieters. I know these diets...I know these types of crappy flavored light/fat free foods...I'm happy my metabolism allows me to basically eat what I want while retaining a muscular build.

 

Eating "healthy" is 1) expensive, and 2) a pain in the ass, and I put healthy in "'s because healthy and this new-age modernized uber healthy are vastly different things.

Edited May 8, 2009 by Y2HH

[Balta1701]

I really feel sorry for some of you dieters. things.

You have made an enemy today.