Eating right.

[Chigworthy]

It seems to me that the dietary habits of our country could be one of the worst cultural disasters of all time. It is very hard to eat properly, even when cooking at home. We tend to get hung up on watching our carbs and fats, but I really think that all of the shit chemicals they put in foods can adversely effect our digestive health as well.

I think that eating out should be an occasional thing, and time should be made in everyone's schedule to cook at home, using simple ingredients. It's cheaper, too.

Obviously, red meat is known to be somewhat unhealthy. I just learned something in a class that I don't think people realize about red meat like beef and lamb. It comes from detritovores, not herbivores. Detritovores rely on bacteria and fungus in their digestive system to take cellulose-rich matter like grass and leaves and convert it into digestible food for the animal. They are not designed to eat grain, like the corn that is used to a disastrous level on most commercial beef. Detritovores that are fed grain actually produce tasty, well-marbled meat. Unfortunately, the animal is usually sickened by this diet, and needs to be fed antibiotics and other medicine to reach a slaughterable size. And of course the well-marbled meat that is produced is also higher in fat and cholesterol. So, if you tend to eat red meat frequently, pay the extra dollar for grass-fed, and even organic.

[grlNIN]

Before i moved i used to cook a lot, now it varies but i find that even when trying to eat right i feel very pressured just by myself alone.

Normally i am a very picky eater, i eat pepper turkey and chicken semi-moderately but overall stay away from pork and beef, unless i feel my body craving the iron.

Since i joined my gym i have been trying to not really turn my eating completely around because i know that would be too much too soon but i am definitely eating less and filling the large gaps(sometimes up to 8 hours) in which i wouldnt eat with more protein or nutritionally efficient food like cheese and carrots, sometimes cereal. Stuff that will hold me over without completely filling me up

I see how my boyfriend's family eats and i am horrified. I come from a pretty thin family and his is overweight or on the side where you're not thin but youre not fat. His Dad has had gastric bypass and lost over 100lbs but he is still about 300 and it's not surprise when you see how they eat.

It worries me a lot but i think it motivates me more to step up on my part and to help my boyfriend veer away from those habits as well.

[Chigworthy]

I think a lot of people can be discouraged (me included) because it seems so daunting, but just starting to change habits slowly like you said is the way to go.

[cupcakelove]

Doing it slowly worked for me. Just try to change one thing every week or two. Load up your kitchen with fruits and vegetables to snack on and stop buying things like chips and candy. And drink a lot of water. I also take one day a week to cheat a little. Its unreasonable to expect yourself to never want things that aren't good for you, just make sure when you do go for them to do it in moderation.

[Dougie Brootal]

i eat horribly. i have quiznos at least 4 times a week. its just easier than bringing something from home to work. i want to eat better but im lazy.

[Chigworthy]

The fruits and veggies thing is cliche, but really important. I read an article by a nutritionist who described looking at your dinner plate as a pie chart. I think she recomended something like 50% of the plate being healthily-prepared vegetables, 25% whole grain, and 25% healthy protein. While this would be hard to stick to every dinner, a few nights a week would be a good improvement. Oh, and she recommended that getting smaller plates and bowls can have a huge effect on how many calories you take in. She had 9-inch dinner plates.

[Chigworthy]

i eat horribly. i have quiznos at least 4 times a week. its just easier than bringing something from home to work. i want to eat better but im lazy.

It is hard to get over that laziness, but once it becomes habit, it's easy. I was doing a 2.5 month park ranger academy, which was full time, 5-6 days a week. There was little time on our lunch break to spend eating, and I became a machine about lunch. I would eat a banana at break, and have a bottle of water with a teabag (now I would use a stainless steel water bottle), a bag of carrots, some healthy trail mix (no M&M's), and a sandwich made of turkey, cheese, mustard, and whole grain bread. I lost 15 pounds by the end of the thing. It seems like rigid routine can really help dieting.

[grlNIN]

i eat horribly. i have quiznos at least 4 times a week. its just easier than bringing something from home to work. i want to eat better but im lazy.

You should try to invest some time on Sundays to prepare all your food for the week so that you don't have to wake up early the day of or forget the night before to do it.

I also found a useful article on MSN about cutting calories

http://health.msn.com/nutrition/articlepage.aspx?cp-documentid=100099241

"Eating 100 calories less each day can help you lose 10 pounds in a year," says Jo-Ann Heslin, registered dietitian and co-author of The Calorie Counter (3rd Edition, Pocket Books, 2003). "It can be done by making small changes in what you eat."

The trick is to eliminate something you typically consume on a daily basis. By taking that approach, it's easy to remember. You're basically forming a new routine, replacing a high-calorie habit with one that is lower in calories..

[Chigworthy]

Is that Keith Caputo in your sig?

[Dougie Brootal]

good ideas. i may try them. thanks.

[zentraed]

As soon as I decide that I want to lose weight, the first thing I do is stop eating out. Fast food just has way too many calories. Just a whopper has like 600 calories. I can get some whole wheat buns and extra lean ground beef and it's only around 300 calories.

A routine is key, along with getting used to leftovers. I cooked a big salmon filet the other night that was cut into 4 pieces, so that's a few days dinner meat in only 30 minutes. And what we eat isn't nearly as bad as how much we eat! The plate idea is spot on, but it only works if you're eating frequently during the day. Green beans, broccolli, asparagus, carrots, etc. are quick and easy, and you can microwave a sweet potato in just a few minutes to go with it. Cooking doesn't have to take forever.

I was a vegetarian for a while and that helped me break out a lot of my junk food habits. People just don't think of things as "treats" anymore. They won't ice cream everyday, or a giant bag of buttered popcorn, not to mention all sodas. Just plan out and eat reasonably sized meals, and have some junk food once or twice a week and you'll be fine.

[Mike Teacher]

If we ate less, almost irrespective of what it was, just less, and moved more = problem solved. Sadly, the public doesn't want a solution that involves discipline, sacrifice, and even pain. I'd argue the pain of stunning obesity outweighs [ouch] the pain of dieting.

=

and even organic.

=

I know where people are coming from with the organic thing, and there are meats and veggies with a bit of the nasty hormones and chemicals, but the general idea of 'organic foods' is a bit of a misnomer. Technically, it's all organic. As for how 'organic' vs 'non' we're all getting the same chemicals in our foods. All the thousands of exotic substances that weve made are out there in all the soil, in all the rain, in all the food, it's everywhere, people have to resign themselves to it.

If not in our foods in our water, or air. Your dry cleaning chemicals, the chemicals in the candles we burn, the mercury in the bulbs and batteries, all the cigs, all the paints, cosmetics, etc et al ad nausem ... were all bathing in it, taking it all in.

=

Which is completely different from the original post which is dead on; we could eat a lot better. Fast food blows, most prepared foods blow. People gotta learn how to grab some raw veggies and a wok and cook up some healthy goodmess that tastes as good as any food youd get in any restaurant for about 1/50 the cost.

Ok that rambled!!!! Yow

[grlNIN]

Is that Keith Caputo in your sig?

Yeeeees.

[Chigworthy]

If we ate less, almost irrespective of what it was, just less, and moved more = problem solved. Sadly, the public doesn't want a solution that involves discipline, sacrifice, and even pain. I'd argue the pain of stunning obesity outweighs [ouch] the pain of dieting.

=

and even organic.

=

I know where people are coming from with the organic thing, and there are meats and veggies with a bit of the nasty hormones and chemicals, but the general idea of 'organic foods' is a bit of a misnomer. Technically, it's all organic. As for how 'organic' vs 'non' we're all getting the same chemicals in our foods. All the thousands of exotic substances that weve made are out there in all the soil, in all the rain, in all the food, it's everywhere, people have to resign themselves to it.

If not in our foods in our water, or air. Your dry cleaning chemicals, the chemicals in the candles we burn, the mercury in the bulbs and batteries, all the cigs, all the paints, cosmetics, etc et al ad nausem ... were all bathing in it, taking it all in.

=

Which is completely different from the original post which is dead on; we could eat a lot better. Fast food blows, most prepared foods blow. People gotta learn how to grab some raw veggies and a wok and cook up some healthy goodmess that tastes as good as any food youd get in any restaurant for about 1/50 the cost.

Ok that rambled!!!! Yow

I totally agree that "organic" may have become some sort of cure-all in our eyes, but I do not write off organic farming and agriculture. The mindset and procedure of organic farming fosters a return to more natural and healthy agricultural practices. The U.S. system of agriculture is as obese and ill as the stereotypical American, and this is not a coincedence.

[Skellington]

If it comes from a box or a bag, it's bad. If it contains high fructose corn syrup, put it back on the shelf.

Beef should be lean.

Chicken is life.

Carb free is normally replaced with a shit ton of fat, be wary.

Have fun.

[GonzoStyle]

as far as the fruits and veggies that is definitely cliche as was mentioned. You wanna eat them but theres good and bad, a lot of fruits are high in fructose and you wanna stay away from them or at least limit them. Citrus fruits are your best choice, as well as grapes and berries. As far as veggies go, the dark greens are also your best choices, much better than lettuce or celery which is basically just water. A lot of people I know who ask me for advice, after convincing them I didnt get surgery or find some magic cure, I tell them what to eat and they say "blech but I hate that" well you gotta sacrifice, its plain and simple and no way around it. Occam's Razor applies here, for any weight loss the solution is simple, burn more calories than you intake, thats it, nothing else. You gotta learn to like diet soda or just dont drink soda and even then, no more than 1 can a day.

Main thing is that I can NOT STRESS THIS ENOUGH WATER!!! You must, must, must drink lots of water every day, hate it, love it, dont matter. 8 glasses of water per day and an extra glass for every 20 pounds over your goal weight... no ifs, ands, or buts.

You can have carbs, never trust a diet that completely eliminates any food group, fad diets are bullshit. Just portion control, exercise, and eating the right types of foods. For carbs I eat fat free oatmeal, whole grain cereals and breads but not a lot of course. For proteins I eat egg whites, beans and when I want meat I usually get Bison. Theres plenty of bullshit out there, thats why this forum is great, talk to people and see whats working out there. Also remember to eat after your work out, to regenerate and contrary to popular opinion, caffeine is very good, especially before your work out, as a metabolism booster.

Main thing is learn to fill in something else instead of the eating, dont think about it so much, learn to eat to live and not live to eat. Get a hobby, preferably one that takes you outdoors.

[EffMeBoobs]

All great advice. Slowly I've been switching what I eat to mainly vegetarian. I mainly eat whole grains like brown rice, quinoa, lots of green veggies and orange like carrots and sweet potatoes. I also eat beans for their protein. I do eat pasta but in moderation. I like to whip up meals that are full of veggies and beans and mix in a little brown rice or pasta to go with it. I still eat chicken and eggs but sparingly. I really stay away from red meat and pork.

Water is a big problem for me. BIG. I hate it cant do it. So I have to try and drink water. I bring bottled water with me to work and bring the same unopened bottle back home with me. I'll drink unsweetened iced tea or diet soda but that's it.

My problem is breakfast. I dont know what to eat. I really dont like oatmeal, I mean I'll eat it but not everyday. I really dont like the oatmeal packets either, I would want to make my own oatmeal but that's too much time in the morning that I dont have. What do you guys eat for breakfast?

[Snoogans]

I just ate a turkey sandwich with a bunch of sea salted potato chips. Then I just finished off a quart of chocolate milk and now i might have a slice or 2 of pizza. Is this considered healthy eating?

I know I cant totally commit until a week from Thursday. Thats when I'll kick off my diet with a trip for McRibs

[grlNIN]

Breakfast, if you can, you should try to eat a piece of cheese or small meat(maybe pepperoni?-i love it for a quick snack). It kick starts your metabolism and holds you over until lunch.

Whereas a carb heavy breakfast will have you hungry before lunch usually and doesn't do much good.

I never liked Kashi myself but i used to eat it when i was not eating any meat at all to fill me up in the morning. I also try and buy more fruit and nut friendly cereals(Rasin Bran Crunch, Special K with Berries, etc.)

I only have a suggestion that you may want to look into protein pwder if you are not eating meats. I know i might have to start drinking it as well seeing as i rarely eat meat but beans and some chicken is simply not enough protein for your diet.

[EffMeBoobs]

Breakfast, if you can, you should try to eat a piece of cheese or small meat(maybe pepperoni?-i love it for a quick snack). It kick starts your metabolism and holds you over until lunch.

Whereas a carb heavy breakfast will have you hungry before lunch usually and doesn't do much good.

I never liked Kashi myself but i used to eat it when i was not eating any meat at all to fill me up in the morning. I also try and buy more fruit and nut friendly cereals(Rasin Bran Crunch, Special K with Berries, etc.)

I only have a suggestion that you may want to look into protein pwder if you are not eating meats. I know i might have to start drinking it as well seeing as i rarely eat meat but beans and some chicken is simply not enough protein for your diet.

That's good to know. I'll def look into that!

[grlNIN]

No problem.

From what i hear the stuff tastes like melted marshmallows and/or vanilla but i am sure they are just trying to trick me.

[Death Metal Moe]

If it doesn't come off a pig, it's not going on my plate.

[Snoogans]

If it doesn't come off a pig, it's not going on my plate.

good, muslim values

[TheGameHHH]

Breakfast, if you can, you should try to eat a piece of cheese or small meat(maybe pepperoni?-i love it for a quick snack). It kick starts your metabolism and holds you over until lunch.

Whereas a carb heavy breakfast will have you hungry before lunch usually and doesn't do much good.

I never liked Kashi myself but i used to eat it when i was not eating any meat at all to fill me up in the morning. I also try and buy more fruit and nut friendly cereals(Rasin Bran Crunch, Special K with Berries, etc.)

I only have a suggestion that you may want to look into protein pwder if you are not eating meats. I know i might have to start drinking it as well seeing as i rarely eat meat but beans and some chicken is simply not enough protein for your diet.

the best breakfast i have found so far is egg whites and wheat toast. its a perfect hold over till lunch.

[grlNIN]

Ideally there would be enough time in the morning to make that kind of meal, even if it doesn only take ten minutes but i hear ya.

I used to order egg white omelette's at Perkins when i'd go ntil they stopped making them. I was really shooting the other idea out there for people who are running out the door before work.

[EffMeBoobs]

Ideally there would be enough time in the morning to make that kind of meal, even if it doesn only take ten minutes but i hear ya.

I used to order egg white omelette's at Perkins when i'd go ntil they stopped making them. I was really shooting the other idea out there for people who are running out the door before work.

Yeah thats my problem, I dont step foot in my kitchen in the mornings at all. I need something I can take on the go and not it be overly processed, etc..

[grlNIN]

I mentioned it in another thread but preparing your meals for the week on a Sunday would no doubt keep you in check time and food wise.

It would be hard to stray when you have a baggie or container ready and waiting.

[EffMeBoobs]

I mentioned it in another thread but preparing your meals for the week on a Sunday would no doubt keep you in check time and food wise.

It would be hard to stray when you have a baggie or container ready and waiting.

What would you have in that baggie or container ready and waiting for breakfast?

[Death Metal Moe]

I mentioned it in another thread but preparing your meals for the week on a Sunday would no doubt keep you in check time and food wise.

It would be hard to stray when you have a baggie or container ready and waiting.

Trust me, it's easy. You want reheated stuff or freshly made stuff?

[TheGameHHH]

Yeah thats my problem, I dont step foot in my kitchen in the mornings at all. I need something I can take on the go and not it be overly processed, etc..

i know how much we all cherish our sleep, myself very much included, but all it takes is setting your alarm 10 minutes earlier to make something like egg whites and wheat toast.

[EffMeBoobs]

i know how much we all cherish our sleep, myself very much included, but all it takes is setting your alarm 10 minutes earlier to make something like egg whites and wheat toast.

Believe me I know that and I try, but having a 40 min commute and being there for 7:30 makes getting up at 5:30 really tough!

[NickyL0885]

Whats a diet?..............perhaps i shouldnt talk. I'm 22 and about 335lbs. I think its safe to say im not getting laid anytime soon. haha..........ow.....i hurt my pride.

[TheGameHHH]

Believe me I know that and I try, but having a 40 min commute and being there for 7:30 makes getting up at 5:30 really tough!

i wouldnt wanna do that either, so i hear ya!

[grlNIN]

What would you have in that baggie or container ready and waiting for breakfast?

Some veggies and a couple pieces of cheese?

Mixed berries and nuts?

Even a powerbar, you can do a lot of things.

Unless you need hot food in the morning or don't want to sacrifice "normal" sit down meals.

[grlNIN]

Trust me, it's easy. You want reheated stuff or freshly made stuff?

If it's sealed right and the right kind of food it will be fresh.

I don't think anyone expects to form a well balanced diet by prepping 5 containers full of fettuccini alfredo and steaks.

[Gvac]

I eat out every meal of the day and NEVER cook at home, unless it's summer and I'm barbecuing.

It's not only expensive, but I know it's unhealthy.

I'm an incredibly lousy cook and ridiculously lazy when it comes to preparing meals. I need simplicity and almost no clean up. The thought of having to clean multiple pots and pans is horrifying to me. That's when I usually say 'fuck it' and order out.

I have a family-sized George Foreman grille that I got as a gift 2 or 3 years ago. It's still in the box in my attic.

Someone help me.

[Bossanova]

I eat out every meal of the day and NEVER cook at home, unless it's summer and I'm barbecuing.

It's not only expensive, but I know it's unhealthy.

I'm an incredibly lousy cook and ridiculously lazy when it comes to preparing meals. I need simplicity and almost no clean up. The thought of having to clean multiple pots and pans is horrifying to me. That's when I usually say 'fuck it' and order out.

I have a family-sized George Foreman grille that I got as a gift 2 or 3 years ago. It's still in the box in my attic.

Someone help me.

Put a ring on my finger and I will cook for you:wub:

[Gvac]

Put a ring on my finger and I will cook for you:wub:

Can we spoon?

[Bossanova]

Can we spoon?

You even had to ask?

[EffMeBoobs]

I eat out every meal of the day and NEVER cook at home, unless it's summer and I'm barbecuing.

It's not only expensive, but I know it's unhealthy.

I'm an incredibly lousy cook and ridiculously lazy when it comes to preparing meals. I need simplicity and almost no clean up. The thought of having to clean multiple pots and pans is horrifying to me. That's when I usually say 'fuck it' and order out.

I have a family-sized George Foreman grille that I got as a gift 2 or 3 years ago. It's still in the box in my attic.

Someone help me.

No wonder you why you had a cholecystectomy!

[Gvac]

No wonder you why you had a cholecystectomy!

No I didn't!

I had my gall bladder removed!

[EffMeBoobs]

No I didn't!

I had my gall bladder removed!
You're so cute when you're angry.

[Gvac]

You're so cute when you're angry.

You broke my heart when you didn't nominate us as board couple. :glurps:

Don't you remember the sugar-borrowing days?

[GonzoStyle]

No I didn't!

I had my gall bladder removed!

me too! budday!

[EffMeBoobs]

You broke my heart when you didn't nominate us as board couple. :glurps:

Don't you remember the sugar-borrowing days?

But Yerdaddy pees in my butt!!!

[Gvac]

me too! budday!

Fuck useless organs Gonzo! Let's get our appendixes out just in case!


But Yerdaddy pees in my butt!!!

I can do worse.

Much worse.:devil2:

[AngelAmy]

I eat out every meal of the day and NEVER cook at home, unless it's summer and I'm barbecuing.

It's not only expensive, but I know it's unhealthy.

I'm an incredibly lousy cook and ridiculously lazy when it comes to preparing meals. I need simplicity and almost no clean up. The thought of having to clean multiple pots and pans is horrifying to me. That's when I usually say 'fuck it' and order out.

I have a family-sized George Foreman grille that I got as a gift 2 or 3 years ago. It's still in the box in my attic.

Someone help me.

yeah this sounds exactly like me

[Gvac]

Come on Amy...we can do this!

Let's be health nuts!

In fact, I'm drinking green tea as I type this.

It's....delicious. :unsure:

[Bossanova]

Come on Amy...we can do this!

Let's be health nuts!

In fact, I'm drinking green tea as I type this.

It's....delicious. :unsure:

Green tea is for hacks. Drink Chamomile like I am doing now.

[Gvac]

Green tea is for hacks. Drink Chamomile like I am doing now.

I usually drink the Mandarin Orange Spice, but I do have Chamomile also.

Being gay is fun!

[Bossanova]

I usually drink the Mandarin Orange Spice, but I do have Chamomile also.

Being gay is fun!

Oh, how I dreamed to hear those words come from your lips

[GonzoStyle]

Fuck useless organs Gonzo! Let's get our appendixes out just in case!


Only if your insurance gets you cable, I shared a room with some cheap jig who wouldn't let me watch Three's Company reruns on his tv.

[grlNIN]

Today i am off and made scrambled egg whites for breakfast with a couple of blackberries and a piece of provolone n the side.

It was pretty good and prepping for the eggs and cooking them took minimal time.

I fully recommend!

[Marc with a c]

i dont eat until at least 7 pm, literally nothing most days until i get home from work. i then have some sort of pasta dish around 11 and go to bed. i dont snack on anything, all i do is drink coffee and smoke cigarettes. i think i might have a problem.

[AngelAmy]

i dont eat until at least 7 pm, literally nothing most days until i get home from work. i then have some sort of pasta dish around 11 and go to bed. i dont snack on anything, all i do is drink coffee and smoke cigarettes. i think i might have a problem.

i dont eat until i am on my way to work (which is like 2pm) and then I don't eat again until I am on my way home from work (which is like 12am-1230am)

I have a problem too.

[Thebazile78]

My problem is breakfast. I dont know what to eat. I really dont like oatmeal, I mean I'll eat it but not everyday. I really dont like the oatmeal packets either, I would want to make my own oatmeal but that's too much time in the morning that I dont have. What do you guys eat for breakfast?

Do you have a small slow-cooker? You can do steel-cut oats in the slow-cooker overnight. They will be ready for you to eat when you get out of the shower. Alton Brown did a whole show on oatmeal a couple years ago; this link is his recipe for "Overnight Oatmeal." (http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/recipes/recipe/0,,FOOD_9936_17138,00.html)

Another good option to get oatmeal into your diet without eating oatmeal is to get some oatmeal muffin recipes (I have a low-fat one from Moosewood that I can send you if you are interested; PM me if you want it. It's also pretty low in sugar, if you believe it!)

I feel your pain: I can NOT eat oatmeal if it's warm outside when I wake up. It makes me sick.

But, not a day goes by that I can't eat some sort of baked good, like a muffin or bagel, instead.

[TeeBone]

40-30-30

[zentraed]

All great advice. Slowly I've been switching what I eat to mainly vegetarian. I mainly eat whole grains like brown rice, quinoa, lots of green veggies and orange like carrots and sweet potatoes. I also eat beans for their protein. I do eat pasta but in moderation. I like to whip up meals that are full of veggies and beans and mix in a little brown rice or pasta to go with it. I still eat chicken and eggs but sparingly. I really stay away from red meat and pork.

Water is a big problem for me. BIG. I hate it cant do it. So I have to try and drink water. I bring bottled water with me to work and bring the same unopened bottle back home with me. I'll drink unsweetened iced tea or diet soda but that's it.

My problem is breakfast. I dont know what to eat. I really dont like oatmeal, I mean I'll eat it but not everyday. I really dont like the oatmeal packets either, I would want to make my own oatmeal but that's too much time in the morning that I dont have. What do you guys eat for breakfast?

When I was a vegetarian, the peanut butter and jelly sandwich (all-natural peanut butter, simply fruit spread, whole grain bread) was a typical breakfast, along with a piece of fruit, and a glass of soymilk. Down the soymilk first, take the rest in the car. Also, granola with soymilk and fruit (peaches, strawberries, bananas, whatever).

Now, I do a plain omelet in nonstick pan, no added fat, no cheese with 1 or 2 yolks and a few egg whites and half of a PB&J (about 350 calories total or so). I'll roll it up and eat it with my hands in the car along with the sandwich. I also mix up a protein shake while it's cooking and grab some instant oatmeal and a piece of fruit for a snack later in the day. If I've cooked for the week, I'll grab the tupperware and there's lunch. 5 months of that, and it's like clockwork...

Just start drinking the water and throw out everything else. Your body wants it. Seriously

[ZigZagBigBag]

im always freaked out by the amount of sodium in the food i buy. high blood pressure gallops in my family, and trying to find stuff that is low in salt is tough. hypertension simply doesn't exist outside western culture, but i feel like the food doesn't have flavour unless its got salty yumminess.

[Thebazile78]

im always freaked out by the amount of sodium in the food i buy. high blood pressure gallops in my family, and trying to find stuff that is low in salt is tough. hypertension simply doesn't exist outside western culture, but i feel like the food doesn't have flavour unless its got salty yumminess.

These two tips might help you to change the contribution of the food part of that hypertension problem:

(*) Start buying fewer processed foods. Processed foods contain more salt/sodium simply because for thousands of years, salt has been a very good preservative. It creates an environment in which bacteria do not grow and adds/enhances the flavor of already yummy foods. The reason canned goods have so much staying power is largely because of SALT.

(*) Try using different types of salt in addition to your regular table salt. Kosher salt, sea salt, fleur de sel, etc., all have distinctive flavors and behaviors when added to your home-cooked meals. Because the salt crystals form differently, you will probably find that you need to use less salt to get that saltiness you're attracted to in your foods because it distributes differently.

Good luck!

[EffMeBoobs]

Do you have a small slow-cooker? You can do steel-cut oats in the slow-cooker overnight. They will be ready for you to eat when you get out of the shower. Alton Brown did a whole show on oatmeal a couple years ago; this link is his recipe for "Overnight Oatmeal." (http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/recipes/recipe/0,,FOOD_9936_17138,00.html)

Another good option to get oatmeal into your diet without eating oatmeal is to get some oatmeal muffin recipes (I have a low-fat one from Moosewood that I can send you if you are interested; PM me if you want it. It's also pretty low in sugar, if you believe it!)

I feel your pain: I can NOT eat oatmeal if it's warm outside when I wake up. It makes me sick.

But, not a day goes by that I can't eat some sort of baked good, like a muffin or bagel, instead.

I saw that episode, god I love Alton. I would do that but I'm just too lazy to drag out the slow cooker, horrible right?

I would love that recipe, I would def be able to grab a muffin on the go in the morning, great idea!!!

[EffMeBoobs]

When I was a vegetarian, the peanut butter and jelly sandwich (all-natural peanut butter, simply fruit spread, whole grain bread) was a typical breakfast, along with a piece of fruit, and a glass of soymilk. Down the soymilk first, take the rest in the car. Also, granola with soymilk and fruit (peaches, strawberries, bananas, whatever).

Now, I do a plain omelet in nonstick pan, no added fat, no cheese with 1 or 2 yolks and a few egg whites and half of a PB&J (about 350 calories total or so). I'll roll it up and eat it with my hands in the car along with the sandwich. I also mix up a protein shake while it's cooking and grab some instant oatmeal and a piece of fruit for a snack later in the day. If I've cooked for the week, I'll grab the tupperware and there's lunch. 5 months of that, and it's like clockwork...

Just start drinking the water and throw out everything else. Your body wants it. Seriously

Thank you so much, that's all great advice and awesome tips...I'm c/p this and emailing it to myself. I'm a loser.

[Thebazile78]

I saw that episode, god I love Alton. I would do that but I'm just too lazy to drag out the slow cooker, horrible right?

I would love that recipe, I would def be able to grab a muffin on the go in the morning, great idea!!!

PM me so I don't forget to type it out for you when I get home.

I made them around Thanksgiving and even Matt liked them, though I thought I'd overmixed them (they came out a bit chewy) so I will try again. They're pretty dense and will freeze well, so you can probably make multiple batches early in the week and freeze them once they've cooled. Storage is easy - they fit nicely in a 1 gallon freezer bag.

[cougarjake13]

for about 3 weeks now i've been hardcore in my diet and exercise regimen

1st week lost 10 pounds but have hit a wall since then

same exercise and diet regimen but no more loss of weight

maybe i have to work out and do cardio longer ???

[grlNIN]

I would try increasing the length of your work out and maybe looking over your diet and seeing if there's anything suspect in the foods you're eating that may 'cause the wall.

Everyone hit son though, 10lbs in one week is a lot and your body might just be readjusting itself to what it's being put through.

[cougarjake13]

I would try increasing the length of your work out and maybe looking over your diet and seeing if there's anything suspect in the foods you're eating that may 'cause the wall.

Everyone hit son though, 10lbs in one week is a lot and your body might just be readjusting itself to what it's being put through.

well basically here's what i've been doing

slim fast shakes for breakfast and lunch, 2 pieces of fruit during the day
30-60 minutes cardio and workout
dinner is dole classic salad, no dressing with tomatoes m,w,f
tu and thurs fish with broccoli and cauliflower or other mixed vegies

weekend is the same although one breakfast may include eggs and a dinner may be chicken or steak with veggies but slim fast in the other meals

same amount of exercise

[grlNIN]

One of the walls you might be hitting is an empty fuel tank.

Just based on what you said, it doesn't sound like a lot of food - definitely not enough for an intense workout. Put healthy carbs (like whole-wheat pasta) in your stomach before you eat, and make sure your diet throughout the day has lots of protein.

The trick with that, of course, is a matter of keeping your metabolism high enough to actually use what you're giving it. That's why they keep saying to eat smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day - like six a day - rather than just three big ones. If you eat two huge meals with twelve hours in between, your body is trained to say, "Hey, I might not get a chance to eat for another twelve hours; I should probably put some of this in the bank (your waistline) for later." You eat six little meals and stay active, your body is always gonna be ready to burn whatever your put into it.

What's your workout routine like? If it stays the same constantly (Monday's always shoulders and back, Wednesday's always chest and shoulders, etc.), your body will get used to it - and spend less energy doing it. Every three weeks or so, give it a Chinese fire drill and randomize it completely. The more your body guesses what's coming next, the higher your metabolism goes.

Give it a shot and see how it works.

PS: This isn't grlNIN; it's her boyfriend.

[GonzoStyle]

Absolutely correct, both diet and exercise should never become stagnant because our bodies are so smart that they are kinda stupid in the sense it adapts to anything eventually. Much like cheating on your loved one, keep switching it up, so she doesn't find out you're a lazy fuck who rents motel rooms across the street from her apartment building to fuck her family members.

[cougarjake13]

Absolutely correct, both diet and exercise should never become stagnant because our bodies are so smart that they are kinda stupid in the sense it adapts to anything eventually. Much like cheating on your loved one, keep switching it up, so she doesn't find out you're a lazy fuck who rents motel rooms across the street from her apartment building to fuck her family members.

interesting analogy

[strawberrypop]

Pathetic. No wonder our kids are fucking huge.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/09/29/AR2009092901252.html?referrer=facebook

9 in 10 high schoolers short on fruits, veggies

ATLANTA -- Less than 10 percent of U.S. high school students are eating the combined recommended daily amount of fruits and vegetables, a finding that the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention called "poor" in a report Tuesday.

The report based on 2007 data found that only 13 percent of U.S. high school students get at least three servings of vegetables a day and just 32 percent get two servings of fruit. Less than 1 in 10 get enough of both combined.

[KatPw]

Good eating habits and choices are learned at home. We have no one to blame but ourselves for all this.

[strawberrypop]

Yep.

[nate1000]

Nope.

My kids eat a very well rounded diet.

I've got no one to blame and no one's blaming me.

[~Katja~]

worse yet, with health organizations pushing to remove snack and soda vending machines from schools there will be a huge outrage, yet nobody tries to see the benefit this action will have on overall health of kids and teenagers, cutting down health costs in the long run.

I know they say healthy eating is learned at home, which for most of us is common sense, yet there are so many kids whose parents don't have the means nor interest in feeding them healthy, it would be great for them to get a low cost option in schools.

[boosterp]

worse yet, with health organizations pushing to remove snack and soda vending machines from schools there will be a huge outrage, yet nobody tries to see the benefit this action will have on overall health of kids and teenagers, cutting down health costs in the long run.

I know they say healthy eating is learned at home, which for most of us is common sense, yet there are so many kids whose parents don't have the means nor interest in feeding them healthy, it would be great for them to get a low cost option in schools.

Eating healthy is cheaper than prepackaged food and/or fast food/resturants.