| Posted By |
Message |
evrythng4areason
And then there were 4
Member since 1/10 5224 total posts
Name:
Kayla
|
Looking to eat healthier
Sorry this is going to be long 
So I've come to the conclusion that it may be beneficial for me to eat a bit healthier. I've been VERY tired lately, and I have a feeling it may be in part because of my diet. I'm not really trying to lose any weight (although i wouldn't complain if i lost a few pounds), but I'm looking for more of a life style change.
I know I have a few weaknesses. I LOVE soda, and drink 2-3 sodas a day. I also don't have the healthiest snacks-chips/cheese crackers/etc. My other problem is that I don't really care for salads, and I can't stand water (I know I'm weird)-also not a big fan of eggs. I guess I tend to be a pretty picky eater.
To give you an example, this is what I ate/will eat today:
3 pieces turkey bacon
2 chocolate cookies
2 sodas
1 piece of pizza
1 cup of pasta figule (literally a cup)
a small handful of cheese its
dinner will be a whole wheat homemade pita, with skinny taste greek turkey meatballs (turkey, homemade breadcrumbs, parsley, mint, zucchini, oregano, egg, onion) and quinoa tabbouleh
It's also not really an issue of me being hungry/not satisfied-I just tend to gravity towards carby/fatty foods, and am lucky to have a decent metabolism
I do cook A LOT, and make most everything homemade. I like a lot of soups also.
So I guess my questions are, for those of you who are super healthy,
How do I go about changing my mentality?
What foods should I focus on?
What do you do when you go out with friends for dinner?
What about lunches? My school is kosher, which throws me for a loop, so I tend to eat out-and pizza or sushi are the easiest choices, but pizza is cheaper.
I guess I'm just looking for advice/suggestions?
Thanks if you got this far!
|
Posted 1/22/13 4:27 PM  |
| |
|
Long Island Weddings
Long Island's Largest Bridal Resource |
julz33
i run for bacon
Member since 5/05 20584 total posts
Name:
julz
|
Re: Looking to eat healthier
Hey 
I was just like you a few years ago.
Google Cancer and Diet - that may scare you into eating healthier - it did for me. Also read the Primal Blueprint book. Its the "caveman" diet but really its just eating REAL foods and eliminating the processed junk. It explains everything pretty well.
Hope to see you soon. When are you off?
|
| Posted 1/22/13 5:31 PM |
| |
|
8ternity
<3
Member since 11/08 10586 total posts
Name:
Formally NYPD-Wife
|
Re: Looking to eat healthier
What you ate today really has no nutritional value maybe the soup lol.
I learned that foods with protein keep me full the longest. I recently got into making shakes, so that is my breakfast (any frozen fruit, low fat yogurt, banana and water) I add a little protein powder in it.
Snacks:
- Hummus with cucumber slices baby carrots
-Nuts
-Apple with peanut butter
-yogurt w/granola
Lunch:
whole wheat bread with turkey and low fat cheese or not cheese and some mustard and a fruit.
Dinner is pretty much protein with veggies.
I am just starting my new health kick...was on medifast diet before but I have been off of it for a few months and wanted to get back of track.
So far its been ok.
I am not a water fan too but I am forcing myself and I add lemon and frozen fruit to it to give some flavor.
You will eat healthier if you bring your own lunch and snacks.
|
| Posted 1/22/13 5:32 PM |
| |
|
PearlJamChick
No one sings like you anymore.
Member since 7/10 9264 total posts
Name:
Petticoated Swashbuckler
|
Re: Looking to eat healthier
Looking at what you listed as today's meals, you barely have any fruit or vegetables in there...I know you say you're picky, but do you like fruits and veggies? If you're not a fan of salad, what about cut up veggies (carrots, zucchini, broccoli, peppers) with dip/salsa/hummus as a snack?
Do you like oatmeal? That can be a good breakfast or snack.
You can make healthy muffins for breakfasts or snacks, too...load them up with some kind of fruit!
Greek yogurt is awesome. Lots of protein = keeps you full for a long time!
Apples with peanut butter are a great snack...or an apple with a string cheese.
Soup is the best...you can load it up with vegetables and if it's broth-based, you can have a lot for a fair amount of calories.
Water...lots of people don't like it. Do you like seltzer? Maybe try flavored seltzer? Hot or iced brewed tea?
If your school is Kosher, then vegetarian lunches are okay, right? (I'm not sure how the standards are in a Kosher cafeteria...) Check out my Pinterest boards - Recipes to Try and Tried and True Recipes (the second board is all recipes that I've moved over to as "keepers" because they're pretty great and I'll make them over and over again)...everything I have on there is 100% vegetarian (if a recipe calls for stock, I always use veggie) and then - I'm guessing - would be considered okay to eat at school.
|
| Posted 1/22/13 5:54 PM |
| |
|
sameinitials
insert creative comment here
Member since 2/12 1998 total posts
Name:
|
Looking to eat healthier
For lunch, is there a fridge there? If so, you can buy a few things to keep there - hummus and baby carrots, yogurt, string cheese. You can bring in crackers (easy to find kosher) and a lot of healthier snack food is kosher (soy crisps maybe)? Also peanut butter and fruit. Heck, get a few cans of tuna and leave some mayo in the fridge.
I guess it depends on what the restrictions are by the school, too. How do they police it when people bring in their own?
Do you like cooked veggies?
|
| Posted 1/22/13 6:28 PM |
| |
|
evrythng4areason
And then there were 4
Member since 1/10 5224 total posts
Name:
Kayla
|
Looking to eat healthier
Thanks girls!
I think part of the issue is that I've never really enjoyed most "healthier" foods..I'm not really a fan of raw veggies other than cucumbers and tomatoes..although I do like cooked veggies
The soup is something that I know works well, because I put a ton of veggies in it-tomatoes, carrots, celery, cabbage, peppers, onions, etc.
I also tend to be eh about most dairy-don't really like cheese or yogurt at all (I pick the majority of the cheese off of pizza when I eat it), although I do like cheddar cheese
Hummus and Peanut butter I like, and I like tuna as well
The smoothies sound good, and I'll try to bring more veggie meals to work-Kris I'll def. check out your pinterest boards!
I think I'm also going to try to sub tea for soda, because at least then I'll be getting some water-I know I can't cut out all of the soda right now, but subbing tea and having 1 soda instead of 2 or 3 I think will help
I guess my issue is that I want to like healthy foods and I don't really like them lol!
|
| Posted 1/22/13 6:57 PM |
| |
|
lcherian
He is the reason!
Member since 2/06 2512 total posts
Name:
|
Re: Looking to eat healthier
If you learn more about how food is produced in this country, you will be utterly disgusted and want to eat healthier. There is a reason why so many chronic illnesses such as diabetes, Alzheimer's, cancer and conditions such as ADHD, infertility and autism are on the rise.
I recommend watching Food, Inc, fat, sick and nearly dead, forks over knives and genetic roulette.
Don't live to eat, but eat to live!
|
| Posted 1/22/13 7:12 PM |
| |
|
MrsG823
Just call me Mommy.
Member since 1/11 5570 total posts
Name:
S
|
Looking to eat healthier
The majority of what you ate today was carbohydrates. Try not to think of food as healthy vs unhealthy. Try to think of foods as freshly prepared vs processed. There are tons of snack foods that are healthier and tastier than cheese it- say a cheddar cheese stick or air popped popcorn. Start looking at what is in the foods you are eating and it may help change your thinking.
Try to pair carbohydrates with protein at every meal including snacks. It will help you feel fuller longer and it will help to make sure you are eating a more balanced diet.
|
| Posted 1/22/13 7:23 PM |
| |
|
MrsA1012
love my little girl !
Member since 9/10 5777 total posts
Name:
Me
|
Re: Looking to eat healthier
How drastic of a change do you want to make?
This is what has worked for me.
- avoid added sugar ( anything that isn't naturally occurring ie what is found in dairy, fruit, veggies etc) That would definitely mean cutting out/ dramatically reducing soda intake. I hate water too. What about naturally flavored seltzer?
- avoid white flour and white flour based products.
- base meals around tons of veggies, whole grains ( I love quinoa ) and lean protein ( fatty fish, tofu, lean poultry)
- come up with a healthier list of snacks. ( i can share my go-tos, if you like)
- avoid processed food
- swap saturated fats with mono and polyunsaturated fats like those found in avocados, olive oil, nuts and seeds.
It isn't easy, but I think you will feel so much better if you make some dietary changes. Good luck !!
|
| Posted 1/23/13 11:56 AM |
| |
|
evrythng4areason
And then there were 4
Member since 1/10 5224 total posts
Name:
Kayla
|
Re: Looking to eat healthier
Posted by MrsA1012
How drastic of a change do you want to make?
This is what has worked for me.
- avoid added sugar ( anything that isn't naturally occurring ie what is found in dairy, fruit, veggies etc) That would definitely mean cutting out/ dramatically reducing soda intake. I hate water too. What about naturally flavored seltzer?
- avoid white flour and white flour based products.
- base meals around tons of veggies, whole grains ( I love quinoa ) and lean protein ( fatty fish, tofu, lean poultry)
- come up with a healthier list of snacks. ( i can share my go-tos, if you like)
- avoid processed food
- swap saturated fats with mono and polyunsaturated fats like those found in avocados, olive oil, nuts and seeds.
It isn't easy, but I think you will feel so much better if you make some dietary changes. Good luck !!
I'd love to hear your snack ideas! I'll try flavored seltzer and see how it goes.
I don't know if I really want a drastic change right now, I'm just looking for something that will help my energy, make me feel less sluggish, etc.
I get between 8-12 hours of sleep a night but I'll still feel so tired I'm on the point of collapsing at times during the day
Today I think I did a bit better so far, but I still feel tired:
2 cups of tea (with 1 tsp sugar each)
1 1/2 cups soup (chick broth, tomatoes, cabbage, green beans, white beans, carrots, celery, herbs)
1 soda
|
| Posted 1/23/13 12:04 PM |
| |
|
MrsA1012
love my little girl !
Member since 9/10 5777 total posts
Name:
Me
|
Re: Looking to eat healthier
Posted by evrythng4areason
Posted by MrsA1012
How drastic of a change do you want to make?
This is what has worked for me.
- avoid added sugar ( anything that isn't naturally occurring ie what is found in dairy, fruit, veggies etc) That would definitely mean cutting out/ dramatically reducing soda intake. I hate water too. What about naturally flavored seltzer?
- avoid white flour and white flour based products.
- base meals around tons of veggies, whole grains ( I love quinoa ) and lean protein ( fatty fish, tofu, lean poultry)
- come up with a healthier list of snacks. ( i can share my go-tos, if you like)
- avoid processed food
- swap saturated fats with mono and polyunsaturated fats like those found in avocados, olive oil, nuts and seeds.
It isn't easy, but I think you will feel so much better if you make some dietary changes. Good luck !!
I'd love to hear your snack ideas! I'll try flavored seltzer and see how it goes.
I don't know if I really want a drastic change right now, I'm just looking for something that will help my energy, make me feel less sluggish, etc.
I get between 8-12 hours of sleep a night but I'll still feel so tired I'm on the point of collapsing at times during the day
Today I think I did a bit better so far, but I still feel tired:
2 cups of tea (with 1 tsp sugar each)
1 1/2 cups soup (chick broth, tomatoes, cabbage, green beans, white beans, carrots, celery, herbs)
1 soda
Snacks:
-cut up veggies dipped in hummus
-half an avocado sprinkled with lemon juice
-a handful of pumpkin seeds
-Stonyfield Greek plain yogurt with a half a teaspoon of agave and cut up fruit
- cup of blueberries
- an apple or a banana
- a piece of sprouted grain bread ( love the Ezekiel brand) with some nut butter
- melted 85% cacao chocolate with nut butter of choice - I love this because the chocolate isn't very sweet at all , but melted it has that satisfying chocolaty texture.
- oven roasted chickpeas with seasoning of choice ( love their consistency, sort of like a potato chip! )
- quick egg white omelet
- kale chips - so crunchy !
- low fat cottage cheese with fruit
- quarter to half a cup of cereal with milk of choice
Good luck !
|
| Posted 1/23/13 12:16 PM |
| |
|
LovesMike
LIF Adult
Member since 8/10 978 total posts
Name:
|
Re: Looking to eat healthier
I would add "In Defense of Food" to the reading list too - I've heard great things and am going to start reading it after I finish my current book.
I've become very interested in eating whole foods, and there is this great blog that a bunch of my friends "like" on facebook, 100 days of real food, and I think its worth checking out:
Link
Lastly, I just wanted to comment that I am terribly jealous of your very healthy 8-12 hours of sleep a night!! I am lucky to get 6.5. Sigh.
|
| Posted 1/23/13 12:39 PM |
| |
|
evrythng4areason
And then there were 4
Member since 1/10 5224 total posts
Name:
Kayla
|
Re: Looking to eat healthier
Posted by LovesMike
I would add "In Defense of Food" to the reading list too - I've heard great things and am going to start reading it after I finish my current book.
I've become very interested in eating whole foods, and there is this great blog that a bunch of my friends "like" on facebook, 100 days of real food, and I think its worth checking out:
Link
Lastly, I just wanted to comment that I am terribly jealous of your very healthy 8-12 hours of sleep a night!! I am lucky to get 6.5. Sigh.
thanks! i feel like i shouldn't always be tired though with the amount of sleep i'm getting
i really don't get sick often, and i think it's bc of how much sleep i get, but i know my diet needs improving
|
| Posted 1/23/13 12:53 PM |
| |
|
|
|
Re: Looking to eat healthier
Posted by LovesMike
I would add "In Defense of Food" to the reading list too - I've heard great things and am going to start reading it after I finish my current book.
I've become very interested in eating whole foods, and there is this great blog that a bunch of my friends "like" on facebook, 100 days of real food, and I think its worth checking out:
Link
Lastly, I just wanted to comment that I am terribly jealous of your very healthy 8-12 hours of sleep a night!! I am lucky to get 6.5. Sigh.
"In Defense of Food" is my book club's latest pick, so I am reading it right now. About 1/3 of the way in... it's definitely an interesting read. The author has a definite point of view, and I am not sure of the practicality of all of his ideas, but I haven't really gotten to his recommendations yet. The early part of the book is really a critique of the Western diet and the modern trend of putting the focus on nutrients (eat more protein, avoid carbs, etc.) than on foods themselves. He really takes issue with "nutritionism" as a whole, as he thinks it's not reliable science. His philosophy toward food seems to be more wholistic/ecological, but again, I am still in the early part of the book.
To the OP - I would focus on things that you do like to eat, rather than on incorporating things that you don't, and try to tweak them to make them healthier. For example, if you like your carbs, and you said you like peanut butter, you could have a whole grain English muffin or waffle spread with peanut butter in the morning with a piece of fruit. Or you could make homemade pancakes with whole grains and veggies/fruits (e.g., pumpkin puree) and freeze them. Since you like soups, I would add more veggies that way. You can start your meals with a soup, have it for a snack, etc. Have your slice of pizza, but maybe see if you can add veggies on top, since you said you don't like salads but are more open to vegetables. As you said, finding alternative beverages to soda would be a great way to make a healthier change.
I would just try to make gradual changes that you can live with rather than a drastic overhaul of your diet!
|
| Posted 1/23/13 1:03 PM |
| |
|
rsquared
Sweet P is here!
Member since 4/11 2026 total posts
Name:
R
|
Re: Looking to eat healthier
If you are looking to add to your reading list I recommend Kimberly Snyder's Beauty Detox Diet (her blog is great too) and Marion Nestle's What to Eat. Michael Pollan is good too, but lots of theory/history and less practical.
I would add more veggies and fruits, good fats (avocados and nuts). For lunches (eating out by my work is not possible) I usually bring leftovers from dinner or have some variation of a veggie/whole grain cold salad (tabouleh, ww cous cous and veggies, brown rice and beans with avocado. I make a big batch on Sundays, split it into 5 containers, throw three in the freezer and leave two for Mon and Tues, then take them the rest out on Wednesday. I don't like salad with lettuce for a meal, but I will eat quinoa/bulgar/rice and veggies. I need a little more substanance, KWIM?
I also follow Kimberly Snyder's thing and eat light-to-heavy. I eat a quick digesting meal-fruit or coconut yogurt in the morning, half an avocado for a mid-morning snack, some type of veggie/grain salad for lunch and a reasonable dinner (I mix it up). I only eat meat or dairy at dinner, and try to limit meat to 3 days a week. Because I am good at breakfast and dinner, when we go out, I eat whatever I want. Life is too short to stress!
|
| Posted 1/23/13 6:35 PM |
| |
|
JandJ1224
Member since 6/06 5911 total posts
Name:
Jannette
|
Re: Looking to eat healthier
Have you had a physical lately? My sister has thyroid issues that make her tired. Might be a good idea just in case it's not diet related.
On a side note my mom changed her diet and cut out all processed foods. She eats lots of fruits and veggies. She feels so much healthier. She doesn't even like processed food anymore.
I drink mostly water and recently gave up soda in an effort to be healthier. Maybe you can try adding fruit to the water to flavor it.
|
| Posted 1/23/13 9:19 PM |
| |
|
blue11
LIF Adult
Member since 2/11 1706 total posts
Name:
kat
|
Re: Looking to eat healthier
Posted by LovesMike
I would add "In Defense of Food" to the reading list too - I've heard great things and am going to start reading it after I finish my current book.
I've become very interested in eating whole foods, and there is this great blog that a bunch of my friends "like" on facebook, 100 days of real food, and I think its worth checking out:
Link
.
um wow - i need to start paying more attention to what is in my foods  i thought i was choosing healthy bread but her blog on whole grains was eye opening!
|
| Posted 1/24/13 11:54 AM |
| |
|
LovesMike
LIF Adult
Member since 8/10 978 total posts
Name:
|
Re: Looking to eat healthier
Posted by blue11
Posted by LovesMike
I would add "In Defense of Food" to the reading list too - I've heard great things and am going to start reading it after I finish my current book.
I've become very interested in eating whole foods, and there is this great blog that a bunch of my friends "like" on facebook, 100 days of real food, and I think its worth checking out:
Link
.
um wow - i need to start paying more attention to what is in my foods i thought i was choosing healthy bread but her blog on whole grains was eye opening!
And that white rice isn't considered a whole food!!?? I had no idea.
|
| Posted 1/24/13 12:19 PM |
| |
|
blue11
LIF Adult
Member since 2/11 1706 total posts
Name:
kat
|
Re: Looking to eat healthier
Posted by LovesMike
Posted by blue11
Posted by LovesMike
I would add "In Defense of Food" to the reading list too - I've heard great things and am going to start reading it after I finish my current book.
I've become very interested in eating whole foods, and there is this great blog that a bunch of my friends "like" on facebook, 100 days of real food, and I think its worth checking out:
Link
.
um wow - i need to start paying more attention to what is in my foods i thought i was choosing healthy bread but her blog on whole grains was eye opening!
And that white rice isn't considered a whole food!!?? I had no idea.
i know  i think i'm going to try her mini weekly pledges. I thought i was doing pretty good at limiting processed foods but i obviously haven't done my research 
|
| Posted 1/24/13 1:47 PM |
| |
|
Mushesgirl
Too blessed to be stressed
Member since 4/09 6691 total posts
Name:
|
Re: Looking to eat healthier
read Skinny B!tch. Your mentality will change by the end of the first chapter.
|
| Posted 1/24/13 8:27 PM |
| |
|
