All you diet gurus...input please

[Coolio]

First off, buddy, low-fat things aren't healthy. Fat intake along with meals decreases the blood sugar spike that carbohydrates cause. This allows your body to use carbohydrates for energy instead of storing them as fat. This decreases your insulin resistance, which is highly important for a weightlifter. The more fat you eat, the better, as long as you balance the types of fats (do some research on DHA and EPA, oleic acid, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, arachidonic acid, stearic acid, palmitic acid, etc.) and avoid hydrogenated fats (aka toxic waste) and fats that have been used for frying.

 

[Coolio]

Hope you're using corn tortillas. I rarely ever make burritos. Just eat the meat solo. Chili powder contains too much salt for my liking.

Normal white corn tortillas, like most kinds of bread, are every bit as bad for you as a big lump of sugar the same size. Your body metabolizes them nearly instantaneously into glucose, causing dramatic spikes of blood sugar and insulin.

Chili powder is not a real spice and it's not an ingredient in real 'chilli', it's for fools who use shit like Seasoned Salt and Montreal Steak Seasoning. Just get real, whole, dried hot peppers. No salt to worry about there! Never use spice mixtures, use individual spices as close to their fresh whole or dried whole form as possible.

 

[Mehm]

I eat pretty bland foods as a staple (a bowl of plain oats, maybe a block of tofu with sauce, raw fruits and veggies, etc) so I don't have many suggestions in that arena.

I workout one muscle a day, per 8 days; doing 20 mins cardio 5 days/week.

I think 20 minutes of cardio at a time isn't enough. Since extended cardio output is the key to burning fat, I would do varied cardio exercises for at least an hour at a time..maybe 4-5 times a week..more if your joints can handle it. The main thing is to get your heart rate up and keep it there for as long as you can.

I keep thinking of Karl Malone (second all time NBA point scorer). His body fat was about 7% and he worked out for 4 hours a day at least. I think this is the type of output one needs to obtain a single digit body fat %

PEACE

 

[Perpetual Indulgence]

That's the purpose of this thread; to learn some cooking suggestions as well. Don't tell me eating healthy is near as enjoyable as eating whatever you'd like!! You can't even make that claim. Foods that are high in fat, sugar, and salt will always taste better than those without.

Dude, are you looking for suggestions on how to cook healthy or do you want to argue that foods with high fat, sugar, and salt TASTES better? That sort of diet doesn't make you FEEL nor LOOK better. Sushi wins over tempura any day.

I use whole wheat tortillas AND chili powder does not contain salt.

 

[KStoner6tb]

ostrich...other lean meat alternatives.

Ostrich man?? Haha how does that taste? I think it's pertty rare around here, where you hailing from?

 

[CII~360]

I am a wierd human being.
I prefer food that is "healthy".
Gimme broccoli, oats groats, turnip greens over doritos and chocolate anyday.
I just like the taste. It is my preference....
...but your question is WAY to broad to even thing about answering.
Can you narrow it down a bit?

 

[MynameisnotDeja]

It's a matter of addiction. People who think processed foods taste better haven't developed their health enough to have the level of awareness required to crave proper foods. It's not really about high fat, salt etc as it is about PROCESSED, being full of msg and chemicals, etc. There is the key point to health. REAL FOOD.

IODINE- It's one of the most important nutrients, and also one of the MOST deficient, especially in america. What a nightmare that more people don't even know about how important it is. It's sort of a mission of mine to inform people of the sort of truth the medical "industry" (because thats what it is, a for profit industry with greed, NOT your health, in mind, at least thats what it is in the states) doesn't want you to know about.

http://curezone.com/faq/c.asp?a=13,281,2962

^I suggest all of you read everything on that page. Read it twice. Then get some iodine and start supplementing. It's changed my life in so many ways I wouldn't even know where to begin.

 

[p-mo]

I think the most important thing is changing your mindset. Whilst your still craving "junk" foods you'll not eat healthily because the temptation to cheat will be too great. Once you've found healthy ingredients and recipes that you love then you won't even think about the unhealthy stuff.

I know this is the right path but I find it as hard to stick to as anyone else! Now I get guilty when I eat something hugely unhealthy and I guess that thats the first step for removing them completly.

Things like wholewheat pasta instead of regular is now a no brainer- I just wish I didn't have such a sweet tooth (I still drink diet soda and have sweetner in my tea/coffee)

 

[KStoner6tb]

Yes, most of us here in Healthy Living prefer to eat healthy. I'm not here to argue if nutritional meals are better tasing than junk, it was just a way to open the question. If everyone felt like us about nutrition, there wouldn't be near as many obese people walking this earth.

I'd say I've developed my diet to quite a healthy standard. But if some steaming fried catfish passes by my face on a waiter's tray somewhere, I'm still going to want it.
Ok, I'm going to ask for certain compliments for certain foods...give me some tips.

Scrambled Eggs- currently I just use a low sodium salsa, any other ideas

Any spicy seasonings with little or no salt? Tried "tony's cajun seaoning" sodium free and it has a strange taste to it.

Anything to mix with tuna besides mayo or rellish(I usually eat tuna out of the can)

Just looking for suggestions similiar to these. I know it's a broad question

 

[melarsoprol]

The idea of cardio came up.

Techinically, if done everyday, about 20-30 minutes of cardio is fine, since you have another weight training regimen. I actually think 8 days with 1 muscle group each is not necessary. You dont need to provide small muscles a "day", because they are often used as secondary muscles in compound exercises. Also, rest is as important as working out itself. Why not try a 5/6 day regimen? There are some great ones out there.

Also, real lean machines perform cardio as soon as they wake up. The effects will show very rapidly.

Personally when the idea of dressings come up for salads, i like to suggest turkey or meats, even low fat/salt ham. The meat itself compliments the vegetables nicely. Try nuts as well. While this may seem bland in the beginning, once you get use to it its quite nice. Cottage cheese is another great addition to the high protein diet.

Also, use a wide array of spices and condiments. Chilli, paprika, thyme, pepper, chives, there are endless numbers of them, and they can enhance the taste without increasing your sodium/fat intake. Cooking and eating healthy is a creative area, see what works for you, and dont be afraid to try new things.

 

[Perpetual Indulgence]

Ostrich man?? Haha how does that taste? I think it's pertty rare around here, where you hailing from?

CT. I buy it at Stop and Shop. Tastes like chicken
Mix tuna with greek yogurt, dill, and black pepper OR hummus with cumin.
Buy a chopper or food processor....make your own salsa.
Stop using the premade seasonings and you will eliminate the salt.

My husband and I weight train. I am familiar with what to eat and how to cook during the bulking and/or cutting phases.

 

[masonyoung]

Eating healthful is it's own reward. When you are aware of what your 'putting into your body' , you will, unquestionably, become aware of how good you feel...Fast food, and an abundance of meats and trans fats, will sludge you up, you will create an environment for dis-ease... the proof is in the pudding...(ostrich and emu sell for upwards of $20.00 a lb, it's tasty from what I've heard, I don't eat flesh of anything ((at least things that are dead)), so I wouldn't know). I don't have an open mind on this subject, so you can either agree with me, or be wrong.

 

[KStoner6tb]

The idea of cardio came up.

I actually think 8 days with 1 muscle group each is not necessary. You dont need to provide small muscles a "day", because they are often used as secondary muscles in compound exercises. Also, rest is as important as working out itself. Why not try a 5/6 day regimen?

For some reason, everytime I try to do a two-muscle workout(back/bi's) the intensity is not there. Don't know if you big into supersetting, but I don't believe I can give 100% on the 2nd half of the SS. Splitting the workout into 2 separate muslces (25 mins back, 20 bi's in theory) gives me the same feeling. That 2nd muscle group never gets hit as hard as the first.

Mine looks like this:

Monday: Chest and abs
Tuesday: Biceps
Wednesday: Abs
Thursday: Back
Friday: Triceps abs
Saturday: Delts
Sunday: Legs

Usually taking an extra day or two off somewhere in the mix before proceeding to the next. Large muscles usually get 4-5 exercises with smaller getting 2-3.

I've tried many different splits, and this one seems to give me the most intense, productive workouts. I know back and delts are only two days apart, but I"m pretty sure I'm not overtraining. If I do deads with back on one week, I won't do cleans with shoulders until the next.

 

[mariacallas]

I completely disagree. Eating healthy is delicious. You need to learn how to cook.

Absofuckinglutely.
I'm mostly a protein eater with my carbs coming only from green, leafy and (some, well cooked) crucifereous vegetables. I eat well and everything is absolutely delicious. Think chicken and coconut curries, (just omit the coconut milk or heavy cream if you are conscious of your fat intake), laksas, steamed veggies, hearty mung bean soups, lean beef and chicken, delicious raw salmon sashimi. I can go on and on.

I do get carb cravings once in a blue moon, but I can honestly say that the immediate gratification I get from eating processed junk is SO not worth the ickiness and general malaise I feel after eating it. After your body gets used to subsisting on healthy, real, unprocessed food there's no other way to live.

And I cannot live without spices and condiments. I will die without ginger, garlic, onions, cayenne, all kinds of pepper sauce and pastes (especially szechuan pepper oil and Korean gochujang.)

 

[mariacallas]

Eating healthful is it's own reward. When you are aware of what your 'putting into your body' , you will, unquestionably, become aware of how good you feel...Fast food, and an abundance of meats and trans fats, will sludge you up, you will create an environment for dis-ease...

True true true. I'm not saying I don't indulge in the occassional burger once in a while, but it is extremely rare. I feel oily and gross immediately afterward and start berating myself
I also practice trophology (the art of food combining) so that I can properly digest everything I eat. So sandwiches are a no-no, if I can help it (unless it's a vegetable sandwich on really thick, whole wheat bread!)

 

[Perpetual Indulgence]

Then you would love my roasted organic vegetable and sundried tomato pesto paninis. I can omit the fresh mozz if you desire.

I don't feel physically well either after eating unhealthy. There is no longer any gratification.

 

[Radiohead24]

This advice is questionable. You need to distinguish between "good fats" and "bad fats." Eating lower fat cream cheese or milk is absolutely a good idea because of the less amount of saturated fat you are taking in, "bad fats." Nuts, olive oil, etc. have high amounts of fat too, but that is the fat that is good for you, monosaturated fats and polysaturated fats. These are good for your cholesterol and your body needs them.

But any food that is labeled low fat and has less saturated fat than the regular variety of, is a an excellent diet choice. Common products that come in low fat which are a good choice are peanut butter, milk, cheese, sour cream, cream cheese. The lower fat versions still have all the "good" fat in them, just less of the "bad." And they still taste good too.

Are you trying to lose weight or just BE healthy? I for one would never put "low fat" anything in my body. I'm 5'8'' and about 110 pounds and I eat lots of good fat. The body NEEDS fat. Thinking low fat = weight loss is the first mentality you should break, IMO.

I eat a high fat diet with no bread (no wheat period, in any form) and very little artificial sugar (the only time I think I get some is in ice cream). I don't drink soda, I don't eat candy, I don't eat any processed stuff.

Make diet about health, not "low fat" and you're on your way.

edit- I wouldn't eat ranch dressing at all. Its almost always FULL of MSG. If you want it I say find a way to make your own. No msg, one of the most horrid things you can put in your body.

 

[KStoner6tb]

But any food that is labeled low fat and has less saturated fat than the regular variety of, is a an excellent diet choice. Common products that come in low fat which are a good choice are peanut butter, milk, cheese, sour cream, cream cheese. The lower fat versions still have all the "good" fat in them, just less of the "bad." And they still taste good too.

Thank you for the tip. That's what I was thinking as well.

 

[ATF]

Quinoa - you can buy this in bulk where other bulk grains are sold, or sometimes as pasta. Quinoa is a complete protein, has many essential things in it, tastes similar to rice or polenta.

Raw fruits and veggies - the healthiest things you could ever eat! I believe these foods are our best option, and that a lack of them contributes to the majority of diseases and illnesses, mental and physical, that we suffer. Uncooked vegetables, fruits and sprouted nuts and seeds, contain a full spectrum of vitamins, mineral, enzymes, and antioxidants in their natural ratios.

Regarding the ranch dressing; thats a tough one to find w/out MSG, and without alot of fat, and still tasting good.
I used to make my own but it was far from lowfat. I used sour cream, mayo, garlic, onion, a dash of lemon, a dash of mustard, fresh parsley, and buttermilk (sometimes a little sugar too )

You could always try to make a "ranch" dressing using healthier fats; experiment with avacado, sesame tahini, extra virgin olive oil, and the best quality dairy you can find (farm fresh unpasteurized milk, goat milk or feta cheese, etc.)

It takes alot of reprogramming to really eat healthy, and people around you will often be a constant source of temptation and regression.
Ive settled with doing my best and eating as healthy as possible with the budget I have.
A good full spectrum nutrient/probiotic/enzyme/veggie powder I use helps supplement the less healthy times. If you want the name of that PM me, or someone let me know if its ok to list it here??

 

[KStoner6tb]

Quinoa - you can buy this in bulk where other bulk grains are sold, or sometimes as pasta. Quinoa is a complete protein, has many essential things in it, tastes similar to rice or polenta.

Thanks, I've never heard of that and will be looking for it