Serving Sizes

[MTK]

Originally Posted by djnemo65

Problems with the American diet are vast. Are portions are too large but the diet itself is also deeply flawed.

True, diets don't work.

You have to change the way you eat to be keep weight off for the long term. It's a lifestyle change. A diet is a quick fix.

[Sheriff Gonna Getcha]

How about 1,200+ calorie burritos at Chipotle and Qdoba? Delicious, yet so so bad.

[djnemo65]

Yeah, what's interesting is that the American diet has grown largely out of modern expediency. However, while things like fast food, processed food, and cheap availability of meat are all signs of affluence and technological advancement, they also lead to myriad health risks. Humans have evolved to eat traditional diets, which were historically balanced nutritionally by availability of resources. Heavy on produce and breads, light on meats. That's why a traditional diet - Italian, Japanese, Greek, Korean, take your pick - is so much healthier than the hodgepodge of big meats and take-out us Americans are used to. We have evolved to be best served by that kind of balance.

This is reflected in things like the incidence of diabetes and heart-disease in the aforementioned countries versus ours. Also interesting is that people who emigrate from those countries are immediately at risk for things like diabetes at a rate equal to those born in America, basically like the day they arrive. Moreover, as globalism and westernization brings KFC to countries like China they are starting to encounter the same problems there.

I heard a scientist make an interesting argument, suggesting that in a few thousand years humans will evolve to the point where eating McDonalds might actually be optimally nutritional. However, in lieu of that, one interested in prolonging their life should think about some radical dietary changes.

[757SkinsGirl]

Originally Posted by mredskins

Well I agree that would be the best choice at restaurants I would not waste my time or money to go out to eat grilled chix with steamed veggies, I would stay home for that. No one is saying you can't indulge in those foods once in awhile just don't make it an every day thing. No one meal has every made someone fat only.

Big Mac
540 calories 29g Fat
McDonald's USA - Bag A McMeal

Chilis Ceaser Salad w/ Grilled Chix

1010 calories 76g Fat

Menu at Chili's Grill & Bar


"Oh I will just eat healthy and have a salad at Chilis instead of a Big Mac"

I use this example becuse my co-worker's over weight daughter is always on a diet and she eats health by having Ceaser Salads. Pffff...

I'm not saying I don't ever go all out when I do go out to dinner, but I do try and avoid anything fried. I don't ever put salt on anything and try not to over-do it on things like butter, for example. Those are just a few things I try to do to cut corners here and there.

As for the Ceasar Salads...obviously, it's the dressing where all the calories come from. Don't get me wrong...I LOVE Ceasar Salads, but when I make them at home, I use fat free Ceasar dressing. Idk. I try and just eat until full and then stop, vs. eating until I drop. Most peoples stomachs can really only accomodate about a fist full of food, and I think a lot of people can still hear their mothers "...eat everything on your plate! There are starving children in the world..." so we feel we're being wasteful if we don't...Something else I've learned...Drink a glass of water before your meal. It fills you, meaning you eat less food.

*shrug*

[JoeRedskin]

Originally Posted by djnemo65

I heard a scientist make an interesting argument, suggesting that in a few thousand years humans will evolve to the point where eating McDonalds might actually be optimally nutritional. However, in lieu of that, one interested in prolonging their life should think about some radical dietary changes.

Well, if we change our diet to eating healthy, we will never evolve the ability to eat McD's to live healthy. Thus, by eating McD's today, I am increasing the ability of my descendants to live well off fast food in the future.

I guess I'll just have to take one for team humanity.

[MTK]

Originally Posted by 757SkinsGirl

I'm not saying I don't ever go all out when I do go out to dinner, but I do try and avoid anything fried. I don't ever put salt on anything and try not to over-do it on things like butter, for example. Those are just a few things I try to do to cut corners here and there.

As for the Ceasar Salads...obviously, it's the dressing where all the calories come from. Don't get me wrong...I LOVE Ceasar Salads, but when I make them at home, I use fat free Ceasar dressing. Idk. I try and just eat until full and then stop, vs. eating until I drop. Most peoples stomachs can really only accomodate about a fist full of food, and I think a lot of people can still hear their mothers "...eat everything on your plate! There are starving children in the world..." so we feel we're being wasteful if we don't...Something else I've learned...Drink a glass of water before your meal. It fills you, meaning you eat less food.

*shrug*

The problem with the fat free stuff is it's usually loaded up with sugar, so in the end I'm not sure that it's really better for you. Just ask for dressing on the side. You'll use a lot less.

I think the whole fat free fad has really been more damaging than anything. It's important to watch fat, but it's also important to watch sugar, carbs, and calories. I think alot of people out there think if they eat a lot of fat free products they're eating healthy. Meanwhile we have a diabetes epidemic that's largely due to the fat free fad.

[mredskins]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

The problem with the fat free stuff is it's usually loaded up with sugar, so in the end I'm not sure that it's really better for you. Just ask for dressing on the side. You'll use a lot less.

I think the whole fat free fad has really been more damaging than anything. It's important to watch fat, but it's also important to watch sugar, carbs, and calories. I think alot of people out there think if they eat a lot of fat free products they're eating healthy. Meanwhile we have a diabetes epidemic that's largely due to the fat free fad.

True. Sugar turns to fat faster then fat turns to fat on us. Really just eat a balanced diet watch your portion sizes and don't over induldge in "bad foods". Plus try working out as well.

Today is my first time trying to workout at lunch, I will see how many friends I have in the afternoon after the stink.

[MTK]

I wish I had a gym near me to work out at during lunch, I would totally do it. I'd much rather work out mid-day than what I do now, after dinner around 6-7 at night.

[mredskins]

Ok so I went and it was a good experience. Total time was 1hr 10 minutes with shower and all. I am lucky my gym sits in the same parking lot as my office.

I seem to have some good energy this afternoon and I don't have the weight of "got to go to the gym after work" over my head.

Looks like I found a new ritual.

[mredskins]

This is funny!

Holiday Eating Tips:

1. Avoid carrot sticks. Anyone who puts carrots on a holiday buffet tableknows nothing of the Christmas spirit. In fact, if you see carrots, leave immediately. Go next door, where they're serving rum balls.

2. Drink as much eggnog as you can. And quickly. It's rare. You can't find it any other time of year but now. So drink up! Who cares that it has 10,000 calories in every sip? It's not as if you're going to turn into an eggnog-alcoholic or something. It's a treat. Enjoy it. Have one for me. Have two. It's later than you think. It's Christmas!

3. If something comes with gravy, use it. That's the whole point of gravy. Gravy does not stand alone. Pour it on. Make a volcano out of your mashed potatoes. Fill it with gravy. Eat the volcano. Repeat step #3.

4. As for mashed potatoes, always ask if they're made with skim milk or whole milk. If it's skim, pass. Why bother? It's like buying a sports car with an automatic transmission.

5. Do not have a snack before going to a party in an effort to control your eating. The whole point of going to a Christmas party is to eat other people's food for free. Lots of it. Hello!

6. Under no circumstances should you exercise between now and New Year's Day. You can do that in January when you have nothing else to do. This is the time for long naps, which you'll need after circling the buffet table while carrying a 10-pound plate of food and that vat of eggnog.

7. If you come across something really good at a buffet table, like frosted Christmas cookies in the shape and size of Santa, position yourself near them and don't budge. Have as many as you can before becoming the center of attention. They're like a beautiful pair of shoes. If you leave them behind, you're never going to see them again.

8. Same for pies. Apple. Pumpkin. Mincemeat. Have a slice of each. Or if you don't like mincemeat, have two apples and one pumpkin. Always have three. When else do you get to have more than one dessert? Labor Day?

9. Did someone mention fruitcake? Granted, it's loaded with the mandatory celebratory calories, but avoid it at all cost. I mean, have some standards.

10. One final tip: If you don't feel terrible when you leave the party or get up from the table, you haven't been paying attention. Reread tips; start over, but hurry, January is just around the corner. Remember this motto to live by: 'Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming 'WOO HOO what a ride!'

[724Skinsfan]

^ That's good stuff. My thoughts exactly on eating during the holidays.

weight loss = calories in < calories out. Eat what you want and burn it off jogging, hiking, doing pushups/situps while watching The Biggest Loser, whatever.

[JWsleep]

One thing that's helped me a lot: not really having the money to eat out. That forced me to stop the fast food and even the not-so-fast restaurant stuff. Eating at home and making lunches and stuff really helps to cut down. Being poor helps too!

[djnemo65]

Originally Posted by JoeRedskin

Well, if we change our diet to eating healthy, we will never evolve the ability to eat McD's to live healthy. Thus, by eating McD's today, I am increasing the ability of my descendants to live well off fast food in the future.

I guess I'll just have to take one for team humanity.

haha touche

[EternalEnigma21]

Originally Posted by djnemo65

haha touche

umm... it's spelled with a d.