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Lately, I've been thinking a lot about food.
And not just what I can stuff into my pie hole next,
but the complex nature of how and what we eat.
When I was a pup, mom would take us to McDonald's
once a week for dinner. My favorite was the filet-o-fish,
a vanilla shake, fries and an apple pie.
And now I'm drooling just a little...
Anyway, in the darker ages of nutritional knowledge,
Mickey D's cooked everything in pure lard. The apple pies
were deep fried in rendered animals, and the shake was
definitely not made of low fat cow juice.
I stumbled upon a web site recently that
recounted fat content for fast food joints in days of yore.
My childhood repast was a bellybomb, hovering right at 250 grams,
most of that dripping with the bad kind of fat that makes your
heart want to run away from home.
How is it that I'm still kicking?
Well, hopefully I have made some smarter nutritional choices
over the years, and the human/dog body is amazingly
forgiving of past transgressions.
Back to my point; even though this is the enlightened age of
fat content listed in plain view, the banning of red dye #5,
and fiber enhanced no-polyunsaturated-sugar-free-low-cal sushi,
it's still a challenge to indulge in healthy foods.
You know how it is... you're driving home from work, and you're
tired and HUNGRY. You see the bright lights of KFC in the distance,
and that friendly southern gent beckons from the spinning bucket.
Then you smell the deep fried goodness, and that wilty salad in
the bottom of your fridge suddenly starts to sound less appealing.
So you drive through, pay with plastic, and sit in the parking lot
gnawing on chiggun bones and eating buttery taters with a spork.
AND IT'S AMAZING.
And therein lies the crux of the food dilemma that we all face.
It's easy, cheap, fun and satisfying to visit the clown or flirt with
that girl with the red pig tails, but far more challenging to
get in the kitchen and work some culinary magic at the end of
a twelve hour shift.
So whaddya all do to eat right?
Please share your tricks and tips for healthy eating, because I am
fascinated by people's habits and diets, and it's hard in
real life to quiz folks about what they nom and vore.
And yes, Perry's Pizza is like eating cheezy clouds of heaven....
*guilty mutt face*
And not just what I can stuff into my pie hole next,
but the complex nature of how and what we eat.
When I was a pup, mom would take us to McDonald's
once a week for dinner. My favorite was the filet-o-fish,
a vanilla shake, fries and an apple pie.
And now I'm drooling just a little...
Anyway, in the darker ages of nutritional knowledge,
Mickey D's cooked everything in pure lard. The apple pies
were deep fried in rendered animals, and the shake was
definitely not made of low fat cow juice.
I stumbled upon a web site recently that
recounted fat content for fast food joints in days of yore.
My childhood repast was a bellybomb, hovering right at 250 grams,
most of that dripping with the bad kind of fat that makes your
heart want to run away from home.
How is it that I'm still kicking?
Well, hopefully I have made some smarter nutritional choices
over the years, and the human/dog body is amazingly
forgiving of past transgressions.
Back to my point; even though this is the enlightened age of
fat content listed in plain view, the banning of red dye #5,
and fiber enhanced no-polyunsaturated-sugar-free-low-cal sushi,
it's still a challenge to indulge in healthy foods.
You know how it is... you're driving home from work, and you're
tired and HUNGRY. You see the bright lights of KFC in the distance,
and that friendly southern gent beckons from the spinning bucket.
Then you smell the deep fried goodness, and that wilty salad in
the bottom of your fridge suddenly starts to sound less appealing.
So you drive through, pay with plastic, and sit in the parking lot
gnawing on chiggun bones and eating buttery taters with a spork.
AND IT'S AMAZING.
And therein lies the crux of the food dilemma that we all face.
It's easy, cheap, fun and satisfying to visit the clown or flirt with
that girl with the red pig tails, but far more challenging to
get in the kitchen and work some culinary magic at the end of
a twelve hour shift.
So whaddya all do to eat right?
Please share your tricks and tips for healthy eating, because I am
fascinated by people's habits and diets, and it's hard in
real life to quiz folks about what they nom and vore.
And yes, Perry's Pizza is like eating cheezy clouds of heaven....
*guilty mutt face*
Category Photography / Fursuit
Species Dog (Other)
Size 1280 x 960px
File Size 188.9 kB
it helps that mcdonalds in the UK runs frequint special promotions with limited-run burgers with special mixes of ingredients like "the tastes of america"
http://blogs.riverfronttimes.com/gu.....es_america.jpg
or the Festive range at christmas time. :3
they're all delicious and put the rest of mcdonalds burgers to shame.
http://blogs.riverfronttimes.com/gu.....es_america.jpg
or the Festive range at christmas time. :3
they're all delicious and put the rest of mcdonalds burgers to shame.
I've never been a fan of greasy foods so I have a leg up on folks that love pizza I suppose- but if i want to eat healthy, I find a little flare of the exotic helps a ton. Seared, marinated tuna on a bed of avocado and pickled ginger with a dynamite spicy sauce for example- sounds fancy and exotic, really easy to prepare, its just slicing avocados and searing the tuna, the sauce i make and keep in my fridge most of the time and the ginger comes in a jar. :3
Also healthy doesn't have to mean salads, find your favourite 'healthy' meat(chicken, fish, lean cuts, etc), a few vegetables you love(not just like) and start from there. Mix and match sauces and starches, or google your favourite meat and veg and see what comes up for recipes.
Also healthy doesn't have to mean salads, find your favourite 'healthy' meat(chicken, fish, lean cuts, etc), a few vegetables you love(not just like) and start from there. Mix and match sauces and starches, or google your favourite meat and veg and see what comes up for recipes.
This doggy suffers the same dilemma. Sometimes I get so tempted.
Sometimes I give in but most of the time I just think about how ill feel like crap after eating fast food and it counters the temptation. But I still struggle when it comes to Tex Mex (Mmm Moe's makes awesome burritos) or Italian subs.
Sometimes I give in but most of the time I just think about how ill feel like crap after eating fast food and it counters the temptation. But I still struggle when it comes to Tex Mex (Mmm Moe's makes awesome burritos) or Italian subs.
fellatiofish, fellatiofiish, fellatiofish- what?
LAWL!
Personally, if I'm dog-awful hungry, and it's just before closing time, I walk down to the nearby T&T (an Asian grocery store); by that point in the evening, most of their sushi platters are reduced to about half-price, if not more, in an attempt to squeeze out the most of their value.
Otherwise, as of lately, I've been making food at home in very convenient forms- like a patty :3 my favourite patty that I've made so far is my version of the Jamaican patty- soooooooooo tasty!
LAWL!
Personally, if I'm dog-awful hungry, and it's just before closing time, I walk down to the nearby T&T (an Asian grocery store); by that point in the evening, most of their sushi platters are reduced to about half-price, if not more, in an attempt to squeeze out the most of their value.
Otherwise, as of lately, I've been making food at home in very convenient forms- like a patty :3 my favourite patty that I've made so far is my version of the Jamaican patty- soooooooooo tasty!
I like to incorporate fruit into my cooking, especially lemons. The acidity helps to make the meal more satisfying. Additionally, garlic is great for additional killer flavor while being beneficial to my heart. I try to make sure that each meal has some vegetable component, cooked or raw, as that helps to fill you up while managing the calories. Find what you like, then try to make it better and healthier at home!
Having a faculty gig, I often work a ton of hours and have more work to do when I'm "off the clock," but I still prep' nearly all of my meals, including lunch. Here are my found tips...
#1. Buy deli meats and cheeses, do sandwiches for lunch. These will tend to have fewer calories than most fast food options and will end-up saving you tons of money (e.g. it costs me about $12 to 18 per 5 work days to do this as a lunch option versus $20 to 25 minimum for fast food)
#2. Change perspective about cooking. As I set out on my own I started to watch Food Network and developed a somewhat cultish following of certain chefs. Interestingly, this TV-viewing led more to my seeing cooking as an art form and something enjoyable rather than a chore. After working with brain power all day, it's great to get home and do something more hands on.
#3. Spend extra on high quality ingredients. No fast food is as exciting as a top-quality Angus steak or some incredibly fresh rainbow trout. While it's tempting to "go cheap" on the grocery bill, if the food you buy is unappealing and uninspired, you're just more likely to skip that "wilty salad" for something less healthy. As a tip, a salad can be mighty good with some high quality cheese or other fun ingredients. Recently I've tried dried pomegranates and honey-roasted pecans. The later are fairly pricey, but wow, do they really make for a good salad.
#4. Learn some vegetarian cooking. I've been surprised by how many good vegetarian dishes there are. For instance, I've found vegetable chili quite delicious with a better texture than the meat stuff. And no, there's no Tofu or fake meat involved. Probably thanks to the media we have a psychological stigma against veggies, but they can be excellent if prepped right.
#5. Buy low or no-sodium added products. The difference versus the salted stuff is minimal, except for snack-foods, and then snack-foods usually taste better without the extra salt (e.g. chips).
... I went overboard here, but hope something here is worthwhile.
#1. Buy deli meats and cheeses, do sandwiches for lunch. These will tend to have fewer calories than most fast food options and will end-up saving you tons of money (e.g. it costs me about $12 to 18 per 5 work days to do this as a lunch option versus $20 to 25 minimum for fast food)
#2. Change perspective about cooking. As I set out on my own I started to watch Food Network and developed a somewhat cultish following of certain chefs. Interestingly, this TV-viewing led more to my seeing cooking as an art form and something enjoyable rather than a chore. After working with brain power all day, it's great to get home and do something more hands on.
#3. Spend extra on high quality ingredients. No fast food is as exciting as a top-quality Angus steak or some incredibly fresh rainbow trout. While it's tempting to "go cheap" on the grocery bill, if the food you buy is unappealing and uninspired, you're just more likely to skip that "wilty salad" for something less healthy. As a tip, a salad can be mighty good with some high quality cheese or other fun ingredients. Recently I've tried dried pomegranates and honey-roasted pecans. The later are fairly pricey, but wow, do they really make for a good salad.
#4. Learn some vegetarian cooking. I've been surprised by how many good vegetarian dishes there are. For instance, I've found vegetable chili quite delicious with a better texture than the meat stuff. And no, there's no Tofu or fake meat involved. Probably thanks to the media we have a psychological stigma against veggies, but they can be excellent if prepped right.
#5. Buy low or no-sodium added products. The difference versus the salted stuff is minimal, except for snack-foods, and then snack-foods usually taste better without the extra salt (e.g. chips).
... I went overboard here, but hope something here is worthwhile.
Wow, excellent advice, and thank you so much for the tips!
I'm a vegetarian (who sometimes eats a fishy) so I'm used to cooking
with the veggies. I really like your advice on buying good quality stuff in the
store. Sometimes I cheap out and then the resultant low quality grub is
less than inspiring.
I'm going to the market this afternoon and I'm going to by some of those honey roasted pecans!
I'm a vegetarian (who sometimes eats a fishy) so I'm used to cooking
with the veggies. I really like your advice on buying good quality stuff in the
store. Sometimes I cheap out and then the resultant low quality grub is
less than inspiring.
I'm going to the market this afternoon and I'm going to by some of those honey roasted pecans!
I did not know you were a vegetarian - cool. I admire such, as I know the health benefits... but alas, I find meats far too tasty to give-up. Having done the whole grad school thing, I am long used to going for the cheaper product. Since willing to spend a little more, I find I tend to crave home-cooked food often equal to wanting less than healthy (or healthy but pricey) restaurant chow.
Let me know how the honey roasted pecans work for you. They're also good in stir-fries and would compliment peanut sauce-based stir-fries quite well.
Let me know how the honey roasted pecans work for you. They're also good in stir-fries and would compliment peanut sauce-based stir-fries quite well.
I know that issue all too well. If it’s at work or after getting home in the evening- it has to be quick and saturating. Hell, even in my vacation in NYC- just Burger, Pizza and Starbucks for a whole week. I thought if I visit the motherland of fastfood, let’s go the whole hog
But about my attempts to eat healthy: I like to cook pasta with fresh vegetables cut into it (like I had today), that’s fast, tasty and yet wholesome. I also consume smoothies during work, that’s easier than handling fresh fruit when you’re in an environment where you need clean hands all the time (am working a lot with fabrics).
I also try to get some seasonal fruits, like the strawberries I’m eating right now. But the most important thing is, I believe, to not feel outright guilty about ‘unhealthy’ food when it happens, because begrudging oneself for a pleasure that’s not immediately damaging is just as, if not more, detrimental to your health in the long run.
But about my attempts to eat healthy: I like to cook pasta with fresh vegetables cut into it (like I had today), that’s fast, tasty and yet wholesome. I also consume smoothies during work, that’s easier than handling fresh fruit when you’re in an environment where you need clean hands all the time (am working a lot with fabrics).
I also try to get some seasonal fruits, like the strawberries I’m eating right now. But the most important thing is, I believe, to not feel outright guilty about ‘unhealthy’ food when it happens, because begrudging oneself for a pleasure that’s not immediately damaging is just as, if not more, detrimental to your health in the long run.
Thanks for the tips and the good advice!
I agree with you; food transgressions happen and beating yourself up after
you go on a binge does nothing positive for your psyche.
I'm glad you mentioned smoothies. I need to break out the blender and
make a pre-swim protein shake. Excellent, my friend.
I'm glad you had a good time in NYC and were able to sample the local fare!
I agree with you; food transgressions happen and beating yourself up after
you go on a binge does nothing positive for your psyche.
I'm glad you mentioned smoothies. I need to break out the blender and
make a pre-swim protein shake. Excellent, my friend.
I'm glad you had a good time in NYC and were able to sample the local fare!
I've recently started to look more into what I eat as I've wanted to stay healthy. My roommate is very much into health and wellness and has offered me some ideas.
1: Preservatives are generally bad for you. When grocery shopping, try to to only buy from the outside loop while avoiding the aisles. This gives you fresher food and ingredients while keeping you away from boxed foods.
2: Get on a schedule. We all know those delicious late night burritos are bad for you.
3: Eat less, but more often. Try to eat every few hours. 3-4 little meals plus snacks is better than 1-2 big meals.
4: Exercise now dammit! Add it to your calendar and do it. Often. (This is the hard one lol)
Can't say as though I've mixed pickles and beer...but boy do I love me some peanut butter on a hamburger!
1: Preservatives are generally bad for you. When grocery shopping, try to to only buy from the outside loop while avoiding the aisles. This gives you fresher food and ingredients while keeping you away from boxed foods.
2: Get on a schedule. We all know those delicious late night burritos are bad for you.
3: Eat less, but more often. Try to eat every few hours. 3-4 little meals plus snacks is better than 1-2 big meals.
4: Exercise now dammit! Add it to your calendar and do it. Often. (This is the hard one lol)
Can't say as though I've mixed pickles and beer...but boy do I love me some peanut butter on a hamburger!
I grew up very sick. I'm STILL sick more often than I'd like. And it resulted in me weighing over 300 lbs when I was 11 years old because of some serious hormonal issues. I still have problems with weight if I don't keep my calorie count way down. I've gotten to the point where I can't eat grease because it makes me sick.
Make sure that when you eat healthy you enjoy what you eat. Find ways to make it interesting and flavorful. Lots of colors in your fresh fruits and veggies. Mix up the sauces you use. Use lots of lower fat dressings, some of which are quite amazing. Walmart, for instance, carries various dressings made using yogurt which are much lower in fat and don't sub out real fats for fake ones. Avoid processed stuff, and go for fresh or frozen (the latter of which can make eating healthy much easier).
When you exercise, do fun stuff! Get the endorphins and adrenaline flowing, and enjoy yourself! That's the keystone to everything -- if you're not having fun and enjoying yourself, you're doing it wrong.
Find ways to blow off stress. Go find a beautiful bit of nature to sit in and soak up. Get some fresh air and sunshine near a stream or pond where you can let some of your stressful thoughts go. Stress really is a killer, especially given how easy it is to not take time to blow some of it off. It's hard on every single cell in your entire body, and our bodies simply aren't designed to handle the load. Take vitamin C to help your adrenal glands produce more cortisol to handle the stress load. You may also want to consider reading this, which has been insanely helpful to me in helping to manage a lot of my health problems (all of which are stress-related, which I wish I'd known about years and years ago -- it would've saved me a lot of misery): https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B7X.....it?usp=sharing
And again, have fun and enjoy what you do! If you're tired and can't step up to the hotplate, head to Subway for some healthy alternatives. Much better than smashing your heart with the cholesterol hammer.
Make sure that when you eat healthy you enjoy what you eat. Find ways to make it interesting and flavorful. Lots of colors in your fresh fruits and veggies. Mix up the sauces you use. Use lots of lower fat dressings, some of which are quite amazing. Walmart, for instance, carries various dressings made using yogurt which are much lower in fat and don't sub out real fats for fake ones. Avoid processed stuff, and go for fresh or frozen (the latter of which can make eating healthy much easier).
When you exercise, do fun stuff! Get the endorphins and adrenaline flowing, and enjoy yourself! That's the keystone to everything -- if you're not having fun and enjoying yourself, you're doing it wrong.
Find ways to blow off stress. Go find a beautiful bit of nature to sit in and soak up. Get some fresh air and sunshine near a stream or pond where you can let some of your stressful thoughts go. Stress really is a killer, especially given how easy it is to not take time to blow some of it off. It's hard on every single cell in your entire body, and our bodies simply aren't designed to handle the load. Take vitamin C to help your adrenal glands produce more cortisol to handle the stress load. You may also want to consider reading this, which has been insanely helpful to me in helping to manage a lot of my health problems (all of which are stress-related, which I wish I'd known about years and years ago -- it would've saved me a lot of misery): https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B7X.....it?usp=sharing
And again, have fun and enjoy what you do! If you're tired and can't step up to the hotplate, head to Subway for some healthy alternatives. Much better than smashing your heart with the cholesterol hammer.
Wow, thank you for the wonderful comment!
I really agree with everything that you say, and especially the part about having FUN with your
exercise and diet programs.
The fun factor is underrated. If you are not having a good time you are not going to keep up
with the things that are good for you.
Also, great advice about low fat substitutes that use real ingredients (like yogurt) to keep things
lively and tasty. I love some of those dressings and they really brighten up a salad.
I hope that you are doing well and that your health just gets better and better as you progress
through life.
Cheers, my friend!
I really agree with everything that you say, and especially the part about having FUN with your
exercise and diet programs.
The fun factor is underrated. If you are not having a good time you are not going to keep up
with the things that are good for you.
Also, great advice about low fat substitutes that use real ingredients (like yogurt) to keep things
lively and tasty. I love some of those dressings and they really brighten up a salad.
I hope that you are doing well and that your health just gets better and better as you progress
through life.
Cheers, my friend!
I just cook all my lunches and dinners on Sunday, and eat it throughout the week. This is backed up with fruits and nuts, for impulsive snacking, and about ten ready water bottles laying about the place at all times. Now what I actually cook is usually related to chicken, as my kitchen situation is.. Complicated. I'm not a fan of salad, or vegetables slapped on to anything all willy-nilly so I either incorporate them into a dish or eat them raw. Breakfast almost always consists of an egg, two pieces of bacon, and a slice of almond bread, always the same. Dessert is usually seconds if I made enough on Sunday.
Having someone to cook for helps, as life is a game best played on co-op.
Having someone to cook for helps, as life is a game best played on co-op.
Hey, thanks for sharing your food tips!
I like the advice about preparing meals for the coming week well in advance.
If it's ready and available, I'm far more likely to eat right rather than snack or binge.
And you are 100% correct; cooking for two is far preferable to going solo.
Co-op is much more fun!
I like the advice about preparing meals for the coming week well in advance.
If it's ready and available, I'm far more likely to eat right rather than snack or binge.
And you are 100% correct; cooking for two is far preferable to going solo.
Co-op is much more fun!
The smell of KFC is so enchanting to me, but then I think about the "distress" I have digesting it I'm turned off. But daymn, the things I'd do to a bucket of Original...
Food is comfort. Instant gratification, is such a wonderful thing. It's also where many get into trouble. I try to never eat fast food, cook as much as possible. Also having several things on a plate, in small amounts, gives a satisfying full. As much real, not processed food as one can afford.
I also treat myself to a good beer, if I'm being a good skunk
Food is comfort. Instant gratification, is such a wonderful thing. It's also where many get into trouble. I try to never eat fast food, cook as much as possible. Also having several things on a plate, in small amounts, gives a satisfying full. As much real, not processed food as one can afford.
I also treat myself to a good beer, if I'm being a good skunk
I just make an effort to stay balanced. I do a lot of the cooking in my household and most of what I cook (though not necessarily diet food) is reasonably healthy. I tend to cook things with olive oil instead of butter for example. I do indulge in pizza or Chinese takeout from time to time. I rarely eat fast food, with the exception of Subway, which I eat frequently. The problem I have with fast food, specifically McDonalds, has to do with conditioned stimulus. I don't know if you're familiar with Pavlov, but just seeing the big yellow "M" makes me salivate. When that happens, I try to find a Subway nearby as an alternative.
Yes, I agree with the Pavlov's dog theory of fast food; when I see my favorite
taco joint, the juices get to flowing and it's hard not to stop in.
Sometimes, I take a different route just to avoid driving past the darn place!
And yes, you can buy me a beer anytime, kind sir....
taco joint, the juices get to flowing and it's hard not to stop in.
Sometimes, I take a different route just to avoid driving past the darn place!
And yes, you can buy me a beer anytime, kind sir....
I have absolutely no clue.. my idea of a balanced diet is having a slice of pizza in BOTH hands.
There is this mercado/carniceria in our town that has a small cantina in the back and I swear I can gain five pounds just looking at the menu.. but GAWD their food is sooo goood.. *drools* ..as you can plainly see, I have an incredible amount of self control when it's feeding time.
There is this mercado/carniceria in our town that has a small cantina in the back and I swear I can gain five pounds just looking at the menu.. but GAWD their food is sooo goood.. *drools* ..as you can plainly see, I have an incredible amount of self control when it's feeding time.
*Wipes the drool from your muzzle; it will stain your fur*
I have not eaten fast food in probably 15 years. I think about what all that saturated fat and trans fat's will do to my arteries and I prefer to remain stroke free. I also don't eat any white foods (rice, bread, wheat products, cookies or anything like that) I do however eat a baked potato once or twice a week and also drink a glass of Metamucil Psyllium Musk fiber daily. I don't use it for the reasons that one might think but for maintenance of low cholesterol. I dropped my cholesterol by 70 points within 6 months of starting it.
Additionally, I use an app called "Lose It" It asks you to enter your daily caloric intake and logs it perpetually. It does take a little bit of time to enter the foods you consume but its a great way of monitoring your daily intake. After a while of using it, you have a history and you can simply select the foods you eat regularly and enter them. It also had a handy bar code scanner that will tell you the serving size and amount of calories.
You sir, do not need to worry about any of this as you have the sleekness of a Gazelle, even though your a giant dog :) You run constantly and are in incredible shape.
PS: Another really great picture and instant fave :3
I have not eaten fast food in probably 15 years. I think about what all that saturated fat and trans fat's will do to my arteries and I prefer to remain stroke free. I also don't eat any white foods (rice, bread, wheat products, cookies or anything like that) I do however eat a baked potato once or twice a week and also drink a glass of Metamucil Psyllium Musk fiber daily. I don't use it for the reasons that one might think but for maintenance of low cholesterol. I dropped my cholesterol by 70 points within 6 months of starting it.
Additionally, I use an app called "Lose It" It asks you to enter your daily caloric intake and logs it perpetually. It does take a little bit of time to enter the foods you consume but its a great way of monitoring your daily intake. After a while of using it, you have a history and you can simply select the foods you eat regularly and enter them. It also had a handy bar code scanner that will tell you the serving size and amount of calories.
You sir, do not need to worry about any of this as you have the sleekness of a Gazelle, even though your a giant dog :) You run constantly and are in incredible shape.
PS: Another really great picture and instant fave :3
Hey, thank you, that's some great usable info!
I will check out that website as it sounds like a good resource for keeping
tabs on what goes into your body.
Your willpower is quite inspirational. I have a weakness for cookies that borders
on addiction. I try to keep the binging to a minimum, and like you I am very mindful of the
amount of saturated fat that is in each meal. Strokes and heart attacks put a damper on
an otherwise lovely day...
And thank you for the kind words!
I only wish I ran as fast as a gazelle....
I will check out that website as it sounds like a good resource for keeping
tabs on what goes into your body.
Your willpower is quite inspirational. I have a weakness for cookies that borders
on addiction. I try to keep the binging to a minimum, and like you I am very mindful of the
amount of saturated fat that is in each meal. Strokes and heart attacks put a damper on
an otherwise lovely day...
And thank you for the kind words!
I only wish I ran as fast as a gazelle....
I've been trying to make an effort in making meals from scratch to bring along (granted, this is 90% sandwiches, but hey, 'least I have control of ingredients :p), buying more local, natural stuff if possible, as well as trying to restrain from sweets (which in itself is a challenge - I'm in a family of sweet tooths).
Granted, on occasion I forget to bring said meals. Thankfully having some option of fresher, healthier places are in reach by class (happen to stumble on quite a few, results been good) is of good convenience... about as much as the pizza joints adjacent >.> Let's admit, 'tis a challenge, indeed. All-in-all, I'm just making an effort to reduce how much I take, and what I take...and try to burn it off as much and quickly as I can.
Why must all the tasty stuff be bad for you? D:
Granted, on occasion I forget to bring said meals. Thankfully having some option of fresher, healthier places are in reach by class (happen to stumble on quite a few, results been good) is of good convenience... about as much as the pizza joints adjacent >.> Let's admit, 'tis a challenge, indeed. All-in-all, I'm just making an effort to reduce how much I take, and what I take...and try to burn it off as much and quickly as I can.
Why must all the tasty stuff be bad for you? D:
I can almost never find anything appetizing to eat that is actually good for me, so I'll just grab something quick and easy BUT THEN switch my drink with a Bolthouse smoothie lol.
Usually, Chinese food is the easiest thing to find that isn't covered in heart attack sauce. Yummy noodles <3
Usually, Chinese food is the easiest thing to find that isn't covered in heart attack sauce. Yummy noodles <3
Most of what I'm going to say has already been said before. But...
I haven't had McDonalds for around 10 years now.
I stopped when I rented "Super Size Me" on DVD
In one of the special features they put a range of burgers, some from McDonalds, some from a local, non-chain shop, into containers to see how they went off.
Needless to say the results after a few months wasn't very pretty.
But the fries from McDonalds....
Looked as fresh as they were on day one!
After seeing that, I just said to myself "I'm never having McDonalds again"
And I haven't.
Admittedly I still give in and occasionally have Burger King :P
But that's once a year at best, and I always feel bad afterward...
And I still quite often get cheap Chinese and Indian take out
Mostly for lunch as I detest packed sandwiches that have gone dry after sitting in my bag for 3 hours
But thankfully for me, I love cooking.
For me, there's nothing more satisfying than a meal you've prepared yourself.
It helps that I usually cook up big batches of curries or pasta or casseroles, so if I don't feel like cooking, there's usually leftovers :)
And I try and cook vegetarian meals as you just don't need to eat the amount of meat that a regular western diet has.
And I would recommend getting small servings.
Especially in the US where servings are huge!
(Coming from Australia where the serving size is smaller, when I visited the US, my family would order a single sandwich and share it between two people)
And yes, I avoid soft drinks.
It's a massive energy hit that you probably don't need (probably)
I generally only have them if I'm at a party and somebody else has bought them :P
Woah, that turned out way longer than I was expecting!
Sorry for using up so much of your time!
I haven't had McDonalds for around 10 years now.
I stopped when I rented "Super Size Me" on DVD
In one of the special features they put a range of burgers, some from McDonalds, some from a local, non-chain shop, into containers to see how they went off.
Needless to say the results after a few months wasn't very pretty.
But the fries from McDonalds....
Looked as fresh as they were on day one!
After seeing that, I just said to myself "I'm never having McDonalds again"
And I haven't.
Admittedly I still give in and occasionally have Burger King :P
But that's once a year at best, and I always feel bad afterward...
And I still quite often get cheap Chinese and Indian take out
Mostly for lunch as I detest packed sandwiches that have gone dry after sitting in my bag for 3 hours
But thankfully for me, I love cooking.
For me, there's nothing more satisfying than a meal you've prepared yourself.
It helps that I usually cook up big batches of curries or pasta or casseroles, so if I don't feel like cooking, there's usually leftovers :)
And I try and cook vegetarian meals as you just don't need to eat the amount of meat that a regular western diet has.
And I would recommend getting small servings.
Especially in the US where servings are huge!
(Coming from Australia where the serving size is smaller, when I visited the US, my family would order a single sandwich and share it between two people)
And yes, I avoid soft drinks.
It's a massive energy hit that you probably don't need (probably)
I generally only have them if I'm at a party and somebody else has bought them :P
Woah, that turned out way longer than I was expecting!
Sorry for using up so much of your time!
Oh my gosh, that "Super Size Me" documentary absolutely made me feel sick.
What a shocking way to learn about the dark side of fast food...
Thank you so much for the great food tips and tricks,
very good info!
I really like your advice on eating smaller servings.
We in the US get so used to 4 pound meals that we forget
how your body processes such binges and how unnecessary
such large quantities of food really are.
Thank you again for the great comment!
What a shocking way to learn about the dark side of fast food...
Thank you so much for the great food tips and tricks,
very good info!
I really like your advice on eating smaller servings.
We in the US get so used to 4 pound meals that we forget
how your body processes such binges and how unnecessary
such large quantities of food really are.
Thank you again for the great comment!
Where I go right is grilled chicken or fish, balanced by fresh greens for dinner. I also keep the alcohol consumption to a bear minimum during a typical workweek.
Where I go wrong is my mornings, where I'm too busy rushing around to organize anything healthy. That ends up leaving coffee and bagels later in the day. It also doesn't help I despise most breakfast foods.
Thankfully I've grown a disgust for most fast food over the years. There are few exceptions, like Popeye's chicken and the occasional In-N-Out urge, but I'm able to quell those most times. :)
Where I go wrong is my mornings, where I'm too busy rushing around to organize anything healthy. That ends up leaving coffee and bagels later in the day. It also doesn't help I despise most breakfast foods.
Thankfully I've grown a disgust for most fast food over the years. There are few exceptions, like Popeye's chicken and the occasional In-N-Out urge, but I'm able to quell those most times. :)
Yes, the mornings are deadly for me, too.
I'm just damn hungry and there's DONUTS OMG.
Yes, I agree, many fast foods are just not that wonderful,
but In-N-Out is an exception.
I get that darn grilled cheese with a ton of onions and
it's the best thing ever...
Just needs cold beer!
I'm just damn hungry and there's DONUTS OMG.
Yes, I agree, many fast foods are just not that wonderful,
but In-N-Out is an exception.
I get that darn grilled cheese with a ton of onions and
it's the best thing ever...
Just needs cold beer!
While I can't say that I'm entirely pleased with my physical appearance, my bf and I have both lost a good amount of weight over the last year or so. I'm 30 and I think I look and feel better than I did when I was 20, back then I wasn't as proactive about this sort of thing.
Aside from getting enough exercise, I think think one of the key points that a lot of people (especially furries) seem to miss, is that desserts are a special occasion item only... and by the way, soda is a dessert for all practical purposes. The amount of soda I've seen people drink per day is basically the equivalent to eating a couple pieces of birthday cake a day. Unfortunately, beer isn't that good for you either.
We try to eat things while paying attention to the healthiness of what goes into them, and avoid fast foods and processed foods and yes it's hard because everything has become so salty and greasy (I really think it's worse than it used to be). We cook a lot of our own food instead of buying stuff to reheat, that way we can control what goes into it, even though it is time consuming, it's worth it and there are usually leftovers which you can eat when you're more busy. And we try to eat salads a few times a week which are also easy to prepare. I like to add some chicken breast for extra protein. You can get a huge thing of fresh spinach at Vons for like 5 bucks and we've been eating a lot of spinach salads which is very good for you.
Aside from getting enough exercise, I think think one of the key points that a lot of people (especially furries) seem to miss, is that desserts are a special occasion item only... and by the way, soda is a dessert for all practical purposes. The amount of soda I've seen people drink per day is basically the equivalent to eating a couple pieces of birthday cake a day. Unfortunately, beer isn't that good for you either.
We try to eat things while paying attention to the healthiness of what goes into them, and avoid fast foods and processed foods and yes it's hard because everything has become so salty and greasy (I really think it's worse than it used to be). We cook a lot of our own food instead of buying stuff to reheat, that way we can control what goes into it, even though it is time consuming, it's worth it and there are usually leftovers which you can eat when you're more busy. And we try to eat salads a few times a week which are also easy to prepare. I like to add some chicken breast for extra protein. You can get a huge thing of fresh spinach at Vons for like 5 bucks and we've been eating a lot of spinach salads which is very good for you.
"Beer isn't good for you."
What are, nuts?
No seriously, you are 100% correct. Soda and beer are just empty calories,
and should be reserved for special occasions (like conventions) only.
We're on the same page with the spinach salads; I've been going through bags of
that stuff and it makes a great meal.
I'm glad that you feel healthier now than you did 10 years ago.
You guys keep that up and we'll have lots of chances to act like idiots in the future!
What are, nuts?
No seriously, you are 100% correct. Soda and beer are just empty calories,
and should be reserved for special occasions (like conventions) only.
We're on the same page with the spinach salads; I've been going through bags of
that stuff and it makes a great meal.
I'm glad that you feel healthier now than you did 10 years ago.
You guys keep that up and we'll have lots of chances to act like idiots in the future!
Eat [good] food, not too much, mostly plants.
This advice from Michael Pollan forms the foundation of my eating habits. Good foods are mandatory, as calories can't be wasted on healthy foods which have no taste; mostly plants because I tend toward vegetarianism and wish to restrict cholesterol intake. Not too much is self-explanatory.
In practical terms that means shopping for whole foods with minimal processing: Yes, oats of course, and a wide range of veggies that I use for generally ethnic cooking (Mexican, Chinese, Indian, Italian). I try to break down foods on shopping day, so veggies get chopped and put into the freezer in meal-sized freezer bags for later cooking, for example, and chicken or meats are treated in a similar way. Onions ideally get chopped and put into the fridge for later cooking; herbs that I don't grow get placed in moist paper towels or stood upright in tumblers of water. Much of my bread and other baked goods are homemade, and I use predominantly whole wheat flour which I buy in 20# bags and store in sealed bins; I'll make sufficient dough for both bread and pizza when I make traditional bread, but if I'm in a rush I'll use the bread machine. Brown rice is bought in bulk too, and I use whole wheat pasta and keep lots of legumes on hand (lentils, peas, and beans). I have a tiny garden which contributes a miniscule amount to my diet.
Sugar is something I keep to a minimum, and the fats I use are mostly olive oil, corn oil, and sometimes butter. Lard is preferred, but not something I'll use, and vegetable shortening causes me concern because of its hydrogenated fat content.
This advice from Michael Pollan forms the foundation of my eating habits. Good foods are mandatory, as calories can't be wasted on healthy foods which have no taste; mostly plants because I tend toward vegetarianism and wish to restrict cholesterol intake. Not too much is self-explanatory.
In practical terms that means shopping for whole foods with minimal processing: Yes, oats of course, and a wide range of veggies that I use for generally ethnic cooking (Mexican, Chinese, Indian, Italian). I try to break down foods on shopping day, so veggies get chopped and put into the freezer in meal-sized freezer bags for later cooking, for example, and chicken or meats are treated in a similar way. Onions ideally get chopped and put into the fridge for later cooking; herbs that I don't grow get placed in moist paper towels or stood upright in tumblers of water. Much of my bread and other baked goods are homemade, and I use predominantly whole wheat flour which I buy in 20# bags and store in sealed bins; I'll make sufficient dough for both bread and pizza when I make traditional bread, but if I'm in a rush I'll use the bread machine. Brown rice is bought in bulk too, and I use whole wheat pasta and keep lots of legumes on hand (lentils, peas, and beans). I have a tiny garden which contributes a miniscule amount to my diet.
Sugar is something I keep to a minimum, and the fats I use are mostly olive oil, corn oil, and sometimes butter. Lard is preferred, but not something I'll use, and vegetable shortening causes me concern because of its hydrogenated fat content.
Yes! All things in moderation, and a plant based diet is the way to go.
I really like all your tips. I need to do more "in advance" food prep so putting
together the ingredients becomes less of a chore.
I'm a vegetarian, so your habit of cooking ethnic dishes really perks my ears.
There are so many interesting tastes and flavors that are used in other
parts of the world that really make veggie dishes come alive.
Thank you for the wonderful comment!
I really like all your tips. I need to do more "in advance" food prep so putting
together the ingredients becomes less of a chore.
I'm a vegetarian, so your habit of cooking ethnic dishes really perks my ears.
There are so many interesting tastes and flavors that are used in other
parts of the world that really make veggie dishes come alive.
Thank you for the wonderful comment!
It's my pleasure, DB! ^_^
My neighbour was a professional chef in his homeland of India, so I'm most fortunate to have his input on my attempts at Indian vegetarian cooking (about an 8 out of 10 as far as authenticity, but still too mild for palate!).
I was a lacto/ovo vegetarian for 10 years, and a lifelong dieter, so I find it challenging to make dishes that are healthful and delicious while minimizing prep time.
Cheers!
Clay
My neighbour was a professional chef in his homeland of India, so I'm most fortunate to have his input on my attempts at Indian vegetarian cooking (about an 8 out of 10 as far as authenticity, but still too mild for palate!).
I was a lacto/ovo vegetarian for 10 years, and a lifelong dieter, so I find it challenging to make dishes that are healthful and delicious while minimizing prep time.
Cheers!
Clay
It's all about portions man! With heart trouble on both sides of the family, I make it a habit to keep my stress as low as possible, and watch what I eat. That, and when you cook dinner at home, prepare enough to have as left-overs. That way, when you're dead tired and driving home from work, you've got a quick and easy meal to prepare. (ie: re-heat) If you absolutely must have something to eat, "suddenly salads" are a a dirt cheap alternative! They take all of fifteen minutes to prepare, and you've got a hot meal that will easily satisfy one person for a couple days!
Yes, portion control is key.
I have been guilty of eating enough for two people on more than one occasion,
and the after effects are not worth the gluttony.
One of my favorite food secrets is Suddenly Salads. I discovered those when I
went on a camping trip and they are awesome!
Thanks for the input!
I have been guilty of eating enough for two people on more than one occasion,
and the after effects are not worth the gluttony.
One of my favorite food secrets is Suddenly Salads. I discovered those when I
went on a camping trip and they are awesome!
Thanks for the input!
Self discipline, making it a habit to cook... thing is.. you make time for the things you want. If you want to be healthy, you make time for it. I've made cooking at home a habit for myself. I feel weird if I come home and don't cook after work. It's become a part of my routine. And I also keep healthy snacks available on the go for when I get a hankering for a snack and I'm hungry. (And I make sure it's filling foods like bananas, nuts, whole grain whatevers, etc.) And I also have meals I've made and frozen ahead of time so if I'm not feeling well and just can't bring myself to get into the kitchen.. I take a part of a casserole or the like I've made and frozen, heat it up, and eat it on the couch. :3
I grew up most of my life eating healthy though, so I think it's a tad easier for me because it's been distilled into me. Raw, organic, all natural, minimal processed.. those were staples for food in our house growing up, and it's a staple in my home now that I'm on my own. I remember when I first moved out on my own to go to college back in '04, and I was immediately introduced for the first time the typical college kid diet (ramen, Mickey D's, Totino's Pizza, late night runs to Whataburger, etc.)... that first week I got SO SICK. My body wasn't used to it and I thought I was going to die. My mom gave me a verbal whoopin' over the phone when she found out, lol! I fixed that real quick, haha.
But now I'd like to think I have a healthy balance. I usually cook my meals at home but every once in a blue moon it's fun to make a run to Taco Bueno or Mickey D's. It's never wrong to indulge every once in a while! (also.. between you and me?.. my Kryptonite is the McRib. Oh. My. Gosh..)
Also, if you're at work, a great way to make your own lunches that help with healthy eating is using a Bento Box! Look it up if you aren't familiar.. it helps you eat healthier by feeding your eyes and working on portioning! Some people go extreme with making intricate lunches to go in those things but there's plain jane lunches too (Which is me.. because I'm lazy too, haha)
Because of the heftier prices, people say they can't afford healthier/organic foods. Yeah conventional foods are cheaper, but your body craves nutrients. If you eat five McDoubles at Mickey D's you're most likely to be hungry 45 minutes later. Your body didn't get the nutrients it needs to work. So you eat more. Vicious cycle! Yeah healthier food costs more, but you get the nutrients you need in one meal that you would get in five fast food meals, therefore you're fuller for longer, eating less..and it balances itself out. I'm a single mother and can afford my healthy food tab because I take less trips to the grocery store when eating good nutrition packed meals for my son and I. (And trust me.. that kid can clean out my pantry in a week during a growth spurt!)
I grew up most of my life eating healthy though, so I think it's a tad easier for me because it's been distilled into me. Raw, organic, all natural, minimal processed.. those were staples for food in our house growing up, and it's a staple in my home now that I'm on my own. I remember when I first moved out on my own to go to college back in '04, and I was immediately introduced for the first time the typical college kid diet (ramen, Mickey D's, Totino's Pizza, late night runs to Whataburger, etc.)... that first week I got SO SICK. My body wasn't used to it and I thought I was going to die. My mom gave me a verbal whoopin' over the phone when she found out, lol! I fixed that real quick, haha.
But now I'd like to think I have a healthy balance. I usually cook my meals at home but every once in a blue moon it's fun to make a run to Taco Bueno or Mickey D's. It's never wrong to indulge every once in a while! (also.. between you and me?.. my Kryptonite is the McRib. Oh. My. Gosh..)
Also, if you're at work, a great way to make your own lunches that help with healthy eating is using a Bento Box! Look it up if you aren't familiar.. it helps you eat healthier by feeding your eyes and working on portioning! Some people go extreme with making intricate lunches to go in those things but there's plain jane lunches too (Which is me.. because I'm lazy too, haha)
Because of the heftier prices, people say they can't afford healthier/organic foods. Yeah conventional foods are cheaper, but your body craves nutrients. If you eat five McDoubles at Mickey D's you're most likely to be hungry 45 minutes later. Your body didn't get the nutrients it needs to work. So you eat more. Vicious cycle! Yeah healthier food costs more, but you get the nutrients you need in one meal that you would get in five fast food meals, therefore you're fuller for longer, eating less..and it balances itself out. I'm a single mother and can afford my healthy food tab because I take less trips to the grocery store when eating good nutrition packed meals for my son and I. (And trust me.. that kid can clean out my pantry in a week during a growth spurt!)
Wow, what a great comment!
Thank you for all those tips and the insight into healthy eating.
I agree that it is far easier to sustain healthy habits that it is to start them up.
I'm the same as you; I feel guilty if I get home and don't whip up something
good for dinner. If I slump on the couch and eat a pawful of this and that
I feel like I've cheated myself.
I really appreciate your input!
Thank you for all those tips and the insight into healthy eating.
I agree that it is far easier to sustain healthy habits that it is to start them up.
I'm the same as you; I feel guilty if I get home and don't whip up something
good for dinner. If I slump on the couch and eat a pawful of this and that
I feel like I've cheated myself.
I really appreciate your input!
I used to eat Macdonalds frequently when I was little, I would get the fish filet and a cheeseburger. I don't know how I did it! I also have a super fast metabolism and I was always skinny but I had a lot of chest pains and stuff from the things I ate. Then in college I decided to try being vegetarian and it all went away!
I'm a terrible cook, but being a veg has forced me to try and I've become better at it. I've found that if you don't eat fast food for a while and then try it again it will taste disgusting to you. It will just taste like chemicals. After a while of not eating taco bell, I tried it recently and it was unbearable. I've also found that eating a ton of vegetable, even if it's not as gratifying as some other foods right away, makes me feel a lot better afterwards.
Try to look past the American diet of just bread cheese and meat and try to eat some new stuff from other cultures, that would be my advice (Indian, thai, ethiopian, mediteranean, blah blah blah).
I'm a terrible cook, but being a veg has forced me to try and I've become better at it. I've found that if you don't eat fast food for a while and then try it again it will taste disgusting to you. It will just taste like chemicals. After a while of not eating taco bell, I tried it recently and it was unbearable. I've also found that eating a ton of vegetable, even if it's not as gratifying as some other foods right away, makes me feel a lot better afterwards.
Try to look past the American diet of just bread cheese and meat and try to eat some new stuff from other cultures, that would be my advice (Indian, thai, ethiopian, mediteranean, blah blah blah).
Yes, I'm a fellow vegetarian, so I agree with your comment all the way!
When I do take a trip down fast food row, I try and stick to the healthiest
things on the menu. I think my body would rebel if I tried to swallow a Big Mac.
Good advice on the ethnic dishes.
Some of those curries and oriental spices are just amazing!
When I do take a trip down fast food row, I try and stick to the healthiest
things on the menu. I think my body would rebel if I tried to swallow a Big Mac.
Good advice on the ethnic dishes.
Some of those curries and oriental spices are just amazing!
Yes, I'll bet being on the road is huge challenge to a healthy diet!
Plus, you have to sit for hours on end.
Not an easy life for sure!
I guess us 9-5 types have it pretty good food-wise.
Hang in there! I'm sure that you can devise a healthy diet.
Maybe there is a cook book out there that caters to truckers?
"Healthy Road Foods and the Coast to Coast Driver."
Plus, you have to sit for hours on end.
Not an easy life for sure!
I guess us 9-5 types have it pretty good food-wise.
Hang in there! I'm sure that you can devise a healthy diet.
Maybe there is a cook book out there that caters to truckers?
"Healthy Road Foods and the Coast to Coast Driver."
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