I was eating a salad and someone told me it was pointless
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Your salad sounds delicious. I call that an automatic win.0
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Your salad-sounds great, and not pointless. The way some people (past me included) make salads, they end up having the same calorie/macro count as a bacon cheeseburger, and I would rather have the bacon cheeseburger in that case.
ETA: Even so, the salad would still have vitamins and nutrients. lol. Whoever told you that is a nut job.0 -
MelissaPhippsFeagins wrote: »juggernaut1974 wrote: »Moral of the story: Stop listening to trainers at the gym (or "sports nutritionists" or whatever fancy-schmancy term they like to call themselves) for nutritional advice.
The sports nutritionist I listen to used to work with the Atlanta Falcons. She knows her sports nutrition, but she also has a masters degree in nutrition and human physiology.
The trainer who shared the 'nugget of wisdom' with OP's friend is a trainer at Planet Fitness, LOL. I highly doubt that a chain gym which makes fun of people who are in shape and do anything beyond light cardio attracts "trainers" who know anything beyond how to sell more memberships, restock the bowl of tootsie rolls and put trays of pizza on the counter every Friday. I have no problem whatsoever with taking advice from trainers who know their stuff and base it upon science, research and common sense rather than broscience and personal agendas - there just seems to be so few of them.
As to the OP - while a salad can be low-density in terms of both calories and nutrients (depending on how it's made and how much dressing, etc. is put on it), saying that it's "pointless" completely ignores the context of its place within the overall diet. Eating nothing but salads all day every day wouldn't be a good idea. Eating a salad to help with satiety, get some veggies into your diet and keep you within your daily calorie goals (along with the rest of a varied, well-balanced diet) is perfectly fine.0 -
Pointless? Absolutely ridiculous and ignorant comment. First of all select high quality ingredients. Second, get some good vitamins and protein supplement. Unfortunately everything that we eat has a diminished nutritional value due to the over exploitation of natural resources. Your body will thank you for adding greens to your diet.0
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The trainer who shared the 'nugget of wisdom' with OP's friend is a trainer at Planet Fitness, LOL. I highly doubt that a chain gym which makes fun of people who are in shape and do anything beyond light cardio attracts "trainers" who know anything beyond how to sell more memberships, restock the bowl of tootsie rolls and put trays of pizza on the counter every Friday. I have no problem whatsoever with taking advice from trainers who know their stuff and base it upon science, research and common sense rather than broscience and personal agendas - there just seems to be so few of them.
I think PF varies wildly, as mine is nothing like that. But I think the takeaway here is, QUESTION EVERYTHING, even what a qualified trainer says, with your own research.
Anyways, salads are my life in summer, and yours, OP, sounds delicious, nutritious, and balanced. Whoever told you that is completely misinformed. They made an assumption and we all know what happens when someone does that...
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Sounds like either a one upsmanship statement, or an idiot.
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47Jacqueline wrote: »Sounds like either a one upsmanship statement, or an idiot.
I vote fot idiot.0 -
Protein from the chicken and the Spinach, micro vitamins, anti oxidents from the veg and healthy fats from the oil. Everything has to be seen in context with the overall numbers at the end of the day (IIFYM).0
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As everyone else here has stated, that person is wrong and you shouldn't listen to them. Salads can be extremely nutritious depending on what's in it. The only way it may be "pointless" would be if you took only iceberg lettuce (which still provides some nutrients, just in smaller amounts) and drowned it under a ton of dressing, which someone could see as empty nutrition.
But as long as you have more than just lettuce (which you do), you get nutrients and the lettuce will provide fiber. A little bit of dressing helps provide fat so your body can absorb some of those fat soluble vitamins (such as vitamin A), but even if you go for fat free your body will still absorb the water soluble vitamins so it's not a waste, so to speak. Either way, a salad (with moderate dressing, or other delicious toppings if dressings aren't your thing), is much more nutritious than eating a donut or muffin, plus you'll feel much more full. Absolutely not a waste!0 -
I think there was a miscommunication. The theory is that you need a salad dressing with fat to help you absorb the nutrients in the veggies and greens, so maybe he was talking about using a fat free salad dressing?
I had no idea, but surely if there's fat in your salad, even if it's not in the dressing, it would be fine?
About the 'iceberg lettuce is void of nutrients' myth though, I found a good article about it
http://www.raw-food-health.net/Iceberg-Lettuce-Nutrition.html
Yes, that is true, but some people are so fat-phobic that they have no fat source in the salad, and then use fat free dressing on top of that.0 -
I think there was a miscommunication. The theory is that you need a salad dressing with fat to help you absorb the nutrients in the veggies and greens, so maybe he was talking about using a fat free salad dressing?
I had no idea, but surely if there's fat in your salad, even if it's not in the dressing, it would be fine?
About the 'iceberg lettuce is void of nutrients' myth though, I found a good article about it
http://www.raw-food-health.net/Iceberg-Lettuce-Nutrition.html
Yes, that is true, but some people are so fat-phobic that they have no fat source in the salad, and then use fat free dressing on top of that.
I eat salads like that all the time (very, very definitely not fat phobic). I just really like sour dressings and simple salads, so I use cider vinegar or balsamic vinegar on cucumber, tomato, and spinach most of the time. Oil ruins it for me. I suppose I should add some bacon or goat cheese instead.0 -
I think there was a miscommunication. The theory is that you need a salad dressing with fat to help you absorb the nutrients in the veggies and greens, so maybe he was talking about using a fat free salad dressing?
I had no idea, but surely if there's fat in your salad, even if it's not in the dressing, it would be fine?
About the 'iceberg lettuce is void of nutrients' myth though, I found a good article about it
http://www.raw-food-health.net/Iceberg-Lettuce-Nutrition.html
Yes, that is true, but some people are so fat-phobic that they have no fat source in the salad, and then use fat free dressing on top of that.
I eat salads like that all the time (very, very definitely not fat phobic). I just really like sour dressings and simple salads, so I use cider vinegar or balsamic vinegar on cucumber, tomato, and spinach most of the time. Oil ruins it for me. I suppose I should add some bacon or goat cheese instead.
I often have just vinegar or just vinegar and mustard for the dressing, but I also usually add olives or feta.0 -
If you didn't ask that person for their opinion... tell them their opinion is pointless lol0
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Salad is excellent for micronutrients. Romaine lettuce, kale, and spinach are much better for this than iceberg, and other veggies are great as well. Your salad was damn near perfect from this standpoint. I see Vitamin A, B, C, E & K, magnesium; folate; Beta-Carotene; and others.
I highly recommend Dr. Rhonda Patrick's podcast on nutrition, which includes a lot about micronutrients and epigenetics (gene expression from environmental factors, like nutrition). Her appearances on the Joe Rogan podcast have also been great.
Your friend's trainer is an idiot.0 -
I think a salad with some lean meat, tree nuts, cheese and some fruit has lots of nutrition. I do however think some iceberg lettuce with dressing is lacking0
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craziedani wrote: »They fill me up for sure. I get tired of eating and it keeps hunger at bay for a *kitten* ton less calories than what I could eat.
Ya, it took me 4 hours to eat this smoothie. That plus an ounce of peanuts and I am starting to get hungry after 6 hours:
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Being delicious is just as good of reason to eat something as macros.
Never under estimate the value of something that makes you happy. I work at a Moroccan Restaurant- Part of the deal is food- so I can order what ever I want... and 9/10 I eat the Lebanese chicken salad every time I'm there- could I order other things- sure. But it makes me happy. So I order that.
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craziedani wrote: »tincanonastring wrote: »Print it out. Smack that person in the face with your salad's nutrition report for that person is dumb and deserves to be smacked.
Funniest this I have seen so far. You know what I didn't even think of doing that. I didn't think I was doing wrong, I've been eating salads for a while (trying to get back into it) and I'm like I feel soo much he better. Granted the trainer was at planet fitness. I don't necessarily think they are bad but I would love to see their nutrition credentials
How about if you put the salad on their pizza? Then would it work?0 -
There are certainly some veggies that pack less nutritional punch. Cucumbers and eggplants are the two I can always remember. But "less" does not mean "zero"! And anyway, a salad with spring mix and spinach is awesome!
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craziedani wrote: »Okay now I don't necessarily believe this. My salad had chicken , peppers, organic spring mix with spinach and a little bit of romaine, tomatoes and onions. Oil and vinegar for a dressing. Someone said they were told at the gym by a trainer that eating a salad is pointless because we don't get any nutritional value from it.
I know it's healthy, I know it's beneficial, but does anyone know or have proof of this. Articles? I told them i would get back to them because I don't believe this at all.
Honestly, I think you have to consider the source here. Someone said that a trainer said that a salad is pointless, and you are concerned about that? The trainer (as has been pointed out by others) is likely not a registered dietician, not to mention that the trainer themself didn't see your salad, so why would you even consider any commentary from a third party about the nutritional value of your food?
The other thing is - this is a classic example of individual foods don't exist in a vacuum. Your salad sounds great to me, and filled with a variety of micro nutrients, protein, etc. Even still, you don't have to make each individual meal a perfectly balanced composition of all macro/micro nutrients required. It's how ALL the foods you eat, in the course of a day, or even in the course of a week, fit together that is what counts. That's why there's nothing wrong with eating something like ice cream, in the context of an overall balanced, nutrient dense diet.
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Thanks for all the advice and knowledge . Yeah I took what he said (said person is trying to lose weight) and was like I'd really like to see where the trainer I getting his information from because I could either have a burger or a salad that I make with good ingredients. It takes me an hour to eat it and keep me regular and it's delicious.
In the long run, I'm going to continue to eat my salads and lose weight while he is being told that a salad is pointless lol. I'm pretty sure I win there. Lol.
And yes the only nutrition advice I get is from an RD who actually has a degree in this things.0 -
TMost trainers receive very little actual education regarding nutrition, I would never take nutrition advice from one. And there is no such thing as "pointless" when it comes to what you are eating. I guess if your goal is to follow that trainer's specific guidelines, and your salad didn't meet it, then maybe?
As for me, I eat salad because I like it.0 -
I think the person misunderstood the trainer. Or worse, how trained is the trainer in nutrition? I don't think there is a standard or certification for those folks.0
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I would love to ask that trainer "Soooo, if fresh vegetables, leafy greens, and lean protein have no nutritional value, where exactly DO dietary nutrients come from?"
Would love to hear their answer.
I have to wonder though, it sounds like it might have been a bit of lost in communication, since if I'm reading this correctly:
It sounds like you heard it from someone else who said they heard it from a trainer. Not that you had this conversation with a trainer yourself and no one actually said anything about your salad. Might be a case of "Chinese Whispers"?craziedani wrote: »Someone said they were told at the gym by a trainer that eating a salad is pointless because we don't get any nutritional value from it.0 -
Vegetables are excellent nutrition
This is true because while they often have relatively small amounts of things like protein per gram, they have even smaller amounts of calories. The ratio matters.
The 'Poor nutrition content' finger is usually pointed at foods that have a high 'empty calorie' ratio, meaning sugar and fat rather than vitamins and protein per gram.
One of the best general diet advices is to take in a lot of water. That is vegetables in a nutshell. Of course vegetable vary a lot one from another: Look e.g. at Tofu, made from soybeans:
The RDA of protein is met after 500 kCalories, or about 600 grams. And that amount will be 200% the calcium required, 150% the Iron, and very little Sodium. One of my favorite treats is a high protein granola bar admixed with nuts. 10 grams of protein in 170 kCalories. Good stuff, but it cannot compete with Tofu on a nutrition basis.0 -
I am very much still a novice to MFP but one thing I have found and that I believe is we need to do what works for us and what we believe is best for us and what we get the most/best advantage from. That person is entitled to their opinion. It does not mean it is right or that you need to follow it.
I think some people's opinions and ideas, much like some info found online, are not always accurate or even true. Just because someone says it or it is on the internet, does not make it true or factual.
As long as you are finding a balance that works for you and you are getting your nutrients and vitamins and other things to maintain health and strength, then do not worry about what everybody and their brother says.
When we diet ir start a health program, it seems people always want to give us advice, be it solicited or unsolicited. A lot of times we need to take things with a grain of salt.
If something seems wrong or off, then it probably is!0 -
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I would love to ask that trainer "Soooo, if fresh vegetables, leafy greens, and lean protein have no nutritional value, where exactly DO dietary nutrients come from?"
Would love to hear their answer.
I have to wonder though, it sounds like it might have been a bit of lost in communication, since if I'm reading this correctly:
It sounds like you heard it from someone else who said they heard it from a trainer. Not that you had this conversation with a trainer yourself and no one actually said anything about your salad. Might be a case of "Chinese Whispers"?craziedani wrote: »Someone said they were told at the gym by a trainer that eating a salad is pointless because we don't get any nutritional value from it.
Yes the person who said it to me was told this by their trainer. He looked at my salad for lunch and said that.0
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