What does a healthy lifestyle truly look like??? HELP!!!
DeannaLynnPerkins
Posts: 41 Member
The hardest thing for me to figure out is what a healthy lifestyle really looks like. I'll admit as a younger woman, I was very naive with being healthy. I didn't work out, I smoked, I ate whatever I felt like eating...but over the past 4-5 years, I've started exercising regularly, stopped smoking and have been trying to achieve a good lifestyle in the eating department. At first I mainly just watched my calorie intake no matter what I was eating, however I'll be turning 30 come May and I've been hearing so much push about going away from processed foods and animal proteins and head towards a plant based diet.
I know that getting away from processed foods is huge no matter who you speak to, however there are still several health experts who debate whether or not animal proteins are really needed in the diet. Some research tells us that the high intake of animal proteins is why cancer, heart disease and the increase in medication usage has been happening. That is scary and having two children I don't want to raise them thinking that I'm poisoning them and I also don't want to think that my lifestyle could limit the amount of time that I get to spend with them or my husband.
So I reach out to you, what are your thoughts? What does your healthy lifestyle look like in the eating department? How do you feel about a plant based diet and/or a diet that revolves around animal proteins? If you do live a plant based diet way of life, what resources do you suggest for individuals who are just stepping foot in that realm? Any other thoughts??
I know that getting away from processed foods is huge no matter who you speak to, however there are still several health experts who debate whether or not animal proteins are really needed in the diet. Some research tells us that the high intake of animal proteins is why cancer, heart disease and the increase in medication usage has been happening. That is scary and having two children I don't want to raise them thinking that I'm poisoning them and I also don't want to think that my lifestyle could limit the amount of time that I get to spend with them or my husband.
So I reach out to you, what are your thoughts? What does your healthy lifestyle look like in the eating department? How do you feel about a plant based diet and/or a diet that revolves around animal proteins? If you do live a plant based diet way of life, what resources do you suggest for individuals who are just stepping foot in that realm? Any other thoughts??
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Replies
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Don't overstress.
I found this useful: http://bigthink.com/videos/david-katz-on-what-we-know-about-diet0 -
I'm a vegetarian, and what I would suggest to you is try a couple of days a week without meat to see if it's for you. I personally think that you can be extremely healthy and still eat meat, it's just not for me.0
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I agree, don't stress, and for heaven's sake don't read blog science or anything you find on FB or other social media that has to do with health/eating/diet. My general diet consists of about 80% what most would consider "healthy" (veggies, fruits, lean meats, oatmeal, yogurt, fiber, protein...) and 20% "treats." I get regular, moderate exercise by doing activities I like. I personally cannot follow a detailed diet plan like low carb, plant-based, this, or that. I don't like rules, lol. I stick with the 80/20 thing and try to stay within my allotted calories for each day, sometimes going over, sometimes staying under. It all balances out for me each week, but hey I'm human, so sometimes I fall off the wagon. I just get right back on, because this is a lifestyle thing for me now. I've learned so much from calorie counting that I want to kick my former self for trying all kinds of stupid diet fads. The important thing is to find what works for you in the LONG TERM, and what you can stick with, well, basically forever!0
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COMPLETELY AGREE with lemurcat12!!!! There is no one size fits all to define what is healthy. I always recommend a visit to your doctor be sure you are healthy and begin regiment suited for you and your body. Gather good people around you, use the MFP, it is worth the small investment, and believe in yourself.
Add me if you need additional support buddies!0 -
I once heard it summed up something like this: "Eat food. Mostly plants. Not too much." (Notice it says mostly plants, not exclusively plants.) You're probably looking for something more involved than that, and there's probably lots of people here who will give it to you, but why over-complicate things?0
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Food is just a part of a healthy lifestyle. If you're overstressed, lack sleep, get ill easily (low immunity), never get outside, suck at optimal communication with others, generally unhappy with your love life, etc., then just because you eat well doesn't mean your lifestyle is healthy.
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Good guidelines here:
hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/healthy-eating-plate/0 -
DeannaLynnPerkins wrote: »So I reach out to you, what are your thoughts? What does your healthy lifestyle look like in the eating department? How do you feel about a plant based diet and/or a diet that revolves around animal proteins? If you do live a plant based diet way of life, what resources do you suggest for individuals who are just stepping foot in that realm? Any other thoughts??
I feel that a plant based diet is fine but not really healthier than a diet that includes animal proteins.
The problem I see with a diet of mostly pre-made packaged foods is that they may have a lot of added sodium, sugar, artificial colors, fillers or whatever and low nutrition. However, someone who eats a frozen burrito once a week but eats a lot of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, etc the rest of the time is probably meeting their nutritional needs just fine.
I eat meat but also eat meatless meals several times each week. I try to get enough protein, several servings of vegetables and fruits. I cook every day. I watch my sodium and caffeine intake. I rarely have alcohol. I drink mostly water or unsweetened tea. I don't smoke tobacco or do drugs. I'm working on getting to a healthy weight but am still about 10 lbs overweight. I exercise moderately. I'm not on a restrictive special diet. I eat fast food once a week. I will sometimes eat a frozen pizza or chips. I am rarely sick. I don't have digestive issues. I am not on any medications. I don't have dental problems. I mediatate sometimes to manage stress. I live in a less polluted area with low crime. I usually get enough sleep. I probably spend too much time indoors using a computer. I often forget to wear sunscreen when I go outside.
I don't think everyone has to eat, drink, or live like me to be reasonably healthy. There isn't one formula for long life and health. I know people can do everything "right" and still get sick or die younger because we can not control everything. I think mental health should be more of a priority than it is.
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I agree with the others. Don't stress. You don't have to have a perfect 100% wholedome diet to be healthy.
I find "processed" to be a weird blanket term. I would just try to get in the habit of checking the nutritional information of food. Sometimes things that are marketed as "natural and healthy" are really not better than the alternatives.
I would suggest making one simple change at a time. For example, maybe you could try switching to whole grain for a couple of weeks? You could maybe make a resolution to try one new fruit or vegetable every week?
In terms of the health effects of meat intake, it's a bit more nuanced than most newspapers/bloggers would have you believe.
Ultimately, most of the negative health effects are associated with the heaviest eaters of processed red meats. However, red meats are a very good source of vitamin A and iron amongst other things. There's really no need to cut it out altogether.
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It sounds like you are doing well. To me, a Mediterranean diet, some fresh air, documenting my intake, and getting my behind off a chair or out of bed to exercise is a healthy lifestyle. It goes further for me: working on goals, picking up after myself, being kind to others......
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Just eat anything within the allowance. Plant based diets will probably just turn you into one...0
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It's a good question.
But all the change in the world is going to be worthless if it's not sustainable to you. I don't think I could ever stop eating meat (and I'd NEVER reach my protein goal without meat). And yeah, don't stress. If you stop eating meat, you'll just eat more veggies that were sprayed with cancer-causing chemicals too anyway. You just can't win. Heck, even water is poisonous nowadays..
For processed food, I still buy some of it (cookies, crackers, pasta, low carb tortillas, Greek yogurt, jarred/can tomatoes and sauces because it's cheaper than fresh). The truth is though, most of the processed stuff just doesn't appeal to me at this point anymore, because fresh/homemade is just so much better.
Anyway, for me a healthy lifestyle is having enough sleep, eating reasonable portions, have a balanced diet (with enough vitamins and nutrients), be a healthy weight, and be active. There's so much more about lifestyle than food.0 -
A "healthy lifestyle"... gosh that's really subjective and probably quite a personal judgement call.
For me personally it's about a lot more than healthy food and not being overweight, it's about functional fitness and strength, it's about getting enough sleep, it's about managing stress without resorting to cigarettes or alcohol, it's about getting fresh air, it's about a positive work life balance...
But for someone else it might mean something entirely different.0 -
I think it's basically common sense...but unfortunately common sense ends up getting diluted by industry woo and whatnot...
See all of those whole foods in the store...eat a lot of those...lean proteins from lean sourced poultry, fish, beef, and pork...eggs...plenty of veg and a couple servings of fruit daily...whole grains...healthy fats from things like nuts and nut butters, avocados, and cooking with other good oils. Eat a lot of that stuff and learn to cook...none of that has to be bland or boring...then go out and enjoy a slice of pizza once in awhile.
Exercise regularly...do something you like doing..."exercise" doesn't have to mean droning away on some cardio machine or jumping around your living room to a DVD...go cycle, go swim, go job, go hike...go do whatever it is you like to do and try to get in a good 30-60 minutes 5-6 days per week...build up to it as necessary.0 -
I don't have much trouble meeting my protein goals without meat; I have kept seafood in my diet and the fake meats (seitan, tofu & tempeh) are great.
I don't know about healthy, though, because I also eat a ton of sugar. Which I love - and life without it, for me, would be sad.0 -
For me?
I think a typical good day has:
A workout
Sex
Work
2 or 3 healthy meals
Time with family
At least 7.5 hours sleep
String a bunch of those together, with some variety (vacations, feasts, treats, fasts, whatever) and that is a healthy life.
As far as food, I try to avoid gluttony and to eat things made from ingredients, not much prepackaged stuff, don't limit fat but don't fry much. Not really that fussed about it, and we do homemade for cost savings and taste, not just health.
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Get the vast majority (70-80%+) of your diet from unprocessed plant-based foods, and don't sweat the small stuff in the last 20%.0
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DeannaLynnPerkins wrote: »The hardest thing for me to figure out is what a healthy lifestyle really looks like. I'll admit as a younger woman, I was very naive with being healthy. I didn't work out, I smoked, I ate whatever I felt like eating...but over the past 4-5 years, I've started exercising regularly, stopped smoking and have been trying to achieve a good lifestyle in the eating department. At first I mainly just watched my calorie intake no matter what I was eating, however I'll be turning 30 come May and I've been hearing so much push about going away from processed foods and animal proteins and head towards a plant based diet.
I know that getting away from processed foods is huge no matter who you speak to, however there are still several health experts who debate whether or not animal proteins are really needed in the diet. Some research tells us that the high intake of animal proteins is why cancer, heart disease and the increase in medication usage has been happening. That is scary and having two children I don't want to raise them thinking that I'm poisoning them and I also don't want to think that my lifestyle could limit the amount of time that I get to spend with them or my husband.
So I reach out to you, what are your thoughts? What does your healthy lifestyle look like in the eating department? How do you feel about a plant based diet and/or a diet that revolves around animal proteins? If you do live a plant based diet way of life, what resources do you suggest for individuals who are just stepping foot in that realm? Any other thoughts??
The bolded sounds pretty good to me!
My "healthy lifestyle" food intake consists of meal prepping on Sunday so that I have lunches for the week. This helps me stay within my calorie goal. 80/20 rule so that I can enjoy myself, drink my alcohol and eat "processed" foods. I strongly dislike that term, as technically all foods are processed unless you're eating them straight out of the ground.
Quitting smoking is probably the best thing you could have done for yourself- Congrats!0 -
Healthy lifestyle -
Eat right - I think Michael Pollan said it best - eat food, not too much, mostly plants.
Exercise regularly - work those muscles, including your heart on a regular basis
Sleep - get enough, it's important
Don't smoke
Drink alcohol in moderation or not at all
Weight control - get to and maintain a healthy weight
Manage stress - probably the most overlooked factor in a healthy lifestyle.0 -
vivmom2014 wrote: »I don't have much trouble meeting my protein goals without meat; I have kept seafood in my diet and the fake meats (seitan, tofu & tempeh) are great.
I don't know about healthy, though, because I also eat a ton of sugar. Which I love - and life without it, for me, would be sad.
Seafood is meat.
I also find it helpful in meeting my protein goals.0 -
lemurcat12 wrote: »vivmom2014 wrote: »I don't have much trouble meeting my protein goals without meat; I have kept seafood in my diet and the fake meats (seitan, tofu & tempeh) are great.
I don't know about healthy, though, because I also eat a ton of sugar. Which I love - and life without it, for me, would be sad.
Seafood is meat.
I also find it helpful in meeting my protein goals.
OK, OK... but I consider myself pescatarian. I eat fish - but not poultry, pork or beef.
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For me?
I think a typical good day has:
A workout
Sex
Work
2 or 3 healthy meals
Time with family
At least 7.5 hours sleep
String a bunch of those together, with some variety (vacations, feasts, treats, fasts, whatever) and that is a healthy life.
As far as food, I try to avoid gluttony and to eat things made from ingredients, not much prepackaged stuff, don't limit fat but don't fry much. Not really that fussed about it, and we do homemade for cost savings and taste, not just health.
Sex every day? I'm doing something wrong (although I'm more jealous of people who get more than 5 hours sleep, because I hardly ever do!)0 -
Heartisalonelyhunter wrote: »For me?
I think a typical good day has:
A workout
Sex
Work
2 or 3 healthy meals
Time with family
At least 7.5 hours sleep
String a bunch of those together, with some variety (vacations, feasts, treats, fasts, whatever) and that is a healthy life.
As far as food, I try to avoid gluttony and to eat things made from ingredients, not much prepackaged stuff, don't limit fat but don't fry much. Not really that fussed about it, and we do homemade for cost savings and taste, not just health.
Sex every day? I'm doing something wrong (although I'm more jealous of people who get more than 5 hours sleep, because I hardly ever do!)
Not every day is a good day, LOL.0 -
Plants are delicious and healthy
Meat is delicious and healthy
"Processed" foods are delicious and can be healthy.
Eat them all. Just don't eat more than you burn. (unless you need to gain weight)0 -
There are SOOOO many other factors that play into health, not just animal protein.0
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For me, I believe that it isn't eating meat that is unhealthy; it's all the hormones, antibiotics, and what-not that are used in mass production of meat. With that being said, I buy cage-free, no hormones/antibiotics meats where I can. The same can be said for veggies; I try to buy organic, no pesticides, etc. when possible.
With that being said, the key to healthy eating is to get most of the nutrients your body needs from the foods you eat instead of taking supplements to get what you need. For me, that means eating a wide variety of plant based foods and lean animal protein.0 -
I don't smoke or drink alcohol anymore, not to be healthy, but because I never liked it.
Regular exercise makes me feel well.
I try to get 8 hours of quality sleep every night.
I work on stress management.
Healthy eating to me is a balanced diet made up of a variety of real foods I like, eating home cooked meals, not cutting out anything I like, but watching portions and frequency, and paying attention to the effect it has on me.
Scaremongering is NOT compatible with a healthy lifestyle. I take what "health experts" say with a pinch of salt.0 -
Eat whole foods cooked at home and move around a bit. That's it.0
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I really suggest reading "Eat To Live" or "The End Of Dieting" by Dr. Joel Fuhrman! They are books about a MOSTLY plant based diet and in it is the science to back it up. I gave up dairy a while ago and most meats except seafood. I still eat fish on occasion, but I honestly can't remember the last time I ate chicken, pork, or beef. I feel 10 million times better. I am currently trying to kick my sugar habit. In the book it talks about getting rid of cravings. I'm so fed up with being 30lbs overweight that I'm not surrendering and trying this out for at least 6 weeks. No counting calories thank God.. cause that is not sustainable for me. The book says by the end of the 6 weeks you will feel so great you won't want to change back to the "SAD" died (standard American Diet). I am hoping to eat this way for the rest of my life! https://www.drfuhrman.com/weightloss/about.aspx0
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He also has a book called "Disease Proof Your Child". I'm turning 29 this sunday and I have 2 children also. I'm trying to help my family eat healthier too!0
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