10 a Day (800g) Veggie&Fruit Challenge Participants Check in!
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What is the legume rule?
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What is the legume rule?
No matter how much you eat, you're only supposed to count 80g. I think it's a UK thing. When I looked it up some time back, the US rules (taken in total) were even goofier.
From memory, so maybe wrong, I think the US legume part of the rules was that they count as protein unless/until your protein goal was met, then the excess counted as veg . . . or something.
You can tell these rules were designed by committees . . . and you can tell why nearly no one follows them religiously. Yeesh.
Bodies don't count that way!
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I actually think counting servings is inherently kind of silly and problematic unless you are just starting out so your eyeballing or understanding of what eating lots of vegetables is can't be relied on.
But I think this thread is fun and encouraging and the challenge serves as a good thing to form it around, so!
The MyPlate recommendations are to eat 1.5-2 cups of fruit (with a "cup" being a banana, small apple, half a large apple, or an actual cup -- so it's complicated, and I don't think in cups anyway).
For veg, MyPlate recommends 2.5-3 cups (for greens a cup is a cooked cup or 2 cups raw).
MyPlate counts beans and peas as either protein or veg, depending on how you want to use them. Potatoes also count for MyPlate.
This challenge obviously is to eat a lot more, because of the UK study that suggests that going well above the minimum recommended is beneficial.
On the whole I'd say use judgment and if a significant part of your veg is potatoes (or even beans), eat more non starchy vegetables, but I wouldn't not count them, and especially beans and peas I think are very nutritious on par with other veg and that what's important is variety.
For my own way of eating I think starches (including potatoes, beans, peas, corn, oats, so on) are one component of a meal (that I think of as a valuable component) and non starchy veg are a separate component, so I tend to understand why guidelines limit how much starchy veg can count or don't count them (as the Harvard Healthy Eating Plate and this challenge won't count potatoes (and sweet potatoes, I guess)), in that in the US and likely also the UK there is certainly a problem with people not eating adequate veg and the veg that people who don't eat veg probably do eat are things like potatoes and baked beans and maybe occasional other beans and peas, so the idea is to encourage eating one's greens (and other non starchy veg).0 -
French_Peasant wrote: »lemurcat12 wrote: »French_Peasant wrote: »lemurcat12 wrote: »I'm a huge fan of getting vegetables at all meals. When I did breakfast omelets that was always an easy way to start the day with vegetables -- usually spinach (sometimes kale or chard) plus at least one other green veg (zucchini, asparagus, and broccoli are all great), and then if on hand mushrooms or onions or tomatoes, depending on mood. Sometimes fruit on the side, although more often some extra protein with cottage cheese or smoked salmon or greek yogurt.
I'm still in this weird smoothie kick currently, not sure why as the weather is freezing, but it's what I crave in the mornings -- today I tried adding some fava beans (pre cooked and cold). Tons of veg in these -- serving of fava, serving of avocado, two servings of greens (kale and spinach), and two servings of berries (strawberries and blueberries). Most important, it's tasty.
Going to have my current favorite (vegetarian, not vegan) salad from a lunch place today for Fat Tuesday, as no animal products after today (until Easter). Also, probably a packzi (a little jelly in it made from fruit, but I won't count it!). ;-)
You're going full on medieval rules this year, huh? Did you do that last year too?
No, I thought about it, but just vegetarian last year (which is my norm, the only time I haven't in years was when I was actively losing weight and didn't want to do anything food-related). Got out my Vegan Soul Kitchen book to start inspiring new ideas, and my 660 Curries.
In other news, I've been looking at some houses, and drooling over gardens -- the rooftop gardening thing is okay, but it would be so great to be a real in-the-ground gardener. Might bug you with questions if I do that!Except the chocolate-dipped madeleines I had this morning because I forgot to eat them yesterday...not the most auspicious start to Lent!
Heh, I've done stuff like that before, oops!
AWESOME!!! What neighborhood are you looking in, or are you considering the suburbs?
A few different ones on the North side, mostly, although I am checking out Evanston and Oak Park just to be complete.1 -
lemurcat12 wrote: »
For my own way of eating I think starches (including potatoes, beans, peas, corn, oats, so on) are one component of a meal (that I think of as a valuable component) and non starchy veg are a separate component, so I tend to understand why guidelines limit how much starchy veg can count or don't count them (as the Harvard Healthy Eating Plate and this challenge won't count potatoes (and sweet potatoes, I guess)), in that in the US and likely also the UK there is certainly a problem with people not eating adequate veg and the veg that people who don't eat veg probably do eat are things like potatoes and baked beans and maybe occasional other beans and peas, so the idea is to encourage eating one's greens (and other non starchy veg).
I read somewhere, can't remember where, that sweet potatoes count, but white potatoes don't. Couldn't figure out why. According to your reasoning, it's clear. Sweet potatoes have color, and they're always telling us "eat the rainbow" and people who don't eat veggies probably
Eat a lot of white potatoes, not much sweet potatoes. So just trying any way to open our eyes and minds to veggies.0 -
corinasue1143 wrote: »lemurcat12 wrote: »
For my own way of eating I think starches (including potatoes, beans, peas, corn, oats, so on) are one component of a meal (that I think of as a valuable component) and non starchy veg are a separate component, so I tend to understand why guidelines limit how much starchy veg can count or don't count them (as the Harvard Healthy Eating Plate and this challenge won't count potatoes (and sweet potatoes, I guess)), in that in the US and likely also the UK there is certainly a problem with people not eating adequate veg and the veg that people who don't eat veg probably do eat are things like potatoes and baked beans and maybe occasional other beans and peas, so the idea is to encourage eating one's greens (and other non starchy veg).
I read somewhere, can't remember where, that sweet potatoes count, but white potatoes don't. Couldn't figure out why. According to your reasoning, it's clear. Sweet potatoes have color, and they're always telling us "eat the rainbow" and people who don't eat veggies probably
Eat a lot of white potatoes, not much sweet potatoes. So just trying any way to open our eyes and minds to veggies.
It was probably the UK rules posted at the very beginning of this thread. You're right about the people who don't eat a lot of veg: they don't want people thinking chips or crisps or mash are appropriate. I personally count jacket-on potatoes but not jacket-off potatoes, because they are stripped of much or their nutrients and fiber.
I also agree that the bean rule is pretty idiotic as well. I don't eat a terrible lot of beans, but if I have a large serving of black bean soup, it would be nice to have it count, LOL.0 -
Back in the saddle again, with 12 servings to kick off Lent, woohoo! Although I was tested sorely yesterday: I picked up fancy chocolates for my kids and could not indulge in my absolute favorite candy, strawberry-rhubarb chocolates, AND when we went out for dinner last night, there was a large offering of free Valentine's York peppermint patties at the hostess stand.
At least it wasn't as bad as my kids not getting to have Valentine's Day parties--they got to get ashes on their foreheads instead, LOL.1 -
corinasue1143 wrote: »lemurcat12 wrote: »
For my own way of eating I think starches (including potatoes, beans, peas, corn, oats, so on) are one component of a meal (that I think of as a valuable component) and non starchy veg are a separate component, so I tend to understand why guidelines limit how much starchy veg can count or don't count them (as the Harvard Healthy Eating Plate and this challenge won't count potatoes (and sweet potatoes, I guess)), in that in the US and likely also the UK there is certainly a problem with people not eating adequate veg and the veg that people who don't eat veg probably do eat are things like potatoes and baked beans and maybe occasional other beans and peas, so the idea is to encourage eating one's greens (and other non starchy veg).
I read somewhere, can't remember where, that sweet potatoes count, but white potatoes don't. Couldn't figure out why. According to your reasoning, it's clear. Sweet potatoes have color, and they're always telling us "eat the rainbow" and people who don't eat veggies probably
Eat a lot of white potatoes, not much sweet potatoes. So just trying any way to open our eyes and minds to veggies.
I think there was also something mentioned - can't recall the source - that white potatoes could be counted (in some scheme) if one ate them with the skin, but not if eaten without. Yeah, more nutrients with skin, but still . . . <eye roll>.
The few times a year I eat a baked potato (with skin) or put one in soup at home, I'm counting them. My overall diet is very low in potato nutrients - I'm probably fully deficient. I probably wouldn't count french fries: Delicious in proper forms, but I think of them more as a treat (like the paczki ), not a real nutrition source. Yeah, that's weird, but it gets weirder than that here in my head sometimes. 0 -
corinasue1143 wrote: »lemurcat12 wrote: »
For my own way of eating I think starches (including potatoes, beans, peas, corn, oats, so on) are one component of a meal (that I think of as a valuable component) and non starchy veg are a separate component, so I tend to understand why guidelines limit how much starchy veg can count or don't count them (as the Harvard Healthy Eating Plate and this challenge won't count potatoes (and sweet potatoes, I guess)), in that in the US and likely also the UK there is certainly a problem with people not eating adequate veg and the veg that people who don't eat veg probably do eat are things like potatoes and baked beans and maybe occasional other beans and peas, so the idea is to encourage eating one's greens (and other non starchy veg).
I read somewhere, can't remember where, that sweet potatoes count, but white potatoes don't. Couldn't figure out why. According to your reasoning, it's clear. Sweet potatoes have color, and they're always telling us "eat the rainbow" and people who don't eat veggies probably
Eat a lot of white potatoes, not much sweet potatoes. So just trying any way to open our eyes and minds to veggies.
Not for this challenge.
Actually, I think potatoes and sweet potatoes are pretty similar nutritionally (and would consider both a starch course, and have vegetables in addition). I think both ARE nutrient dense foods, however, and since they have different nutrients I think having both (not necessarily at the same time!) is great. I don't like that so many people are all anti potatoes. But I also would not think that either potatoes or sweet potatoes sub for non starchy veg (in my mind they sub for grains).0 -
Ratatouille is on the menu for tonight's dinner with some Mahi Mahi. We also scored some backyard oranges and will be eating those for dessert.
ETA. We've had a really weird winter so far and still have tomatoes in our backyard, so I am using those tonight too.2 -
I was going to cook tonight but got home late due to work stuff (sigh, great Friday), so happily I made enough yesterday for leftovers. Work lunch, but because of Lent (needing to have meatless options) they had more veg than usual, hooray (of course, our other default Lent option is Giordano's).
Anyway, for breakfast huge smoothie (had leftovers was going to have with lunch if no veg, had it at around 7 since I knew I'd be at work late). Servings of cauliflower, kale, spinach, mango, blackberries, avocado.
Lunch was cucumber salad, chickpeas (I'm counting that in the falafel, whatever), broccoli salad -- I'll count 3 (I ate too much). Israeli couscous with raisins, hummus too.
Dinner: rice porridge thing: about a serving of edamame and carrots each (but I guess if I count chickpeas I can't count edamame), plus celery, onions, mushrooms (about a serving total), and a serving of broccoli. So 3.1 -
Bump.
I'm not logging regularly, but counting servings and consistently eating over 10. No good cooking time, so been kind of dull in my choices -- made a fun "use up what's on hand" mix of potatoes, celeriac, sweet potatoes, carrots, and greens with some apple, onion, and raisins which turned out good that I've been eating as breakfast or lunch (had with a mix of asparagus, tofu, and pistachios on the side yesterday for a big breakfast, added zucchini and mushrooms today).2 -
This thread is kinda limping lately.
I still try to hit that 800g, but it's something I really need to focus on.
Recommitting.1 -
Not gonna list it out, just trying to be more mindful and hoping others will see this thread.
So many food diaries that people open up when they're struggling have 0/no vegetables for days and days. I know it's something that has always helped me feel more satiated and makes weight maintenance easier.
...and ...all those candy/over-indulge holidays are right around the corner.1 -
Maybe I'll start a new thread.1
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Kinda not into the forum reporting right now as a daily practice, but here's yesterday, just to be supportive:
100g mixed berries (frozen, thawed, in oatmeal)
230g cucumber, raw
90g lupini beans (from jar, weighed before removing skins - seems to be how the jar label sees it)
33g onions
53g drained sauerkraut (so mostly cabbage)
125g cherry tomatoes
463g cooked (boiled) beets (my neighbor brought me a vat of cooked beets, and a bag of raw ones - yay!)
Total: 1,054g (grams discounted slightly for estimated lupini skins and sauerkraut salt) = about 13 servings.1 -
@cmriverside
I’ll definitely do this with you — this thread or a new one. Your choice!
I did a random check of 5 days in August
800 grams = 28.5 ounces
40.7
23
29.5
30
21.5
16 (atypical day)
It made me realize I was eating much more fruit/veg earlier in the month when I was “never hungry” & recently I’ve been fighting hunger some & saw I was eating fewer vegetables, in particular. So, thank you! This is really going to help me!
Aug 22 so far: 3.8/28.5 ounces
I’ll go back to shooting for 9.5 oz per meal. It’s really not that hard if I keep that goal in mind
Thanks again!3 -
I'm doing a BABS (boring as bat *kitten*) diet at the moment, and my vegie intake has been reduced to
150g spinach
150g zucchini
200g mushrooms
175g broccoli
100g green beans
... 775g...so close (yet so far from the amount I love to eat!)1 -
I’m definitely increasing my fruits/veggies!!0
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I’m doing this! Anyone else?0
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MadisonMolly2017 wrote: »I’m doing this! Anyone else?
Im doing what I wrote above for the next week. I normally eat 1.5-2kgs a day1 -
Bump0
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I would like to be in this group for October please. How do i know the grams of the fruit?0
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lanaehorner wrote: »I would like to be in this group for October please. How do i know the grams of the fruit?
Weigh fruit in grams on a food scale.
https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10634517/you-dont-use-a-food-scale/p11 -
Ok thank you1
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Back on the produce wagon.
100g blueberries
145g green & yellow string beans
80g lima beans (I actually had 125g but only 80g of legumes count per day)
200g carrots
103g pickled beets
237g Honeycrisp apple
Total: 865g
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