Hey. Chefs life. Must change.
TheBigYin1984
Posts: 286 Member
Hey folks.
Time to start doing something about my health.
Diabetic, and have been a while now. Uncontrolled. Type 2.
Was at the docs a few days ago, and was informed I have high cholesterol. To the number of 12.
And told out of all his patients this week, I’m the one he is most worried about.
So that brings me here.
Started logging my food on Tuesday. Love the way it works.
My eating habits are out of wacky because of my work. I’m a chef. And work long hard days. Don’t eat and just pick at whatever is lying in kitchen.
So yeah. Hi everyone.
Time to start doing something about my health.
Diabetic, and have been a while now. Uncontrolled. Type 2.
Was at the docs a few days ago, and was informed I have high cholesterol. To the number of 12.
And told out of all his patients this week, I’m the one he is most worried about.
So that brings me here.
Started logging my food on Tuesday. Love the way it works.
My eating habits are out of wacky because of my work. I’m a chef. And work long hard days. Don’t eat and just pick at whatever is lying in kitchen.
So yeah. Hi everyone.
45
Replies
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There is EXCELLENT info at the thread L1zardQueen posted above.
If you would also like some interactive guidance, I suggest that you go to the "Getting Started" board. The very first pinned thread is "Adopt a Noob" (entry to paired threads for linking potential mentors and mentees). Read the opening post on how to contact a potential mentor, then take a look at the mentor profiles . When you find a good match of description of what one is offering vs what you are willing and able to do, follow the guidelines to make contact.
(BTW, I am NOT in the Mentor program, so don't look for me ... but I have made it a bit of a mission to point people who are just starting towards this resource)6 -
Hey, thebigyin1984, feel free to add me as a friend. I was prediabetic and reversed it.4
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Thanks for the welcomes.1
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Welcome fellow Chef! 😊2
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I know it's hard. When I was cooking for work I'd nibble way too much but being on my feet kept me slim back then. I too recently was pre-diabetic but sorted that out. Walking & lower unrefined carbs helped. Not sure what else I did right since I was doing everything I could think of since my cholesterol was up too high as well and also good now. Stay around, read as much as you can from the people that did great and you'll be fine too. You just have to make the effort. Not easy.. I know.1
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Hiya, I'm not a chef, but I am a T2 diabetic. I can't imagine having to face food on a regular basis (I also do intermittent fasting). This is a great place for a start, welcome to the boards!2
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TheBigYin1984 wrote: »My eating habits are out of wacky because of my work. I’m a chef. And work long hard days. Don’t eat and just pick at whatever is lying in kitchen.
So yeah. Hi everyone.
Hey there, Chef...I'm a chef, too, and I totally get it. 12-16 hour days on your feet, and that chicken tender fresh out of the fryer is handy!
I've got a few tips that helped me out when I was starting off...maybe they'll help you, too...
1. Think of yourself as your own catering job: You are a client that needs two boxed lunches every day. What are you going to do on Sundays (or Mondays, whatever your prep day is) to prep out for those lunches? Because my schedules were so wacky, I would take an evening, and prep out a pot of soup, a casserole of some sort, and then roast a sheet pan of chicken, and another sheet pan of veggies. Get it sorted into containers, and just grab two each day as I headed out the door. Prepping in advance of meals is what we DO, and we have the training, and knife skills to make it quick and easy!
2. Portioning is another skill we use in the kitchen, otherwise our costs go through the roof, and we lose money. Think of portioning as a tool to ration your calories...I'm sure you've got a set of scoops and a digital scale at home, which will make portioning super fast, and convenient. At this stage of the game, it's okay to have seconds (or even thirds), but understanding -and being honest with yourself - about what you are eating and how much is going to be a key skill later in the game...!
3. Baby steps are perfectly fine. I started off by setting a goal of drinking 64oz water each day. I ate what I wanted and didn't make any effort to get to the gym, but made sure I drank enough water. At the end of two weeks, I had lost 8lbs. Then I set another goal; walking 1/2 mile each day and drink 64 oz water. At the end of the two weeks, I had lost another 6lbs. Etc, etc, etc. Choose your baby steps, and go slow so each goal becomes a habit. Trying to go all in all at once (especially with our schedules) is a recipe for disaster!
Feel free to friend me, and we can get through this together!42 -
Welcome Chef! Small changes can make a hudge differance on our health and well being. You got this by simply being here. I cant wait to see the positive healthy changes this endeavor will give you. Cheers!!1
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I'm not a chef, but what I found really helped me with nibbling and snacking and grazing while cooking was making it a rule for myself that I have to sit down while eating. While eating anything. If I want to snack on the veg that I'm dicing for a stir-fry, I have to sit down on the kitchen floor and eat them.
It does take some time to develop the habit but I'm pretty much there. I'll have something halfway to my mouth and realise "Am I sitting? No? Do I want to make the effort of sitting? No? Can't eat this then."9 -
RedfootDaddy wrote: »I'm not a chef, but what I found really helped me with nibbling and snacking and grazing while cooking was making it a rule for myself that I have to sit down while eating. While eating anything. If I want to snack on the veg that I'm dicing for a stir-fry, I have to sit down on the kitchen floor and eat them.
It does take some time to develop the habit but I'm pretty much there. I'll have something halfway to my mouth and realise "Am I sitting? No? Do I want to make the effort of sitting? No? Can't eat this then."
That’s one way of doing it. I’d love to see my bosses face if I done that at work lol.5 -
I know it's hard. When I was cooking for work I'd nibble way too much but being on my feet kept me slim back then. I too recently was pre-diabetic but sorted that out. Walking & lower unrefined carbs helped. Not sure what else I did right since I was doing everything I could think of since my cholesterol was up too high as well and also good now. Stay around, read as much as you can from the people that did great and you'll be fine too. You just have to make the effort. Not easy.. I know.
Carbs are my downfall. And always have been. Mainly pasta and rice.0 -
I reversed my A1C with diet alone, as I have muscular dystrophy and can't really exercise. Carbs are my downfall too. I took an Italian cooking course and love pasta way too much! I have a paper journal for "major goals" and "mini goals". The mini goals can be little decisions (no soda today, smaller serving of pasta, etc) you make each day to achieve your major goals (improving your A1C, lower cholesterol). I try to meal plan but I'm bad at sticking to it, so I've learned to take one day/hour at a time. Best of luck to you!2
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TheBigYin1984 wrote: »Hey folks.
Time to start doing something about my health.
Diabetic, and have been a while now. Uncontrolled. Type 2.
Was at the docs a few days ago, and was informed I have high cholesterol. To the number of 12.
And told out of all his patients this week, I’m the one he is most worried about.
So that brings me here.
Started logging my food on Tuesday. Love the way it works.
My eating habits are out of wacky because of my work. I’m a chef. And work long hard days. Don’t eat and just pick at whatever is lying in kitchen.
So yeah. Hi everyone.
Wow. You have both an advantage and disadvantage.
I can't imagine how hard it is to work in the food industry with that struggle. Yet, with the knowledge you have you are in a prime position to use your skills in making healthy yet satisfying dishes... unless you are a fry chef or pastry chef. I expect that could add extra difficulty.
I am certain there is likely some measure of tasting when preparing dishes. If I am right give yourself a buffer to allow for that. Stop picking though. That's going to be the biggest thing.
If I were in your position, I would create a pre-measured series of snacks that are balanced. If you "pick" 8 times a day normally, make 8 small snacks, Instead of picking, grab one of your snacks to eat. If you do allow yourself to sometimes pick at work (and I would still recommend avoiding that), try to limit it to fresh veggies and perhaps fresh fruit, but try to log what you eat.
What style of cooking do you do (as a chef)?
And hi to you too....2 -
I started on this lifestyle change because my cholesterol was a hot mess and I ended up being allergic to statins so I had no choice but to change my eating habits to lower my cholesterol. Prepping and planning became my life and probably saved it as well. Oh and exercise... I started off simply taking a lunch walk 5 days a week for 25 minutes. Doesn't have to be too crazy just needs to be consistent... You TOTALLY got this!!1
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teresamwhite wrote: »TheBigYin1984 wrote: »My eating habits are out of wacky because of my work. I’m a chef. And work long hard days. Don’t eat and just pick at whatever is lying in kitchen.
So yeah. Hi everyone.
Hey there, Chef...I'm a chef, too, and I totally get it. 12-16 hour days on your feet, and that chicken tender fresh out of the fryer is handy!
I've got a few tips that helped me out when I was starting off...maybe they'll help you, too...
1. Think of yourself as your own catering job: You are a client that needs two boxed lunches every day. What are you going to do on Sundays (or Mondays, whatever your prep day is) to prep out for those lunches? Because my schedules were so wacky, I would take an evening, and prep out a pot of soup, a casserole of some sort, and then roast a sheet pan of chicken, and another sheet pan of veggies. Get it sorted into containers, and just grab two each day as I headed out the door. Prepping in advance of meals is what we DO, and we have the training, and knife skills to make it quick and easy!
2. Portioning is another skill we use in the kitchen, otherwise our costs go through the roof, and we lose money. Think of portioning as a tool to ration your calories...I'm sure you've got a set of scoops and a digital scale at home, which will make portioning super fast, and convenient. At this stage of the game, it's okay to have seconds (or even thirds), but understanding -and being honest with yourself - about what you are eating and how much is going to be a key skill later in the game...!
3. Baby steps are perfectly fine. I started off by setting a goal of drinking 64oz water each day. I ate what I wanted and didn't make any effort to get to the gym, but made sure I drank enough water. At the end of two weeks, I had lost 8lbs. Then I set another goal; walking 1/2 mile each day and drink 64 oz water. At the end of the two weeks, I had lost another 6lbs. Etc, etc, etc. Choose your baby steps, and go slow so each goal becomes a habit. Trying to go all in all at once (especially with our schedules) is a recipe for disaster!
Feel free to friend me, and we can get through this together!
Lots of good advice. Thank you.1 -
bigbandjohn wrote: »TheBigYin1984 wrote: »Hey folks.
Time to start doing something about my health.
Diabetic, and have been a while now. Uncontrolled. Type 2.
Was at the docs a few days ago, and was informed I have high cholesterol. To the number of 12.
And told out of all his patients this week, I’m the one he is most worried about.
So that brings me here.
Started logging my food on Tuesday. Love the way it works.
My eating habits are out of wacky because of my work. I’m a chef. And work long hard days. Don’t eat and just pick at whatever is lying in kitchen.
So yeah. Hi everyone.
Wow. You have both an advantage and disadvantage.
I can't imagine how hard it is to work in the food industry with that struggle. Yet, with the knowledge you have you are in a prime position to use your skills in making healthy yet satisfying dishes... unless you are a fry chef or pastry chef. I expect that could add extra difficulty.
I am certain there is likely some measure of tasting when preparing dishes. If I am right give yourself a buffer to allow for that. Stop picking though. That's going to be the biggest thing.
If I were in your position, I would create a pre-measured series of snacks that are balanced. If you "pick" 8 times a day normally, make 8 small snacks, Instead of picking, grab one of your snacks to eat. If you do allow yourself to sometimes pick at work (and I would still recommend avoiding that), try to limit it to fresh veggies and perhaps fresh fruit, but try to log what you eat.
What style of cooking do you do (as a chef)?
And hi to you too....
Hi John.
The restaurant I am in at the minute is primarily a steak house. So lots of nice big cuts of red meat!
Also do fish, salads few pasta dishes and other fare.
What I do for a job should make it easy. But it's really down to working the long days. Then not being in the mood, or be bothered to cook.
It's like @teresamwhite said above.
I'm going to have to prepout.
Started today by making a big pot of soup. Nice Mediterranean style veg soup.8 -
TheBigYin1984 wrote: »bigbandjohn wrote: »TheBigYin1984 wrote: »Hey folks.
Time to start doing something about my health.
Diabetic, and have been a while now. Uncontrolled. Type 2.
Was at the docs a few days ago, and was informed I have high cholesterol. To the number of 12.
And told out of all his patients this week, I’m the one he is most worried about.
So that brings me here.
Started logging my food on Tuesday. Love the way it works.
My eating habits are out of wacky because of my work. I’m a chef. And work long hard days. Don’t eat and just pick at whatever is lying in kitchen.
So yeah. Hi everyone.
Wow. You have both an advantage and disadvantage.
I can't imagine how hard it is to work in the food industry with that struggle. Yet, with the knowledge you have you are in a prime position to use your skills in making healthy yet satisfying dishes... unless you are a fry chef or pastry chef. I expect that could add extra difficulty.
I am certain there is likely some measure of tasting when preparing dishes. If I am right give yourself a buffer to allow for that. Stop picking though. That's going to be the biggest thing.
If I were in your position, I would create a pre-measured series of snacks that are balanced. If you "pick" 8 times a day normally, make 8 small snacks, Instead of picking, grab one of your snacks to eat. If you do allow yourself to sometimes pick at work (and I would still recommend avoiding that), try to limit it to fresh veggies and perhaps fresh fruit, but try to log what you eat.
What style of cooking do you do (as a chef)?
And hi to you too....
Hi John.
The restaurant I am in at the minute is primarily a steak house. So lots of nice big cuts of red meat!
Also do fish, salads few pasta dishes and other fare.
What I do for a job should make it easy. But it's really down to working the long days. Then not being in the mood, or be bothered to cook.
It's like @teresamwhite said above.
I'm going to have to prepout.
Started today by making a big pot of soup. Nice Mediterranean style veg soup.
Mediterranean soup... Sounds good.
I understand your dillema. I work with Computers all day. I get home and never feel like properly taking care of my problems having dealt with computer issues all day. I also hate having to cook after a long day, though I love to cook. What I ended up doing was making most of the meals on a weekend, portioning and freezing. I guess that's prepping out as was suggested. As for me, it helps a lot. I am having Chicken Mushroom Barley I made a couple weekends ago today for lunch. It was already portioned and frozen, so I know my caloric intake already. I did add a piece of Walpack Inn bread I baked this weekend since bread goes well with soup. Also, I have my dinner planned and ready as well (homemade Lasagna - well my mom made that for me since I'm helping her out). I already have the portion recorded. Makes my planning easier.
Don't know too many good steakhouses where I am right now, though there are 2 great ones near where my house is. Also been to many in Texas when I was sent there to work. My favorite closed though. Rare to Medium Rare please...
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Mediterranean Veg Soup sounds awesome!
Some of my go-to soups are (I'm on keto, so these may or may not be helpful to you):
Chicken Meatball and Spinach (kind of a riff on Italian Wedding, without the pasta)
Mock Potato Soup (pureed cauliflower with chicken stock, then loaded with bacon, green onions, cheddar cheese and roasted garlic)
Spicy Tomato Basil (essentially my homemade marinara without sugar, then red chili flakes, a little stock and heavy cream all whizzed up together)
Basic Bouillabaisse (I omit the shellfish, and just do whatever fish I have on hand, and toss shrimp or crab if I have it into the pot, then keep the veg simple and low carb)4 -
My son manages a restaurant and works long hours, too. He keeps his weight down by eating a hearty, higher fat meal for breakfast (such as fried eggs on whole grain avocado toast or an omelet with bacon), and then bringing low-carb meals to work and eating those for lunch and when he's there for dinner. He also gets Blue Apron meals delivered at home so he can just open whatever is in the box, put it together according to the instructions, and have dinner without really thinking.
But, the best advice I have for you is to see a dietitian. A dietitian will help you a lot. Mine is wonderful. She goes over my MFP diaries and gives suggestions. She gives me recipes. She keeps empty boxes of healthy foods, such as snacks and protein bars, so I can get ideas for things to eat. She goes over my macros and tells me when to try lowering or raising my macros (such as she had me change to 30% carbs and 40% fat). And she understands disease, which is the most important part for you. Seeing a registered dietitian who is knowledgeable about diabetes and high cholesterol can literally be a lifesaver for you. I found mine by researching online.2 -
L1zardQueen wrote: »
Thank you for sharing this! Great info in the original post, will be sharing with some friends who are looking to lose weight.0 -
I've always wondered- what's it like working as a chef and cooking food for a living?0
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Welcome, TheBigYin1984 ! Are you getting any exercise? LMK if you need a friend.
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Kimmotion5783 wrote: »I've always wondered- what's it like working as a chef and cooking food for a living?
Hard work. Long hours. Under appreciated.4 -
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Hi! Welcome! Feel free to add me! I am currently pre-diabetic and working to reverse it! Todays and likely tomorrow's diary will not reflect this. lol0
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Dear BigYin,
Welcome to a great place to get started with your big life change. I too work in the restaurant industry and am a big nibbler! But. It's so easy to let it get out of hand, as you well know. The long hours and stress used to lead me to emotion-eating and after-closing drinking with my staff. I realized that I needed to change this or I'd eat my way to an early grave. So, just like teresamwhite, I meal prep. I completely agree with her. Our profession is all about prepping/making/storing food!!! This is the perfect toolset for meal prep for a healthy you. I eat on a regular schedule and make MYSELF the priority not those "easy-to-grab-whatevers" sitting in front of me. Grab and go is not going to get you where you want to go. I eat before I get to the restaurant, keep my homemade protein bars close by to nibble on (just two a day) and have my lunch planned around the huge rushes my place has to deal with. I eat b-fast at 6am, protein bar at 9, lunch at 1, protein bar at 3, I'm out of my place around 3:30, hit the gym at 4, and eat dinner at 7. I calculate everything I eat in MyFitnessPal, tracking my macros carefully. I keep my cals between 1400-1600, 40% protein, 40% carbs, 20% fat. I've lost 20# and am now lifting weights. I also keep water on hand and drink about a gallon a day - literally. Never or rarely drink soda/alcohol (club soda I do indulge in). What I've found is that the stress from my job wears down my resolve to eat right. That stress isn't going anywhere. But what I have on hand - a protien bar instead of a couple or 10 cookies - has changed and allows me to stress-nibble and not die sooner. I would also suggest a gym membership. I don't know how old you are but my chef-turned-GM is 60. His back is destroyed and his shoulders are a mess. The huge kettles, sauce pans, 50# bags of whatever have all taken their toll. The more fit you are the better your body can take those commercial sized kettles and bags of potatoes. I like what I'm doing. I love working in the restaurant business. But you know what they say - If you keep doing what you're doing, you'll keep getting what you're getting. Put down the french fry/chicken tender/cookie, pick up the barbell, eat better, drink a glass of water - repeat. But only if you want to live longer. Good luck!
Amy5 -
Yo, welcome to the MFP life. You can 100% do this!1
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