What is your biggest challenge?
ChetThaker
Posts: 186 Member
Since this is a group of Indians I wanted to throw out a question to find out what, as Indians, do you find the toughest challenges with your health & fitness goals?
For me I find our food is very Carb heavy so it's harder to find better ways of eating long term. Similarly I expect for those people who are Vegetarians it's tougher to get enough protein and perhaps other nutrients meat eaters get more easily.
What about you?
For me I find our food is very Carb heavy so it's harder to find better ways of eating long term. Similarly I expect for those people who are Vegetarians it's tougher to get enough protein and perhaps other nutrients meat eaters get more easily.
What about you?
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Replies
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1. Getting enough protein in vegetarian diet
2. Staying away from delicious Indian sweets.
3. Jogging during Indian summers.
4. Staying away from Desi Ghee especially if you are a Punjabi.0 -
If you're really looking to increase your protein levels, you need to be eating more beans/lentils/pulses, green vegetables and dairy products, all of which the less processed the better!
I don't have a huge amount of control over everything I eat, comes from living with my parents. BUT you can't lay the blame on Indian food being carb heavy for being the main area of concern.
To answer the topic, for me it's logging food accurately on here, not all the raw ingredients are available and those that are, checking up on them can be a challenge.0 -
To answer the topic, for me it's logging food accurately on here, not all the raw ingredients are available and those that are, checking up on them can be a challenge.
This is true! When I first used MFP when it came out the lack of Indian food put me off. Having come back to it again last November with so many more foods in the database it's much better but the accuracy can be way off I find sometimes and I agree trying to work it out can be challenging.0 -
Biggest problem may be - yeah ironically - the calories !! Calories in Indian foods are assumed to be accurate. Even if not, at least it gives us the ballpark figure. That way it helps me to choose better.
My staple diet was rice (I am a Southie, remember?! :P ). Now I am trying to make a conscious decision to choose healthy alternatives. Transition is tough to say the least...........................old ways are so tempting ! :P
Initially staying away from samosas and french fries were tough. Now with time and effort that I've put in here, I dont feel like having them. At least, not often as I had them earlier.0 -
You're right! We're basically surviving on carb diets.Since this is a group of Indians I wanted to throw out a question to find out what, as Indians, do you find the toughest challenges with your health & fitness goals?
For me I find our food is very Carb heavy so it's harder to find better ways of eating long term. Similarly I expect for those people who are Vegetarians it's tougher to get enough protein and perhaps other nutrients meat eaters get more easily.
What about you?
Carb for breakfast, carb for lunch, carb for dinner. But very recently I've made it a point to make atleast one of my meals carb-free.
And yes protein intake is tough too.
Another challenge is motivation. I mean that's not a problem with anything else, it's me. But being consistent is a TOUGH job.0 -
And lets now forget that Indian food tastes freakin awesome! Too yummy for our own good ;-)0
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Haha. Definitely. I resisted eating a samosa today and don't ask me how. It was PAINFUL.And lets now forget that Indian food tastes freakin awesome! Too yummy for our own good ;-)
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You bet!! Today I had 2 khakras with coffee this evening. Only now I realized that one khakra was approx 80 cal. wow!
Back then, I used to empty the container... but now, the leash is too tight I guess !
My only consolation is that I cook my own food and my mom lives miles away from me :P ....... Else my MFP journey would have been a disaster ! :P
-AI0 -
Our food is the major challenge. We have such a huge variety of tasty sweets, snacks and savories which make it hard not to snack!!!
Lack of supportive people around is also a major set back. Some ppl just state the obvious fact that I have put on weight every time they see me. N d same ppl wont even care to comment when they see that i have lost a few inches.0 -
well.. we (in general desis) have a wrong attitude and mindset that being skinny is bad..........and its not a 'state of healthiness'! I dont get that logic. :P
Anyway.... you stay focused. That's all it takes. You have MFP to find like-minded folks to share your ideas. Do rant and chant.. but dont jump off the wagon.
Follow your routine. Ppl will eventually notice and appreciate your efforts.
Cheers
AI0 -
Thanks for the support
Need to put my 100% effort into this mission from now on !! 0 -
Nice.
But dont kill urself in the process. Enjoy it rather.
AI0 -
Totally agree. Do it for yourself - if other people notice your progress and say positive things those are the good people. Ignore the people pointing out weight gain. I've had this same issue for a few years but then I had been increasing more than I had realised. Glad I'm on the right path now and don't want to go back to the heavier days ever.0
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I never actually have an issue with the sweets and even most of the snacks, just not into them. Portion sizes! Mum's one of those, you finish everything on your plate before you get up. And growing up, she'd feed us massive portions.Our food is the major challenge. We have such a huge variety of tasty sweets, snacks and savories which make it hard not to snack!!!
Lack of supportive people around is also a major set back. Some ppl just state the obvious fact that I have put on weight every time they see me. N d same ppl wont even care to comment when they see that i have lost a few inches.
A bad habit to get into, which I've slowly learned to deal with. Still slip back into bad habits tho0 -
Oh you got that right Kendra. It also goes hand-in-hand with ingredients in food done through guessing and tasting. I haven't yet take it to this level but when eating curries I have no clue if the serving I'm having is too much, too little - it's just guesswork too. I'm sure I over did it the other day with the Chicken Curry Lol.0
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Oh you got that right Kendra. It also goes hand-in-hand with ingredients in food done through guessing and tasting. I haven't yet take it to this level but when eating curries I have no clue if the serving I'm having is too much, too little - it's just guesswork too. I'm sure I over did it the other day with the Chicken Curry Lol.
I've gotten Mum into a habit of writing the ingredients for recipes she makes. Since she won't let me help with the cooking, I can't do the writing, so I get to hear a lot of grumbles about it. But as I've pointed out to her, calorie counting and portion sizes have helped me lose a big chunk of weight.
There are lot of curries logged in the database, those staples that most Indians know, but have their own variations. I'd go with those with mid-range calorie value As for portion size, trying using a US style cup and see if as a serving that's enough for you or not.
Even with all this, it is still guestimating, Indian food, unlike Western food, just doesn't lend itself to easy nutritional values, especially when the raw ingredients are unknown to the Western world or the values found in various online database can be a best guess at best.0 -
That's true. Calories shown here may not be accurate but at least give us a ballpark figure to start with. I alter my portions accordingly.Oh you got that right Kendra. It also goes hand-in-hand with ingredients in food done through guessing and tasting. I haven't yet take it to this level but when eating curries I have no clue if the serving I'm having is too much, too little - it's just guesswork too. I'm sure I over did it the other day with the Chicken Curry Lol.
I've gotten Mum into a habit of writing the ingredients for recipes she makes. Since she won't let me help with the cooking, I can't do the writing, so I get to hear a lot of grumbles about it. But as I've pointed out to her, calorie counting and portion sizes have helped me lose a big chunk of weight.
There are lot of curries logged in the database, those staples that most Indians know, but have their own variations. I'd go with those with mid-range calorie value As for portion size, trying using a US style cup and see if as a serving that's enough for you or not.
Even with all this, it is still guestimating, Indian food, unlike Western food, just doesn't lend itself to easy nutritional values, especially when the raw ingredients are unknown to the Western world or the values found in various online database can be a best guess at best.0 -
To be honest, that's the best anyone can do, after all, no one cooks a meal in exactly the same way each time. And while ready meals have nutritional information on the back, as the recent horse meat scandal in Europe shows, even they are at best a guide to what the content actually isThat's true. Calories shown here may not be accurate but at least give us a ballpark figure to start with. I alter my portions accordingly.0 -
To be honest, that's the best anyone can do, after all, no one cooks a meal in exactly the same way each time. And while ready meals have nutritional information on the back, as the recent horse meat scandal in Europe shows, even they are at best a guide to what the content actually isThat's true. Calories shown here may not be accurate but at least give us a ballpark figure to start with. I alter my portions accordingly.
How many calories in Horse? ;-)0 -
To be honest, that's the best anyone can do, after all, no one cooks a meal in exactly the same way each time. And while ready meals have nutritional information on the back, as the recent horse meat scandal in Europe shows, even they are at best a guide to what the content actually isThat's true. Calories shown here may not be accurate but at least give us a ballpark figure to start with. I alter my portions accordingly.
How many calories in Horse? ;-)
Depends. Arabian Horse? :P Italian Stallion, perhaps? 0 -
How many calories in Horse? ;-)
Depends. Arabian Horse? :P Italian Stallion, perhaps?
You asked
http://ndb.nal.usda.gov/ndb/foods/show/5139 0 -
How many calories in Horse? ;-)
Depends. Arabian Horse? :P Italian Stallion, perhaps?
You asked http://ndb.nal.usda.gov/ndb/foods/show/5139
Haha.. good one! But the only problem is that I am a vegetarian! 0 -
Haha.. good one! But the only problem is that I am a vegetarian! 0
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Biggest challenge like many of us here is getting enough proteins. Yes lentils and beans have proteins but they are also calorie dense.
I do eat non-vegetarian food but my everyday diet is mostly vegetarian except eggs.
Also my challenge is eating out with friends, we always go to pubs where it is hard to say no to alcoholic drinks and unhealthy stuff like nachos and cheesy treats without being a bummer.0 -
Yeah, protein consumption is a relative challenge for most of us (vegetarians who eat Indian food). I try tofu to quinoa to lentils. But I don't go overboard. I can't take too much of it.
I haven't tried egg though but wondering if I should. (No, there is no religious sentiment attached to it. I am just not used to it - plainly put.)
With respect to pub visits - well, you've to take that shot !! (was it pun intended? :P )0 -
I would say that the reason a lot of Indians count eggs as non-vegetarian is because eggs have the potential for new life.
There are plenty of vegan websites out there, which while they do cut out dairy, do a great job of keeping protein levels high. One that I've found useful is http://blog.fatfreevegan.com The food measures are all American and some of the ingredients are had to find, but the recipes I've tried to date, have been very tasty.0 -
Thanks Kendra. Will take a look at it later.
Yeah, that's true. Some believe in that concept but I came out of that school of thought a few years ago. Realized that we are all part of a greater chain. Anyway, that's immaterial now.0 -
Hi, I know dis thread was created months ago but still joining it nevertheless. For me the biggest challenge is not finding the space to jog, run or even go on long walks. I really wish I had access to a smooth, 'traffic and slow moving crowd' free road where I could walk for miles. Nowadays I walk halfway to my home from office. That is around 3.5 kms. I can't go for walks in d morning,its really impossible for me. (M like zombie in d morn).0
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Hi, I know dis thread was created months ago but still joining it nevertheless. For me the biggest challenge is not finding the space to jog, run or even go on long walks. I really wish I had access to a smooth, 'traffic and slow moving crowd' free road where I could walk for miles. Nowadays I walk halfway to my home from office. That is around 3.5 kms. I can't go for walks in d morning,its really impossible for me. (M like zombie in d morn).
Getting 3.5 kms in each day is good so keep that going - it all counts. Try to make it brisk to get the maximum benefit. If you can get to places at the weekend that allow you the space and distance to jog/walk etc then that is worth trying too.0 -
I agree accurate reporting is a challenge and also that no-one makes a recipe the same twice. What has helped me a bit is that I use the "recipes" section of the food diary and as I am cooking I weigh everything before I toss it in the pot. I then update the recipe each time. This has its drawbacks, but it works for me. I find this has made my own cooking more consistent also.
tough part is when someone else does the cooking, especially restaurants. All restaurants (no matter the cuisine) use more fat, sugar, and especially salt than anyone would use at home. so although I try to estimate what's in the food and I ask for them hold the ghee etc - I still treat this as an occasional treat.0
