What has giving up fast food done for you?

Yes I knew it was the pork bone broth. But I was always confused how it meant both "delicious pork broth" and "fried pork cutlet", until earlier this evening when I learned they are 2 different things with 2 different spellings.

So I guess the sliced port in a tonkotsu ramen is optional? At the few places I've been Tonkotsu ramen seems to be with sliced pork. But as we have established, I can't really read gud.

No it isn't optional. Another thing is that the pork is part of how ramen is made in a sense. Trying to figure out how to put it. Real ramen (not the cup of noodle stuff) isn't just decorated with slices of pork or green onions, etc....they all have a "meaning" - to balance with the noodles and the broth brings it all together. So the dish you are getting requires the pork slices

Fast food makes me sick .. I feel blessed

I haven't given up fast food , just the unhealthy options:

I get grilled chicken salads from Wendy's and Mcdonald's.
I get Griield chicken sandwhiches at Potbelly's.

Used to eat fast food all the time, but now I can't stand it. Makes me feel sick.

While I don't believe fast food is innately evil, I have found that giving up has helped me succeed in striving for a healthier lifestyle. There are a few reasons why:

- fastfood was a mindset for me that I needed to break. Planning, counting calories, and making food at home has become an important ritual and keeps me mindful
- the salt, extra fat, and my mandatory Diet Coke sparks a downward spiral for me. It's an addiction for me, and I can't "have just one." In this realm, moderation doesn't work for me - only abstinence.
- the smell... I still love it. When I'm around it, it makes me want it more. And more, And more.
- it starts me thinking of all the other things that used to go with my fast food runs. A stressful, crazy job. An ugly relationship. Lots of overeating. Lower self-esteem. Why go there?
- when I do indulge, I don't like how it makes me feel. Because moderation isn't my strength, I don't stop when I'm full... and if I PAID for the meal, I'm going to EAT the entire MEAL. Afterwards, I feel sluggish and bloated and just want to go lie on the couch and watch tv.
- fast food, and restaurants in general, kinda freak me out. I've seen the kitchens, know a few people who work in those kitchens, and have seen first-hand their practices. I do enjoy a meal out on occasion, but I seek out restaurants where I have researched their practices or, in some cases, have actually asked to see their kitchens. A little mad, maybe... but... it has REALLY opened my eyes and closed my mouth.

So that's my extreme plan - total avoidance. Some will say it's not sustainable or realistic, but it has been for me for the last ten years.

While I don't believe fast food is innately evil, I have found that giving up has helped me succeed in striving for a healthier lifestyle. There are a few reasons why:

- fastfood was a mindset for me that I needed to break. Planning, counting calories, and making food at home has become an important ritual and keeps me mindful
- the salt, extra fat, and my mandatory Diet Coke sparks a downward spiral for me. It's an addiction for me, and I can't "have just one." In this realm, moderation doesn't work for me - only abstinence.
- the smell... I still love it. When I'm around it, it makes me want it more. And more, And more.
- it starts me thinking of all the other things that used to go with my fast food runs. A stressful, crazy job. An ugly relationship. Lots of overeating. Lower self-esteem. Why go there?
- when I do indulge, I don't like how it makes me feel. Because moderation isn't my strength, I don't stop when I'm full... and if I PAID for the meal, I'm going to EAT the entire MEAL. Afterwards, I feel sluggish and bloated and just want to go lie on the couch and watch tv.
- fast food, and restaurants in general, kinda freak me out. I've seen the kitchens, know a few people who work in those kitchens, and have seen first-hand their practices. I do enjoy a meal out on occasion, but I seek out restaurants where I have researched their practices or, in some cases, have actually asked to see their kitchens. A little mad, maybe... but... it has REALLY opened my eyes and closed my mouth.

So that's my extreme plan - total avoidance. Some will say it's not sustainable or realistic, but it has been for me for the last ten years.

These are all actually valid reasons to avoid fast/convenience foods. Looking at your ticker it is obviously working for you.

I guess you who are still eating fast food all of the time haven't ever been diagnosed with high cholesterol or high blood pressure. The older you get to more likely you'll at least cut way back on the fast food. I also find that since I don't eat it very often any more that when I do it can sort of make me feel almost sick afterwards. I feel like a main reason for wanting to lose weight is to become healthier...and that can't be done while eating fast food all of the time!

I used to eat only whole organic foods. I worked out. I was obese.

Now my lifestyle is different- I eat a lot less organic, I eat more dairy, more "fast foods," more "processed foods" and I work out. My body fat percentage is 20.

Correlation does not equal causation.

Everyone with a brain agrees that a big mac and fries isn't as "healthy" as a plate of steamed veggies with some sort of lean meat. But the point Taso is making is that you can be healthy and eat fast food too. Not SOLELY fast food. I would even assume he means not PRIMARILY fast food.

I don't eat McDonald's ever. I think of Burger King as a public restroom and no more. But if I'm out on am adventure, I will swing by a Taco Bell now and again and it's not the end of the world. I happen to think a lot of fast food is bad for you. I also think soda and aspartame are bad for you. I occasionally indulge in all of the above.

I used to eat only whole organic foods. I worked out. I was obese.

Now my lifestyle is different- I eat a lot less organic, I eat more dairy, more "fast foods," more "processed foods" and I work out. My body fat percentage is 20.

Correlation does not equal causation.

Everyone with a brain agrees that a big mac and fries isn't as "healthy" as a plate of steamed veggies with some sort of lean meat. But the point Taso is making is that you can be healthy and eat fast food too. Not SOLELY fast food. I would even assume he means not PRIMARILY fast food.

I don't eat McDonald's ever. I think of Burger King as a public restroom and no more. But if I'm out on am adventure, I will swing by a Taco Bell now and again and it's not the end of the world. I happen to think a lot of fast food is bad for you. I also think soda and aspartame are bad for you. I occasionally indulge in all of the above.

Absolutely agree with all of this. However, Taso eats fast food every day according to him. Also they were having fun trolling me, and for some reason I was indulging. :P

Disagreeing =/= trolling.

I used to eat only whole organic foods. I worked out. I was obese.

Now my lifestyle is different- I eat a lot less organic, I eat more dairy, more "fast foods," more "processed foods" and I work out. My body fat percentage is 20.

Correlation does not equal causation.

Everyone with a brain agrees that a big mac and fries isn't as "healthy" as a plate of steamed veggies with some sort of lean meat. But the point Taso is making is that you can be healthy and eat fast food too. Not SOLELY fast food. I would even assume he means not PRIMARILY fast food.

I don't eat McDonald's ever. I think of Burger King as a public restroom and no more. But if I'm out on am adventure, I will swing by a Taco Bell now and again and it's not the end of the world. I happen to think a lot of fast food is bad for you. I also think soda and aspartame are bad for you. I occasionally indulge in all of the above.

Absolutely agree with all of this. However, Taso eats fast food every day according to him. Also they were having fun trolling me, and for some reason I was indulging. :P

Here's the thing coach. You get called out because you make absolute claims and don't back them up. Then you ask people to prove a negative, like "show me it doesn't lead to...". I've seen you do this on several threads.
Logic doesn't work that way. If you make a claim, the onus is on you to back it up with facts. You should take a logic and debate class.
Also, your before and "elite" after pics don't prove anything. There are too many confounding variables. You may have driven a red car before and switched to a green one to get elite. See, the logic doesn't work.
Try science.

I used to eat only whole organic foods. I worked out. I was obese.

Now my lifestyle is different- I eat a lot less organic, I eat more dairy, more "fast foods," more "processed foods" and I work out. My body fat percentage is 20.

Correlation does not equal causation.

Everyone with a brain agrees that a big mac and fries isn't as "healthy" as a plate of steamed veggies with some sort of lean meat. But the point Taso is making is that you can be healthy and eat fast food too. Not SOLELY fast food. I would even assume he means not PRIMARILY fast food.

I don't eat McDonald's ever. I think of Burger King as a public restroom and no more. But if I'm out on am adventure, I will swing by a Taco Bell now and again and it's not the end of the world. I happen to think a lot of fast food is bad for you. I also think soda and aspartame are bad for you. I occasionally indulge in all of the above.

Absolutely agree with all of this. However, Taso eats fast food every day according to him. Also they were having fun trolling me, and for some reason I was indulging. :P

Here's the thing coach. You get called out because you make absolute claims and don't back them up. Then you ask people to prove a negative, like "show me it doesn't lead to...". I've seen you do this on several threads.
Logic doesn't work that way. If you make a claim, the onus is on you to back it up with facts. You should take a logic and debate class.
Also, your before and "elite" after pics don't prove anything. There are too many confounding variables. You may have driven a red car before and switched to a green one to get elite. See, the logic doesn't work.
Try science.

THIS!!! Here is my absolutist claim for the day: I blame the lack of quality science education for ALL our problems!

Absolutely agree with all of this. However, Taso eats fast food every day according to him. Also they were having fun trolling me, and for some reason I was indulging. :P

Disagreeing =/= trolling.

I was doing both. Can't speak for Taso, but me, both. Definitely

Honestly I just didnt think science was necessary to back up "lean meat, veggies and whole grains is a healthier meal than a McDonald's extra value meal"

But when I get home I'll find it for you anyway. Lol.

I think your main problem is that you are advocating total abstinance forever, and refusing to accept that the odd fast food meal is not going to hurt anyone.

I think everyone is grown up enough to understand that a diet consisting of 100% fast food is a bad thing, but for many a diet consisting of 100% grilled meat and veggies is not realistic, achievable or even wanted.

if people have a large enough calorie allowance then the odd burger is going to fit into their calorie allowance and macro tagets quite easily, but not so easy for people on 1200 calories a day,

Eating fatty foods is not what makes you fat - eating more calories than you burn does. And that will apply even if it is an excess consiting of 100% grilled meat and veggies.

the best advice i have is to learn everything you can about what goes into fast food and how it affects your body. totally grossed me out and turned me off the stuff.

Want a peer-reviewed scientific study that details exactly how it affects your body instead of a bunch of fear-mongering and broscience? Here you go:

http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/research-review/hormonal-responses-to-a-fast-food-meal-compared-with-nutritionally-comparable-meals-of-different-composition-research-review.html

Here's the commentary from the reviewer at the end:

This study basically backs up what I’ve been saying for years: a single fast food meal, within the context of a calorie controlled diet, is not death on a plate. It won’t destroy your diet and it won’t make you immediately turn into a big fat pile of blubber. And, frankly, this can be predicted on basic physiology (in terms of nutrient digestion) alone. It’s just nice to see it verified in a controlled setting.

It’s not uncommon for the physique obsessed to literally become social pariahs, afraid to eat out because eating out is somehow defined as ‘unclean’ (never mind that a grilled chicken breast eaten out is fundamentally no different than a grilled chicken breast cooked at home) and fast food is, of course, the death of any diet. This is in addition to the fact that apparently eating fast food makes you morally inferior as well. Well, that’s what bodybuilders and other orthorexics will tell you anyhow.

Except that it’s clearly not. Given caloric control, the body’s response to a given set of nutrients, with the exception of blood lipids would appear to be more determined by the total caloric and macro content of that meal more than the source of the food.

In terms of the hormonal response, clean vs. unclean just doesn’t matter, it’s all about calories and macros.

Which is what I’ve been saying all along.

CoachReddy - I would suggest you read this.

Everyone with a brain agrees that a big mac and fries isn't as "healthy" as a plate of steamed veggies with some sort of lean meat.

Nope. I assumed that too and yet, someone disagreed.