eating healthy = lame and boring ....

A couple of interesting documentaries for the 'skeptics':

Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1227378/?ref_=sr_1)
Supersize Me (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0390521/?ref_=sr_2)

As far as Macros go, I'm not 100% certain what they are other than a division of protein, carbs and fats intake based on your goals (i.e. 40%/30%/30%). Here is a link for more information:

http://www.freedieting.com/tools/nutrient_calculator.htm

The site states that:

Do Macro-Nutrients Matter?

There is a difference of opinion on this. Some feel that only calories count, whilst others argue that distribution of nutrients is what is important.

However, evidence would suggest that the health of a person is affected if too many calories are coming from bad fats or refined carbs. This is the premise behind Gary Taubes' book, Good Calories, Bad Calories.

The reality is - you must find what works for you - and to do this you have to start somewhere! If it doesn't work - try something else.

Tom Venuto's ebook Burn The Fat has a considerable section about macro nutrient ratios and calories. His opinion is that extremes (such as very low carb, and very low fat, are only appropriate for a small section of the population).

Getting It In Context

Here's a quick look at what the gram values are for some common items: (note that we are not delving into the nutritional quality aspects here - such as sodium, calcium, breakdown of fats, ingredients etc...)

Carbohydrate Protein Fat
McDonalds Big Mac & Large Fries 116g 31g 55g
1 Slice of Super Supreme Pizza from Pizza Hutt 28g 13g 17g
4oz (113g) skinless boneless chicken breast,
1 cup brown rice (cooked), 1 cup broccoli 43g 38g 5.5g

The fat in a Big Mac and Fries can contain enough fat for an entire days intake!

The bottom line is to make sure your nutrient ratios are promoting the desired weight loss and having a positive effect on your overall health.

Furthermore, there are a variety of 'lifestyles' that recommend what that distribution should be (Moderate, Moderate II, Zone, Low Carb, Very Low Carb).

Here's a study regarding the long-term effects of high sodium intake: http://www.bmj.com/content/334/7599/885

However, too little sodium isn't all that hot either: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/low-blood-sodium/AN00621

Basically, too little sodium contributes to and/or even encourages water intoxication and water poisoning (among other things). Doesn't sound too awesome to me...

Then of course, there is the highly faddish paleo-diet: http://health.usnews.com/best-diet/paleo-diet

Cooking and 'healthy eating' is a state of mind. If you don't want to put effort into what you consume, you reap what you sow. However, to be fair, my husband does 90% of the cooking in the house. There are numerous sites that offer 'the bestest low-XXX (fill in the blank) recipe EVER'. However, frankly, I don't have the gourmet kitchen to house the expensive organics, gadgets, or personal chef (don't count hubby, please) to live the 'ultimate lifestyle'. Neither do I live in a place large enough to have hippie-dippie-yuppie grocery stores. I do what I can with what I have and have learned to be contented with being informed and making the best choices I have available to me. Of course, just take a look at my goals and you'll see that I've got a LONG way to go... no preaching to the choir here; merely attempting to offer resources/studies/etc. to assist in the education of those requesting the information. :flowerforyou:

Oh, and I do eat sweets; I've found great substitutions or am learning to indulge my inner Cookie-Monster and NOT eat an entire box of Oreos. I love pizza; just working on not eating an entire pie (which I could easily do - any crust, just load it with cheese and meat, but mostly gooey cheese).

Panko is great if you want to substitute 'fried' with 'baked' chicken. It's crispy and give the consistency of fried with less of the 'bad' (but don't you WANT to be bad... at least SOMETIMES?)

Even Alton Brown's 'fish and chips' (when done properly) utilizes almost no oil when done (meaning the food isn't greasy): http://www.foodnetwork.com/videos/altons-chips-and-fish-recipe/82403.html

It's all about preparation, Baby, and what you want out of your consumption to make you the happiest, healthiest and most content. Anything else is hype. Listen to your body; it will tell you what it needs and what it doesn't.

Cheers!