Real food diet...is that a thing?
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Yeah I also do IF and two meals, usually with one small snack. I guess if all I was eating is what's in those pictures I'd probably eat 5-6 times a day too, though. I'd always be hungry. Where's the protein and fat?
oh. Edit to say, Avocado! Yay for fat!1 -
Ah the people who read the OP, can't be bothered to read the 8 pages to see how the conversation has developed and post something we've all moved on from.4
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Update! Thank you for all of your comments! Some of them got a little off track but it's been really nice to read and get a few laughs in here and there. Today has been very successful for me! I went for a brief walk on my lunch. Got a return label for the protein powder her everyone's recommendation, haha.
As far as the water goes I am drinking half my weight in ounces of water not pounds that would be a ton of water.
I consider real food things that don't come out of a can or jar. Basically food that is not processed. So instead of buying spaghetti sauce I would, ideally make my own. I realize that this is a huge undertaking especially getting started with a new eating plan and have decided to still incorporate some of what I would consider processed foods into my diet. I would really like to have the time and effort to be able to make most of my food from fresh ingredients but this is been a pretty big change for me and my family and time is of the essence, so I'm not sure how practical this is for right now.
I've also decided to give myself the chance to eat a few of the things that I still really enjoy. Things like chocolate occasional ice cream you get the picture
My mother canned (jarred), and I have no problems considering jarred food per se to be real food. What I object to is some ultra-processed, laboratory-engineered ingredients that I wouldn't use if I made something from scratch.
For example, I've baked bread, and know that this just requires a handful of ingredients. I avoid bread that has ingredients that allows it to stay on the shelf for weeks or dough conditioners like azodicarbonamide because while this may be necessary for my yoga mat, it is not necessary for bread. I no longer bake bread, because fresh bread is so yummy it's impossible for me to moderate it.
I've made pasta from scratch and decided it's just more practical to buy it. I do buy brands that use organic wheat.
I grow vegetables (organically) and have made spaghetti sauce from scratch using fresh tomatoes but I just don't care for it. (I don't like fresh tomatoes and grow them for other people.) I switched to making sauce from canned tomatoes, onions, peppers, garlic, and spices. I like this better than sauce from fresh tomatoes, but when my work responsibilities grew, switched to Newman's sauce, which I prefer for both convenience and taste.
I do find canned vegetables loathsome and since my OH likes creamed corn with meatloaf was delighted to find a recipe in the Joy of Cooking for creamed corn that we both like that uses fresh or frozen corn and cream.
If I only had access to one cookbook, it would be the Joy of Cooking. I think my family has had every edition since it first came out in the 30s. The only time it's ever steered me wrong was using the cold water start instead of hot water for hard boiled eggs.1 -
SusanMFindlay wrote: »metalmeow1 wrote: »Need energy? Try flavored vitamin waters instead of plain water... It was just what I needed to curb fatigue!
You know that a lot of "vitamin waters" have sugar in them and are basically fancy Kool Aid? What kills me is that because they're a nutriceutical instead of a food, they don't have to print nutritional information on the label, so people don't realize that many of them have the same calories as Kool Aid or soda.
All of the vitamin waters I drink are sugar free and below 20 calories. Propel & Vitamin Water. Even if they did have sugar, which they don't, the body needs a little sugar anyway.
The point is they contain vitamins, hydrate you, taste better than plain water, and makes working out more enjoyable. If you enjoy plain water, or with a wedge of fruit (which also has sugar by the way) then more power to you? Everyone's different.1 -
SusanMFindlay wrote: »metalmeow1 wrote: »Need energy? Try flavored vitamin waters instead of plain water... It was just what I needed to curb fatigue!
You know that a lot of "vitamin waters" have sugar in them and are basically fancy Kool Aid? What kills me is that because they're a nutriceutical instead of a food, they don't have to print nutritional information on the label, so people don't realize that many of them have the same calories as Kool Aid or soda.
I'd also like to add that I drink them a lot and I'm still losing weight... And feeling great doing it. I wouldn't share my experience if I didn't think someone might benefit from it.1 -
SusanMFindlay wrote: »
What kills me is that because they're a nutriceutical instead of a food, they don't have to print nutritional information on the label, so people don't realize that many of them have the same calories as Kool Aid or soda.metalmeow1 wrote: »Need energy? Try flavored vitamin waters instead of plain water... It was just what I needed to curb fatigue!
Another thing... These waters do have nutritional info on the labels a long with a list of ingredients... Why would I assume to know what's in them if they didn't?
Anyway OP, you can drink some B12/B6 and find huge difference
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kshama2001 wrote: »I consider real food things that don't come out of a can or jar. Basically food that is not processed. So instead of buying spaghetti sauce I would, ideally make my own. I realize that this is a huge
For example, I've baked bread, and know that this just requires a handful of ingredients. I avoid bread that has ingredients that allows it to stay on the shelf for weeks or dough conditioners like azodicarbonamide because while this may be necessary for my yoga mat, it is not necessary for bread. I no longer bake bread, because fresh bread is so yummy it's impossible for me to moderate it.
Food Babe isn't a food scientist.3 -
metalmeow1 wrote: »SusanMFindlay wrote: »
What kills me is that because they're a nutriceutical instead of a food, they don't have to print nutritional information on the label, so people don't realize that many of them have the same calories as Kool Aid or soda.metalmeow1 wrote: »Need energy? Try flavored vitamin waters instead of plain water... It was just what I needed to curb fatigue!
Another thing... These waters do have nutritional info on the labels a long with a list of ingredients... Why would I assume to know what's in them if they didn't?
Anyway OP, you can drink some B12/B6 and find huge difference
That's your experience. I shared mine. Which was back when Vitamin Waters first came out. Most had 120ish calories/cup but were not required to report that on the label. Given that the product is called "water" (which would lead most reasonable people to assume they were calorie-free), I was horrified and have avoided them since. I'm happy to hear that that has been rectified since then.0 -
Isn't Michael Pollan the one who says eat like your grandparents or great grandparents? Uh, my grandparents died 6 years ago. The one who lived to be 93 loved diet root beer, peanut M&Ms, and ice cream. My great grandparents still used cake mixes, and were not the most sanitary in their cooking. My mom remembers flies floating in the olive barrel at the farm.
He says you might have to go back to "Great Great Great", etc. but basically back to when food is made with ingredients straight from the earth as opposed to developed in a lab (he uses yogurt and bread as examples).
I think you can lose weight eating anything - but I do think whole foods are fantastic for nutrition. Personally I feel fuller when I eat whole foods over diet foods. But I know everyone is different.
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For me, it depends on the whole food (I can eat endless olives or nuts without getting too full, so could easily over eat, same with adding butter to things, cheese -- not whole foods, maybe, but within the Pollan definition). Lots of people can overeat fatty meats (more whole than a lot of the "diet" versions used like boneless, skinless breasts), and of course we've been eating bread for a long time -- I know of various relatives in the 19th century who had grain mills, were grain merchants, grew grain, etc., and obviously that goes back way way way beyond that.
I am usually not into "diet" foods, but I personally do find lean meats or low fat/skim dairy or the like often more filling for less calories than versions with more fat (because for me protein is filling and fat really isn't, although I find it satisfying and don't avoid it). When I like the lowfat as much or more than the full fat (as with plain greek yogurt, cottage cheese), I choose it. When I don't (like with cheese--the kinds of cheese I like don't have a low fat version), I don't.
I don't think vegetables are less nutritious if I buy some broccolini at Snap Kitchen vs. making it myself, but I do think that I'm more likely to include the vegetables if cooking from whole foods.2 -
I consider real food things that don't come out of a can or jar. Basically food that is not processed. So instead of buying spaghetti sauce I would, ideally make my own. I realize that this is a huge undertaking especially getting started with a new eating plan and have decided to still incorporate some of what I would consider processed foods into my diet. I would really like to have the time and effort to be able to make most of my food from fresh ingredients but this is been a pretty big change for me and my family and time is of the essence, so I'm not sure how practical this is for right now.
It's a good goal to work towards but it doesn't have to happen immediately. What helped me with the transition was to basically grandfather in any foods I was already using that I felt like I needed for whatever reason (taste, convenience etc. ) but not to allow new ones.
Over the years those foods that seemed impossible to cook without I've found I just don't use anymore as I've learned how to cooks things from scratch and practiced them enough to the point they taste better than the convenience food version and aren't really time consuming to make at all. And some other things I still use and enjoy but they're a small part of my diet now.1 -
Well, it's been two weeks since I started tracking my calories and reading and researching here on MFP and I'm happy to report that I've lost 5 lbs! 5 lbs even though I had 3 slices of pizza this past weekend and nachos and beer the weekend before!
The biggest thing this thread taught me was that I can eat and be nourished and still lose the weight. I don't have to take such extreme measures to lose the pounds. Now, I'm not eating pizza and nachos every day and I AM eating a LOT more clean options. I've learned to be aware of what I'm eating and to make sure that I REALLY want to eat it before shoving it in my mouth.
Thanks again to everyone who commented and gave me advice! I really do appreciate it :-)20 -
Well, it's been two weeks since I started tracking my calories and reading and researching here on MFP and I'm happy to report that I've lost 5 lbs! 5 lbs even though I had 3 slices of pizza this past weekend and nachos and beer the weekend before!
The biggest thing this thread taught me was that I can eat and be nourished and still lose the weight. I don't have to take such extreme measures to lose the pounds. Now, I'm not eating pizza and nachos every day and I AM eating a LOT more clean options. I've learned to be aware of what I'm eating and to make sure that I REALLY want to eat it before shoving it in my mouth.
Thanks again to everyone who commented and gave me advice! I really do appreciate it :-)
The part in bold makes me so happy. This was the best realization MFP ever led me to and I'm so glad you're in such a healthy place.3 -
Well, it's been two weeks since I started tracking my calories and reading and researching here on MFP and I'm happy to report that I've lost 5 lbs! 5 lbs even though I had 3 slices of pizza this past weekend and nachos and beer the weekend before!
The biggest thing this thread taught me was that I can eat and be nourished and still lose the weight. I don't have to take such extreme measures to lose the pounds. Now, I'm not eating pizza and nachos every day and I AM eating a LOT more clean options. I've learned to be aware of what I'm eating and to make sure that I REALLY want to eat it before shoving it in my mouth.
Thanks again to everyone who commented and gave me advice! I really do appreciate it :-)
Wonderful!1 -
Maybe its been said...but how did you find a protein shake that has no added sugar?
Also...what is amazing grass? Sounds weird.0 -
Well, it's been two weeks since I started tracking my calories and reading and researching here on MFP and I'm happy to report that I've lost 5 lbs! 5 lbs even though I had 3 slices of pizza this past weekend and nachos and beer the weekend before!
The biggest thing this thread taught me was that I can eat and be nourished and still lose the weight. I don't have to take such extreme measures to lose the pounds. Now, I'm not eating pizza and nachos every day and I AM eating a LOT more clean options. I've learned to be aware of what I'm eating and to make sure that I REALLY want to eat it before shoving it in my mouth.
Thanks again to everyone who commented and gave me advice! I really do appreciate it :-)
good for you OP1 -
Well, it's been two weeks since I started tracking my calories and reading and researching here on MFP and I'm happy to report that I've lost 5 lbs! 5 lbs even though I had 3 slices of pizza this past weekend and nachos and beer the weekend before!
The biggest thing this thread taught me was that I can eat and be nourished and still lose the weight. I don't have to take such extreme measures to lose the pounds. Now, I'm not eating pizza and nachos every day and I AM eating a LOT more clean options. I've learned to be aware of what I'm eating and to make sure that I REALLY want to eat it before shoving it in my mouth.
Thanks again to everyone who commented and gave me advice! I really do appreciate it :-)
That. Is. Fabulous.
I wish more people reached this conclusion, faster.
Keep on with that goodness, and you're heading directly toward your goals!3 -
Well, it's been two weeks since I started tracking my calories and reading and researching here on MFP and I'm happy to report that I've lost 5 lbs! 5 lbs even though I had 3 slices of pizza this past weekend and nachos and beer the weekend before!
The biggest thing this thread taught me was that I can eat and be nourished and still lose the weight. I don't have to take such extreme measures to lose the pounds. Now, I'm not eating pizza and nachos every day and I AM eating a LOT more clean options. I've learned to be aware of what I'm eating and to make sure that I REALLY want to eat it before shoving it in my mouth.
Thanks again to everyone who commented and gave me advice! I really do appreciate it :-)
Awesome. I really want to link (or copy/paste) this into the "garbage advice" thread.6 -
JohnnyPenso wrote: »Well, here I am at the heaviest I've ever been. I haven't tried every diet out there, haven't yo-yo dieted, never taken a diet pill but, I have been REALLY LAZY about my health and fitness! What can I say, I'm a super wife, busy mom-of-three, I work full time, you know the drill. It's time for a change!
So, here's what I'm doing so far:
1. Eating only 'real foods', nothing processed.
2. Tracking what I eat here on MFP (1200 calories or less)
3. Cut out sugar
4. Replacing 1 meal a day with a protein shake
5. Drinking half my weight (or more) in water
6. Taking 1 serving of Amazing Grass each day
I've only been giving this approach a go since last Sunday. I have no problem with the food and I've been feeling pretty good, until yesterday. I think I might have hit a wall or something but...I'm exhausted! Any recommendations on things I can incorporate into my routine to help me feel more energized? Also, any tweeks or changes I should do with my 'plan'? Thanks so much for reading!
I'm a big fan of 1, hard to go wrong there, so long as you are including fish, meat, eggs etc. which are real foods. The key is in your mind. It must be a positive change that creates positive thoughts and feelings, not dread and anxiety, otherwise it's just mental torture. The rest, not so much. 1200 is an arbitrary figure. I'd rather see something based on your actual size, weight loss goals etc. I have no problem with cutting out sugar, I've done it myself, beyond the odd use of honey or maple syrup. Not a fan of drinking my calories to replace a meal, I'd rather eat. I do use protein shakes, homemade, and only after a workout for specific reasons. I can't drink 80 pounds of water. Don't believe in superfoods nor repetitively eating the same foods. Variety is king.
what are fake foods?
Herbalife
Isagenix
Shakeology3 -
Well, it's been two weeks since I started tracking my calories and reading and researching here on MFP and I'm happy to report that I've lost 5 lbs! 5 lbs even though I had 3 slices of pizza this past weekend and nachos and beer the weekend before!
The biggest thing this thread taught me was that I can eat and be nourished and still lose the weight. I don't have to take such extreme measures to lose the pounds. Now, I'm not eating pizza and nachos every day and I AM eating a LOT more clean options. I've learned to be aware of what I'm eating and to make sure that I REALLY want to eat it before shoving it in my mouth.
Thanks again to everyone who commented and gave me advice! I really do appreciate it :-)
There is the "AHA!!" moment everyone wishes for everyone else to find. Its the moment when it all makes sense and is validated. Its the moment that you discover you can do this for the rest of your life. Congratulations, let the angels sing!!!2 -
Maybe its been said...but how did you find a protein shake that has no added sugar?
Also...what is amazing grass? Sounds weird.
She said a vegan one, so maybe Vega, but in my experience lots of the whey ones also don't have any (talking about the powder, not whatever pre-made ones might exist). I'm actually surprised you would think they were hard to find. Biochem is one example that has no added sugar, but there are others.0 -
@midpathmidpath The protein shake I was using is by the company 'Spring of Life' and let me tell you...it was GROSS. Very gritty and horrible flavor. Amazing grass is a powder you can add to juice or water, it's full of super foods. I don't think the Amazing grass is helping with my weight loss but it's more for a health benefit however, I won't buy it again...1
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I bet you feel tired eating at under 1200 calories! Try protein packed things- cheese, nuts, etc. If you can, go to a nutritionist. They can help make a plan that isn't' quite so extreme.0
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@midpathmidpath The protein shake I was using is by the company 'Spring of Life' and let me tell you...it was GROSS. Very gritty and horrible flavor. Amazing grass is a powder you can add to juice or water, it's full of super foods. I don't think the Amazing grass is helping with my weight loss but it's more for a health benefit however, I won't buy it again...
glad you can tolerate the amazing grass lol,I tried several flavors and couldnt gag them down, they to me were that nasty.0 -
JohnnyPenso wrote: »Well, here I am at the heaviest I've ever been. I haven't tried every diet out there, haven't yo-yo dieted, never taken a diet pill but, I have been REALLY LAZY about my health and fitness! What can I say, I'm a super wife, busy mom-of-three, I work full time, you know the drill. It's time for a change!
So, here's what I'm doing so far:
1. Eating only 'real foods', nothing processed.
2. Tracking what I eat here on MFP (1200 calories or less)
3. Cut out sugar
4. Replacing 1 meal a day with a protein shake
5. Drinking half my weight (or more) in water
6. Taking 1 serving of Amazing Grass each day
I've only been giving this approach a go since last Sunday. I have no problem with the food and I've been feeling pretty good, until yesterday. I think I might have hit a wall or something but...I'm exhausted! Any recommendations on things I can incorporate into my routine to help me feel more energized? Also, any tweeks or changes I should do with my 'plan'? Thanks so much for reading!
I'm a big fan of 1, hard to go wrong there, so long as you are including fish, meat, eggs etc. which are real foods. The key is in your mind. It must be a positive change that creates positive thoughts and feelings, not dread and anxiety, otherwise it's just mental torture. The rest, not so much. 1200 is an arbitrary figure. I'd rather see something based on your actual size, weight loss goals etc. I have no problem with cutting out sugar, I've done it myself, beyond the odd use of honey or maple syrup. Not a fan of drinking my calories to replace a meal, I'd rather eat. I do use protein shakes, homemade, and only after a workout for specific reasons. I can't drink 80 pounds of water. Don't believe in superfoods nor repetitively eating the same foods. Variety is king.
what are fake foods?
Herbalife
Isagenix
Shakeology
well played...1 -
CharlieBeansmomTracey wrote: »@midpathmidpath The protein shake I was using is by the company 'Spring of Life' and let me tell you...it was GROSS. Very gritty and horrible flavor. Amazing grass is a powder you can add to juice or water, it's full of super foods. I don't think the Amazing grass is helping with my weight loss but it's more for a health benefit however, I won't buy it again...
glad you can tolerate the amazing grass lol,I tried several flavors and couldnt gag them down, they to me were that nasty.
Yea...I'm with you, they are pretty nasty tasting. I mix them with grape juice and then I have to take a HUGE gulp at once to get it down.0 -
CharlieBeansmomTracey wrote: »@midpathmidpath The protein shake I was using is by the company 'Spring of Life' and let me tell you...it was GROSS. Very gritty and horrible flavor. Amazing grass is a powder you can add to juice or water, it's full of super foods. I don't think the Amazing grass is helping with my weight loss but it's more for a health benefit however, I won't buy it again...
glad you can tolerate the amazing grass lol,I tried several flavors and couldnt gag them down, they to me were that nasty.
Yea...I'm with you, they are pretty nasty tasting. I mix them with grape juice and then I have to take a HUGE gulp at once to get it down.
I couldnt do that even with juice.0 -
I eat nothing but real food. I find imaginary food very unsatisfying.1
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Does "bonking" have a different meaning outside of the UK?!0
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megomerrett wrote: »Does "bonking" have a different meaning outside of the UK?!
In the endurance exercise world bonking is basically running completely out of steam because you deplete your glycogen and therefore being unable to complete a ride or run or doing so way slower than you should have.
So yeah! ;-)0
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