fruit and vegetables

sarahazen
sarahazen Posts: 34
edited September 30 in Food and Nutrition
Does anyone notice that people don't seem to be eating real food....like fruits, vegetables, things you cook at home like chicken and fish, and beans and rice? People's food diaries are full of processed crap? Don't we think that's what getting us into trouble? Our bodies don't even know what the heck we are putting in them. If you can't read it and don't know what it is why put it in your body?

Replies

  • Godsflower1789
    Godsflower1789 Posts: 90
    amen to that!
  • Mommawarrior
    Mommawarrior Posts: 897 Member
    I totally agree. I eat very little processed and I feel better and better every day!
    I noticed that your diary isn't viewable though, would you mind opening it for us?
  • dreanance
    dreanance Posts: 246
    If anyone else here is into eating real food feel free to add me! I only eat out once a week or so and try to eat whole/real foods (though no meat for me). I've also noticed a lot of crazy (IMO) processed stuff in other people's journals.
  • hsquared87
    hsquared87 Posts: 73
    yeah I noticed I was doing that. Since I switched to eating paleo/ primal I have been eating so many more whole foods. I really like it and I feel so much better.
  • hbunting86
    hbunting86 Posts: 952 Member
    Agreed - I make all my own meals and stick as close as possible to things from nature... after all mother nature tends to know best when it comes to packaging foods!

    H :)
  • runner328
    runner328 Posts: 174
    I try to avoid process foods as much as possible.
  • yankeefamily05
    yankeefamily05 Posts: 657
    I try to eat as clean as I can.I also cook most of my meals at home and try not to use alot of processed things. I think it is a process.
  • yankeefamily05
    yankeefamily05 Posts: 657
    In the beginning I ate more processed stuff
  • datguy2011
    datguy2011 Posts: 477 Member
    I started out like that tho... its not bad thing. I logged everything before (mcdonalds, kfc, restaurants, etc)... just to get into the habbit of doing it... then you can see HOW MUCH over you are. Its not a bad thing....

    Now.. to do that for years.. or months.. prob. not the best theory.
  • JulieBoBoo
    JulieBoBoo Posts: 642
    There are a lot of reasons people might have difficulty incorporating fresh foods into their diaries. For some it's an issue of availability, some a financial issue and for others a question of time crunch and/or preparation.

    Rather than criticizing, perhaps you can try to offer up some suggestions as to how to achieve a healthier diet and incorporate natural foods into one's menu?

    Seems to me that that approach would be far better received than the one you're taking.
  • theaterfan23
    theaterfan23 Posts: 256 Member
    I agree!! And please feel free to add me if you want! But I am always looking for tasty receipes for veggies as it always seems that I always eat them plain or with just a little bit of salt and pepper.
  • crzyone
    crzyone Posts: 872 Member
    I've tried to cut out a lot of processed foods but I'm not there. It is hard to do sometimes when I eat out. I have cut out almost all junk food and almost all canned foods (I do like blackeyed peas and I had some Bush's baked beans and WILL never eat them again after seeing their totals on my food tracker). I'm eating a lot better than I used to though; summer with it's fresh veggies from the garden helps that a lot, too. It isn't cheap to eat healthy either.... :(
  • yeabby
    yeabby Posts: 643 Member
    Pip Pip!

    I actually refuse to comment on posts of being under goal in calories if there are no servings of produce in it. I know I eat TOO MUCH fruit but, if that's my biggest problem I think it's okay.
  • yankeefamily05
    yankeefamily05 Posts: 657
    There are a lot of reasons people might have difficulty incorporating fresh foods into their diaries. For some it's an issue of availability, some a financial issue and for others a question of time crunch and/or preparation.

    Rather than criticizing, perhaps you can try to offer up some suggestions as to how to achieve a healthier diet and incorporate natural foods into one's menu?

    Seems to me that that approach would be far better received than the one you're taking.


    This is true too. Often I am stretching my dollars for fresh food. It isn't easy, but I try to make it work. No one is perfect. I also find that if I cut out processed foods all together, I will cave and eat a ton of it. So I do try to incorporate processed a few days a week. It helps my budget, but its still healthier than what I ate before! Trust me on that one.
  • dreanance
    dreanance Posts: 246
    How about snacking on yogurt/nuts/fruit/raw veggies/hummus/tahini/nut butters/edamame instead of chips or processed "bars". Packing a lunch to take to work... maybe a salad, sandwhich thin sandwhich, cottage cheese/advacado/salsa/wrap, hummus and veggie wrap or left overs from the night before? Making dinners at home, tomorrow I'm making stuffed zucchini, today I had a veggie paella.

    As for cost, perhaps it is more expensive however I am faaaaaaar from well off and consider my weekly food shopping as an investment in my health and choose to save money in other ways (rent, clothes, vacations).
  • WifeMomDVM
    WifeMomDVM Posts: 1,025 Member
    I try not to judge - when I first joined MFP - I didn't know better - honestly. It's a process. Many newbies need only to have more time and to educate themselves.

    Here's a WONDERFUL link that someone gave me when I first joined MFP. It really helps you make the switch from processed to clean - though I admit - I'm only 75-95% clean. :blushing:

    http://www.extremely-fit.com/fitness-tips/2011/01/8week-transition-diet/
  • Pebble321
    Pebble321 Posts: 6,423 Member
    You're making a pretty big generalisation there - you will find lots of people whose diaries are full of real food - like mine!
    There are some processed snacks In my diary, but the majority is "real" food.
  • babyblake11
    babyblake11 Posts: 1,107 Member
    i always have 1 salad and veggies everyday. and at least 2 pieces of fruit and a serving of yogurt, theyre all good! my only problem is that i like muesli bars and stuff (i try to get the most natural ones) and at the moment iim eating instant oat sachets instead of the more natural ones, but as soon as theyre all gone im switching :) im happy most of the time with what i eat.
  • yeabby
    yeabby Posts: 643 Member
    There are a lot of reasons people might have difficulty incorporating fresh foods into their diaries. For some it's an issue of availability, some a financial issue and for others a question of time crunch and/or preparation.

    Rather than criticizing, perhaps you can try to offer up some suggestions as to how to achieve a healthier diet and incorporate natural foods into one's menu?

    Seems to me that that approach would be far better received than the one you're taking.

    You may try going to produce stands for your produce. I've set up a relationship with my local stand. He saves produce that is nearly too ripe to sell for me. He gives it to me for 1/2, or more, off. As long as I get it home and in the fridge it lasts just fine until I use it.

    This is true too. Often I am stretching my dollars for fresh food. It isn't easy, but I try to make it work. No one is perfect. I also find that if I cut out processed foods all together, I will cave and eat a ton of it. So I do try to incorporate processed a few days a week. It helps my budget, but its still healthier than what I ate before! Trust me on that one.
  • ♥xenawarriorprincess♥
    ♥xenawarriorprincess♥ Posts: 440 Member
    I eat mostly fresh fruit and veggies, lean meats, gluten free foods, and only a small amount of processed foods...I know I feel better eating closer to nature
  • emmerrs
    emmerrs Posts: 158 Member
    I try not to judge - when I first joined MFP - I didn't know better - honestly. It's a process. Many newbies need only to have more time and to educate themselves.

    Here's a WONDERFUL link that someone gave me when I first joined MFP. It really helps you make the switch from processed to clean - though I admit - I'm only 75-95% clean. :blushing:

    http://www.extremely-fit.com/fitness-tips/2011/01/8week-transition-diet/

    That link IS wonderful!! Thank you for posting :)
  • Mucky_Duck
    Mucky_Duck Posts: 73
    I home-cook every meal and if I eat out it is only ever to have coffee or a smoothie when out with a friend. I always want to laugh though at my flatmate's mother who whenever she is over and im in the kitchen expresses big amazement that I'm being so "good" and making my own meals. I never thought it was all that unusual... but I'm starting to learn I probably take whole foods a little further than most of my student/working/flatting circle.
  • szczepj
    szczepj Posts: 422
    There are a lot of reasons people might have difficulty incorporating fresh foods into their diaries. For some it's an issue of availability, some a financial issue and for others a question of time crunch and/or preparation.

    Rather than criticizing, perhaps you can try to offer up some suggestions as to how to achieve a healthier diet and incorporate natural foods into one's menu?

    Seems to me that that approach would be far better received than the one you're taking.

    Agreed, as a college student only being able to eat what's on campus because of the meal plan I find it extremely hard to get out of the 'processed food' department, considering that
    s the majority of what's available here.

    I also think that this website is suppose to be about helping each other and doing the best we can. I'm highly offended by your post.
  • taem
    taem Posts: 495 Member
    There are a lot of reasons people might have difficulty incorporating fresh foods into their diaries. For some it's an issue of availability, some a financial issue and for others a question of time crunch and/or preparation.

    Rather than criticizing, perhaps you can try to offer up some suggestions as to how to achieve a healthier diet and incorporate natural foods into one's menu?

    Seems to me that that approach would be far better received than the one you're taking.


    This is true too. Often I am stretching my dollars for fresh food. It isn't easy, but I try to make it work. No one is perfect. I also find that if I cut out processed foods all together, I will cave and eat a ton of it. So I do try to incorporate processed a few days a week. It helps my budget, but its still healthier than what I ate before! Trust me on that one.

    Potatoes, onions, oatmeal, bean sprouts, broccoli, frozen 1 lb veggies and dark collard green bags are affordable and are great for you. Fresh produce markets usually have a cart where they sell bell peppers and such at a reduced price because you have to eat them the same day. Some places have specials on dry beans.

    There are plenty of ways to eat on the cheap and healthy, you just have to go and look. Feel free to look at my diary. You will see that I eat simply and inexpensively. I do buy some supplements but I feel that it is worth the money when I am in a pinch. Fiber is something I will always buy because it is the best way to stop me from binging. That ultimately means I pay for fiber and don't pay for the cookies or ice cream.

    I am always looking for great deals and as long as I am not picky, I can find that I eat well and cheaply.
  • milaxx
    milaxx Posts: 1,122 Member
    Not mine & I've long since stop worrying about other people's food choices.
  • milaxx
    milaxx Posts: 1,122 Member
    There are a lot of reasons people might have difficulty incorporating fresh foods into their diaries. For some it's an issue of availability, some a financial issue and for others a question of time crunch and/or preparation.

    Rather than criticizing, perhaps you can try to offer up some suggestions as to how to achieve a healthier diet and incorporate natural foods into one's menu?

    Seems to me that that approach would be far better received than the one you're taking.

    I get what you are saying but sadly this is a myth. It's actually cheaper to buy/eat fresh or at the very least frozen, and if you organize yourself it doesn't take more time than making the processed stuff. I do food prep once a week. Cut veg for salads, make a pot of bean, a pot of brown rice or whatever grain I plan to eat & boil half dozen eggs. Throughout the week none of my meals take more than 15mins to prepare. I shop on sale, clip coupons and shop with a list so I don't waste time in the market and can stretch my food dollar.
  • driventotheend
    driventotheend Posts: 20
    I think it is easier at first to track processed foods because they have labels and nutrition facts and most of them are already entered into the system. MFP has a fantastic recipe builder but it does require more time and effort to enter in a recipe than it does to enter in a packaged food. I cook from scratch a lot so I make good use of the recipe builder and it is great. I think the longer that I am on here, the easier it will get because I will be building up my personal recipe database.

    Anyway, I eat real food AND I eat plenty of food (1800-2300 cals/day). I see so many diaries where people are eating less than half of what I eat, and I really can't relate. I make meals and I eat them!
  • eveunderground
    eveunderground Posts: 236 Member
    I think many people start out by counting calories, which allows them to eat whatever they're used to (lots of processed stuff, but just less of it)....then they gradually realize that eating whole foods will allow them to actually eat a larger quantity of food than if they eat the processed stuff...and that's when they make that shift.

    That's how it went for me anyway. It's often difficult to make the jump directly from eating lots of processed food to eating mostly unprocessed food. And really as long as in the end you get to a point where you're eating the healthy stuff, it's all good.

    So basically, everyone has to start somewhere...
  • bgmunoz
    bgmunoz Posts: 24 Member
    I just started adding fruits and veggies to my diet and taking out all the junk. It's like u all say, it's hard! But it's a process and a journey, right? After all, it doesn't matter if u loose the weight if u don't fallow a healthy life style. it's a battle that as an individual u must make on ur own. I agree that eating fruits and veggies is cheaper but it gets boring if u don't know what to do with it (my problem) and I personally have a hard time reaching net calories BUT this post and it's comments have helped :) I would appreciate any support on this new path if anyone wants to add me :)
  • Samantha402
    Samantha402 Posts: 16
    I have to say that I am completely guilty of being one of the newbies some of you guys are talking about. I just started counting calories and yes, most of everything i eat is processed or easy to make. So I am just eating what I used to but just less of whatever it is.
    I enjoy reading these kind of discussions because I am learning new things everyday!
    Thanks everyone :-)
This discussion has been closed.

Categories