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If you have time

taramaureen
taramaureen Posts: 569 Member
edited November 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
I was wondering if anyone would mind going through my diary and help me improve my meals . I'm pretty good about staying within my macros (today's an exception) but I'm always looking to improve. Keep in mind I DO NOT want to go paleo, so the whole carb thing (rice, tortillas, etc.) are there to stay. Also I only drink water except for odwalla juice here and there which I log.

Replies

  • taramaureen
    taramaureen Posts: 569 Member
    bump
  • taramaureen
    taramaureen Posts: 569 Member
    bump
  • taramaureen
    taramaureen Posts: 569 Member
    bump
  • kleighsamboer
    kleighsamboer Posts: 250
    If I am going to be honest, you won't like my suggestions. You can always take a look at my food journal if you like.
  • nutandbutter
    nutandbutter Posts: 447
    If I am going to be honest, you won't like my suggestions. You can always take a look at my food journal if you like.

    Yours isn't open to everyone.
  • nutandbutter
    nutandbutter Posts: 447
    I was wondering if anyone would mind going through my diary and help me improve my meals . I'm pretty good about staying within my macros (today's an exception) but I'm always looking to improve. Keep in mind I DO NOT want to go paleo, so the whole carb thing (rice, tortillas, etc.) are there to stay. Also I only drink water except for odwalla juice here and there which I log.

    I think most people don't understand what you're looking for here. Are you stalled? Also, I looked through a week and you have been low on protein every day.
  • macnotes
    macnotes Posts: 210 Member
    Just a quick look here; I'm finding that many of your food choices, although low in calories, are lacking in nutritional "bulk". Your body might not know what to do with the building blocks you're giving it (buttery spread, overly processed white flour items) and so it will affect how your body works. I would suggest you go for more fresh vegetables and fruits, and I agree, possibly more "bulked" up carbs, like grains and beans. Give your body more to work with and it will appreciate it!
  • taramaureen
    taramaureen Posts: 569 Member
    I was wondering if anyone would mind going through my diary and help me improve my meals . I'm pretty good about staying within my macros (today's an exception) but I'm always looking to improve. Keep in mind I DO NOT want to go paleo, so the whole carb thing (rice, tortillas, etc.) are there to stay. Also I only drink water except for odwalla juice here and there which I log.

    I think most people don't understand what you're looking for here. Are you stalled? Also, I looked through a week and you have been low on protein every day.

    Ah I probably should have made myself more clear sorry :embarassed: Yes I'm stalled. I haven't really lost anything in a long time. My scale FINALLY moved last week, only to shoot right back up. I guess I'm wondering what I'm doing so very wrong.

    What are ways I can encorperate my protien?
  • taramaureen
    taramaureen Posts: 569 Member
    If I am going to be honest, you won't like my suggestions. You can always take a look at my food journal if you like.

    I really don't mind the suggestions, if I don't like what you have to say I just won't use them.
  • taramaureen
    taramaureen Posts: 569 Member
    Just a quick look here; I'm finding that many of your food choices, although low in calories, are lacking in nutritional "bulk". Your body might not know what to do with the building blocks you're giving it (buttery spread, overly processed white flour items) and so it will affect how your body works. I would suggest you go for more fresh vegetables and fruits, and I agree, possibly more "bulked" up carbs, like grains and beans. Give your body more to work with and it will appreciate it!

    I don't see where you're seeing white flour items... I don't eat flour as I'm gluten free. But I can try some more grains and beans :D
  • taramaureen
    taramaureen Posts: 569 Member
    Just a quick look here; I'm finding that many of your food choices, although low in calories, are lacking in nutritional "bulk". Your body might not know what to do with the building blocks you're giving it (buttery spread, overly processed white flour items) and so it will affect how your body works. I would suggest you go for more fresh vegetables and fruits, and I agree, possibly more "bulked" up carbs, like grains and beans. Give your body more to work with and it will appreciate it!

    I don't see where you're seeing white flour items... I don't eat flour as I'm gluten free. But I can try some more grains and beans :D

    Never mind, I think you're talking about the mushroom pizza... it's not pizza it's a portobella mushroom with pizza toppings LOL
  • Mmmporkrinds
    Mmmporkrinds Posts: 192
    Maybe try less processed foods/spreads etc?
  • kleighsamboer
    kleighsamboer Posts: 250
    If I am going to be honest, you won't like my suggestions. You can always take a look at my food journal if you like.

    Yours isn't open to everyone.

    haha sorry about that! I fixed it. I thought I had opened it the other day :)
  • taramaureen
    taramaureen Posts: 569 Member
    Maybe try less processed foods/spreads etc?

    What about pure butter? Is that better than like Smart Balance?
  • kleighsamboer
    kleighsamboer Posts: 250
    in my opinion yes. Try Organic Valley organic whipped butter. it has 50 cal. per tblspn. and is unsalted.
  • ChelleDJM
    ChelleDJM Posts: 161
    You seem to stay good on calories. You said you are not getting rid of carbs, but maybe lower them for a couple weeks and see what happens? I would do more greens instead of sandwiches. Just put all of your toppings on a large plate of spinach and add low cal dressing. For protein, the egg whites are awesome. I also love greek yogurt for a protein kick. Play with the diet and mix things up a bit and just see! I don't see any water on the few days that I looked. Are you getting enough water in?
  • taramaureen
    taramaureen Posts: 569 Member
    You seem to stay good on calories. You said you are not getting rid of carbs, but maybe lower them for a couple weeks and see what happens? I would do more greens instead of sandwiches. Just put all of your toppings on a large plate of spinach and add low cal dressing. For protein, the egg whites are awesome. I also love greek yogurt for a protein kick. Play with the diet and mix things up a bit and just see! I don't see any water on the few days that I looked. Are you getting enough water in?

    That's an awesome idea! I did that about a week or so ago with chicken salad and it was yummy I should definitly keep that in mind when making my food.

    Yes, I'm getting plenty of water in, I just don't log it. Perhaps I should start logging it to make sure that I AM getting as much as I think I am in.
  • nutandbutter
    nutandbutter Posts: 447
    I was wondering if anyone would mind going through my diary and help me improve my meals . I'm pretty good about staying within my macros (today's an exception) but I'm always looking to improve. Keep in mind I DO NOT want to go paleo, so the whole carb thing (rice, tortillas, etc.) are there to stay. Also I only drink water except for odwalla juice here and there which I log.

    I think most people don't understand what you're looking for here. Are you stalled? Also, I looked through a week and you have been low on protein every day.

    Ah I probably should have made myself more clear sorry :embarassed: Yes I'm stalled. I haven't really lost anything in a long time. My scale FINALLY moved last week, only to shoot right back up. I guess I'm wondering what I'm doing so very wrong.

    What are ways I can encorperate my protien?

    Egg whites
    Chicken
    Tuna/Fish
    Shrimp
    Pork
    Beef
    Protein Powder

    I opened my food diary so you can see what I do to get my protein numbers up. I've been doing a lot of shakes this week but I normally only have them 1-2x/wk. Also, I figured out my TDEE and eat 200-300 cal's below since I'm in a healthy weight range already. Therefore, I don't record my exercises (I only lift anyway).

    Edit: I'm low on protein today but that's not a normal occurrence either.
  • taramaureen
    taramaureen Posts: 569 Member
    I was wondering if anyone would mind going through my diary and help me improve my meals . I'm pretty good about staying within my macros (today's an exception) but I'm always looking to improve. Keep in mind I DO NOT want to go paleo, so the whole carb thing (rice, tortillas, etc.) are there to stay. Also I only drink water except for odwalla juice here and there which I log.

    I think most people don't understand what you're looking for here. Are you stalled? Also, I looked through a week and you have been low on protein every day.

    Ah I probably should have made myself more clear sorry :embarassed: Yes I'm stalled. I haven't really lost anything in a long time. My scale FINALLY moved last week, only to shoot right back up. I guess I'm wondering what I'm doing so very wrong.

    What are ways I can encorperate my protien?

    Egg whites
    Chicken
    Tuna/Fish
    Shrimp
    Pork
    Beef
    Protein Powder

    I opened my food diary so you can see what I do to get my protein numbers up. I've been doing a lot of shakes this week but I normally only have them 1-2x/wk. Also, I figured out my TDEE and eat 200-300 cal's below since I'm in a healthy weight range already. Therefore, I don't record my exercises (I only lift anyway).

    Edit: I'm low on protein today but that's not a normal occurrence either.

    Thank ya much!
  • sloew
    sloew Posts: 106 Member
    Maybe try less processed foods/spreads etc?

    What about pure butter? Is that better than like Smart Balance?

    What about coconut oil? I use that in replacement of most of my butter/oils. Healthier than butter.
  • rookmb
    rookmb Posts: 84
    Hi there...

    I glanced at your food journal and a few things popped out.

    First of all, you're not getting enough protein. Second, your salt intake is way over your daily allowance and so are your sugars.

    It's one thing to keep true to your calories, but it's also important to use the guide at the bottom where your totals are. You could be retaining a lot of fluid.
  • taramaureen
    taramaureen Posts: 569 Member
    Thanks for all the suggestions! I have definitly not been tracking my sodium and will start to do so from now on.
  • robot_potato
    robot_potato Posts: 1,535 Member
    it looks pretty good. what i would change is making the oatmeal from scratch, very little effort required, and more nutritional bang for your calorie buck. i make a batch at the beginning of the work week and just pull it out of the fridge to make for breakfast as i am short on time. try adding berries and or yogurt for the sweet & creamy goodness instead of cream and butter.
    also the peanut butter, i would use one made from just peanuts, yours has hydrogenated oils and molasses in it, totally unnecessary.
    low calorie foods are fine for keeping in your calories, but i find they are usually over processed and lack nutritional value. i eat regular calorie foods, just less of them. i try to keep my protein and fiber high, and eat lots of fruit and veg.
    also the sodium is way high. the setting on mfp i find is higher than one needs/ should have. i try to keep the sodium low and drink lots of water as it helps flush sodium out and cuts water retention.
    sorry, i don't mean to be critical, i'm not perfect either. this is what helps me, maybe it will work for you.
  • taramaureen
    taramaureen Posts: 569 Member
    it looks pretty good. what i would change is making the oatmeal from scratch, very little effort required, and more nutritional bang for your calorie buck. i make a batch at the beginning of the work week and just pull it out of the fridge to make for breakfast as i am short on time. try adding berries and or yogurt for the sweet & creamy goodness instead of cream and butter.
    also the peanut butter, i would use one made from just peanuts, yours has hydrogenated oils and molasses in it, totally unnecessary.
    low calorie foods are fine for keeping in your calories, but i find they are usually over processed and lack nutritional value. i eat regular calorie foods, just less of them. i try to keep my protein and fiber high, and eat lots of fruit and veg.
    also the sodium is way high. the setting on mfp i find is higher than one needs/ should have. i try to keep the sodium low and drink lots of water as it helps flush sodium out and cuts water retention.
    sorry, i don't mean to be critical, i'm not perfect either. this is what helps me, maybe it will work for you.

    Thank you for your imput, very helpful! You're not being critical at all, I asked for advice :smile:
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