Keeping it healthy.

[captain spaulding]

For the past 3 months or so I have completely changed my eating habits. I have gone complete health nut status. No fast food, no soda, nothing processed and the most important part is cutting back on portions. A large portion of what I eat is Vegan or Raw. I feel so much better and have taken off over 50lbs. I'm sitting at about 145lb - 150lb on any given day. I was 200+. I just wanted to start a thread where we can discuss healthy food options. Share our favorite recipes or health foods and give support to anyone who is struggling to live a healthier life. One thing I heard at a old job I worked at was "every meal is a choice". That quote really stuck with me and I take it very seriously. Every time you sit down to eat please think about your meal choice and the impact it has on your body. Simply doing that can change your outlook on what you eat. Anyways, I don't want to sit here and preach to everyone about how they should be eating. I have some running around to do but will post later with a few things I have been eating lately you guys and gals may want to try. 

[Zhenchok]

Congrats on the weight loss its a huge deal and very difficult to do.  I eat healhty but my issue is portion control, i'm always hungry.  When you say raw do you raw meat as well?  Whats your typical daily meal schedule?  I need to drop about 15-20 lbs.

[pfrsantos]

Congrats on the weight loss its a huge deal and very difficult to do.  I eat healhty but my issue is portion control, i'm always hungry.  When you say raw do you raw meat as well?  Whats your typical daily meal schedule?  I need to drop about 15-20 lbs.

That's easy!

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Send me all your multis and knives. Bet you you loose more than 20lbs.

 

[Don Pablo]

Keep your favorite fruit and veggies around for snacks. 
I like carrots and peppers and such, more than bananas. 

Congrats on the weight loss its a huge deal and very difficult to do.  I eat healhty but my issue is portion control, i'm always hungry.  When you say raw do you raw meat as well?  Whats your typical daily meal schedule?  I need to drop about 15-20 lbs.

That's easy!

Show content

Send me all your multis and knives. Bet you you loose more than 20lbs.

 

[AimlessWanderer]

I don't do vegan or raw, but I do cook a lot of meals from fresh ingredients in bulk due to cost. My diet is on the whole quite balanced, and I use very little salt in my cooking. Here's a selection of some of the types of meals I cook in bulk in the slow cooker, for using as "ready meals" at a later date:

Sausage and bean casserole
Chilli (with beef only accounting for about 1/5 of the bulk)
Chicken Soup
Vegetable soups (including sweet potato and coriander, pumpkin, spicy tomato and carrot, red cabbage and beetroot)
Chicken curry (dahl type sauce)
Sweet potato and chickpea curry
Beef stew

I also cook a lot of meat and root veg dishes in a shallow cast iron casserole. Line the bottom with carrot and/or potato, drop the meat (usually chicken, lamb, or pork) in the centre. Surround with sweet potato, parsnip and onion, plenty of herbs and garlic if I have some, and cook slowly in a low oven. The veggies cook in their own juices and the meat juices.
 

I do eat bacon and fried eggs and other comfort foods, but they're not the mainstay of my intake. My cholesterol is fine (it's been checked), though I could probably do with losing about a stone or so (6 or 7kg) but that's more due to inactivity than consuming to excess.

Balance is the key IMHO .... I just wish I was as balanced as my diet   

[pfrsantos]

There's plenty of healthy stuff around you can get easily.

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[pfrsantos]

Or you could eat the same things you do, but less of everything...

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[sawman]

I find it nearly impossible to lose weight when I take medications that cause me to gain.

That said, I am happy to hear about your efforts. Keep up the terrific work.

[MadPlumbarian]

Err, this topic..
Me and the Mrs have cut back on A LOT! Due to stress we both just ate and we both hit our highs, I was 212, and dropped all the way to 177, yet have gone back up to 190 because of things, the Mrs(can't say numbers) but she lost over 160lbs, again with problems and a bunch of Rx has gained some back, and she's having a hard time losing it, right on a couple of the Rx it says has a side effect of weight gain! So as low as she keeps her calories, like under 1000 for one day, if she doesn't do her workout can or will go up,, and now that she sprained her ankle is kinda screwed! Me on the other hand, well I'm just lazy, don't get me wrong I do a lot of walking but I've pretty much have staid the same, if I was to start doing some workouts I'd probably start dropping, but again, I'm lazy, that and well I kinda sneak a little junk every once and a while like a Twinkie, but no soda or candy bars, food wise we try to keep it good, salads, and sandwiches once a week to cut back. The Mrs even found things to cut back even further, like for sandwiches uses a better low calorie bread, salads the same on dressing, same on other things, use the lowner calorie ones.. other then that, that's pretty much it, I guess I should start doing some workouts to start losing, but if I do and the Mrs can't I'd feel pretty bad, so Idk..
JR

[sawman]

You hit the nail on the head MP. Some of us are just destined to be fat. Even if we quit eating and trust me when I don't eat enough I feel like total poop.

[captain spaulding]

Congrats on the weight loss its a huge deal and very difficult to do.  I eat healhty but my issue is portion control, i'm always hungry.  When you say raw do you raw meat as well?  Whats your typical daily meal schedule?  I need to drop about 15-20 lbs.

I do not mean raw meat. I mean raw foods such as greens, coconut oils, turmeric, and mainly nuts. I NEVER eat roasted and/or salted nuts.

As far as always being hungry that will be something you will have to overcome for the first few weeks to a month. After that if you have cut down your portions and stick to those cut down portions your stomach will actually shrink and you will not feel that hunger. You will actually feel full from small amounts of food. If you break your portion control and stuff your face one night you will be stretching your stomach out and the next morning you will feel hungrier than ever which will make you over eat every meal after that. I know it's hard at first but once you get into the correct eating habits and your stomach shrinks down it is actually quite easy and very enjoyable.

My meal schedule goes roughly like this.



Morning - Smoothie or a spinach salad.

If it is a smoothie I usually use frozen fruit. Basically any frozen fruit you put toghether will taste amazing but I stick with Blueberries, mango, pineapple, peach, blackberries, and raspberries. I normally pick three fruits and use those for a smoothie. Add the frozen fruit to the blender. Get a quality orange juice with no sugar added. I also add Raw organic Chia seeds. Blend all toghether and you have a amazingly tasty and healthy meal. You can substitute the OJ for Almond milk or mix the two. Preferably unsweetened original as it is only 30 calories per serving which is basically nothing.

If it is a salad I have been buying these prepackaged salads from a local grocery store. It is a Spinach salad with almonds, cranberries, and egg. Spinach is a green we should eat each and every single day. It is better for you than the covented Kale and taste so much better.


Lunch - I will literally just eat a Cliff Bar. It's 320 calories and completely Organic. If this is not enough for you add some raw Walnuts. Raw Walnuts is another thing that should be eaten daily. These can be substituted with other raw nuts as well.


Dinner - If I am a bit more hungry I will do 1/4 cup Quinoa and a proper portion of salmon. If I want something more sweet I will again do a smoothie but it will be a Blueberry and Peanutbutter smoothie. I only use powdered peanutbutter though. It is much healthier as it has much less sodium. It is also perfect for blending. Add blueberry, peanutbutter, and almond milk in blender. Blend. Then add Fat-Free frozen yogurt and ice cubes. Blend again and your done. It's oh so good. 



This is not what I eat for every single meal every day but it's close. I have a smoothie almost every day. I have a salad almost every day. I also have spinach, blueberries, and chia seeds basically every day. I have also found Turmeric which is a amazing plant/root. It's a proven  cancer fighter and we should all be using it. 


Anyways I could go on forever talking about this stuff so I will stop here for now. If you have any other questions please ask. 

[MusicMen]

Can we set up a "Fat Sharing Center" for us underweight folks? 

I could use a good 20 to 30 pounds (only 147 right now.)

[Zhenchok]

Thats a great meal plan, I mostly eat like this, but have a hard time staying on route.  I end up eating a lot more if the food I make is delicious.  I was always told your food should not be eaten to be enjoyed.  I do put tumeric and cayan pepper into everything I eat.  Its very healthy to add spices. 

[MadPlumbarian]

One thing we were looking into was popcorn, get one of those air poppers and then for flavoring rather then dumping melter butter, but those 0 cal powders, there a bunch of diff flav so you'll not have the same thing everyday,, but this will be something to snack on and hold us off till the meal..
JR 

[captain spaulding]

Thats a great meal plan, I mostly eat like this, but have a hard time staying on route.  I end up eating a lot more if the food I make is delicious.  I was always told your food should not be eaten to be enjoyed.  I do put tumeric and cayan pepper into everything I eat.  Its very healthy to add spices.

Something that may help you is this. When eating a meal eat 1/4 of your plate. Stop and walk away for 15 minutes. If you are still hungry eat another 1/4. It takes 15 minutes for your stomach to tell your brain you are full and for most people they have already eaten to much by that time. Just remember, if you physically feel full while you are still eating you have already eaten way to much.

[Zhenchok]

completely agree, and Im aware of this.  problem is my brain still tells me this is delicious keep eating

[captain spaulding]

completely agree, and Im aware of this.  problem is my brain still tells me this is delicious keep eating

I get it. I had this problem..... well my entire life and occasionally still do. I have always been a overeater and would know I am eating way to much but did not care because it tasted good and was a comfort thing. People use food just like any drug. We use it to comfort us in hard times. We have to look at food like people once did and see it as our medicine. I truly believe we can heal our bodies with food. For every plant or insect that can hurt you there is another plant that can heal you. All these plants are here for a purpose and we need to utilize them more efficiently and properly. (I feel like such a hippie right now, haha). Anyways, don't see the food you eat as something that just taste good or as a comfort. Think of it as your medicine and something you put in your body to nourish you. Like I said before "every meal is a choice". It really helped me to say that to myself each and every time I chose what and how much I was going to eat.

[Zhenchok]

Completely agree, this is why I put a lot of spices into my food and learned how the various spices are good for you.  Tumeric and Cayenne pepper are probably the best ones out there and should be included in every meal.  As well as drinking green tea regularly, and not from the tea bags but the real leaf kind.

[captain spaulding]

If you really want the full benefits of Turmeric eat it raw or get raw Turmeric root and cook with that. The process of making Turmeric into powder or a spice removes the Curcumin which is very important. Without the Curcumin your body does not absorb the Turmeric and it literally goes right through you. Some of the powdered Turmeric adds the Curcumin back in but I personally like to consume it raw as that is the way it was intended. I use the Turmeric spice as well just because I like the flavor in certain dishes. The only downside is Turmeric stains everything orange. Even my toothbrush turned orange one night after eating some raw Turmeric. Haha. 

Sorry if you already know all this. I just figure I would tell you or anyone else reading. Knowledge is power. 

[Aloha]

Way to go Capt. 

[ThePeacent]

Completely agree, this is why I put a lot of spices into my food and learned how the various spices are good for you.  Tumeric and Cayenne pepper are probably the best ones out there and should be included in every meal.  As well as drinking green tea regularly, and not from the tea bags but the real leaf kind.

Parsley, Paprika, Turmeric, Curcumin, Curry powder, Cayenne, Cinnamon, Cumin seeds, Sesame seeds, etc. all have lots of nutrients and add amazing flavour and essence to the foods, and combining them is the best to absorb the most minerals and vitamins all at once.

and MusicMen, I'm gonna tell you something. I have gained 12kgs (about 25 lbs.) in the three last months after a whole life of eating non processed, raw and organic foods. My medication helped to it, (antidepressants) and my doctor told me to gain some weight to improve my health and the effect of the medicines.

I started eating slightly more processed foods, added salt to my diet (apart from the naturally occurring salts in the vegetables, meats and so that I ate) and changed part of my vegetables and greens for dairy and high-protein foods (turkey, tuna, salmon).
Also swapped leafy greens (spinach, kale, broccoli, cauliflower,asparagus, swiss chard, artichokes, squash) for more starchy ones (pumpkin, sweet potato, peas) and the mostly watery fruits (apples, strawberries, peaches, kiwi) for more high-energy and fat ones (avocados, papaya, mango). I truly feel much heavier, I am hot all day (as opposed to being always cold all my life before) and I also feel more energetic, that's true.
In three months I steadily increased about 1-3 lbs a week and now settled at a much higher weight than ever before.
Only problem is, now at 25lbs heavier I'm still hungry all day and I don't feel like I'm gonna stop eating this way and gaining... 

[Syncop8r]

That's awesome Cap. 
I have made changes over the last year but nothing on that magnitude. I have always had a sweet tooth (what's left of them) eg: always eating chocolate, having biscuits (cookies).
I would have a biscuit each time I have a cup of tea, except I wouldn't stop at one, I would have four or five. So I just stopped buying them. Instead I get bags of nuts (I look for just nuts on the ingredients, not all the other crap they put in) and seeds and snack on them (as well as fruit). Also I have stopped eating breakfast cereals loaded with hidden sugar and have porridge instead. (I haven't drunk soda or juice in a loooong time) I have lost quite a bit of fat since doing this.
I still have a 'treat' every now and then. If I do have some added sugar I would much rather it came in the form of something tasty like a piece of cake rather than hidden in something which is marketed as "healthy".

[Gerhard Gerber]

Congrats on the weightloss......but I believe the way you feel now is the real payback.

I've gained back 25% of the weight that I lost (10kg of 40kg) simply due to eating a few more of the wrong things and a lot less exercise - I used to have a 10 minute walk to my car, so that means 40 minutes of brisk walking a day that I'm no longer getting.

In my case, sugar and carbs (bread specifically) in general are my big problem.
Refined sugar no longer enters my body, but I do still eat fruit etc........I struggle with the vegetables I'm supposed to eat.

One golden rule that hasn't disappointed me is eating whole foods......meaning if I eat meat, it's an unprocessed piece of meat........not a sausage with who knows what in.
Same for everything - don't eat an energy bar with a bunch of healthy stuff in.......stuck together with poison! 

[AimlessWanderer]

Having been to the hospital today for yet more tests, I decided based on this thread that I really ought to pay more attention when I got weighed.

Weight duly noted, I looked up my ideal weight for my height when I got home (knowing it's pretty much arbitrary anyway), and after a year of being inactive, I am the grand total of 4.5kg over my ideal weight range. I don't consider that I'm doing too much wrong on that basis (especially as my cholesterol has been given the thumbs up too). If I could get about more, I'd easily be within range.

I don't see eating any more healthily will be any guarantee of better health, however it probably would make me more miserable, so I think I'll stick to what I'm doing now 

[Aloha]

Guys its not just overall weight.  Muscle to fat is important as well. 

[jzmtl]

Losing weight is easy, I've been doing it for the past 15 years. 

Eating healthy I have no problem with, it's eating less that's hard, I will literally go crazy when I'm starving and wolf down anything I can get my hands on. Been trying to lose 20 lbs for ages but could never do it.

[Syncop8r]

I don't see eating any more healthily will be any guarantee of better health, however it probably would make me more miserable, so I think I'll stick to what I'm doing now 

Well we can't have that! 

[El Corkscrew]

For the past 3 months or so I have completely changed my eating habits. I have gone complete health nut status. No fast food, no soda, nothing processed and the most important part is cutting back on portions. A large portion of what I eat is Vegan or Raw. I feel so much better and have taken off over 50lbs. I'm sitting at about 145lb - 150lb on any given day. I was 200+. I just wanted to start a thread where we can discuss healthy food options. Share our favorite recipes or health foods and give support to anyone who is struggling to live a healthier life. One thing I heard at a old job I worked at was "every meal is a choice". That quote really stuck with me and I take it very seriously. Every time you sit down to eat please think about your meal choice and the impact it has on your body. Simply doing that can change your outlook on what you eat. Anyways, I don't want to sit here and preach to everyone about how they should be eating. I have some running around to do but will post later with a few things I have been eating lately you guys and gals may want to try. 

That's awesome, man. 

Funny, I've KINDA been doing the same thing.  I still eat fast food every once in a while but it's either El Pollo Loco baked chicken or grilled Chik Fil A chicken... mostly  because I lack discipline and don't plan ahead enough.    Big thing for me was cutting out soda and portion control.  Now the thought of eating meals as large as I used to is unsettling.

[captain spaulding]

For the past 3 months or so I have completely changed my eating habits. I have gone complete health nut status. No fast food, no soda, nothing processed and the most important part is cutting back on portions. A large portion of what I eat is Vegan or Raw. I feel so much better and have taken off over 50lbs. I'm sitting at about 145lb - 150lb on any given day. I was 200+. I just wanted to start a thread where we can discuss healthy food options. Share our favorite recipes or health foods and give support to anyone who is struggling to live a healthier life. One thing I heard at a old job I worked at was "every meal is a choice". That quote really stuck with me and I take it very seriously. Every time you sit down to eat please think about your meal choice and the impact it has on your body. Simply doing that can change your outlook on what you eat. Anyways, I don't want to sit here and preach to everyone about how they should be eating. I have some running around to do but will post later with a few things I have been eating lately you guys and gals may want to try. 

That's awesome, man. 

Funny, I've KINDA been doing the same thing.  I still eat fast food every once in a while but it's either El Pollo Loco baked chicken or grilled Chik Fil A chicken... mostly  because I lack discipline and don't plan ahead enough.    Big thing for me was cutting out soda and portion control.  Now the thought of eating meals as large as I used to is unsettling.

I know how you feel. When I think about the portions and type of food I was consuming it makes me shake my head in disgust. That type of food does nothing but harm to your body and has no positive effect. It's still nice occasionally but it's a once a month thing, no more than that.