The diet (or healthy eating) thread

[Arkitech]

I've been working out for about a month and a half now, I've seen some positive results but lately my weight loss has stalled. I pretty much know for a fact that its due to my diet, I need to really eat better meals and cut out the junk food and sweets. Since there are other people out there with the same problem as me I figured a thread dedicated to healthy recipes and meal choices might inspire me and other people to stay healthy.


So first question for the knowledgable ones: Is it true that salad has no nutritional value? I heard someone say that before and I hope its not true because I plan on eating a lot of salad in the coming months.

My second question is what's a good way to cook meats (steaks, pork chops, chicken, etc.) without using sauces loaded with calories and fats? Generally speaking I hate eating meat with no seasoning or sauce, but unfortunately a lot of sauces are terrible for someone trying to lose weight.

 

[squirtle24]

There are a lot of low-cal seasonings that you can use for cooking. Herbs, salt, pepper, lemon, vinegar, worstershire, soy sauce... I guess you have to avoid marinades with sugar, along with recipes that call for a lot of oil and butter. I guess that just means the food won't taste as good(because fatty = good taste most of the time). I only use these seasonings when I cook meat, though, and I can live with it. Beef is good because it's beef.

Your average salad is not very high on the nutrition scale because people load it with lettuce, which doesn't really do much for you. I think if you put a variety of greens on your salads, they will be a lot more useful.

 

[Ns1]

and cut out the junk food

'

you alreayd know what your major problem is

 

[weezergirl]

Originally posted by: Arkitech
I've been working out for about a month and a half now, I've seen some positive results but lately my weight loss has stalled. I pretty much know for a fact that its due to my diet, I need to really eat better meals and cut out the junk food and sweets. Since there are other people out there with the same problem as me I figured a thread dedicated to healthy recipes and meal choices might inspire me and other people to stay healthy.


So first question for the knowledgable ones: Is it true that salad has no nutritional value? I heard someone say that before and I hope its not true because I plan on eating a lot of salad in the coming months.

My second question is what's a good way to cook meats (steaks, pork chops, chicken, etc.) without using sauces loaded with calories and fats? Generally speaking I hate eating meat with no seasoning or sauce, but unfortunately a lot of sauces are terrible for someone trying to lose weight.

Try spinach salad! That's what I switched to. Supposed to be a lot healthier.

 

[crt1530]

Lettuce has no nutritional value. Spinach, bell peppers, and berries will taste good in a salad and are some of the most nutrient-dense foods you can find. The reason many people discount salads is that they are most often used as a salad dressing transport device.

 

[Excelsior]

Originally posted by: weezergirl

Originally posted by: Arkitech
I've been working out for about a month and a half now, I've seen some positive results but lately my weight loss has stalled. I pretty much know for a fact that its due to my diet, I need to really eat better meals and cut out the junk food and sweets. Since there are other people out there with the same problem as me I figured a thread dedicated to healthy recipes and meal choices might inspire me and other people to stay healthy.


So first question for the knowledgable ones: Is it true that salad has no nutritional value? I heard someone say that before and I hope its not true because I plan on eating a lot of salad in the coming months.

My second question is what's a good way to cook meats (steaks, pork chops, chicken, etc.) without using sauces loaded with calories and fats? Generally speaking I hate eating meat with no seasoning or sauce, but unfortunately a lot of sauces are terrible for someone trying to lose weight.

Try spinach salad! That's what I switched to. Supposed to be a lot healthier.

Spinach saladn PWNS YOU! Baby spinach not only tastes good, but is much better for you than lettuce.

 

[Geekbabe]

It's easy,everytime you think of taking a bite of food just imagine yourself naked....you'll be eating like a bird in no time.

 

[Arkitech]

Thanks for the advice guys, keep it coming. I think I'll be picking up some spinach salad tonite.

 

[skace]

I think salads are a waste. It is better to have something like a cooked dinner... like chicken w/ vegetables on the side. With salads, you are likely to douse it in dressing just to make it taste good.

 

[Red Dawn]

Originally posted by: skace
I think salads are a waste. It is better to have something like a cooked dinner... like chicken w/ vegetables on the side. With salads, you are likely to douse it in dressing just to make it taste good.

The salads I make don't need dressing. Salt and Pepper is all that is needed. Of course you can use fat free dressing like Honey Dijon (the fat free type) I use Bell Peppers, Cilantro, Pickled Asparagus, Boiled Egg Whites, Tomato and Basil Feta Cheese, Onions (Purple and Scallions) a little Lime Juice, Diced Tomatoes and Salad Olives.

 

[blackdogdeek]

salad doesn't have a lot of nutritional value. however, i don't believe it has a lot of calories either so it's not that big a deal. the only thing is if you get full on it, you deprive yourself of nutrients you could be taking in while getting full on some other food(just watch the calories).

to cook meats healthily try grilling or broiling. some salt/pepper and other herbs and spices will give it more flavor, however i like them fine just plain. nothing better than a plain, grilled steak. salmon on the george foreman grill tastes amazing plain as well. if you don't have an outdoor grill i recommend the george foreman grill. it's pretty easy to clean up and cooks both sides of the meat at the same time which cuts cooking time in half.

this chicken jambalaya recipe is great and you should be able to substitute for the butter to make it healthier. i usually double the recipe and add turkey andouille sausage for some good kick and longer lasting leftovers.

 

[Red Dawn]

Originally posted by: blackdogdeek
salad doesn't have a lot of nutritional value. however, i don't believe it has a lot of calories either so it's not that big a deal. the only thing is if you get full on it, you deprive yourself of nutrients you could be taking in while getting full on some other food(just watch the calories).

to cook meats healthily try grilling or broiling. some salt/pepper and other herbs and spices will give it more flavor, however i like them fine just plain. nothing better than a plain, grilled steak. salmon on the george foreman grill tastes amazing plain as well. if you don't have an outdoor grill i recommend the george foreman grill. it's pretty easy to clean up and cooks both sides of the meat at the same time which cuts cooking time in half.

this chicken jambalaya recipe is great and you should be able to substitute for the butter to make it healthier. i usually double the recipe and add turkey andouille sausage for some good kick and longer lasting leftovers.

Grilling is the best way to cook not only meat but all sorts of Veggies too!

 

[apoppin]

Start w9ith cutting out ALL sugary drinks. That is a huge source of useless calories.

Salads are very nutritious as are most "live" foods.
Try substituting fruit for candy.

 

[madthumbs]

Iceberg lettuce kills rabbits. Check your poop... it doesn't even digest. Romain, leaf, spinache are all much better alternatives and tast much better. You will probably have to give your tastes some time to get used to them as a salad, but soon you may not want iceberg ever again (happened with my sisters and I as well as a few friends).

Cook meats either in a broiler, foreman grill, or outdoor grill until medium. The charring and the juice from it being medium will be plenty of flavor! It took me a while to like medium as well since I was raised on cheap overcooked meat. If you must have seasoning, there's always lemon pepper, pepper, hot pepper mixes, etc. Try a whole bulb of garlic in the broiler or on the grill...peal and mush onto steak, potatos, etc when done.

Everyone has different nutritional needs. We can often crave what we need. People in the arctic eat primarily meat, while closer to the equator they eat primarily fruits and veggies. Climate and genetics are important to consider. If you're trying to lose weight, don't starve yourself of sugars and carbs. These actually can act like a catalyst (like oxygen to a fire) when it comes to fat burning! They give you energy and aid in replenishing muscle glycogen. When glycogen is depleted, you'll feel physically drained and very disinterested in excersize. This is why it's advised to take any excersize program slowly! Not just slowly, but don't starve yourself. If your excersizing, you need more calories not less! Your body's natural reaction to dieting; store fat! Your body prepares itself for famine or "yo-yo dieting" by storing fat. Your metabolism changes based on activity, and diet.

Fat is necessary too! Fat intake can affect hormones. Eat too little of fat, and your body will likely put more on when it can.

Anyway, diets are generally bad. Stay healthy by avoiding hydrogenated oils, artificial sweetners, and any other well known bad stuff.