What the hell do you guys eat?

bixgal · 4 months

One of the guiding principles that helped me lose 10 kilos in a year was eating as 'close to nature' as possible. That is, I try to eat as many fruits, vegetables and unaltered meats (particularly fish and chicken) as possible. A good rule, I find, is the closer it is to the earth or the animal, the healthier it is; accordingly, the more processed the food, the more (generally) unhealthy. Thus: 100g apple > 100g homemade apple strudel > 100g McDonalds apple pie.

The great thing is that fruits, vegetables and nuts are relatively cheap given their nutritinal value. If you can find a good fruit and vegetable shop you should be golden.

ValarDohaeris · 4 months

Recently bought high fiber pasta, only 130cal per serving vs. the usual 200+. I've been using it to make simple dishes with garlic, broccoli, and turkey sausage topped with shredded cheese. Last night I made some pasta and topped it with chicken andouille sausage, white beans, diced tomatoes, and basil. I don't like cooking if it takes me longer than about 20 minutes.

Sub egg whites for eggs. Sub turkey or chicken for beef. Low-carb tortillas + ground turkey = tacos you don't have to feel guilty about. Leek and potato soup, now that I have an immersion blender - it's a TON of food for not very many calories. Most soups in general are pretty good for you unless you start adding heavy cream or go overboard on the starches or fats.

Measure your food. I just got a food scale for $25 and I've been measuring out my cheese and pasta and such so I know EXACTLY what I'm putting in my body and I can account for it better.

blue_lotion · 4 months

I probably eat more bread products than the typical loseit person-I like the Healthy Life bread products. They are like 70 cals for two pieces. I use that for deli chicken sandwiches and low sugar preserves and toast. I'm a huge pita fan; I'll have a grilled chicken sandwich on pita almost once a day. I snack on a piece of fruit or greek yogurt a lot. If I'm out of calories for the day I sip on some broth so I have that I'm eating something savory feeling.

Ok I'm sick tonight and I don't know if I'm making sense. I think I just told you all I eat is bread, yogurt and broth.

slaphappycrapnuts · 4 months

You want a high protein, high fiber diet mixed in with some complex carbohydrates. A cheap way is to eat vegetables and fruit that are in season, along with lots of legumes (beans which are high in fiber and protein and cheap) and eggs. Chicken breasts by the bag are relatively cheap for what you get, and are great to make meals with. Also, check out your weekly sales and you can get some great deals on seafood! Managers choice is also good as long as you plan on eating it that day.

Whole grain pasta mixed with a sauce of diced tomato sauce, some peppers, some mushrooms, and throw in some black beans. (Maybe add some spices like I do. :)) You have a delicious meal and can make some garlic bread to go with it, and even indulge in a glass of red wine.

To break it down, just about anything you cook at home will be better than going out to eat. How do you think they make it so good?

Lets take the calorie content in a chik fil a original sandwich meal plus a cola.

Sandwich: 430 calories medium waffle fries: 390 calories Medium cola (No refill): 170 calories Total: 990 calories

That is one of the lower calorie meals for fast food. Now lets take into consideration a home-cooked meal.

To reach 990 calories you could eat over a pound of porterhouse steak, or 22 and a half cups of green beans, or almost seven cups of red wine. I am just trying to point out that we don't even realize how much we are consuming when we eat fast food. Just breaking away from that would be a major improvement. :)

beefwich · 4 months

Here's a typical day for me.

Breakfast:

Oatmeal (if I want it a little sweetened, I'll add some agave nectar)
A piece of fruit like an apple or orange
1/2 cup of Egg Beaters scrambled eggs
Cup of green tea

Lunch:

I work six days a week, so my lunch is usually something from the Subway next door (6 inch turkey on wheat, no mayo, no cheese). I load it up with veggies like cucumbers and spinach.

Dinner:

5-8oz of lean/heart-healthy protein (tilapia, grilled chicken, salmon)
As much leafy greens or steamed veggies as I can eat.
3-5oz of baked sweet potato

Here's what I don't eat/drink:

Any soda
Anything with processed sugar
Canned soups

Here's what I eat/drink in moderation:

Booze
Red meat
Pasta

nufflesucks · 4 months

Flat out flatbreads. Load one with veggies, chicken breast and hot sauce.

Oatmeal is very filling for breakfast or a snack.

Chicken breast all the time. I cook a bunch of them in the crockpot, shred them, and keep them in a bag in the fridge for easy use.

When I want junk food, I have a baked potato with chicken and buffalo sauce on it. Also, popcorn. When I have calories and fat left for the day, I add butter to the popcorn. When you don't have it regularly, it tastes so good.

DIGGYRULES · 4 months

I, too, was raised on very low-budget foods as well. I don't know how to eat healthily on a budget. I can't buy fruits and veggies that will last the week without going stale. I'd love to eat a salad everyday, but by Wednesday the lettuce is slimy. Ugh.

I guess a good way to start, besides what you are already doing, is to control/manage portion sizes. I don't eat tons of junk, but I don't lose the 20+ pounds I gained when I quit smoking because my portions are too big.

fatmalcontent · 4 months

Lots of protein and green veggies.

Moderate amounts of fruit and nuts and olive / coconut oil.

Small amounts of bread / rice / potatoes and anything made with flour or sugar.

cenedrawood · 4 months

I'm vegetarian, but I eat a lot of vegetables, and fake meat products.

gambit61 · 4 months

Buy the "eat this not that" series, especially the restaurant guide and supermarket guide. They are like Bibles to me.

aviej · 4 months

Even though my parents taught me to eat healthy, I always had a hard time because I love the "shitty fast food." So I developed a few "cheats" that provide a much healthier substitute when I absolutely have to have that unhealthy food taste. I find ways to get similar flavors with less fats by making the foods at home and shopping smart. Here are my two favorite healthier treats:

The "Chocolate Shake"

Instead of the thousands of calories you get from a delicious chocolate shake, this is between 200 and 300 calories: 1. Peel and cut a banana into large chunks. Put the chunks in a zip-loc bag and freeze solid (a few hours). 2. Once the banana chunks are frozen, dump them in your blender along with an individual-sized, chocolate-flavored low-fat or fat-free yogurt (I get mine at Trader Joe's). Blend until smooth. (This could take a while since you're not adding any liquids). 3. Enjoy! note: you can also just blend up plain frozen bananas. They'll look crumby at first but soon will turn creamy in the blender. It's like an ice cream treat. Plus it's loaded with potassium which settles your stomach, so I even eat it before working out.

Pasta!

High-carb pasta dishes are usually a no-no, but when you have to have some, use brown rice pasta from an organic company. It's a whole grain, way better for you than the processed white and wheat pastas, and tastes pretty comparable. I pair this with organic (look for simple ingredients) or a homemade tomato sauce and turkey meatballs. So yummy and so much lower in carbs, fats and starchy nothingness.

Here are some of my best tips:

Eating healthier doesn't necessarily mean sacrificing flavor or all of the foods you like. All you need is a little creativity and sensible thinking to eliminate calories and make healthier options taste better. If you need to have a burger, grill it to eliminate extra fat and skip the bun, keeping the tomatoes and lettuce and low-fat, low-cal condiments. Also, never underestimate the power of seasoning! Low-sodium soy sauce and some toasted sesame seeds turn steamed vegetables into something you actually want to eat. Sprinkling cinnamon in your coffee instead of sugar not only eliminates calories but also adds way more flavor, while naturally helping to regulate your blood sugar throughout the day, which can help prevent overeating due to fluctuations.

When serving yourself, always choose the smaller plate size if available. Then fill half the plate with unbuttered / oiled vegetables. The third quarter should have fresh fruit or another small amount of natural starches. The rest of the plate can be taken up by a card deck-sized cut of meat or other protein.

Eat less and chew more. Your brain actually gets a lot of the satisfaction of eating from the amount of chewing you do. Chew your food more and you'll eat less and be able to curb cravings for seconds better.

I have an inexpensive wok and it's the best thing that ever happened to me. Cooking in it is fun and I stir fry massive amounts of cut-up veggies in just a couple of tablespoons of olive oil.

RHCPlover · 4 months

Ive heard that you can lose at least ten pounds a year I think by just cutting out coke alone. It does help a lot to not eat that stuff. Good luck :)

pyxlated · 4 months

Tons of vegetables, a little bit of meat (most of which is not red meat) and a little bit of this and that else. I haven't really eliminated any one thing from my diet, I've just drastically rebalanced it. Fat-free feta is an excellent way to add flavor and substance to a dish without much compromise. Use aspartame instead of sugar in your coffee. (You don't necessarily have to replace all sugar in your diet, but that morning coffee is an insidious source of sugar that can make a huge difference once it's gone.) Use olive oil instead of butter. If you're desperate for a candy fix, try baking with carob chips instead of chocolate. A sweet snack is 1 tbsp of peanut butter, 1tsp of honey and a sliced up banana. Also, just doing your own cooking in general goes a long way towards controlling your intake. Try not to eat out of you can help it.

vincoug · 4 months

I just have two pieces of advice. What's really important is portion control; if you have a smart phone there are a lot of calorie counters available, definitely pick one up. The other thing is, don't worry about your budget so much. You should discover that, on a per meal basis, you'll end up spending less money then you did when you were eating crappy fast food all the time. Even if you're buying higher end stuff like chops or seafood, as long as you're not trying to eat lobster tail every night, you'll eat better AND save money.

arojay · 4 months

I control portions through calorie counting, and other than that I don't pay particular attention to the contents of what I eat. Other than sugar, which I avoid intentionally consuming. So no candy, cake, donuts, etc. Sugar is empty calories and beyond that, it suppresses your leptin response which tells your brain that you're full and have had enough, so you end up feeling hungry and eating more.

I find that when I'm eating things that are low in calories but still filling, it forces me to eat better. Fruits and vegetables, chicken and turkey instead of beef or pork. I'll still eat cheese (in moderation), bread, and beef, but I never obsess over carbs, fats, gluten, or anything like that. I've lost almost 35 pounds in 3 months doing just that.

SnatchTruck · 4 months

Bacon. Glorious BACON.

upvoteforyouhun · 4 months

Thanks for posting this. I have wondered myself after reading and seeing the success stories on /r/loseit.

My problem is that I'll form a good healthy plan and it will work for a while. After about 1 month or so, I fall off the bandwagon. Does anyone have any tips for that?

Cgod77 · 4 months

look for the paleo post by the user 'infinitydweller' he just wrote a TON about foods that are good for you and your waistline.

iknowthepiecesfit · 4 months

I don't eat sugar and the only carbs I get are from lots of green vegetables. So my staples are high fat and protein items like beef, salmon, eggs, butter, mayo, tuna, cheese and then vegetables like broccoli and spinach.

chadcf · 4 months

Here are some of my staples...

Breakfast: usually nothing but coffee with heavy cream and splenda. Occasionally I eat some eggs or bacon. I am generally not hungry in the morning and follow the adage of not eating when not hungry, which isn't until 11 - 12. In addition skipping the meal makes it easier to hit calorie goals, and there are some likely benefits to intermittent fasting.

Lunch: If I have dinner plans that might involve difficulty in eating less (like going out with friends), I make a protein shake with unsweetened almond milk, sugar free whey protein and green organics powder (made from various greens, for a nice vitamin shot). Otherwise it might be a few hot dogs (I buy natural, hormone free, preservative/nitrate free all beef hot dogs), hamburger patty with cheese on a 100 calorie sandwich thin, dinner leftovers, sliced ham and cheese rolls. Something quick and easy and low carb. I'll usually tack on a green giant just for one veggie package too.

Dinner: varies... On weeks I have my kids, I make proper meals and try to control portions. I'll do things like burritos (which chicken, cheese, whole grain tortilla, skip the rice), mac and cheese (using lower carb pasta) with broccoli, make your own pizza night (I just make my own personal pizza small enough to fit my calorie goals), chicken parmesan with veggies, chicken pot pie, etc. If I'm on my own, it's usually a marinated grilled chicken breast with veggies, or hamburger/hot dog, or a steak. Something reasonably easy to make for one.

For snacks I try to stick to almonds, a little dark chocolate, dried fruit, low sugar greek yoghurt, etc.

CMETRIQ · 4 months

If you are lazy just get some eggwhite powder to make the shakes. Don't need to be any fancy brand. I use one month supply for about 15euro. It will have everything you need but it's cheap and fast to make. Also only has 100cals so good for weight loss. Only remember to do max 2 shakes instead of eating. When times where hard I used to skip 2 meals with the shakes and just had dinner.

zanycaswell · 4 months

Eggs: super cheap, super filling, 80 calories a piece.

[deleted] · 4 months

I've worked as a Chef for the last 10 years with that said..

The only liquid I drink is Water and the Occasional Beer, Breakfast a Banana and nutrigrain bar, Small Turkey Sandwich for lunch: No Mayo, or Sauce.... Dinner a main meal only one dish, Some type of protein and one side.. For Snack maybe some fruit...

I used to be vegan, but wasn't healthy

paintedoranges · 4 months

oatmeal is my favorite breakfast!! make sure to always eat breakfast!!!*

Other ways I find of what to eat: 1) Hungry Girl Cook Books (even if you're a guy, they provide fantastic information about better choices) 2) Weight Watchers forums & website 3) Weight loss geared tumblrs

My favorite foods to eat: grilled chicken breast, hummus, carrots, celery, watermelon, bananas, apples, yogurt, fat free whipped cream, oatmeal, high fiber cereal, zucchini, popcorn (butter flavored :D), soy nut butter (substitute for a peanut allergy), high fiber bread, basically anything high fiber,progresso chicken noodle soup, veggie burgers

cherrybomb666 · 4 months

Breakfast is usually a fried egg on Dempsters multi-grain thin bagels (100 calories per bagel) and sometimes a dab of light mayo, with some salt/pepper.

Lunch: mixed baby greens with sliced chicken breast, a sprinkle of shredded cheese, wrapped in a small whole-grain tortilla wrap. greek yogurt or Kellogs 100 cal bar for dessert.

Supper: Varies every night. The boyfriend is not so concerned about eating healthy, but I try to throw in or substitute better options when I can. Most of the time it's something like tuna portions, chicken breast, pork chops or sausages with pasta, potatoes, steamed veggies, etc. This is where I accumulate most of my daily calories, lol.

Snacks include things like fruit, veggies, yogurt, nuts, popcorn, dill pickles, and the occasional Kellogs 100 cal bars/packs. Liquid is always water, with the ocasional tea.

I'm sure this list is not as healthy as others, but it seems to be working for me so far. Best part is that i'm not eating like a friggin rabbit like I thought I would have to in order to lose weight. You can still enjoy the things you love, just in moderation. I record everything on My Fitness Pal.com.

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