Fitness/Exercise/Diet/Health

[TooLiveBrew]

I think my best advice when eating fruit and vegetables is buy what's fresh and in season. When they are fresh and good, you don't really need to do much to them to make them taste good. Also if you can grow them, buy from a farmer's market, or even right from a farmer, you are going to get the best tasting produce.

Great advice. Farmers Markets+in-season fresh veggies & fruit = wow.

 

I hope people are already aware, but if not, correctly grilled zucchini/summer squash is amazing. Or toss some mushrooms in aluminum foil, pour in some beer, & throw that on the grill until they're done. Glad I'm not hungry right now.

 

Think of how amazing meat cooked on a grill is... the same rule applies to veggies imo.

[pretendastronaut]

Think of how amazing meat cooked on a grill is... the same rule applies to veggies imo.

Last summer I tried grilling pizzas (which is really simple and good) and the crowd favorite one, I grilled a bunch of vegetables first, then chopped them up and threw them on a pizza with some fresh mozzarella and basil.

[Principessa21]

I've been a vegetarian for over 7 years and the most common obstacles I've noticed is 1. to get out of the mentality that a meal has to be meat, potatoes and a vegetable, and 2. to be willing to try different cuisines and ingredients you never even heard of. Whenever someone tells me that they're interested in becoming more vegetarian friendly I recommend the Vegetarian Times Complete Cookbook. It has two beginning sections on why go veg and nutrition, and then is followed by hundreds of recipes from breakfast to dessert. The recipe in Vegetarian Times strive to be healthy, so if that's a goal I would check out their magazine too. The Moosewood cookbooks are actually my favorites, but VT is a good introduction. Also the Moosewoods do not have any meat sections, only fish. ETA: Moosewood is a famous vegetarian restaurant in Ithaca, NY.

[TooLiveBrew]

Think of how amazing meat cooked on a grill is... the same rule applies to veggies imo.

Last summer I tried grilling pizzas (which is really simple and good) and the crowd favorite one, I grilled a bunch of vegetables first, then chopped them up and threw them on a pizza with some fresh mozzarella and basil.

I tried grilling pizza, and completely botched it. I wanted to fling the charred remnants like a frisbee. I'll have to try again I guess; yours sounds awesome.

[Schlitz001]

What's the verdict on Hydroxycut or similar products?

 

Although I've never used it, Orlistat is an OTC product that works by inhibiting the absorption of fat from the diet. Several studies have shown its effectiveness, and of course you would want to use it while making healthy lifestyle adjustments.

[southpaw121505]

If you prefer not to eat it for personal reasons, that's fine. But meat is not "unhealthy."

 

 

 

Although I've never used it, Orlistat is an OTC product that works by inhibiting the absorption of fat from the diet. Several studies have shown its effectiveness, and of course you would want to use it while making healthy lifestyle adjustments.

 

This is classic magic pill stuff right here. Inhibiting the absorbtion of dietary fat? Not sure why you'd want to do that? Healthy fats are essential for heart and brain function, energy, fat loss, etc etc. The only magic pill is eating the right amount of macronutrients. Nothing personal Schlitz!

 

Regarding hydroxycut or other thermogenic fat burners. Someone mentioned it a page back but the main benefit these are going to provide is energy, specifically pre work out. If you don't mind the price then great, but the main ingredient that works in most of them is the caffeine(coffee). As far as actual fat burning, the best ones boost your metabolic rate by 10% tops. Meaning you burn about an extra 200 calories a day. At that rate it would take almost 3 weeks to burn an extra pound. In other words, they don't do much for actual weight loss.

[Principessa21]

If you prefer not to eat it for personal reasons, that's fine. But meat is not "unhealthy."

 

It's not really that meat is unhealthy, it's that a vegetarian-friendly diet is more healthful because vegetarians consume less animal fat and cholesterol, and more fiber and antioxidants. Also eating more plant-based foods and less saturated fats helps keep your weight down, reduce heart disease, and increase calcium intake.

 

I would never encourage everyone to be a vegetarian. I actually think how TLB does it is great. He doesn't deprive himself of animal protein but is vegetarian-friendly. I'll admit it might not be easy, but it doesn't have to be all or nothing.

[TooLiveBrew]

If you prefer not to eat it for personal reasons, that's fine. But meat is not "unhealthy."

Red meat (or just about any animal protein) isn't inherently unhealthy, but too often in American diets red meat is way overdone, and isn't processed or prepared to any real desirable standard... and often that does mean that it's unhealthy. I don't think anyone here is labeling "meat" as a whole as unhealthy so far. Obviously the source of whatever animal protein one chooses to eat is very important.

 

I know it's low-hanging fruit in this kind of discussion, but the "pink slime" revelation recently is the extreme example of why knowing your meat's source is very important. If you're able, finding a good local source like directly from the farmer is the best way to know the meat you're getting is as safe and healthy as it can/should be. Farmers Markets are the best places (imo) to shop for red meat, in addition to being the best places to shop for fruits and veggies. A good local meat market should also usually be a good choice. If you're getting good quality red meat/meat, & you're not overdoing it in your diet, there's absolutely nothing wrong with continuing to enjoy it.

[thebruce44]

If you prefer not to eat it for personal reasons, that's fine. But meat is not "unhealthy."

 

It's not really that meat is unhealthy, it's that a vegetarian-friendly diet is more healthful because vegetarians consume less animal fat and cholesterol, and more fiber and antioxidants.

 

Vegetarians also consume less amino acids and omega-3s. The best diet you could have is a quality combination of healthy meats and veggies. As others have said, if people want to be vegetarians for personal reasons, thats totally cool, but I don't get why some people think its "healthier."

 

I'm lucky in that I love veggies. I eat a giant salad every night, along with tons of chicken breast for lunch and dinner. Usually some brown or wild rice or some quinoa too.

[LouisEly]

It's not really that meat is unhealthy, it's that a vegetarian-friendly diet is more healthful because vegetarians consume less animal fat and cholesterol, and more fiber and antioxidants. Also eating more plant-based foods and less saturated fats helps keep your weight down, reduce heart disease, and increase calcium intake.

 

This is not necessarily true, certainly not in all cases. Cholesterol has been proven to be much more correlated to genetics than diet. I eat a lot of meat - mostly lean, fresh meat but I have definitely had my share of brats and burgers - and at the age of 38 when I got my lab results back from my physical last fall my physician wrote on them that they are "amazingly good". Every lab result was exactly within the desired range. My total cholesterol was 130 - total - with HDLs of 42 and LDLs of 88.

 

It's genetics. Some people absorb cholesterol in foods, but my body obliterates it. Granted, I also eat a ton of fresh fruits and veggies and exercise a lot, but I consume a lot of protein and avoid processed foods. Call it a cross between Atkins and Paleo, I generally stick to the perimeter of the grocery store (where the meat and produce departments are) and eat very little food from the aisles (except pickles and rice). Similar to what thebruce says, a combination of lean, fresh meat and fresh fruits & veggies, and I get a lot of fiber and antioxidants from the fruits & veggies.

 

I'll reference the book I mentioned a while back in this thread - Live Right 4 Your Type. It suggests that people with Type O blood, like myself, do better on an Atkins type diet because we tend to have highly acidic stomachs (thus can easily process meat) and be sensitive to sugar (thus should avoid simple carbs). It says that red meat is "beneficial" for people with Type O blood. The book says that other blood types (can't remember which ones) that tend to have low acidic levels in their stomachs do well on a vegetarian diet because they don't have the acids to process meats. So I'd be willing to bet that if you do well on a vegetarian diet you do not have Type O blood.

[TooLiveBrew]

Just wanted to say thanks to everyone who's contributed to this thread, it's really a great read.

 

EDIT: and to piggyback on LouisEly's comment about "lean" meat, I instantly start thinking of meats like Elk & Bison, though I know there are many others that are really good substitutes for beef. I definitely opt for a leaner meat whenever possible (history of heart problems on one side of my family, so I try to be very careful). Elk & Bison are the two that popped in my head, because I'm most familiar with them... and they're usually delicious.

[southpaw121505]

People would be amazed how "healthy" they would be if they'd just eat a balanced diet of the appropriate amount of calories and exercise a little. Every concern in this thread regarding meat can be solved without the removal of meat and the protein it provides. Inadequate fiber and calcium? Broccoli and dairy. I don't know of one nutritionist that I respect that would advise against meat. ESPECIALLY in the context of weight loss, advising against meat is a fast track to muscle loss and metabolism destruction.

 

That's my biggest issue with a no meat diet, how are you getting enough protein? I bet 98% of the people in this thread or reading it that have a goal of weight loss are not getting enough protein daily. And we should take away the easiest source of that? Yikes. I have nearly 30 clients and 100% of them came to me with inadequate protein intakes.

 

Great points Louis. TLB, exercise would do more for your health than stressing over which red meat source.

[TooLiveBrew]

Well I'm not stressing over which source as much as I'm just avoiding the general red meats usually available at any grocer. I try to stick to leaner red meats when I do eat them. And yeah, obviously exercise is the best thing you can do, but I started participating in this thread when the discussion was on diet

 

EDIT: I can only speak with regards to my gf, but she definitely takes care to track her protein intake... often relying on beans as a main source, but she also eats seafood from time to time as well.

[thebruce44]

Well I'm not stressing over which source as much as I'm just avoiding the general red meats usually available at any grocer. I try to stick to leaner red meats when I do eat them. And yeah, obviously exercise is the best thing you can do, but I started participating in this thread when the discussion was on diet

 

EDIT: I can only speak with regards to my gf, but she definitely takes care to track her protein intake... often relying on beans as a main source, but she also eats seafood from time to time as well.

 

If beans is her main source, she needs to eat rice as well. Beans and rice together form a complete protein. Alone, not so much.

 

I try to eat around 1 gram of protein per my body weight each day. I don't even want to imagine how I would do this without eating chicken.

[TooLiveBrew]

Yeah, beans & rice is probably one of her favorite staple dishes... and I should probably stop even trying to talk for her, since I'm not her.

[mothershipconnection]

Do you healthy eaters have any website recommendations for recipes?

 

Read up on square foot gardening. You can grow a really nice herb garden for super cheap - way less than buying herbs at the market. When you have good herbs, you can cook much healthier foods. I use Thai basil in pretty much everything I cook, which allows me to avoid less healthy flavorings.

[Principessa21]

People would be amazed how "healthy" they would be if they'd just eat a balanced diet of the appropriate amount of calories and exercise a little. Every concern in this thread regarding meat can be solved without the removal of meat and the protein it provides. Inadequate fiber and calcium? Broccoli and dairy. I don't know of one nutritionist that I respect that would advise against meat. ESPECIALLY in the context of weight loss, advising against meat is a fast track to muscle loss and metabolism destruction.

 

That's my biggest issue with a no meat diet, how are you getting enough protein? I bet 98% of the people in this thread or reading it that have a goal of weight loss are not getting enough protein daily. And we should take away the easiest source of that? Yikes. I have nearly 30 clients and 100% of them came to me with inadequate protein intakes.

 

Great points Louis. TLB, exercise would do more for your health than stressing over which red meat source.

 

And that's the point. It's not easy, but I make it work. And yes, I've been told by nutritionists I'm meeting my requirement. I guess I just don't get the disdain. Anyway, to each it own. I don't like to argue about people's diet choices. But I will end with, considering all the benefits, I think a vegetarian-friendly diet should be strongly considered by all.

[jjkoestler]

What's the verdict on Hydroxycut or similar products?

 

I have never used Hydroxycut. I have used Oxyelite and Reduction AM/PM by Controlled Labs during a cut. I honestly don't know how well either product worked as I was doing more cardio and less heavy lifting.

 

My current supplement/protein stack

 

AM

Fish oil

Orange Triad vitamin

Protein shake

 

Pre workout

Blue Gene

White Flood

 

Intra workout

Purple Wraath

 

Post workout

Protein shake with creatine

 

Obviously I really like Controlled Labs products.

[thebruce44]

People would be amazed how "healthy" they would be if they'd just eat a balanced diet of the appropriate amount of calories and exercise a little. Every concern in this thread regarding meat can be solved without the removal of meat and the protein it provides. Inadequate fiber and calcium? Broccoli and dairy. I don't know of one nutritionist that I respect that would advise against meat. ESPECIALLY in the context of weight loss, advising against meat is a fast track to muscle loss and metabolism destruction.

 

That's my biggest issue with a no meat diet, how are you getting enough protein? I bet 98% of the people in this thread or reading it that have a goal of weight loss are not getting enough protein daily. And we should take away the easiest source of that? Yikes. I have nearly 30 clients and 100% of them came to me with inadequate protein intakes.

 

Great points Louis. TLB, exercise would do more for your health than stressing over which red meat source.

 

And that's the point. It's not easy, but I make it work. And yes, I've been told by nutritionists I'm meeting my requirement. I guess I just don't get the disdain. Anyway, to each it own. I don't like to argue about people's diet choices. But I will end with, considering all the benefits, I think a vegetarian-friendly diet should be strongly considered by all.

 

I looked at your original post again and you made a valid point that I think I read the wrong way. I live in a hipster area of Chicago and get a lot of alternative stuff thrown at me all day, so sort of took "vegetarian-friendly" diet to mean not eating a lot of meat. I think you simply meant a diet that includes a lot of veggies, and I can't argue that thats healthier than one of mainly meat. I would go so far as to say that I actually eat a vegetarian friendly diet. In the end though, I don't think I would call it that. I would say what makes my diet healthy is an abundance of non processed foods and variety.

 

Regardless, I plan to enjoy a huge spinach salad when I get home tonight.

[fondybrewfan]

Anybody have a good recommendation for any grass fed beef operations that sell year round and is within 50 miles or so of Fond du Lac?

[southpaw121505]

 

And that's the point. It's not easy, but I make it work. And yes, I've been told by nutritionists I'm meeting my requirement. I guess I just don't get the disdain. Anyway, to each it own. I don't like to argue about people's diet choices. But I will end with, considering all the benefits, I think a vegetarian-friendly diet should be strongly considered by all.

 

No disdain, just pointing out that you can be perfectly healthy while eating meat. Like I said in my first post on the topic, if it's out of personal preference, then cool. But the idea that meat is anywhere in the top 10 reasons of people being unhealthy or nutrient deficient is untrue.

 

Out of curiosity, if you don't mind, how many grams of protein are you getting regularly? What are some of your main sources?

[southpaw121505]

I honestly don't know how well either product worked as I was doing more cardio and less heavy lifting.

 

Is this during your cut? Heavy lifting is the last thing you should remove...Keep lifting heavy so your body has a need to keep the muscle. You want to lose fat, not weight.

[RobDeer 45]

Ya I don't think anyone is trying to sway people one way or the other, I think it's a pretty good open conversation. Like I said before, I still eat meat, just trying to really cut down on it. I think my biggest reason is all the stuff that is pumped in to animals these days. You aren't just eating meat, you're eating hormones, bacteria, chemicals, etc. As mentioned before, even going from meat as the main part of the meal, to just a part of it, or ingredient in a bigger dish is a great start. Your body just doesn't process meat like it does plant based foods. I do encourage people to try doing meatless mondays. It really does help the enviorenment out and who knows, you might be like me and take it a little bit further and try not to eat meat a few more days a week.

[jjkoestler]

I honestly don't know how well either product worked as I was doing more cardio and less heavy lifting.

 

Is this during your cut? Heavy lifting is the last thing you should remove...Keep lifting heavy so your body has a need to keep the muscle. You want to lose fat, not weight.

 

I was doing p90x.

[davego]

It's a bit on the expensive side, but I try to add buffalo into the menu to replace beef when I can.