Diets.

[Hudson]

Diet: What's yours like?

 

I've seen some people get good loss from the Atkins diet, however, I think I would rather do something more logical like the CKD. Right now I just eat "clean" foods and try to take in more protein then fats and carbs, however, to get truly cut down I think I need something a bit more structured. Any thoughts?

[Shorin Ryuu]

Well, these are guidelines that I use to eat:

 

Get more of your protein from plant sources rather than animals. There's a lot of free radicals in red meat, which cause cancer. I'm not saying become a vegetarian; I'm not one. Americans just tend to eat more meat than they need. Fish is a better source than red meat.

 

Soy is good for you. Give in to the soy...

 

Tofu isn't bad if you don't eat it straight up (I'm wierd so I don't mind it that way either) and is a good source of protein.

 

Eat less processed foods.

 

Eat less simple, refined sugars (stuff that makes things really sweet). These hit the blood stream quicker and cause a spike in your blood sugar levels, causing your body to produce lots of insulin, causing the down after a sugar high, etc. Too much of this gives you diabetes. Carbs aren't bad for you. Complex carbs are actually good for you.

 

Trans fat is to be avoided as much as possible (partially hydrogenated oils) as they are simply not healthy in any amount. Some saturated fat is okay, but less is better.

 

All fats are not bad. Monounsaturated fats and polyunsaturated fats actually raise the levels of healthy cholesterol and lower the levels of unhealthy cholesterol.

 

Snack on fruits if you want something sweet. Fructose hits your blood sugar more slowly than processed sweets.

 

Do you like rice? Eat brown rice instead of white rice because brown rice has more nutrients.

 

Are you living by yourself? I am, which makes it much easier to control what I eat since I have to buy and cook it.

 

Lastly, buy a good book on nutrition. Or two. Or three. It helps to see several opinions on nutrition.

 

I've recommended this book a lot just because I liked it:

 

The Okinawa Program.

 

It has solid nutrition info and if you really wanted to be hardcore, a specific diet regimen that lets you plan out meals for each day (and a recipe section for those meals). I don't follow the diet regimen, I just apply the knowledge of what I know to what I want to eat (and cook).

[Hudson]

I agree, although I can't stand tofu or rice. I get most of my carbs from whole wheat and grain and noodles. (There are maybe 10 vietnamese noodle shops within 5 miles... try living here and not eating there once). I eat a lot of chicken and tuna, rarely hamburger. I think what I need to do is cut down on sugar and saturated fats.

[Rich67]

I eat a modified "Zone" diet. This is about 50% protein, 30% carbs and 20% fats (good fats, that is). I eat big meals in the AM and taper them off in the PM. Works good for me, but I am pretty active.

[dinesh]

Not VERY low carbs, but I try to keep it down.

 

Lots of meat, and off an on a little sweet snack:)

 

No soda, just plain ole water, probably once a month some juice:) or a malt drink......but no soda....

[Rich_2k3]

I wouldn't not touch the Atkins with a barge pole...

[angelica d]

The Atkins Diet is not suitable for anyone who does, or is planning on doing, any moderate exercise, as you need carbs for that. If you don't, you'll end up not performing your best.

 

I would tend to agree with Shorin Ryuu on what constitutes a 'good diet'. Lots of fish and vege.

 

Moderate carbs, dairy products and red meat.

 

Little saturated fat and sugar.

 

Should do the trick!