What Should I Eat?
January 14th, 2010
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by Scott Tousignant · Filed Under: Fat Loss Nutrition
It’s time to turn the tables when it comes to nutrition advice. You are used to hearing me share what I eat and how I eat, but now I want to hear from you and learn from you.
So tell me, what should I eat? How do you eat? Is there a certain diet program or nutrition program that has worked really well for you? Have you been able to stick with the program and maintain your results?
In my opinion there are no right answers here. Everyone’s views are more than welcome.
I bet that you’ve read more than your share of nutrition and diet books in the past. If you have applied that information that you learned I’d say that you are pretty knowledgeable on the subject.
There’s nothing wrong with continuing to search for new nutrition information. I’m still learning and love to learn about all the different recommendations when it comes to healthy eating. That’s why I want to hear from you. I want to hear your views on the subject.
So let’s get this discussion going. Tell me… What should I eat?
Keeping It Real,
Scott Tousignant
Whatever makes you feel good — long term!
My general eating patterns tend to be undereating-overeating cycles. I dropped breakfast in high school and lunch disappeared in college. I started to “eat once a day whether I need it or not” and it was okay and could be much better overall.
The book I found that gave a good reason and a plan for that style of cycling was “Warrior Diet” by Ori Hofmekler. That plan helped me clarify what to eat when and cleared a lot of the candy and random junk (that I hadn’t realized I was eating) out of my day. A paraphrase of an idea that stuck with me was “you can eat whatever you want, but know that if it is white flour/sugar then you aren’t eating the Warrior Diet.”
I’m starting to change the scale of my over/under cycles and leaning towards Jon Benson’s “Every Other Day Diet” since (just like when I started Warrior Diet) I already eat very similarly to what Jon suggests. That means I’m more likely to stick with the plan when all I have to do is make small changes to what I’m already doing.
So the things I’ve learned include minimizing refined sugar/flour; cycling the typical under eating tactic with periodic, intentional, conscious overeating; and finally making sure whatever you choose fits into the rest of life and has flexibility (since we live in the real world)!
I’m already feeling long winded so if you want the elevator pitch on Warrior Diet or EODD let me know.
Very Interesting Wayne. I never looked into the Warrior Diet. Thanks for the share. Angie and I have followed EODD in the past and it worked well for us.
Fruit & veggies, yogurt, whole grains..it’s what I eat.
I LOVE the simplicity of your comment and your way of eating Sallie. Thanks for sharing your thoughts
Tons of Fruits, unlimited veggies, raw or soaked nuts, sprouted/whole grains.
Anything unprocessed is a good bet. I go by the rule that if its made by nature then its pretty good.
Veggies, nuts, fruits, eggs, meats such as chicken, fish and steak.
Unlike many females, I am also not afraid of fats, provided its animal fats, butter (not margarine) and any virgin type oils, then i’ll use it. Any processed fats, such as un-virgin oils, margarine etc are a no-no for me. I never used to eat fat, but now eating a bit of it has benefited my hunger.
After having years of digestive problems I have found the best thing I have done is eliminate gluten and grain products from my diet.
Having said all that, I also schedule cheat days, where I eat some processed things and pastas etc. I find no reactions to those foods despite the fact that when i had them all the time i was having reactions. I find i can lose weight with cheat days and its an awesome psychological boost. I have either one or two cheat days depending on whether i’m trying to lose fat.
I still think one of the best is “The Diet Solution” by Isabel Des Los Rios. I like her approach of unprocessed, uncured, and if it didn’t come out of the ground or off a tree it’s probably not a great idea! Foods that are as close to nature as possible are the best for you. When you eat as clean as possible, you feel so much better!
I agree! The Diet Solution along with exercise has helped me lose 40lbs. of fat. I feel great!
I’m not a fan of the “I eat tons of fruit variety” because fruit contains a load of sugar, not to mention the fact that it is highly acidic and ruins your teeth. This high sugar intake will overwork your pancreas and may lead to diabetes type two where this organ stops fuctioning.
In the same way too much fat in the diet stresses the gall-bladder and will make you prone to gall stones and an eventual removal of said organ.
People suffering from kidney stones are often very heavy meat-eaters. The medical fraternity will advise that they cut down on their meat intake as well as up their fluids.
I believe you are what you eat and it’s all about the balance and the intake of calories. Problems appear to arise when we over eat one type of nutrient. Comes to mind that if we focused on the balance we would not have a calorie surplus.
A handful of peanuts and not the whole bowl, half a bottle of wine and not one bottle of wine and six stubbies(that’s Aus for 375 mls beer) followed up by enough fish and chips for 3 people. And what I consumed after that I really can’t remember. However the bowls on the coffee table in the morning were evidence that I continued on my merry way. Here, I am refering to my eating yesterday.
I haven’t put on any weight because each day I tear it up at the gym. This is making me hopping mad at myself. Today will be different. BTW it is 43 degrees in Perth WA today as it was yesterday and my gym is not airconditioned. Being outside is like putting your head in a very warm oven.
Have a terric day everyone. You are all probably tucked up in bed sound asleep right now.
_Cheers
What you said about fruit is completely false. I (as well as tons of others I know) eat 4+ servings of fruit a day and are in incredible shape. Fruit doesn’t make you fat. Fruit doesn’t do more bad then good. Fruit is an amazing choice in a healthy lifestyle. Our ancestors ate tons of fruit (especially back in the Warrior days). We have medium length digestive tracks so we digest fruit amazing. I sometimes make meals out of fruit rather snacks.
P.S.
http://www.ttfatloss.com/workouts/obesity/
Go there and read at the bottom. Plenty of studies to show that Apples actually can whiten and rejuvenate the teeth.
I appreciate the comments Gail and Adam. Adam, I’m trying to keep this thread objection free because I want to hear everyone’s point of view and I don’t want anyone to be afraid that they’ll be criticized for a comment. When it comes to nutrition we could probably have an all out war on what’s right and what’s not because there are people who complete set and firm on their belief and are not open minded at all about any other recommendation.
Some people may say to never eat animal products because of the cruelty that the animals are put through. I myself eat meat, but I can certainly respect that point of view.
With all of that being said, I 100% agree with your comment. I dare anyone who thinks that fruit will make you fat to eat nothing but fruit for a month while maintaining their maintenance level of calories and see how they won’t gain weight.
That’s the problem with the mainstream diet industry and books. I partly blame Atkins for the fruit and carb phobia.
I usually get the ‘fruit will make you fat’ comment from people who don’t like to eat fruit. Their so concerned about the sugar in fruit but they have no problem throwing back 10 candy bars or other junk. They don’t give the sugar content a second thought in that junk food, but they’ll avoid healthy fruit because of it.
I read that post from Craig when he published it earlier. It’s a very well written post as usual.
I appreciate you chiming in Adam.