Showing posts with label foodie. Show all posts
Showing posts with label foodie. Show all posts

Sunday, June 15, 2014

O is For Oh Carbs!

Oh Carbs!




I remember a few years back. I tried this all meat diet that my friend was doing. You could consume as much meat as you want in a given day, but absolutely no carbs and with this diet, lose 10 pounds in a week. 

I was also going to the gym heavily at that time and would hurry from work to Ballys every night. But during the time, I was trying that very diet. 

I did my same daily routine: after work, hit to the gym, got on the treadmill and started running; only to be left feeling like I was about to pass out. The diet is a great idea if you need to lose pounds quickly and are not going to be physically active, but if you are, carbs are important to your diet. Gives you that needed energy. 

But I Gave Up Eating Carbs!

Okay, I admit it! I stopped eating bread, rice and pasta to achieve losing weight but there are more to carbs than just bread, rice and pasta. Are we forgetting that the nutritional food charts tell us that fruit and vegetable consumption are important parts of our diets? These are carbs as well and are important because they provide us with energy. So it was not so much giving up carbs; it was more about sticking to a low carb diet instead. 

So Here's an Idea!

It's summertime and we are all about to get into some heavy eating at barbecues and going to fish fries and other summertime gathering events. But you do not have to skip out on all the delicious food items our friends and families will have spread out on their tables. Instead improvise. 

Remember that too much of anything is no good. So to an all meat diet, I say not my thing because we get cholesterol from products made from animals. I do not want to ever suffer from cholesterol issues and be told later by a doctor, what I need to restrict in order to survive from unnecessary diseases caused by eating. It's a different world to do something willingly as opposed to by force or to improve health issues. So here's a thought; If you know you are going to four barbecues in the weekend, maybe you can skip on meat items during the weekdays and instead have other healthy proteins like beans, nuts, or soy. 

And yes,  I agree! Carbs do give us energy. But don't get it twisted that on a picnic table, the only carb you can add to a burger for the energy you are seeking will derive from bread. Then what are tomatoes? Aren't they carbs? Can the bread and instead, add your favorite toppings and enjoy! Still great; just without the high carb item. 


Here are Some Other Summertime Food Ideas That Might Be Helpful

1. For every other drink, let it be room temperature water. 

Ex. Wine cooler, room temperature water, frozen margarita, room temperature water, lemonade, room temperature water, iced coffee, room temperature water. This way, you stay not only bring refreshed with tasty drinks but also hydrated with this necessary element. I say room temperature because this is the temperature which water digests in our bodies. So if you ever come to a point where you are dying for water and are in need of some immediately, make sure to skip the ice for a quick reparation.

2. Juice is great, but choose juices that are 100% juice. If you are wondering why, read nutrition labels and compare the sugar content for a drink that is 100% juice to one that isn't. 

3. It's not too hot to get in your kitchen and do some good old fashioned cooking. And if it is, go outside and grill. More home cooked than store/restaurant bought food. Less fat and better quality eating.

4. Eat plenty of fruits. Grapes have lots of water in them. You want energy, energize with grapes. Good and tasty eat.

Links on Carbs

List of Carbs http://detoxdoll254.blogspot.com 

Naked Burger Paleo Diet http://thatpaleodiet.com/post/51908675072/naked-burger

How to Make a Bunless Burger http://www.ehow.com/how_2307860_make-bunless-burger.html

Benefits of Eating Carbs http://www.livestrong.com/article/504219-four-important-benefits-of-carbohydrates/








Monday, March 31, 2014

Alphabets of Fitness: L is for "Living to Eat vs Eating to Live" (apoem)

To start off National Poetry a Month, this poem on health and fitness is dedicated to my friend.  

                                               


It is easier to decide to change your ways on your own than to be told you have to.  You have more patience with moving forward with your own intention than to be forced to make a step you never thought you'd have to. It is easier to eliminate something because you really want to than to be restricted from it because than you struggle to.

Trust me; I have been through it and I know it is not easy. But if you truly want to do the right thing for your own health; just do it! Prayerfully this poem will inspire as opposed to offend anybody going through food related health issues as I did. 

                                 Living to Eat vs Eating to Live (a poem)

                               


Live to eat
And live to see
The doctor screen
For unnecessary diseases
That you can avoid 
By making the choice
To eat to live
As needed

We can live to eat
And see our feet
Only when over bending
What our big bellies are covering
Trust me, I know
It was not long ago
When food controlled me
Got the best of me

But then
I decided that
When I got to bat
I had to combat
To get control back
For even if I love to eat
I won't allow food to defeat
My health to live
Because without my health, I have nothing 

So eat to live
Controllably
Portion control is
Eating responsibly
And following doctor's orders
For if they restrict for your chances
Of living another day
Don't let food take that possibility away

Instead change your habits
Add fruits and vegetables to your diet
Eat less fats and fried
And surely, exercise
For health is not for beauty
But meant to be taken seriously
Sure we might be okay as is
But you only have your own heart to win

So make sure to keep it pumping healthy
And keep your heart beating steady
And keep your plate looking balanced
And eat more salads
Not saying fun shouldn't be had
But if you live to eat fast
You might be headed down a path
That only controlling your eating can patch

I dedicate this to you my friend
And blessings and a prayer extend 
For power over your ailments
Yes you can
Even if you say you don't want to
Because the items doctors say are not you
Just know that God's got you
Don't let bad eating habits defeat you!