Health & Fitness

[gallahadesquire]

Lucy, 'splain this to me

 

Okay, I get the idea of sugared sodas. And high carbo-, high fat "power bars".

 

Why are DIET sodas ("zero calories") bad for you?

 

When I was in hospital, I had a craving for Diet Dr. Pepper, even when I couldn't eat anything.

Finally, they put me on 15 grams of total protein concentrate three times a day.

I lost 40 pounds in the hospital ... and gained it all back almost immediately.

[jjkrkwood]

Okay, I get the idea of sugared sodas. And high carbo-, high fat "power bars".

 

Why are DIET sodas ("zero calories") bad for you?

 

When I was in hospital, I had a craving for Diet Dr. Pepper, even when I couldn't eat anything.

Finally, they put me on 15 grams of total protein concentrate three times a day.

I lost 40 pounds in the hospital ... and gained it all back almost immediately.

 

I believe its the other chemicals present in DIET soda, along with Carbonation that makes it a problem. Certainly if something is zero calories and sugar free, thats not the issue.

[josephga]

carbonation is also hirer in diet than in regular so it will also cause more bloating.

[+ Charlie]

Like jj, I believe in moderation. I occasionally eat and drink almost everything that is supposed to be bad for you, but my regular diet is one that most nutritionists would approve. My one vice is chocolate, which I eat every day, but I usually stick to small quantities of the darkest variety. I never have more than one alcoholic drink per day, usually wine, unless I am at an occasion where it is hard to avoid more. I also exercise every day, usually tennis for one to three hours, but at least a one mile walk. At doctors' offices, one is always asked for a list of the medications one takes, and they are usually surprised when I say that all I take is one multivitamin and one red yeast rice pill (for cholesterol control) per day.

[josephga]

I've got a few pm's asking for example of what I now eat. here are a few

 

breakfast. 2 chobani greek yogurts, - greek yogurt has twice the protein as reg

mid morning. 23g protein shake made from skim milk and a scoop of gold standard 100 whey protein powder

lunch. turkey sandwich with low fat cheese, spicy brown mustard on natures on double fiber wheat bread, 2 dill pickle spears, about a palm of corn chips

dinner. 1 grilled chicken breast on half a cup of brown rice, half a cup of vegetables, normally carrots, or green beans, or a salad. also i don't have chicken everyday. 1 day it's chicken the next day tilapia fillets

then around 7pm its gym right now its 30 minutes on the elliptical at a level 10 to 12

after gym another 23g protein shake

[jjkrkwood]

Like jj, I believe in moderation. I occasionally eat and drink almost everything that is supposed to be bad for you, but my regular diet is one that most nutritionists would approve. My one vice is chocolate, which I eat every day, but I usually stick to small quantities of the darkest variety. I never have more than one alcoholic drink per day, usually wine, unless I am at an occasion where it is hard to avoid more. I also exercise every day, usually tennis for one to three hours, but at least a one mile walk. At doctors' offices, one is always asked for a list of the medications one takes, and they are usually surprised when I say that all I take is one multivitamin and one red yeast rice pill (for cholesterol control) per day.

 

And surely, living in Palm Springs cant hurt .....

[jjkrkwood]

I've got a few pm's asking for example of what I now eat. here are a few

 

breakfast. 2 chobani greek yogurts, - greek yogurt has twice the protein as reg

mid morning. 23g protein shake made from skim milk and a scoop of gold standard 100 whey protein powder

lunch. turkey sandwich with low fat cheese, spicy brown mustard on natures on double fiber wheat bread, 2 dill pickle spears, about a palm of corn chips

dinner. 1 grilled chicken breast on half a cup of brown rice, half a cup of vegetables, normally carrots, or green beans, or a salad. also i don't have chicken everyday. 1 day it's chicken the next day tilapia fillets

then around 7pm its gym right now its 30 minutes on the elliptical at a level 10 to 12

after gym another 23g protein shake

 

Well I certainly wouldnt call that menu EXCITING, but it looks like its working for you. You LOOK great ! I tend to find it easier to stick to a regimen when you are Home. Working out of the home full time adds a whole new set of challenges for those of us that dont like to "brown bag" their lunch....

[ErieBear]

I'm really glad to see this discussion is taking off. I'm currently working on losing a sizable amount of weight. I'm down almost 40 pounds since Dec. 2nd. I haven't been able to workout recently due to a sprained knee, but I just got back from a 3 mile walk. Slow going, but still moving in the right direction! Had a couple of Boca Burgers for lunch and I'm good to go for the afternoon!

[bigvalboy]

I'm really glad to see this discussion is taking off. I'm currently working on losing a sizable amount of weight. I'm down almost 40 pounds since Dec. 2nd. I haven't been able to workout recently due to a sprained knee, but I just got back from a 3 mile walk. Slow going, but still moving in the right direction! Had a couple of Boca Burgers for lunch and I'm good to go for the afternoon!

 

OUTSTANDING ErieBear!!!!!!! 40 lbs is a lot.. I am damn happy for you. Boca Burgers are the best as is most of their whole line of foods. Just keep up the walking and just keep moving. Please keep us all posted as to your progress.

[+ Charlie]

And surely, living in Palm Springs cant hurt .....

 

True, but except for the tennis, everything was exactly the same during my many years previously in Philadelphia and New York, where I did much more walking and biking.

[corndog]

I did Nutrisystem a few years ago, and it worked; I lost about 50 lbs. However, its very expensive and really boring. As much as they, and everyone else, tout magical combinations of ingredients, I believe/know that it is really all just about calories, and therefore portion control. As I slowly migrated away from Nutrisystem, I substituted my own food, in similar portions and nutritional content, for their pre-packaged meals. So, I'm glad that I did Nutrisystem, for the learning experience, but I don't think I would do it again.

 

My biggest enemy is socializing, and in particular, beer. It's very difficult to eat out, even avoiding fast food, and eat healthy. And, for better or worse, my social circles are mostly in bars, and I can rarely count on one hand the number of beers I have before calling it a night.

 

Every weight loss success I've had has included a crazy amount of walking. I'm a firm believer in the adage that we should all walk at least 10,000 steps a day, and I'm currently diligently going 25,000. Gadgets like fitbit have always been a great motivator for me.

[whipped guy]

fitbit[/url] have always been a great motivator for me.

Yep... exercise and if that's not possible walk, walk walk...

 

Plus, if you eat every day you should train you abs everyday.

[healthguy]

Simple equation for success or failure in any diet program: "Intake vs Output"

[jjkrkwood]

I just had my yummy snack, thats Good for you too. Slice up a delicious apple (or any kind you like) and smear slices with creamy, natural peanut butter. Beats the snack craving and gives you energy too.

[bigvalboy]

Plus, if you eat every day you should train you abs everyday.

 

Question WG...Now I have heard both theories. Some guys say that it is a muscle like any other and needs rest to grow, but then I have heard what you say that it is ok to train them everyday...Do you really think everyday is ok, because I would love to do that!

[healthguy]

There was a question earlier about what's the issue with diet soda. When the diet was added to soda in the mid 70's, it was the chemical Aspertame that was used and still used. It is from the little research I've done, the most added chemical to our drinks/food. It still continues to take a hit on various issues. It has been re-studied, previous studies re-reviewed, and has been the subject of different personal controversies as well as the health aspect.

From what I gather as we speak today: The FDA has said you would need to drink about 21 cans of diet soda a day to get the top levels of recommended chemical Aspertame. And, even at these levels, there is no evidence that it produces some of claimed side effects; headaches, cramps, and yes, even the dreaded "C" word. So, if you want to spend the rest of your life reviewing research on Aspertame, simple Google it. I try to choose diet drinks with Splenda. And, use it on things like cereal or fruit sometimes. I personally like the taste better than Aspertame, (Nutrasweet). FYI, Rand

[gallahadesquire]

What ever happened to Saccharine?

[whipped guy]

All sugar substitutes taste "unnatural" to me. I would rather have a small dose of sugar than a large dose of a sugar substitute... and that goes for the sweeteners used in diet non-fat flavored yogurt as well. I would sooner buy plain non-fat yogurt and add my own unsweetened ingredients such as apple sauce, etc. Better that than to have to deal with something that just does not taste right to my taste buds. Fortunately I don't like soda (either diet or regular) so that is a non-issue for me.

 

Still, I know I am in the minority. The last time I went out to lunch with a group of people, I was the only person who did not order some sort of sweetened drink... be it soda, ice tea, or whatever. I am totally content with... and actually prefer good old simple "H 2 O"!

[josephga]

all i'm drinking is water these days I hate the taste of diet drinks

[BaronArtz]

Good for you, Josephga. That's what I am drinking mostly. Water. And a cup of tea sometimes, with some raw honey in it as a sweetener. Processed honeys have fructose added to them, which is a no-no in my book. But the most important thing I have done during the last 2 years is to stop drinking alcoholic beverages. Simply put, it's the best thing I have done in my life. I lost 25 lbs because of it and I feel A M A Z I N G. You have no idea how much sugar there really is in alcohol!

[+ azdr0710]

down here (Az), you can get Mexican Coke made with old-fashioned real cane sugar, not high-fructose corn syrup....certainly not diet, but it's the real stuff for an occasional indulgence.....

[rguer]

Good for you, Josephga. That's what I am drinking mostly. Water. And a cup of tea sometimes, with some raw honey in it as a sweetener. Processed honeys have fructose added to them, which is a no-no in my book.

 

Honey was in the news a few months ago. I think I'll stick to locally-grown organic honey. You just don't know what you're getting if you buy supermarket honey.

 

"Of the honey samples tested, more than 75 percent consistently tested as not meeting food-safety standards. The majority of this honey contained no pollen and a significant portion of it contained artificially manufactured syrup made from corn, rice or barley. "

 

http://www.newsytype.com/13496-honey-fda-guidelines/

 

http://www.foodsafetynews.com/2011/08/honey-laundering/

[bigvalboy]

Honey was in the news a few months ago. I think I'll stick to locally-grown organic honey. You just don't know what you're getting if you buy supermarket honey.

 

"Of the honey samples tested, more than 75 percent consistently tested as not meeting food-safety standards. The majority of this honey contained no pollen and a significant portion of it contained artificially manufactured syrup made from corn, rice or barley. "

 

http://www.newsytype.com/13496-honey-fda-guidelines/

 

http://www.foodsafetynews.com/2011/08/honey-laundering/

 

While I agree with you on the local grown variety....I love my local "Farmers Market"....to the body, sugar is sugar, it can't tell the difference between honey or cane. So moderation is always good.

[rguer]

While I agree with you on the local grown variety....I love my local "Farmers Market"....to the body, sugar is sugar, it can't tell the difference between honey or cane. So moderation is always good.

 

For table sugar, sucrose, that's true.

 

Honey and table sugar are similar in terms of glucose/fructose content. The sucrose in table sugar quickly breaks down into the fructose and glucose found in honey. Honey has some extra sugars not in table sugar, but they are probably not significant.

 

The problem with mass-produced commercial honey is not in the sugars, but in what's not sugar. That honey, say the studies quoted above, is often contaminated with other ingredients that shouldn't be there, and it often doesn't even contain pollen.

 

I am trying to avoid high fructose corn syrup because I don't think it is metabolized the same way as table sugar or honey.

[bigvalboy]

I am trying to avoid high fructose corn syrup because I don't think it is metabolized the same way as table sugar or honey

 

Now that is exactly true, But isn't high fructose corn syrup in almost everything? I read were you have to really be careful. It is in almost every ingredient.