Thread: what should i add to my diet? im kinda in a rut with thhe whole healthy food thing?

every morning i have a kashi honey-almond and flax seed bar and 2 cups of coffee with skim milk and equal (i NEED my coffee) then for lunch i have sushi (usually tuna or salmon) then for dinner i have a garden salad with grilled chicken and light italian dressing. i drink alot of water and gatorade..my dad doesnt think thats a sensible diet. im 22 and work 2 jobs plus go to college full time so im always busy. he thinks i need more with the schedule i have (class 7-12:15, work 1-8:30, gym after work) any suggestions?
yes im trying to lose weight..for some reason after i stopped partying too much aka drinking all the time, smoking pot and chainsmoking packs of cigarettes at a time i managed to gain weight..not sure how that happened but i dont like it and the weight needs to go ASAP!!

First, you are probably deficient in water. The coffee is a diuretic and you need to add 1-1/2 times that liquid amount in the coffee to your total water you need to drink each day.

Take your total body weight and divide by 2. That number is the number of ounces you need to drink each day plus the additional due to the diuretic nature of those drinks. Sodas, tea, and coffee are the typical ones that dehydrate you.

Skim milk is total garbage. First it is pasteurized and homogenized which creates huge amounts of homocystine from crushing the cells, causing allergies, and then the high heat destroys the calcium and then they add vitamin D to force calcium absorption. The enzymes are destroyed that help you digest the milk. Go to: www.organicpastures.com and read the FAQ. Then educate yourself on this issue because it is very important to your health. The equal you are using is incredibly toxic. There are about 92 different side effects from this garbage. If you need to sweeten something, do what 40% of ALL Japanese use as an artificial sweetener, Stevia. The FDA has been trying for 10 years to find a problem with it and they can't. The Japanese and people in Central America have been using Stevia for centuries with no side effects. It is sweeter than sugar and comes from a plant that has no calories or carbs.

The garden salad you had for dinner most likely included a dressing that uses vegetable oils. These are polyunsaturated oils that are very, very unstable. It's very hard to find one that does not contain Canola or Soybean oils that are very toxic to the body. These oils are genetically engineered, not for health, but to prevent the insecticide made by Monsanto Corp., roundup from killing the seed or plants. These oils are typically rancid when you buy them and polymerize into trans fatty acids when heated even slightly. The sushi you have for lunch is the most healthy thing you eat. It is raw and you should be getting at least 50% raw food each day.

I greatly suspect you are deficient in many things on this diet, especially the good oils. You need the good saturated fats, monounsaturated fats, and polyunsatured fats ( like omega 3 and 6 in balance ), all balanced the way the body requires. The diet should be balanced to about 40% protein, 30% carbs, and 30% fats. The carbs should be held to about 20% if you want to regulate your weight.

Eliminate ALL soy products from your diet, except for the fermented soy like the Japanese eat, soy sauce and miso are O.K. Tofu is terrible. It was invented to keep monks from having sexual desires and it works for good reason. Raw soy products contain huge amounts of the heavy metal, Aluminum. It depletes your body of minerals, especially iron ( over 50% ). That is why many vegetarians get anemic.

The fats are where the sustained energy comes from, not carbs. Carbs are like the kindling in a fire, they burn fast. And don't just eat egg whites, eat the whole egg! The yolk is loaded with nutrients that your body needs. The egg is the only food ALL animals will eat.

Your dad is right.

For one thing, it sounds like you need more fiber, and probably more calories as well. I agree with your dad, that is not a sensible diet for one as young and active as you are. Are you trying to lose weight??

For variety you could have oatmeal or another whole-grain hot cereal (you can sprinkle flax seed on it) or bran muffins for breakfast, or a shake with skim milk, yogurt, banana and any other fruit. Equal is not healthy; use a little sugar in your coffee or don't sweeten it. I make cafe con leche by heating skim milk in the microwave (no water) and adding instant Nescafe Classico. With all milk and mellow coffee, it doesn't seem to need sweetener.

Don't forget about soups for good nutrition and to perk up your monotonous lunch menu; try Progresso beef or chicken soup with barley, zesty gumbo, etc. All of those are low fat, high fiber and tasty.

The dinner sounds okay, but be sure to add salad-bar type goodies to your salad, like garbanzos, chopped hard-boiled eggs, nuts, beets if you like them, etc. Have fish sometimes, even chunk white tuna is good with salad. Fruit is good for dessert at lunch or dinner.

In general, you need to eat a little more. Adding extra vegetables, whole grains, and fruits will still be healthy.

dont do splenda or equal...your body doesnt know how to digest those fake sugars and it can ruin your system. and cause cancer! just have plain sugar or try something natural like STEVIA or honey

Try some protien.
Almonds, and peacans. Nuts are really good for protien.

you should have snacks during the day because it will keep your energy level up.
try having a small tin of almonds or trail mix.