what foods do i avoid when getting into shape?

Question

i'm looking to get rid of some excess weight and just generally get into better shape. i know i'll have to exercise and i plan on gradually changing my whole diet, so what i need to know is what foods should i be avoiding and which ones should i be eating?

Answer 1

ALot of processed foods like hamburger helper or foods in boxes have alot of saturated fats and hydrogenated fat. Try to avoid these. Also I know you have probably heard this but don't eat alot of carbs. The thing is people try to avoid them all togther, you should'nt do that. Just eat small amounts of them, it gives you energy. Eat fresh fruit and vegetables and exercise. If your a person who doesn't like to hop on the treadmill or exercise bike do something fun dance, play basketball have fun with exercise. Good luck!

Answer 2

Stay away from processed foods. You are going to have to start reading lables--anything with High Fructose Corn Syrup or Partially Hydrogenated Oils--steer clear. Don't eat fast food. Don't drink sugary sodas--those are big contributors to weight gain. Drink more water and if you must indulge in soda, try diet--but limit to no more than 2 cans a day. Also, fruit juices are high in calories and sugar. Limit intake of those as well. It is better to eat the actual fruit than to drink the juice in my opinion.

Eat at last 5-9 servings of fruits and vegetables--and eat more veggies than fruit by ratio. Fruits and veggies are lower in calories and higher in fiber--and fill you up faster. A serving of vegetalbes is 1 cup raw or 1/2 cup cooked. 1/2 a banana is a serving. You can look this stuff up online. Eat across the color spectrum--yellow, orange, red, green--to get the best nutrients. Steam veggies as much as possible to keep the most nutrients intact. Eat lean cuts of meat--but in small portions. The size of your palm is a good portion size of meat. Try to eat one meatless meal a day--beans, soy products are good non-meat sources of protein. Your dinner plate should be 2/3 veggies and 1/3 protein. If you eat carbs--be vigilant of what consitutes a serving size. 1/3 cup of rice is a serving--1/2 cup of pasta is a serving. Try to eat brown rice, wheat pasta and whole grain breads (not just wheat bread because most wheat bread is made with white flour and contains high fructose corn syrup). There are all kinds of websites online to help you out, or go to a nutritionist for advice. That's what I did.

How do I know all this works? I have done this personally myself and i have lost over 80 pounds in the last 2 years. Combined with exercise, you can get in shape. It can be done. Good luck!

Answer 3

Whatever you do, avoid extreme eating habits such as eating only a few particular foods. Our bodies need a wide range of foods to recieve all the necissary things that make us work properly. I would use the food pyramid as a guide for what you eat, in addition there is no substitute for a little good exercise now and then.

Answer 4

Eat a balanced diet of fiber, carbs and fat. That's what made me lose 50lbs+! Cut out breads, pasta, rice and potatoes and anything made with flour! Instead of bread I would eat crisp bread or if I really wanted something soft, I'd have whole wheat pita bread every now and then. Of course you'd need to cut out junk food too. :P Drink lots of water! Cook with extra virgin olive oil.

Good luck!

Answer 5

Avoid fried foods, eat more fruits and veggies.
Steamed veggies are great!

Answer 6

pizza, fried chicken, chips, start drinking diet soda instead of normal, candy bars, cake, ice cream, the works...

Answer 7

avoid food with tons of saturated fat, trans fat, and tons of sodium. stick with fruits and vegtables.

Answer 8

vegetables=OK chicken=OK anything else=NO
that will get you started, then go from there