I would like to start eating better,I eat out alot.What are some of the best ways to start eating better?

Question

I work a full time job.I think that if I'm able to eat better,I won't have so much stress to deal with,Any suggestions?

Answer 1

Problems:
Eating out alot can be expensive
Eating out isn't all that healthy the majority of the time
Eating TV dinners is good once in a while but they are very high in sodium and you can eventually end up with BP problems. My husband now has that problem from being a bachelor and eating them for several years.

I would suggest, to start, that you go to some Weight Watcher meetings where you can listen to suggestions from others and you can also ask questions when you have any, plus you are accountable to others each week which keeps helps you stay "honest" more.

You eat regular food on this diet and they stress portion size and recording your food which is important and where most of us go wrong.

Be VERY Careful of low-carb diets. So many people do not realize how important carbs are to the muscles in your body ~ and the heart is a muscle which needs those carbs to work properly. That is something else Weight Watchers will help you with.

My brother went on a fad diet last year to get weight off and wasn't getting the carbs to help his already damaged heart (had a heart attack when he was 48), plus his kidneys quit working properly. He died at the age of 61 the end of last month and I will always believe the diet contributed to that (still waiting for autopsy report).

Oatmeal is very good for keeping your cholesterol lower so include that in your diet and make sure you get fiber in your diet in other ways, too.

Orange juice and other juices are good but you need to be careful about the amount of sugar you get in those so try to eat whole fruit as much as you can ~ and remember an apple a day will keep the doctor away. If not, you might end up with diverticulitis and end up with a colostomy bag for a while until the colon heals from the surgery. Whole apples work as a roto-rooter in the colon and keeps the walls clean and keeps moving the food out of your system.

Drink at least 6 to 8 glasses of water a day along with 3 glasses of skim, 1% or 2% milk ~ stay away from whole milk. I can't stand skim but can drink the 1% or 2% with no problem.

Stay away from diet pills (mess up your organs) and fad diets which could kill you or end up doing permanent damage to some of your organs. Many times you don't realize that until you are older and they don't function like they should.

Learn to read labels on any foods you want to eat so you benefit from the products you eat but also watch calories, hidden sugars and fats. I buy Shaklee's Vita-Lea vitamins because they are water-soluble and easily absorbed into the system, unlike most synthetic vitamins you buy in the stores which sometimes clog your liver and end up in the walls of your intestines, sitting there and blocking absorption of nutrition from the foods you do eat.

Remember ~ perserverance and patience and walk as much as you can to help burn calories and keep your cardio system working as best it can.

Good luck to you and hope it all works for you. Just remember once you get the weight off to continue eating this way so you won't put it back on :)

Answer 2

I used to have the same problem. Through lots of reading, I've gotten an idea of how you can eat healthy on the go, however.

1. Always Eat Breakfast

I think someone said this already, but it bears repeating. Breakfast is a perfect time to eat a healthy breakfast. Try some whole grain cereal, skim milk, and fruit. Or make a "sundae". Layer a bowl with a serving of no-fat yogurt, top with a serving of high-fiber cereal, then a sweet fruit.

2. Pack Your Lunch Whenever Possible

You may have to make it the day before. I know I do. Sandwiches are good choices, as long as you don't load them down with fatty, salty meats and cheeses. Salads are great choices, too. Sometimes I just pack some carrots and peas in a bag and tote along two slices of whole grain bread.

3. If You Must Eat Out, Eat Healthy

Try Subway. Applebee's has some healthy choices too. Approach fast food salads with caution, and never use the full-fat varieties of salad dressings. (In fact, if you can go without, do so.) Skip the soda and opt for water, diet soda, or, better yet, 1% or skim milk. Some other establishments have low-cal, healthier fare. Avoid fried foods.

4. Increase Your Intake of Fruits and Vegetables

It's really easy. Just eat them as snacks. I love carrots with an apple. Broccoli is really good, too.

Answer 3

I've recently lost 55lbs since April 9 dong the following:

Do not eat over 2000 calories. Make your calories count. 2000 is a lot believe it or not. I kept my food intake as fat free as possible. And here is the kicker for true success...get a diet journal and write what you eat down. You'll be amazed of how easy it is.

Staple foods with this plan is a lot of chicken breast. Vegetables in the frozen section have a lot to offer that are very low calorie. Snack items...sugar free jello gelatin, sugar free jello pudding. Fresh fruit. 100 calorie snack packs make it easy to keep track.

I lost 21lbs my first month by doing the above and I did not exercise at all. Your weight loss does slow down after this initial period so incorporating some sort of physical activity is essential if you really want to kick it up a notch.

Hang in there and don't give up. Good luck

Answer 4

I used the National Body Challenge menu and guidelines. And the APEX plan. I know how you feel about meal planning and shopping. I would rather eat something that is prepackaged, You can eat healthy with fast food to. Stay with the chicken. Even KFC has broiled chicken. So does Jack in the Box. Diet drinks or ice tea. Subway is fantastic in healthy eating. The meals in the meal plans are pretty easy and they taste good. I felt better within 3 days. I'm a sugar addict. It actually curbed those cravings.

Answer 5

Think healthy first. Eating out is a personal choice. Some things only you can decide on. Someone said chef salad. Good choice for eating out or at home. Fruit plates, rice bowls, grilled fish all make the list. Keep the healthy stuff you like in the house. Get rid of the junk food, cookies, ice cream, you know what I mean. It all has to go. If it's there you'll eat it just like all of us. Prepare as much of your meals in advance if you can. If you come home and you're hungry and have to wait for food you'll find a way to cheat yourself. Remind yourself of what you're trying to accomplish..a healthier lifestyle. If you keep that foremost in your mind the choices get easier. Watch the shopping fliers for great deals on fresh fruit and vegetables. Make a conscious choice to eat the healthiest thing you can whenever you put something in your mouth. When in doubt..do the healthiest thing... Good luck with your new lifestyle choice, tell others when you're out and lead by example, you just might find some allies in your battle of the bulge. One last tip..Eat some fruit before you go to eat out. You won't be as hungry and maybe go for a lighter menu choice as an entree.

Answer 6

Try bringing your own lunch to work with you. Make a sandwich, bring some fruit and cut up some veggies with some dip. Go grocery shopping and try only buying fruit, veggies, whole wheat bread and lean meats. Also try planning your snacks and meals a head of time. This will make it easier to shop and may stop you from buying bad food. Planning your meals will also make it easier to eat healthy. It will prevent you from trying to think of something at the last minute and getting takeout instead. I have been doing this for the past year and I have found it works well. I have also never felt better.

Answer 7

Low Carb Dieting Tip
Your rate of metabolism dictates how many calories you burn. Heredity, gender, age, body size. diet and nutrition, activity level, and your overall health factor in on determining how high or low your metabolism is. It is normal for metabolism levels to lower as a person ages. Because of this it is important to begin stepping up your exercise routines in your thirties and forties.

Ways to Boost Your Metabolism

Eat Regularly - Eating 5-6 small meals throughout the day will give you energy throughout the day--helping you to burn calories. Whereas, calories eaten during larger meals tend to get stored as fat.
Maintain a Balanced Diet - Not only how often you eat is important, but your food choices are equally as important. Nurture you body with the appropriate balance of protein and carbs.

Eating whole foods rather than processed food gives your digestive system a workout that burns calories. For example: choose an apple over apple juice.
Workout with Weights - Building muscle mass will replace stored fat. As you build muscle tissue your metabolism increases.
Don't Forget Cardio - You need to get that heart rate up and breathe a little heavier. Twenty to thirty minutes of cardiovascular activity 5 days a week is recommended. Brisk walking or swimming are good. Or utilize exercise equipment (exercise bike, treadmill, or elliptical trainer)
Fruits and vegetables are clearly an important part of a good diet. Almost everyone can benefit from eating more of them, but variety is as important as quantity. No single fruit or vegetable provides all of the nutrients you need to be healthy. The key lies in the variety of different fruits and vegetables that you eat.
Some basic fruit and vegetable tips:
• Try to eat more fruits and vegetables. If you need 2,000 calories a day to maintain your weight and health, aim for at least nine servings (4½ cups) a day.
• Choose a variety of different fruits and vegetables. It's easy to get into a rut when it comes to the food you eat. Break out and try a wider variety - include dark-green, leafy vegetables; yellow, orange, and red fruits and vegetables; cooked tomatoes; and citrus fruits.

Answer 8

You should start drinking only diet sodas, eating fat free meats and dairy, eating sugar free sweets and pudding [also jello], eat more fruits and veggies, no fried or greasy foods.
1. Sugar free jello has about 5 cals per serving!!!
2. Eat light breads {Natures Own has bread that only has 40 cals per slice}
3. If you must eat out, eat something thats good.Like if you are at Chick-fal-a get the Chargrilled chicken sandwhich....it is not fried, and it is REALLY good. Also, fat free. If you are at Taco Bell, just get a couple a tacos......

Answer 9

Here is what I do...

I take with me and then put together at work.

a whole avacado
two low carb small size tortialls
alpha sprouts
tomatoes

soy bacon strips (I have to microwave these in the lunch room likes like 2 mintues)

I cut the avacado in half..each half goes into each small wrap.

I build my own wraps and eat. The avacado is very filling. You can alter your fixings of course but very easy to tote (with a reuseable ice block in your bag of course) and easy to put together. Healthy choice!

Answer 10

It is so difficult to eat well when you work tons, but it is a lot cheaper and you will feel so much better. I try to keep fruit in my car and I make myself sandwiches for lunch. If you work somewhere with a microwave you can bring cans of soup and other things with you.