Hi, I am an 18 year old male and I would describe myself as a "chronic picky eater". For some reason most meats, fish and hot foods cause me to gag due to their taste, texture or smell. (Over the years i have expanded to more junky meats like fried chicken, hot dogs, bacon and calamari) but try to stay away).
But that is not what my question concerns. I am questioning my nutrition because I just started getting serious about my health (dropping soda, junk food, limiting my grazing) and starting to exercise
This consists of Cereal (2 servings), Milk (4 servings) with one using protein powder, a PBJ sandwich, Various healthy snacks (fruit, nuts, wheat thins, power bars, atkin bars), V8 Juice, Water, and the occasional hot dog or chicken tenders with french fries.
I am 5'10", weigh around 150lbs (according to our physical scale) and exercise 6 days a week (running about 4-5 for 30min and walking otherwise) and have been doing this for 8 days now.
Is this a healthy lifestyle? What can I do to improve/ cutback on to improve it? The specifics of my food are more of a physiological issue which is improving with time, its the nutrition I care about. Does my diet consist of too many processed foods? If so what harmful effects can this have?
Thank you for any feedback I really appreciate it (:
Does my diet consist of too many processed foods? If so what harmful effects can this have?
Processed Grains: Generally, the less processed foods you eat, the better off you will be from a health standpoint. The harmful effects usually derive from inflammation. Baked goods, because they contain flour and sugar etc., can cause inflammation in your body. And inflammation in your arteries, for example, is the cause of heart disease.
Oils: Stay away from corn oil or any oil high in Omega 6. Olive oil is the best, in my opinion. I use it all the time, but never in large amounts.
Animal protein: Any grain-fed animal protein will usually be high in Omega 6 and that can also cause inflammation. That includes grain-fed (farm raised) fish.
And the harmful effects include more than heart trouble. The harmful effects include cancer, diabetes, arthritis and many other degenerative diseases.
Last edited by Administrator; 05-19-2012 at 06:28 AM.
Was 170lbs and am 5'7 pounds. Got a juicer and did fruits and veg's only for 3 months and worked out 5 days a week. Got to 120lbs and ripped. But I honestly think that refined carbs are the worst thing for you and like the previous user said oils. I would only do coconut oil and if you can find it REAL cold pressed olive oil (if it's not from greece it's not real)
Last edited by Administrator; 05-19-2012 at 06:32 AM.
must avoid asap, unless you get them from health food store without the nitrates, and they still may have too much sodium.
Cereal: poor nutrition, at least use one of the cereals with extra vitamins added, like Total
Milk: Mayo Clinic says avoid whole milk for a healthy heart. I switched to Flaxmilk, which has omega 3's, and no cholesterol.
fruit, nuts: excellent
wheat thins: no nutritional value
power bars: not much nutritional value
V8 Juice: way too much sodium! (Sodium 420 mg 18 % per 8 ozs), and after processing I'm sure lots of vitamins are lost. Make your own smoothies at home with fresh fruits/veggies would be way more nutritious.
Water: excellent
chicken tenders with french fries: junk food, fried ruins any nutritional value of lean meat and potatoes.
I'd say your a typical mix of good and bad foods, and a lot of people think they are eating 'healthy' when they really are not. No leafy greens like spinach or kale? Those are super foods. look up their nutritional value and prepare to be shocked.
