How not to start off the New Year.

// January 6th, 2009 // 5 Comments » // Health, food

One of my favorite books for 2008 was Eat This, Not That!
. In it they break out the good from the bad, providing food swaps and alternatives to common good food myths.  Most of the bad foods and meals have been marketed to us as not bad.  No wonder why there is such widespread obesity and diabetes in the America.  We’ve been lied to.

Another great book is the kids version of that.  Called Eat This Not That! for Kids!
, it gives you the scoop on what is best to eat on the kids menu at the restaurants and fast food joints.  The creators of the book are associated with Men’s Health, which I don’t happen to read due to some of its content.

So they have this website where they provide a lot of really good nutritional info.  The best section is the worst foods in America list.  You’ll be surprised to find a few of your favorites on there.  Again, look down at your waist if you think I’m kidding.  So the top of the list for the worst food in America: Outback’s Steakhouse Aussie Cheese Fries with Ranch Dressing (see picture).  It’s loaded with 2,900 calories, 182 g fat, and 240 g carbs.

That’s like eating 14 Krispy Kreme donuts according to the website.

Eat This, Not That - See how well you know your foods

// July 11th, 2008 // No Comments » // Daily Life, Fun, Health, food

Curious about some of the fast food you eat and whether there’s any difference between Mickey D’s and BK. Go HERE and do the Eat This, Not That game. You’ll be amazed at what you don’t know about the foods you eat.

I’ve changed my eating habits based on a book by the editor of Men’s Health called The Abs Diet. I’ve lost about 20 lbs with a combination of better eating and strength/cardio training. The interesting thing about the “diet” is that it’s not really a diet. It’s selective eating. I’m eating pretty much the same as before, it’s just that I’ve stopped eating foods and drinks with some very specific ingredients:

• Any food with “partially hydrogenated oils” of any kind are out
• Any food with “High Fructose Corn Syrup” are out
• Soda’s are about 90% out - even the diet ones. They are only treats now.
• Any food that has > 0% trans fats
• Any high sodium foods are out
• Refined sugars are out

Getting rid of some of these food additives means you’ll feel better during the day and be more awake come that 2 pm afternoon doze time.

Some of my favorite foods come from Kashi Foods which you can get at you local supermarket. I bought a set of free weight dumbbells and a basic bench for home. Rowing machine. No gym membership yet. All before 6:30 am. I feel great.