RMW Health and Fitness Club

[♥SOURCE♥]

What's a standard dinner for you? Take 1/4 of the carbs (like potatoes, fries, chips, rice, bread, or pasta) -> garbage disposal, or if you're awesome at self-control, don't cook as much of it. If I start to feel hunger pangs later, I eat some almonds or low-fat greek yogurt (I had extreme friends eat chia seeds, lol). Anything that makes you feel full without getting you full is a good replacement.

What's wrong with potatoes?

 

[Kovos_Datch]

What's wrong with potatoes?

 Potatoes, although the lifeblood of the gods, doesn't have much nutritional value compared to the calories and carbs that go along with it, thus making them "hollow" carbs that don't do much for you.

 

[♥SOURCE♥]

 Potatoes, although the lifeblood of the gods, doesn't have much nutritional value compared to the calories and carbs that go along with it, thus making them "hollow" carbs that don't do much for you.

D: What do you think of this video?

 

[Kovos_Datch]

D: What do you think of this video?

Maybe the gods favored those who ate potatoes? But in all seriousness, I was just quoting what I was always told.

*mutters* If I had a penny for every time my ex told me to eat something more healthy than potatoes...*mutters*

 

[mlogan]

Potatoes - with the skin and not fried - can have some nutritional value, but there are better choice carbs out there. It also depends on your body and your goals.

When you exert energy, the body will use up carbs before using stored fat. Because of this and other health reasons, for me personally I try to limit my carbs. I also try to spend those carbs on foods that have more nutritional impact - fruits and things like sweet potatoes, quinoa, whole grain rice and steel cut oats.

But again every body is different and needs might vary from person to person.

 

[Bastrophian]

Could someone kindly explain carbs to me? :< ...I've heard of them, but don't know much....I certainly havint been watching them.

 

[Ms Littlefish]

A good thing to live by is "if it fits your macros." 

There is a big difference between simple carbohydrates and complex carbohydrates, and potatoes are actually a complex carbohydrate. 

Many diets have a focus on lower carbohydrate consumption, which is fine, but moderate carbohydrate consumption fits in most diets if you pick the right ones.

Potatoes have fiber, protein, potassium, vitamin C, B6, riboflavin, magnesium, copper, manganese, phosphorous, and even more trace minerals.

@Deathswallow I think I messaged you a bit about this already. Simple carbohydrates are made of one or two molecules and are quickly digested, enter the blood stream rapidly, and spike the blood sugar. These are white pasta, white bread, table sugar, syrups, ect. Complex carbohydrates are made of several molecules which mean they enter the blood steam a lot slower because they take longer to break apart. Most of these are plant materials. Durum wheat (and its products), brown rice, beans, white and sweet potatoes, whole fruit, green vegetables, corn, oats, ect. 

There is a saying. Eat a colorful diet. You're eating the correct carbohydrates if you avoid foods that are white (there are a couple exceptions). These foods are often high in fiber and minerals and vitamins. 

 

[mlogan]

Meg beat me to it, lol!

Yes, honestly at this point for you I would not worry about "watching carbs", since what you are doing is working for you. For me, I need it. And I wasn't trying to vilify potatoes, I just feel that there are other carb choices out that offer more bang for your buck, so to speak.

The problem many people have with carbs is that they eat too much of the wrong kind - the simple carbs Meg was talking about. When you are trying to lose weight, if you eat too many carbs, your body will use that as energy and never get around to using the stored fat, thus you will have a harder time losing weight.

You can start observing the carbs in the foods you eat simply by checking the labels, just to get an idea of them in different foods. But I would not stress right now about monitoring the number you eat in a day or whatever. Just keep making better choices every day and you'll be fine!

 

[Kovos_Datch]

As they say: "Eat green, be lean. Eat brown, stay round."

Granted that's not always the case, but greens don't carry carbs, thus makes your body burn the stored fat!

 

[Ms Littlefish]

Another thing that happens when we refine our grains into simple carbohydrates is a lot, if not all, of the fiber is removed. So not only is our blood sugar going to spike more rapidly from consuming bleached flours and sugars, but we're going to be hungry sooner because without fiber, the food isn't as satiating. You'll get hungry again sooner and it may snowball into craving more sugar. Also, not only will you be hungrier, you'll be crabbier too. 

So instead of hyper focusing on how many carbohydrates something has, I almost think it's the fiber people should be looking for. 

 

[Bastrophian]

@Deathswallow I think I messaged you a bit about this already. Simple carbohydrates are made of one or two molecules and are quickly digested, enter the blood stream rapidly, and spike the blood sugar. These are white pasta, white bread, table sugar, syrups, ect. Complex carbohydrates are made of several molecules which mean they enter the blood steam a lot slower because they take longer to break apart. Most of these are plant materials. Durum wheat (and its products), brown rice, beans, white and sweet potatoes, whole fruit, green vegetables, corn, oats, ect. 

There is a saying. Eat a colorful diet. You're eating the correct carbohydrates if you avoid foods that are white (there are a couple exceptions). These foods are often high in fiber and minerals and vitamins. 

Now that you mention it, i do remember that. Thank you for reminding me. You say that there are exceptions to the "white foods" rule. What Greek Yogurt be one of those (i would think so). Speaking of which....i just found out ive been eating the wrong kind. T_T ....i found some walmart brand lowfat, plain "Greek Yogurt" at walmart. MAN! It tastes and feels JUST like sour cream, maybe a little thicker....its got alot more protein, like i think it said it has 23mg per serving ...compared to the one i was eating, which was like 12mg or something. One things for sure, there aint no pigging out on that....i got some frozen fruit to go with it, cuz i cant eat it without something sweet....probably a good thing huh, lol? I could probably use it on a taco too :> .  

 

[mlogan]

Yes, Greek yogurt is definitely an exception, as you noted it's a great source of protein. And I do sub it for sour cream a lot. But one of my favorite snacks is Greek yogurt with a little honey mixed in and strawberries cut up on top.

 

[Kes]

I eat Greek yoghurt just as it is.  It's like many flavours, the first time you try it it tastes weird, maybe even unpleasant.  However, part of the reason for that is that our modern western tastes have been conditioned by a massive over use of sweeteners (sugar or artificial) in processed foods.  We expect things to taste sweet.  However, if we re-educate our palettes not only do we discover a whole new world of tastes (unsweetened fresh grapefruit for breakfast - wonderful; salad dressing of freshly squeezed lime juice, and so on), but we start needing less and less sweetener in our other foods.  This makes keeping a healthy diet a lot easier.

 

[Ms Littlefish]

Greek yogurt, milk, and cauliflower are some exceptions. Some whole grains such as oats and barley are, I'd say off-white, but they're good choices. If you're ever questioning something, flip it over and read the label and the ingredients. First check the fiber and other nutrients. That's a good place to start. But, the dead give away is If you find words like "bleached," "refined," or a sugar/syrup is very high up on the ingredients.

 

[Kovos_Datch]

Taking the advice of this thread, I decided to eat a whole-grain fibrous breakfast and I feel more full than if I would have had my normal, crappy breakfast.

 

[Dark Horseman]

Taking the advice of this thread, I decided to eat a whole-grain fibrous breakfast and I feel more full than if I would have had my normal, crappy breakfast.

Man, I think any breakfast is healthier than what I had in college: sausage muffins or bacon and hashbrowns. Just avoiding those would probably add years to your life...

 

[Bastrophian]

:C ....im a little bummed. Had a dude tell me the other day at the gym that i might ought to work out a little more on the machines before i continue on the Stronglifts 5x5 program. I dont really want to quit now, but like i said earlier, im still only lifting just the bar and even with that my form is really unsteady, and form is really important. According to the program i should be lifting more now....My squats are getting better, but not much else (although, the program has me doing those every workout session...and everything else every other workout session.) Im not giving up!!!....but right now i just really feel frustrated cuz i think im doing "something" wrong, like maybe im not working hard enough during my sessions, but im doing everything the program says for that day..... :< ~meh

 

[mlogan]

What is this program - something your gym does? And who is this "dude" - a trainer who knows what he's talking about or just another gym goer? Honestly, I don't care for machines and don't use them. I much prefer free weights. Hang in there, I promise you will see a difference. It might be on your own time table, but you will get there. Just try to block out the negativity for now.

 

[Kes]

It is also true that human physiology is highly diverse.  A program that is absolutely right for one person might not be much good for someone else.  Does your gym have a trainer?  Even if it means paying for one session, it might be worth while getting some individual advice that is geared up specifically to you and your body type.  If you are doing everything that the program says, then you are working hard enough.  But perhaps you need to be working slightly differently.  That's where the individualized advice comes in.

 

[Bastrophian]

Dude is not a trainer....but dude has vain popping pecs and biceps.... :'''< ~meh ...