Eat this not THAT!

[shardian]

http://www.menshealth.com/eatthis/index.php

Any of you ever see this? I saw the writer's original story while waiting at the mechanic 2 years ago. I knew he had books out, but didn't realize there was a thorough website for the info. Take a look at your favorite restaurants info, and see if you think twice before ordering certain things next time.

[HaRuMaN]

My wife bought the book.  It's actually pretty helpful in making better food choices.

[shardian]

It's very easy to lie to yourself if you don't have facts when eating out.
Some of our misconceptions:

1. Ribs are a healthy alternative.
2. Grilled Chicken is always better
3. Turkey burger is always better (Ruby Tuesday Turkey burger was on the top 10 worst burger list!)

[patrickl]

Just eat what you like, but don't eat too much of it.

[somunny]

http://www.menshealth.com/eatthis/index.php

Any of you ever see this? I saw the writer's original story while waiting at the mechanic 2 years ago. I knew he had books out, but didn't realize there was a thorough website for the info. Take a look at your favorite restaurants info, and see if you think twice before ordering certain things next time.

Why?  Go out and enjoy life.  It doesn't mean you have to indulge in such foods everyday but if it's something you like to eat, do it in moderation.

I think this is the crux of the negative image of the general diet in America.  It's not a problem that these foods exist.  The problem is that people don't know when to stop.

So, I'm going to continue to go to Chili's and enjoy a burger.  I'm not going to look at the nutritional content (or lack of) because I only do it once every couple of months.

[shardian]

Just eat what you like, but don't eat too much of it.

True. It is nice to know the nutrition info so you can determine what a good stopping point is.

[patrickl]

And if people knew when to stop eating, very few of us would be over weight!

I'd guess most people know when to stop eating. They just lack the discipline to actually stop.

[danny_galaga]

.

[ChadTower]

I'd guess most people know when to stop eating. They just lack the discipline to actually stop.

I totally disagree with that.  I talk to people all the time who have no idea what "eat until you are no longer hungry" means.  It's basic instinct to eat until one is full or until the food is gone.  We may not need it anymore but it is still there and overriding it takes practice and discipline until it becomes habit.  Most people, at least here in the US, just don't seem to grasp the practice.

[shardian]

The main thing to take into consideration here is that "1 pound of this != to 1 pound of that".

Most people don't realize that an order of cheese fries has over 2000 calories, and over 200 fat grams! I figured it was bad, but me and the wife would go to Outback for them anyways. I never imagined they were THAT bad. In comparison, I could eat 4-5 bags of Doritos and still not get to that level. I couldn't put down 5 bags of doritos in one sitting though - one bag for sure, but I would be ready to throw up. Me and the wife can put down the appetizer AND entree's though - entree's adding 1500-2000 MORE calories.

Sure, eating out once in a while and splurging is nice, but using that guise and making a sensible choice can give you the best of both worlds.

Another way my wife and I enjoy our splurges is by learning a copycat recipe and making them at home. Most recently, we have been addicted to Arby's Italian sub. We make it at home with heathier ingredients and cut out the majority of the fat and calories.
We have also made 2 big pots of tortilla soup since Christmas. Homeade fries once in a while too with the occasional spread of 2% cheeses and low fat Ranch for cheese fries.

[ChadTower]

I am fortunate in that I can't stand most dips/dressings.  I prefer my food plain most of the time.  It helps quite a bit in that regard.  If you have some menu item covered in russian dressing and mayo I wouldn't touch it with a 50 foot pole no matter what.

[patrickl]

I'd guess most people know when to stop eating. They just lack the discipline to actually stop.

I totally disagree with that.  I talk to people all the time who have no idea what "eat until you are no longer hungry" means.  It's basic instinct to eat until one is full or until the food is gone.  We may not need it anymore but it is still there and overriding it takes practice and discipline until it becomes habit.  Most people, at least here in the US, just don't seem to grasp the practice.

You mean these people don't realize they get fat is because they eat to much?

[ChadTower]

You mean these people don't realize they get fat is because they eat to much?

That's not it... they don't seem to be able to figure out how much is enough.  Everyone knows too much makes you fat but if the line between too much and enough is invisible most people just aren't going to get it.  People are stupid, especially when it comes to things they enjoy.  You may as well try telling people not to become "accidentally" pregnant.

[orion]

This thead makes me think of the movie "Supersize Me". It was insane, and I had no idea how bad eating fast food all the time was until I saw that. 

[ChadTower]

This thead makes me think of the movie "Supersize Me". It was insane, and I had no idea how bad eating fast food all the time was until I saw that. 

See?  People have been saying this on TV, in schools, in books, everywhere for decades.  Still some people don't get that 5 Big Macs a week will make you a hippo.  Somehow the concept of a reasonable portion size is like a differential equation to a lot of people.  They needed a full length movie to explain it to them.

[shardian]

And, again, the problem isn't necessarily a hamburger 5 times a week.  Part of the problem is that a McDonald's hamburger is (or used to be) disproportionately loaded with fat and calories - you could eat one at home 2 times the size for the same or less calorie bang. 

It's amazing how many calories can be substituted out of foods for little to no change in taste.  It's simply a matter of they aren't as cheap and easy for restaurants to use.

That is the point I'm trying to get across with that link. Have a hamburger, have fries, etc. But if you want to keep from packing on pounds, be smart about it. You can have guilt free eating and large portion sizes, you just have to be smart about it.

I have a coworker who has been put on a diet by his wife. He skips breakfast, and eats a tiny lean cuisine for lunch. Only a person with inhuman willpower could make that switch - and if you need  a diet then obviously that will not be the case.

[ChadTower]

And even just the Big Mac would be too much.  But you throw on the 800 cals of fries and it makes your meal 2000 calories.  That's nearly a full day worth of fuel with only a fraction of the nutritional content you need to be healthy.


shardian, that guy's diet will fail when he eats a monster dinner and wakes up for a snack at 3am.  It's the exact wrong approach.

[patrickl]

This thead makes me think of the movie "Supersize Me". It was insane, and I had no idea how bad eating fast food all the time was until I saw that. 

See?  People have been saying this on TV, in schools, in books, everywhere for decades.  Still some people don't get that 5 Big Macs a week will make you a hippo.  Somehow the concept of a reasonable portion size is like a differential equation to a lot of people.  They needed a full length movie to explain it to them.

See that's nonsense? Eating fast food every day is no problem at all. A Dutch journalist did that and he actually lost weight and was in better health. Although he didn' t go out of his way to stuff himself with food, but just ate as much as he normally would.

[shardian]

See that's nonsense? Eating fast food every day is no problem at all. A Dutch journalist did that and he actually lost weight and was in better health. Although he didn' t go out of his way to stuff himself with food, but just ate as much as he normally would.

I did a quick google search and had trouble finding this. Could you provide a link to the details of what/how much he ate? his exercise plan, etc, etc?

I can totally see someone eating an egg mcmuffin at breakfast (no hashbrown), a grilled chicken sandwich with no cheese or condiments at lunch (no fries), and a grilled chicken salad with no creamy dressing or cheese at dinner. You could lose a ton of weight if you mildy exercise too.

[ChadTower]

See that's nonsense? Eating fast food every day is no problem at all. A Dutch journalist did that and he actually lost weight and was in better health. Although he didn' t go out of his way to stuff himself with food, but just ate as much as he normally would.

Show us a person that lost weight eating 5 big macs a week, please.

There are very few fast food chains around here that a person could accomplish that with.  Subway, maybe, but their ad campaign is as much hype and idiocy as anything else.  Depending on what day of the week they ask that guy he has lost anywhere from 75 to 250lb and it took him between 6 months and 2 years.

[shardian]

You can eat fattening at Subway quite easy with the cheeses and sauces. I get a footlong prime rib with pepperjack cheese, ranch, southwest sauces, and all the veggies. That cheese and sauce makes a healthy sandwich into a fattening sandwich...but it tastes soooo goood!

[ChadTower]

Ew.  That sounds like something I wouldn't even want to make and I worked at Subway for quite a while. 


(didn't we used to have a barfing smiley?)

[shardian]

Ranch+southwest goes very well together. What? you've never had a spicy ranch dressing before? Oh wait, you hate dressings. You don't count.

So does sweet onion and red wine vinegarette on teriyaki chicken.

[Hoopz]

I eat the sweet onion but that's it.  A good sandwich or meal doesn't need a bunch of sauces/dressings to make it edible.

[patrickl]

See that's nonsense? Eating fast food every day is no problem at all. A Dutch journalist did that and he actually lost weight and was in better health. Although he didn' t go out of his way to stuff himself with food, but just ate as much as he normally would.

Show us a person that lost weight eating 5 big macs a week, please.

There are very few fast food chains around here that a person could accomplish that with.  Subway, maybe, but their ad campaign is as much hype and idiocy as anything else.  Depending on what day of the week they ask that guy he has lost anywhere from 75 to 250lb and it took him between 6 months and 2 years.

Well he probably didn't eat 5 big macs a week. The deal was to eat every day and every meal at McDonalds (breakfast, lunch and diner). IIRC They also had to eat everything on the menu at least once. The Dutch reporter lost quite a lot of weight in that month.

BTW a Big Mac, medium Fries, medium Coke and mayonaise is 1070 kcal, go large and it's 1240. In a 2500 kcal normal diet there is plenty room for that. Not 3 times a day of course, but still.

[HaRuMaN]

Yeah, but what is the fat / cholesterol content on that?  Can't be good for you...

[ChadTower]

IIRC They also had to eat everything on the menu at least once. The Dutch reporter lost quite a lot of weight in that month.

He got dyssentary, didn't he?   

BTW a Big Mac, medium Fries, medium Coke and mayonaise is 1070 kcal, go large and it's 1240. In a 2500 kcal normal diet there is plenty room for that. Not 3 times a day of course, but still.

It is true that over time the other chains have made their stuff worse than McDonald's.  It has been like some sort of fatass arms race.  Their site lists a Big Mac at 540 cals, though.  I'm sorry but looking at a Big Mac there's no effin way it is 540.  You can wring it out and get a couple hundred cals in fat dripping onto the table.

[patrickl]

Yeah, but what is the fat / cholesterol content on that?  Can't be good for you...

48g fat, 127g carbs, 4g salt. The fat is apparently half my daily advised quantity, but the salt is 82% so I guess that's too high. The other values are about a third so that sounds fine for a 3 meal daily diet.

[patrickl]

IIRC They also had to eat everything on the menu at least once. The Dutch reporter lost quite a lot of weight in that month.

He got dyssentary, didn't he?   

Nope, like I said his health was improving all through the month. He had a doctor check him too.

It is true that over time the other chains have made their stuff worse than McDonald's.  It has been like some sort of fatass arms race.  Their site lists a Big Mac at 540 cals, though.  I'm sorry but looking at a Big Mac there's no effin way it is 540.  You can wring it out and get a couple hundred cals in fat dripping onto the table.

Funny, a Dutch Big Mac is listed at 495 cal.

It's ---That which is odiferous and causeth plants to grow--- that you can wring fat out of a Big mac. The meat patties are as dry as a shoe sole. Maybe you are thinking Whopper or another burger place.

[ChadTower]

It's ---That which is odiferous and causeth plants to grow--- that you can wring fat out of a Big mac. The meat patties are as dry as a shoe sole. Maybe you are thinking Whopper or another burger place.

If you ever make it over here come try one.  My wife gets them once in a while.  The inside of the wrapper is soaked with grease when she opens it. 

[shardian]

Big Mac's don't come in a wrapper. Maybe you are thinking of a quarter Pounder or something.

[ChadTower]

Big Mac's don't come in a wrapper. Maybe you are thinking of a quarter Pounder or something.

They used to, didn't they?  I could be thinking of a quarter pounder but I'm pretty sure they used to come in wrappers.  Can't say I have ordered one in forever as I hate that orange sauce.

[patrickl]

Big Mac's don't come in a wrapper. Maybe you are thinking of a quarter Pounder or something.

They used to, didn't they?  I could be thinking of a quarter pounder but I'm pretty sure they used to come in wrappers.  Can't say I have ordered one in forever as I hate that orange sauce.

I think only the cheese burger and hamburger come in a wrapper. I've been in the states in a McDonald's although I prefer Burger King or KFC if I go for fast food. The thing that struck me as odd was the 1l free refill "buckets". Who refills after drinking 1 liter of soft drink?

[Hoopz]

Who refills after drinking 1 liter of soft drink?

That's why people are fat!

[ark_ader]

Should I comment?

[Ummon]

Many people's bodies don't know what is enough (let alone what is 'right). But they can learn.

[danny_galaga]

funny reading this. i'm probably one of the few people here who is trying to GAIN weight. i've been going to the gym. to that end i've gained 3kg so far. in roughly six months, but the first month was just getting used to the equipment so i didn't injure myself, and the last month coming up to christmas was a bit slack. so if i keep it up, i could probably gain about a kilo a month. much harder going up than down...

[HaRuMaN]

much harder going up than down...

Not really.  Just eat bigmacs every meal.   

Unless of course you are trying to add muscle mass and not fat, then yeah, that's hard.

[Paul Olson]

much harder going up than down...

No, it is just the opposite problem. Guys that have a hard time gaining weight just don't normally eat enough calories to grow given their metabolism. A lot of bodybuilders started out really small, but if you keep piling on the calories, you will put on weight. I have to diet really strict to lose weight, but when I do, I lose it quick (77 pounds so far since September). When I am not dieting, I gain just as fast (about 120lbs in a year and a half). My calorie swing is really wide, and the math supports both situations. I am currently eating about 1800 calories a day, and that translates into about 3 lost pounds a week, and I can push that to 4 or 5 with exercise. When I am not dieting, I probably eat around 8 to 10,000 calories a day if I eat out a lot, which explains the rapid weight gain. The fun part is that I can put on a ridiculous amount of muscle if I lift heavy while I eat heavy. Quite a few years ago, I went from 225 to 365 on bench press in about 3 months. That was fun.

I am still at about 190lbs of lean body weight, but it is unfortunately still well padded at 280 lbs. I am pushing to hit 220 in 12 weeks, but I need to get my lazy ass back in the gym since I won't make it at 3lbs a week.

Most people who are really fat just normally put down a lot of calories, and most thin people do not. If you put in some big calories, you will gain a lot of size over time. Most "hard gainers" that I know usually put away up to 10,000 calories a day to gain size. Natural for us fatties, but a challenge for you smaller guys.


It is always good to know how many calories are in restaurant food. If you are prone to gaining weight, you will almost always choose to eat more than enough calories, but it is easier to make better choices if you have good information.

[Dartful Dodger]

The thing that struck me as odd was the 1l free refill "buckets".

That is odd, the places I go to have unlimited refills.