Anyone have an exact/simple diet that has worked for them?

[Jerkies]

Anyone have a simple diet for the lazy man? I'm far too lazy to cook anything.

I'd prefer to eat a turkey sandwich on wheat bread 3 times a day rather cook something or search through the supermarket for specialty nuts and fruits.

Boring and bland is perfectly fine with me as long as i can be in out of the store in 5 minutes.

Specifically looking for help on exactly what (how much) to eat and when to eat it throughout the day.

[flatpick]

Actually, you could do a lot worse than a turkey sandwich on whole wheat bread.

Keep it simple. Don't eat anything that either wasn't grown in the ground or didn't have a mother. In other words, eat "real" food rather than processed food. The real food is located at the periphery of grocery stores - the center aisles have the processed food. If you do nothing more than restrict the amount of fat and sugar in your diet and keep your portions reasonable, then you are doing good.

Good luck.

[Rickson]

That was almost 50% of my diet and it worked very well. The other half was tuna on wheat mixed with mayo, celery, and lemon juice.

[kimbahpnam]

I did a Atkins/high-protein diet in college and worked like a charm. I stayed away from complex carbs like breads, pastas, rice, noodles, etc. I mixed that with regular exercise and it did wonders.
Farts smelled bad, but it worked!

[LuckyR]

Anyone have a simple diet for the lazy man? I'm far too lazy to cook anything.

I'd prefer to eat a turkey sandwich on wheat bread 3 times a day rather cook something or search through the supermarket for specialty nuts and fruits.

Boring and bland is perfectly fine with me as long as i can be in out of the store in 5 minutes.

Specifically looking for help on exactly what (how much) to eat and when to eat it throughout the day.


Worked for what? What is your goal with the diet, quickness of preparation?

[malakas]

cereal with milk in the morning,fruits for snacks,turkey/tuna sandwiches/beans from can+veggie bags for lunch,yoghourt with raisins/boilled eggs for dinner...etc etc
It's easy and if you're a little careful you can make it ballanced and with variety.

[yemenmocha]

Vegetarian diet works well for me. Maintaining healthy weight, cholesterol, etc. is easy.

[Rickson]

Your cholesterol should stay low as long as you don't indulge in cheese products. My vegetarian buddy loves pizza to death.

[SirBlend12]

I usually like fresh fruit(bananas, strawberries, kiwi, mango, papaya, grapefruit, pears), whole wheat breads, yogurt, baked potatoes with salsa, tomatoes, zucchini, onions (red and white), granola, and cashews. Mix that with drinking coffee and natural black tea. That's pretty much my everyday deal.

I usually have coffee, yogurt and a grain bagel for breakfast, a yogurt and a banana at lunch (don't need much, my lunch hour is somewhat early in the day), some fresh strawberries and maybe a pear for a snack in mid-late afternoon, potato or mixed steamed veggies and rice for dinner, and then a later snack of fruit. Toss in the tea somewhere in the day, and substitute other things from my list (I need a tad bit of variety).

Except for the last few weeks (quite sick), I am typically very healthy, have very low body fat and just feel good in general.

I'd say give this a try if you are looking to go in another direction. I realize there's no meat involved, but you could mix in some of these things with your turkey sandwiches.

[Japanese Maple]

Sirblend12-Where is your protein? Even as a vegetarian, diet doesn't look like you are getting enough protein, balancing your essential amino acids-soy, tofu,legumes,quinoa, tempeh,ect. I am sure you are combining the right essential nine amino acids to meet your protein requirements, but it seems low to me. Also, your water intake doesn't seem adequate enough. With this diet, how is your energy level throughout the day and especially during a 3 set match on a hot day? Also, your daily calorie total seems to be low for any kind of vigorous exercise like tennis.

[Rickson]

It looks like Blend is getting protein from yogurt.

[snoopy]

Simple, effective, but sometimes bland, that's the way I eat. The key for me is to avoid grains and too much sugar.

I find following the way i eat to be very simple. It has become easy for me to lose weight. I don't really think about food much anymore. I just eat what I want from the food I have available.

Shopping is easy. Buy some good cuts of meat, vegetables and fruits, nuts and seeds, and maybe some yogurt.

I buy prepackaged salads bc I'm lazy. Just pop them open whenever you are ready to eat, they are already clean.

I always have some cans of tuna and sardines lying around. I just eat it out of the can. They're great for a quick lunch.

I also hard boil a bunch of eggs once a week bc sometimes I don't want to be bothered cooking eggs in the morning. Plus, if I don't eat eggs in the morning I can eat them as a snack.

I also buy plain yogurt. You have to watch the sugar content in a lot of the yogurts you see in the grocery store. I buy the Chobani plain, it's high in protein and has very little sugar. I eat one of those with some fruit when i feel like it.

Nuts and seeds are a great source for a snack.

The biggest problem for the lazy man is cooking meat. You can buy one of the rotissere chickens that are already cooked. You can pick on that for a few days. Also, you can cook a bunch of chicken breasts once a week and put them in the fridge. Then you can add the chicken to all kinds of meals, eg on top of a salad or a chicken and vegetable stir fry. The same goes for other meats. Buy a small london broil or pot roast. Cook it and then stick it in the fridge for later in the week You can slice it and warm it up whenever u want.

My diet is pretty bland but that's only bc I'm lazy. You can do all sorts of things to spice it up.

[raiden031]

I weighed in at 201 (I'm 6'1") on New Years day. I started counting calories and restricting them to between 2000-2400 with a cheat day each week, and the past 2 days I have weighed 187. My belt now can be latched one hole tighter. I do moderate exercise, with some high intensity workouts on the treadmill, mixed in with tennis and lifting.

Anyways as far as foods, the key is to eat food that are low in calorie density. I eat salads, but salad dressing is pretty bad so I mix it with low-fat cheese and use red taco sauce for flavor (very low in calories). I can eat a huge salad that fills me up for like 100 calories. Plus eat fruits and vegetables because the fiber makes you feel more full. I also eat some chicken, fiber one bars, and low-fat sausages and wonder-light bread. There's alot of creative ways to make filling meals that are low in calories.

So if you're trying to lose weight and not getting an extreme amount of exercise, its alot easier if you count your calories and control exactly what you put in your body.

[Jerkies]

Thanks everyone for the help, these are exactly the type of answers I've been looking for.

Shopping list for next week:

Some packaged sliced turkey
Cans of tuna
Whole wheat bread
Plain yogurt + celery
Packaged Salads + salsa
Some potatoes to microwave + salsa
Rotisserie chicken

Planning on having different combination's of this stuff for breakfast, lunch and dinner with water. How many potatoes can I eat in a day? Love me some baked potatoes!

So, I'm not going to die of vitamin deficiency or anything like that with this list, am I? :eek:

[Japanese Maple]

Jerkies, some other foods to consider:

oatmeal mixed with skim milk, banana or strawberries, walnuts
make a salad and add chicken breast or canned tuna/salmon
cottage cheese mixed with fruit of choice,yogurt, and walnuts
make brown rice to last 3-5 days for daily meals
protein shakes mixed with strawberries, banana, water, ice, juice
egg white omelets, whole wheat toast
peanut butter on whole wheat bread
canned beans

[dman72]

Thanks everyone for the help, these are exactly the type of answers I've been looking for.

Shopping list for next week:

Some packaged sliced turkey
Cans of tuna
Whole wheat bread
Plain yogurt + celery
Packaged Salads + salsa
Some potatoes to microwave + salsa
Rotisserie chicken

Planning on having different combination's of this stuff for breakfast, lunch and dinner with water. How many potatoes can I eat in a day? Love me some baked potatoes!

So, I'm not going to die of vitamin deficiency or anything like that with this list, am I? :eek:


If you are serious about losing weight, I wouldn't eat any potatoes. Sorry.

Everything else is fine. Try to buy the whole grain bread with the highest fiber content.

[d-quik]

UHHH don't go overboard with the canned tuna!!! they are loaded with heavy metals and health-****s say that canned tuna shouldn't be consumed more than 1-2 times a month okay?

[Topaz]

If you are serious about losing weight, I wouldn't eat any potatoes. Sorry.

Everything else is fine. Try to buy the whole grain bread with the highest fiber content.

Potatoes are great. They are a starchy complex carb that are also calorie dense. They are high on the GI index, which means you shouldn't eat them alone, but preferably with a lean protein and/or fibrous complex carb (ie broccoli). The GI index was developed based on eating carbs in a fasted state, which isn't usually how we eat. The GI index will be further irrelevant if you eat small, frequent meals (recommended for fat burning). The GI is only one factor to consider out of many.***

People have been brainwashed to think that potatoes are bad, but in fact, they are a great super-food. Eat them baked, and keep the skin on - eat it in its natural, unrefined state. If you still are wary of white/red potatoes, try substituting yams.

Obviously, don't eat fried potatoes...or fried anything for that matter. Nothing natural or unrefined about that!

***Credit Tom Venuto, Burn Fat Feed Muscle, pg. 198

[Topaz]

Thanks everyone for the help, these are exactly the type of answers I've been looking for.

Shopping list for next week:

Some packaged sliced turkey
Cans of tuna
Whole wheat bread
Plain yogurt + celery
Packaged Salads + salsa
Some potatoes to microwave + salsa
Rotisserie chicken

Planning on having different combination's of this stuff for breakfast, lunch and dinner with water. How many potatoes can I eat in a day? Love me some baked potatoes!

So, I'm not going to die of vitamin deficiency or anything like that with this list, am I? :eek:

It looks like a good start.

Watch the packaged turkey...try to get actual turkey instead, and slice it up yourself. Tons of nitrites and preservatives in the packaged, 'lunch' meat stuff.

Yogurt is good...look for low or non fat, and look at the sugar content! Ugh, I just had to do this myself last week...didn't realize how much sugar was in the yogurt I was having. We should only have 40g of sugar a day, most people are WAY over that...my old yogurt had 25g just in one container!

Make sure the bread says 100% whole wheat or whole grain, and look out for High Fructose Corn Syrup.

Again, as far as potatoes, eat them with a lean protein and a fibrous complex carb (green veggies). Don't eat them alone, especially after you haven't eaten in a while. Bake them, no oil, no frying!

The packaged salads are a lifesaver for me!

Jerkies, some other foods to consider:

oatmeal mixed with skim milk, banana or strawberries, walnuts
make a salad and add chicken breast or canned tuna/salmon
cottage cheese mixed with fruit of choice,yogurt, and walnuts
make brown rice to last 3-5 days for daily meals
protein shakes mixed with strawberries, banana, water, ice, juice
egg white omelets, whole wheat toast
peanut butter on whole wheat bread
canned beans

Great list, JM!

Yes, yes, yes...oatmeal! But don't buy the packaged instant...get the quick oats or regular rolled oats. The packaged usually has lots of added sugar, and the oat is further refined, which takes away all the good stuff. I have the quick oats, and really, doesn't take much longer to make. Eat oatmeal every day if you can...a great superfood!

[OTMPut]

Dietary cholestrol has nothing to do with cholestrol in blood which in turn has nothing to do with heart disease.

What are certainly worse are refined carbs, starch and sugar which screw up your harmonal balance and result in obesity.

So avoid refined carbs & sugar (almost all packaged food will have some of these). Eat everything else. Exercise has nothing to do with weight loss, it will only keep your body fit and strong.

[Ronaldo]

Use a saucer instead of a plate for a meal. Never eat more than a fistfull of food.

[Japanese Maple]

Potatoes are great. They are a starchy complex carb that are also calorie dense. They are high on the GI index, which means you shouldn't eat them alone, but preferably with a lean protein and/or fibrous complex carb (ie broccoli). The GI index was developed based on eating carbs in a fasted state, which isn't usually how we eat. The GI index will be further irrelevant if you eat small, frequent meals (recommended for fat burning). The GI is only one factor to consider out of many.***

People have been brainwashed to think that potatoes are bad, but in fact, they are a great super-food. Eat them baked, and keep the skin on - eat it in its natural, unrefined state. If you still are wary of white/red potatoes, try substituting yams.

Obviously, don't eat fried potatoes...or fried anything for that matter. Nothing natural or unrefined about that!

***Credit Tom Venuto, Burn Fat Feed Muscle, pg. 198

Topaz-what are your thoughts on Tom Venuto's best selling Burn Fat, Feed Muscle program? Do you think its worth buying and helpful to diet and exercise properly to maintain health and proper weight/muscle? Would you highly recommend it?

[Topaz]

Topaz-what are your thoughts on Tom Venuto's best selling Burn Fat, Feed Muscle program? Do you think its worth buying and helpful to diet and exercise properly to maintain health and proper weight/muscle? Would you highly recommend it?

I only just got it about a week ago myself.

So far, though, yes, I would highly recommend it, and I was convinced to buy it based on other's recommendations as well. It is a *wealth* of information, though, and takes some time to wade through. Some of the things I knew before, but I do like how he organizes all of the information as well. I also am using this site (http://www.caloriecount.about.com) to help me track calories, too, and I can't recommend that site enough, either (thanks to Malakas!). Between the two, I feel like I have a good plan!

I also did a search on here before I bought, and it was only mentioned a few times, but again, in high regard. I believe Cosgrove's book (can't remember the title) was also mentioned, too.

If you are serious about optimizing the results of a good, clean diet then yes...I think you should check it out. It was $40 I think? And comes with some handy extras. It is an e-book, and I found it helpful to put it on my portably USB drive as well as my hard drive, and some pages I have printed out, along with some recipes I want to try. If you are on Facebook, there is also a group on there, and Venuto is the admin and also posts.

[Rickson]

But then the food might taste like coffee, Ronnie.

[stormholloway]

cereal with milk in the morning,fruits for snacks,turkey/tuna sandwiches/beans from can+veggie bags for lunch,yoghourt with raisins/boilled eggs for dinner...etc etc
It's easy and if you're a little careful you can make it ballanced and with variety.

Sounds pretty solid to me.

Don't fear red meat on occasion either.

[Japanese Maple]

I only just got it about a week ago myself.

So far, though, yes, I would highly recommend it, and I was convinced to buy it based on other's recommendations as well. It is a *wealth* of information, though, and takes some time to wade through. Some of the things I knew before, but I do like how he organizes all of the information as well. I also am using this site (http://www.caloriecount.about.com) to help me track calories, too, and I can't recommend that site enough, either (thanks to Malakas!). Between the two, I feel like I have a good plan!

I also did a search on here before I bought, and it was only mentioned a few times, but again, in high regard. I believe Cosgrove's book (can't remember the title) was also mentioned, too.

If you are serious about optimizing the results of a good, clean diet then yes...I think you should check it out. It was $40 I think? And comes with some handy extras. It is an e-book, and I found it helpful to put it on my portably USB drive as well as my hard drive, and some pages I have printed out, along with some recipes I want to try. If you are on Facebook, there is also a group on there, and Venuto is the admin and also posts.

Topaz-good to here you recommend Vento's e-book. What are your thoughts on the "Clean-Eat Diet" book, along with the Billy Phillips "Fit For Life" book? Of the three, which one would you recommend? Also, for calorie/nutritional tracking have you checked out "Fit Day.com"?

[Topaz]

Sorry, but I'm not familiar with the other two. Maybe someone else will chime in?

I have never used Fit Day, but I know others who do...I've also used Sparkpeople for calorie/nutritional tracking before, and it is also a very good, *free* site.

[SirBlend12]

Sirblend12-Where is your protein? Even as a vegetarian, diet doesn't look like you are getting enough protein, balancing your essential amino acids-soy, tofu,legumes,quinoa, tempeh,ect. I am sure you are combining the right essential nine amino acids to meet your protein requirements, but it seems low to me. Also, your water intake doesn't seem adequate enough. With this diet, how is your energy level throughout the day and especially during a 3 set match on a hot day? Also, your daily calorie total seems to be low for any kind of vigorous exercise like tennis.

It looks like Blend is getting protein from yogurt.

Maple, I may have been a little vague and/or forgetful. A lot of the yogurts I eat are great for protein, and I usually eat cashews and beans regularly. All great sources. As for water, I am constantly drinking water. I probably drink 1/2 a gallon a day if I'm on a "less exercise" day (rain on the court, track) and even more otherwise. Calorie-wise, I generally am built like a 12 year old girl for my height. 5' 10-11" and in the 142 range (give or take). My genetics have favored me well, considering the outlook is that I would gain 10 lbs. max in my lifetime, based on everyone else in my family. We're a very slender bunch. I don't need a lot of calories to sustain.

Rickson, mostly true along with the update for Maple. I do so dig on yogurt.

[Rickson]

Are you English, Blend?

[SirBlend12]

Are you English, Blend?

An English major! I'm actually from Cleveland.

I was serious about the english major part, too. I just read my post to you and I realized that I phrase many things in ways that almost nobody else does. I suppose it's just one of those things that makes me "me".:)

[pmacias]

I think Weight Watchers is the best route if you want to go on an official diet, and here's why: you get on one of these programs in a new fandangled book, and it's so much of a departure from your normal diet, you inevitably bag it after a week. Weight Watchers is superior because it focuses on portions. In fact, you eat what you usually do, but the point system obligates you to portion control. At least, that's my two bits.

[charliefedererer]

Thanks everyone for the help, these are exactly the type of answers I've been looking for.

Shopping list for next week:

Some packaged sliced turkey
Cans of tuna
Whole wheat bread
Plain yogurt + celery
Packaged Salads + salsa
Some potatoes to microwave + salsa
Rotisserie chicken

Planning on having different combination's of this stuff for breakfast, lunch and dinner with water. How many potatoes can I eat in a day? Love me some baked potatoes!

So, I'm not going to die of vitamin deficiency or anything like that with this list, am I? :eek:

No you are not going to die of a vitamin deficiency.
While dieting, it might not be a bad idea to take an inexpensive multivitamin.

About two months ago, The New England Journal of Medicine published an article entitled: "Comparison of Weight-Loss Diets with Different Compositions of Fat, Protein, and Carbohydrates".
The study was done because "There is intense debate about what types of diet are most effective for treating overweight — those that emphasize protein, those that emphasize carbohydrates, or those that emphasize fat."
"The principal finding is that the diets were equally successful in promoting clinically meaningful weight loss and the maintenance of weight loss over the course of 2 years. Satiety, hunger, satisfaction with the diet, and attendance at group sessions were similar for all diets. The diets improved lipid risk factors and fasting insulin levels in the directions that would be expected on the basis of macronutrient content."
"In conclusion, diets that are successful in causing weight loss can emphasize a range of fat, protein, and carbohydrate compositions that have beneficial effects on risk factors for cardiovascular disease and diabetes.Such diets can also be tailored to individual patients on the basis of their personal and cultural preferences and may therefore have the best chance for long-term success. " http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/full/360/9/859
So the good news is that with all the great tasting good food out there, you can both lose weight, and find a healthy diet that you can enjoy.

[QuErorZ]

When you are in diet, in first 2-3 weeks human body loses weight hastily. But then it almost stops. After you stop losing weight fast, stop doing diet and eat 2-3 days in normal amounts. Eat (almost) as much as you want to. Then begin doing diet again. And do your regular diet until your weight loss stops. And repeat this process...
Because when you remain doing diet, after a point body stops digesting and with 2-3 days normal eating, you run the digestion system again and it works for a few weeks in which you will lose weight.

Note: This is a diet which was completely made up by me. But it worked for me.

[Rickson]

Z, you don't want to give anecdotal advice. Ideally, you'd want to cut some calories, but not dramatically. 500 kcal a day is an ideal cut, but too many people insist on 1000 or more and they don't stick with the plan. You'd also want to pop a good multi every day so you'd be getting those micronutrients you'd lack from your cut in calories. Apex makes a very good multi.

[NineMileSkid]

Vegetarian diet works well for me. Maintaining healthy weight, cholesterol, etc. is easy.

But isn't getting enough protein relatively hard?

[ferb55]

Use a saucer instead of a plate for a meal. Never eat more than a fistfull of food.

Great advice for overeaters. Very effective for me.

[foLster]

Eat until you're not hungry, and not until you're full. Skip on the chips/pop/ice cream and all that junk, eat healthy & exercise.

[maverick66]

Eat until you're not hungry, and not until you're full. Skip on the chips/pop/ice cream and all that junk, eat healthy & exercise.

the problem is it takes like 20 mins for your brain to process that your full. so the eat till your full doesnt work. by that time you have over eaten.


first step cut out sugars and proccesed foods. also if your a meat eater only use kosher or free range meats. if it isnt one of those things your getting alot chemicals that are harmful to your body. your gonna need a healthy combination of foods. you cant say just say im gonna eat alot of protein and no carbs or vice versa. you need a good combination of the two. diets are about balance. extreme diets dont work and are very harmful.

[luckyguy]

cut on the carbs during the day. as the old adage goes, eat breakfast like a king, eat lunch like a prince and eat dinner like a beggar.

for better results, try to totally replace your normal dinner (or anything after 6 pm) with veggie salad. do this for a whole month and coupled with enough cardio workout (tennis is sufficient) you could lose like 10 kgs in 1 month (just like me)

[bluegrasser]

Anyone have a simple diet for the lazy man? I'm far too lazy to cook anything.

I'd prefer to eat a turkey sandwich on wheat bread 3 times a day rather cook something or search through the supermarket for specialty nuts and fruits.

Boring and bland is perfectly fine with me as long as i can be in out of the store in 5 minutes.

Specifically looking for help on exactly what (how much) to eat and when to eat it throughout the day.

Weight Watchers smart meals/Subs with no cheese or mayo & exercise.

[fps]

porridge for breakfast
a can or two of tuna for lunch
morning/ afternoon snacks are carrots, bananas, apples
proper meal in the evening- spaghetti bolognese w/ brown pasta, steak, omelette, whatever.
drink vegetable juice, milk, water.
allow myself something like crisps if i've already done a lot of exercise that day. if i eat too much one day i'll go for a longer run or a swim the next day to make up for it. i'll keep junk food out of the house because then you can't eat it. i'll never obsess over denying myself something, it doesn't seem healthy for the mind. some chips once a month aren't going to kill ya.

apart from the evening meal varying, it's simple.