For those working on maintaining weight

[Becky]

I never thought of switching to 2% or whole milk, but that would be an easy way to add calories! And any excuse to eat more avocados is a good thing in my book

As far as sugar management goes, if I avoid high GI foods, and anything deep-fried, I do pretty well on the blood sugar front. So most of these suggestions fit right in with what I'm already doing.

[Crankin]

I already use low salt soy sauce at home and I just don't use it when I eat sushi, etc. It is rare that I eat Chinese food anymore, but I never eat the friend junk, like Shooting Star mentioned. I love Indian food, but "it" doesn't love me.
I know I should be even more stringent when eating out, but sometimes, I think I am so damn focused on doing everything healthy, that it takes the fun out of everything! On the other hand, I think I am doing well for my age, so I guess I just have to keep fighting the battle.

[NbyNW]

Sushi is a stealth vehicle for salt & white rice

These days I try to do mostly sashimi and just a few nigiri or rolls, and definitely go for low sodium soy sauce on the sushi.

[han-grrl]

I have been into "low grain" myself -

i just had my lunch (check my blog for lots of details)

when i eat out, i tend to get sashimi

but i did something quite different today and it was (to toot my own horn)
awesome.

no rice.

yay!

[tulip]

I've been to a Whole Foods that has sushi made with a variety of grains, not just rice. Things like quinoa and other grains of which I don't know the name. Anyhow, it's tasty, although slightly purple.

I have learned to like brown rice, but only basmati. I've found that my rice cooker is essential in successful rice cuisine. I've also learned to really like whole grain pasta, but it did take me a while to get there. Now I find it so much more nutritious and tasty. It doesn't wear off after an hour, like white pasta does (I always feel hungry an hour or two after lots of white pasta).

Whole milk is so much better than skim. I can't stand skim milk; my grandfather used to call it Blue Death. Whole milk yogurt, with the cream on top, is also fantastic. I prefer to eat foods that have escaped unnecessary processing, and that includes removing the fat from milk and the whole grain from pasta and rice.

Avocados and olive oil are good fats, as is fish, especially cold water fish. I also eat beef (locally farm raised--I buy it directly from the farm) once a week, and chicken (also local-it just tastes better) once or twice a week. I'm a big veggie-eating person, but I have to make sure I get enough protein, so I often add leftover meat/fish/chicken to my salads (with avocado).

I also like smoothies made with yogurt and berries and bananas. I stock up on frozen berries. Berries might not work for someone with ulcer problems, though, I don't know (seeds??)

Can you tell that I ate lunch MANY HOURS ago??

[NbyNW]

Tulip's last post just reminded me of a couple favorite smoothies -- some are variations on a theme just for variety:

almond milk + banana + whey protein powder (you can also add slivered almonds for texture if you're using a blender, and when I'm feeling adventurous I'll toss in a tsp of powdered greens)

almond or cow's milk + whey powder + ovaltine

1/2 an avocado + 1 shot espresso + 1-2 T. sweetened condensed milk + ice (you can add a bit of milk to this one if it's too thick)

I'm told the whey powder is a good post-workout protein source. It fills me up, so maybe there's something to it.

[letsride89]

for this thread?

sounds just like me.

100-105lbs is where i am...

lactoseintolerant and i have IBS. try to eat at a restaurant with that kind of diet. ahhaha

maintaining weight is just as much on my mind as if i was trying to lose weight. its annoying to be honest.

great thread!

[han-grrl]

for fish

i received this the other day

http://current.com/items/89086078_po...rse_than_bacon

tilapia may not be the best fish around for you...

[NbyNW]

maintaining weight is just as much on my mind as if i was trying to lose weight. its annoying to be honest.

great thread!

Yes, thanks han-grrl for starting this thread.

I've had people look at me like I had two heads when I tell them my goal is to build and maintain muscle, and that means eating differently than those who are try to lose weight.

They thought I should be perfectly happy looking like Kate Moss, when I was down to 93 lbs at 5'1".

Somehow it's hard to explain to people I'd rather be able to run a mile without bonking.

[han-grrl]

Jocelyn - i so hear you...

its so important to find "our own way" to eat for riding and training...

myself, i have found that eating LESS when not riding that day, and eating more pre-rides and during has done much much more for me than eating a steady amount over time, and eating a bit more on rides...

so i actually eat a fairly low calorie diet, but i have felt SOOO good this year on rides.