What are your principles in eating?

[Owlie]

The only things I won't eat are peas, raisins, veal, and invertebrates.
Animal protein (meat or eggs--milk doesn't cut it) at least twice a day.

Everything (except the above) in moderation. Yes, I eat deep-fried things, giant hamburgers (by TE standards, anyway ) , cheesecake, mac and cheese, etc. I'm trying to add more veggies to my diet, but I've been finding out that I seem to have higher than average protein requirements, especially in winter. I experimented with partial chicken breasts (not the huge mutant ones) with brown rice and lots of veggies for dinner. I was ravenous afterward. I could not survive as a vegetarian.

[Pax]

Mostly whole foods, lots of veggies and fruit, a little meat now and then.

[lph]

I experimented with partial chicken breasts (not the huge mutant ones) with brown rice and lots of veggies for dinner. I was ravenous afterward. I could not survive as a vegetarian.

Hey Owlie, are you sure it's the protein and not the fat or total calories you're missing? This sounds like a typical dinner for me, but when it's lean chicken or fish I have to compensate with a "lot" of fat, like oil dressings. I don't worry about it much as long as it's healthy fat and I can burn it off.

I don't have any absolute rules, but try to eat somewhat ethically and eco-friendly, without going vegetarian. I don't like mushrooms or fungi, and would prefer to not eat anything with an exoskeleton or anything that looks at me off the plate but in polite company I'll eat just about anything I'm served.

[Owlie]

Hey Owlie, are you sure it's the protein and not the fat or total calories you're missing? This sounds like a typical dinner for me, but when it's lean chicken or fish I have to compensate with a "lot" of fat, like oil dressings. I don't worry about it much as long as it's healthy fat and I can burn it off.

I don't have any absolute rules, but try to eat somewhat ethically and eco-friendly, without going vegetarian. I don't like mushrooms or fungi, and would prefer to not eat anything with an exoskeleton or anything that looks at me off the plate but in polite company I'll eat just about anything I'm served.

I get "low protein" headaches, even if the calorie content is about the same.:/

[soprano]

I try to eat a wide variety of foods. The more colorful the better. Nothing is out of bounds, but everything in moderation.

I'm trending towards vegetarian, not necessarily due to health or ethical concerns, but because I enjoy the cuisine. I would go vegetarian but my husband is not on board, so we have a few nights a week with meat and a few nights without. When I buy meat I buy good, high-quality, lean meat. It is more expensive so I buy less. I would rather have 3 oz of something really good than 6 oz of something that is mediocre. I love fish and shellfish; again, quality over quantity here. I have stopped eating fish species that are known to have high mercury levels.

I keep a loose tab on calories long term, because I want to maintain my current weight long term. I can watch my waistline now or lose 50 pounds a few years down the road: it's my choice.

[spazzdog]

In the animal/vegetable category I eat what ever won't bite back... as long as it's not cauliflower, brussel sprouts or canned veggies (and sometimes there's an exception to that).

I don't seem to have the "gotta have chocolate" gene, but I'll fight you for gummi bears

spazz

[GLC1968]

I don't seem to have the "gotta have chocolate" gene, but I'll fight you for gummi bears

Mmm, I'll take that fight! (I'm not a chocoholic either but I love me some gummi bears!).

My diet is now paleo. I include full fat raw goats milk and raw cheese, but I do subscribe to the rest of the paleo principles. I've been eating this way since August and I love how it makes me feel.

[jessmarimba]

I eat whatever. Unfortunately, as of late "whatever" hasn't been particularly healthy because money has been pretty tight. Lots of pasta w/red sauce. Soup. Yogurt w/granola & frozen fruit for breakfast. Frozen veggies & frozen chicken that I stir fry. The occasional stop at taco bell after one of my 14-hour days. And one 6-pack of beer (my vice) every two weeks.

Obviously I don't really avoid carbs. I need more iron and protein but can't really afford good meat (I don't eat beef with hormones, I have enough acne problems as it is). And I decided to stop buying fresh fruit bc I never seem to eat it before it goes bad.

[indysteel]

In the animal/vegetable category I eat what ever won't bite back... as long as it's not cauliflower, brussel sprouts or canned veggies (and sometimes there's an exception to that).

I don't seem to have the "gotta have chocolate" gene, but I'll fight you for gummi bears

spazz

This sums me up pretty well. I do like brussel sprouts though. I could do without chocolate and gummy bears, but don't stand between me and ice cream.

I like most foods in moderation. We try to eat local and seasonal. We usually make one veg dish and one meat dish each week. This week it was a bean and tomato pasta sauce and grilled flank steak fajitas. We otherwise try to eat in moderation. I don't drink much juice, soda or alcohol.

[Reesha]

My general principal is whole foods, local foods and organic foods. That's it, which has been problematic. Sometimes I overeat, sometimes I eat too much of one macronutrient. My health is great, but my weight is about 20 lbs too high. Thus I've given myself over to the powers of a personal trainer who is also a nationally competitive cyclist. Here's the plan I'll be sticking to until cycling season in the spring to lose the 20 lbs:

100-150 g lean protein per day (fish, chicken, tofu, greek yogurt, cottage cheese, turkey)
Under 150 g carbohydrate (25 g of carb per meal)
Fats should come primarily from nuts, extra virgin oils, oily fish, seeds
5 300-400 calorie (kcal) meals or 3 400-500 calorie meals with 2 200-300 calorie snacks
NO JUNK. No refined sugars.
Minimal alcoholic beverages.
Tons of fresh vegetables and fruit.
No starchy carbohydrates after lunchtime if I can help it.

It's pretty tight, but I'm really committed to reaching my goal. 20 lbs lighter by April. The workout program is intense too!