Re: Struggling with proteins - HELP!

[Guest guest]

Well, the other main protein source you did not put on your list is

Tofu.

You say you are tired of your choices, but you listed all meats,

poultry, fish and eggs. Maybe it is not the protein itself that you

are bored with but the way you are preparing them.

What did you have in those three meals a day that you were

enjoying? What in your mind constitutes a " real meal " ?

Barbara

>

> Hey all,

>

> I just finished challenge 1. It went well, but the only thing that

> was holding me back was that I was getting stressed out about food.

>

> Namely, about proteins.

>

> I like meat - chicken, turkey, ham etc. and I like eggs, fish and

> cheese (not cottage cheese - yuck!). But I don't want these at

EVERY

> meal. I was getting sick of the sight of those foods. I drink

> protein shakes with a carb as a meal replacement, but even the

taste

> of those shakes taste boring and I want a proper meal and not

> liquid. Eggs and oranges is in the EFL book as a snack - it just

> doesn't go together. A lot of time I either just want protein, or

I

> just want carbs. Towards the end I was only eating three times a

> day, namely because I actually enjoyed those meals more than the

> thought of eating 6 times a day and feeling bored with the food

> choices.

>

> I've set new fitness goals for challenge 2, and as far as

nutrition

> I could REALLY use any tips you have for alternate protein sources

> to the ones I mentioned. Do I have to keep eating protein all the

> time? Is there any way around this?

>

> All responses will be MUCH appreciated!!!

>

> Jacinta from London UK

>

[Guest guest]

Jacinta,

I'm familiar w/the feeling you describe. I seem to cycle in and out

w/boredom w/my food, esp. proteins. I get this feeling of yes I need

to eat, I am hungry, but I'd rather not eat any of my choices.

Check out the links section of this site for links to recipe sites.

Get inspired, try a new recipe, maybe a new preparation of a familiar

protein, new spices, eat dinner foods for breakfast, breakfast for

dinner, mix it up (those are some things that help me).

Some people who don't like cottage cheese due to the texture prefer

ricotta, or even puree their cottage cheese to make it smooth. I find

that I love a particular brand and when I " ve had to substitute, I've

been disappointed. I haven't found a fat free brand I like, so I

always go for 2%.

Candace

>

> Hey all,

>

> I just finished challenge 1. It went well, but the only thing that

> was holding me back was that I was getting stressed out about food.

>

> Namely, about proteins.

>

> I like meat - chicken, turkey, ham etc. and I like eggs, fish and

> cheese (not cottage cheese - yuck!). But I don't want these at EVERY

> meal. I was getting sick of the sight of those foods. I drink

> protein shakes with a carb as a meal replacement, but even the taste

> of those shakes taste boring and I want a proper meal and not

> liquid. Eggs and oranges is in the EFL book as a snack - it just

> doesn't go together. A lot of time I either just want protein, or I

> just want carbs. Towards the end I was only eating three times a

> day, namely because I actually enjoyed those meals more than the

> thought of eating 6 times a day and feeling bored with the food

> choices.

>

> I've set new fitness goals for challenge 2, and as far as nutrition

> I could REALLY use any tips you have for alternate protein sources

> to the ones I mentioned. Do I have to keep eating protein all the

> time? Is there any way around this?

>

> All responses will be MUCH appreciated!!!

>

> Jacinta from London UK

>

[Guest guest]

I am confused by the question. You have listed a lot of proteins to choose

from - it isn't as if the only protein you're willing to eat is

chicken. Are you sure the complication is that you are bored with your

protein? Or are you bored with your combinations?

There are so very many options with the proteins you've listed.

Can you indicate the food you eat for a couple of days? So we can get a

better feel for what's going on?

The bottom line, however, is YES. You need to have protein with each meal

if you want to remove fat and build muscle. That's the whole point of what

BP presents in the book.

n

At 04:11 AM 5/8/2006, you wrote:

>Hey all,

>

>I just finished challenge 1. It went well, but the only thing that

>was holding me back was that I was getting stressed out about food.

>

>Namely, about proteins.

>

>I like meat - chicken, turkey, ham etc. and I like eggs, fish and

>cheese (not cottage cheese - yuck!). But I don't want these at EVERY

>meal. I was getting sick of the sight of those foods. I drink

>protein shakes with a carb as a meal replacement, but even the taste

>of those shakes taste boring and I want a proper meal and not

>liquid. Eggs and oranges is in the EFL book as a snack - it just

>doesn't go together. A lot of time I either just want protein, or I

>just want carbs. Towards the end I was only eating three times a

>day, namely because I actually enjoyed those meals more than the

>thought of eating 6 times a day and feeling bored with the food

>choices.

>

>I've set new fitness goals for challenge 2, and as far as nutrition

>I could REALLY use any tips you have for alternate protein sources

>to the ones I mentioned. Do I have to keep eating protein all the

>time? Is there any way around this?

>

>All responses will be MUCH appreciated!!!

>

>Jacinta from London UK

[Guest guest]

you probably need to be designing yummy dishes for yourself with in

the parameters of BFL. Check out for hints

http://skwigg.tripod.com/id3.html

whether or not you like 's exact food choices (and i don't eat

like her-- i don't eat cottage cheese for one thing) the thing to

notice is the fun she is having with her food.

If you want to eat like this for the rest of your life -- which is

the idea behind BFL -- you need to take the time to explore recipes,

or your own mind, for foods that you would love to eat.

I agree with you -- you should not be eating food you aren't

enjoying. If you eat food you don't like, just to loose weight, you

will gain in right back as soon as you go back to " eating what you

want " This needs to become food that you love. Freeday has to start

seeming less and less wonderful as you beef up the wonderfulness of

your BFL meals

felicity

> I am confused by the question. You have listed a lot of proteins

> to choose

> from - it isn't as if the only protein you're willing to eat is

> chicken. Are you sure the complication is that you are bored with

> your

> protein? Or are you bored with your combinations?

>

> There are so very many options with the proteins you've listed.

>

> Can you indicate the food you eat for a couple of days? So we can

> get a

> better feel for what's going on?

>

> The bottom line, however, is YES. You need to have protein with

> each meal

> if you want to remove fat and build muscle. That's the whole point

> of what

> BP presents in the book.

>

> n

>

> At 04:11 AM 5/8/2006, you wrote:

>> Hey all,

>>

>> I just finished challenge 1. It went well, but the only thing that

>> was holding me back was that I was getting stressed out about food.

>>

>> Namely, about proteins.

>>

>> I like meat - chicken, turkey, ham etc. and I like eggs, fish and

>> cheese (not cottage cheese - yuck!). But I don't want these at EVERY

>> meal. I was getting sick of the sight of those foods. I drink

>> protein shakes with a carb as a meal replacement, but even the taste

>> of those shakes taste boring and I want a proper meal and not

>> liquid. Eggs and oranges is in the EFL book as a snack - it just

>> doesn't go together. A lot of time I either just want protein, or I

>> just want carbs. Towards the end I was only eating three times a

>> day, namely because I actually enjoyed those meals more than the

>> thought of eating 6 times a day and feeling bored with the food

>> choices.

>>

>> I've set new fitness goals for challenge 2, and as far as nutrition

>> I could REALLY use any tips you have for alternate protein sources

>> to the ones I mentioned. Do I have to keep eating protein all the

>> time? Is there any way around this?

>>

>> All responses will be MUCH appreciated!!!

>>

>> Jacinta from London UK

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

HI Jacinta,

I don't have tips, but I just wanted to sympathize as I'm going through the

same thing. This is my exact struggle.

I'd rather skip eating (and we know how bad this is..)

Anyhow, I look forward to hearing from others.

_____

From:

[mailto: ] On Behalf Of

theredhairedlook

Sent: Monday, May 08, 2006 7:43 AM

Subject: Struggling with proteins - HELP!

Hey all,

I just finished challenge 1. It went well, but the only thing that

was holding me back was that I was getting stressed out about food.

Namely, about proteins.

I like meat - chicken, turkey, ham etc. and I like eggs, fish and

cheese (not cottage cheese - yuck!). But I don't want these at EVERY

meal. I was getting sick of the sight of those foods. I drink

protein shakes with a carb as a meal replacement, but even the taste

of those shakes taste boring and I want a proper meal and not

liquid. Eggs and oranges is in the EFL book as a snack - it just

doesn't go together. A lot of time I either just want protein, or I

just want carbs. Towards the end I was only eating three times a

day, namely because I actually enjoyed those meals more than the

thought of eating 6 times a day and feeling bored with the food

choices.

I've set new fitness goals for challenge 2, and as far as nutrition

I could REALLY use any tips you have for alternate protein sources

to the ones I mentioned. Do I have to keep eating protein all the

time? Is there any way around this?

All responses will be MUCH appreciated!!!

Jacinta from London UK

[Guest guest]

I agree with Felicity and n.

Whatever you are enjoying in those 3 meal days, would probably be fine

options as 6 smaller meals.

-Shakes- great for HOT summer. EFL has a lot of ideas. I like

vanilla protein powder and a fresh fruit combo. Add less water and

you'll get something that is close to a " milkshake " (Do drink an extra

glass of water)

-Almost any item that you love as an entree can be modified to be good

BFL food. Watch the fat content. Aim for 20 grams of lean protein

per serving and 20 grams of a carbohydrate (try not to use much flour

as it hits the digestive system even faster that white sugar

Go for whole grains, barley, bulgar wheat, brown rice, millet, or

whole wheat pasta cooked al dente (that means still a bit chewy, not

mushy)

-Make a big quantity of GOOD food on the weekend, but divide it into

smaller BFL servings to freeze/refrigerate/reheat use during the week.

I think the reason some of the BFL suggestions are for " odd "

combinations of foods (like orange with chicken) is that MANY of us

are rather " kitchen challenged " and need to grab food that is FAST,

simple and easy.

M.

> >>

> >> I just finished challenge 1. It went well, but the only thing that

> >> was holding me back was that I was getting stressed out about food.

[Guest guest]

" theredhairedlook " theredhairedlook@... wrote:

>only thing that was holding me back was that I was getting stressed

out about proteins.

" Diet for a Small Planet, " Frances Lappe, vegetarian complements that

make protein:

complete proteins:

wheat + beans........1/2 c beans + 2.5 c Bluger

corn + beans..........1 C cornmeal _ 1/4 c beans

seeds + peanuts.....1C seeds + 3/4 C peanuts or 1/2 c peanut butter

peanuts + milk........1C pb + 5tsp dry milk

beans + rice ...........1C beans with 2-2/3 C rice

soy + rice ................1/4 C soybeans + 2/5 c rice

rice + seeds: ...........1C rice + 1/3 C seeds or 3Tbs sesame butter

rice + milk ..............3/4 C rice + 1C milk, or 1.25 oz cheese

seeds + milk .........1-1/4 c seeds with 1 c milk

potato + milk: ........1 potato + 1 C milk

'

You might want to explore this further; perhaps put in the combos in

fitday.com to see what size portion and combo is right for you.

also...

>A lot of time I either just want protein, or I just want carbs.

The key word for me is " want " ... I just want oreos and icecream and

pizza <G> I say to my mind, " thanks for sharing, but that has not been

working for me " Your wants don't have to control you, especially if

they haven't been working for you.

also...

If you don't want protein at every meal, what DO you want? and why BFL,

which is a protein-based food theory? Why not WeightWatchers, or some

other food plan? Why are you doing this food plan? What do you want to

get out of it, that eating protein/carb gives you?

Etana

[Guest guest]

> But I don't want these at EVERY meal <<snip>> A lot of time I

> either just want protein, or I just want carbs

Altho it is the overall daily protein one takes in that is most

important(the big nutrition picture)the key to the BFL plan is to

have that balanced protein/carb portion at each small meal. Having

protein with a carb is said to slow down the digestion of your carb

choice so they dont turn into a sugar rush that your bodys insulin

response packs away into the nearest fatcell for 'future use' that

never materializes. Because protein usually takes longer to digest

than carbs, you also feel fuller longer and have less cravings. So

ditto the insulin response reason to eat 5-6 small meals - timing is

important. Thats one reason why I think BFL works so well for so many

people because it takes into account more of how the human body

processes foods for energy.

> Towards the end I was only eating three times a day, namely

> because I actually enjoyed those meals more than the thought of

> eating 6 times a day and feeling bored with the food choices.

My question is then, what were you eating for those three

yummy 'unboring' meals? Pasta? Vegetables? Heck throw in a chicken

breast! I dont get it or understand the 'boredom' excuse - and I

think it is an excuse kinda because there is sooooo much variety and

CHOICE built in to the BFL 'way' of eating - I just dont get it and

cant accept that you cant reasonably put a protien item

(meat/fish/fowl/dairy/alternative) with a carb portion to feel

satisfied in whatever you are eating. I could make and eat chicken

365 differnt ways and days if I needed to and thats just one protein

source. I think its like a mind blockage (or dieting mentality?)

that you need to get over and realize that feeding yourself isnt just

a form of entertainment/mere enjoyment but its what you need to do to

get the results you want. Yeah its good if its tasty, but putting a

carb portion with a protein portion doesnt require the cooking skills

of the next Food Network chef, I think you just need to plan your

meals better.

joni

---------------------------------------------------

*Nothing tastes as good as being in shape feels*

[Guest guest]

other proteins

1. tofu

2. edamame in the pod or loose is a complete protein/carb ratio, in

your freezer section of Whole Foods or Trader Joe's and yummy with a

bit of soy sauce.

3. Golden pancakes from EFL is a complete protein/carb and keeps for 2

days if refrig: 1 recipe makes 3 portions

> I want a proper meal

What is a proper meal for you? Perhaps it's time to buy the temptingly

delicious Eating for Life book

- Etana

[Guest guest]

If you are looking for inspiration, check out this group. It's linked

in our " links " section, along with other recipe files/sites. I dare

you not to find something that sounds good

BFL_Recipes-Eatingforlife/

Candace

[Guest guest]

Hey gals!

Thanks so much for all your responses! They really got me thinking and

gave me some great ideas. I've added some low fat cheeses in to my

diet to replace the cottage cheese, tried some of the shakes in the

EFL book and I'm eating more seeds and peanut butter. Those carrot

cake muffins in the EFL book are also amazing! :-) I no longer have

any problem coming up with the 6 meals a day, and I'm enjoying them

again! I think I just needed some fresh ideas.

Thanks everyone!

Jacinta x