What about my diet?
Originally published: 1/24/2012
I while back I started posting to tumblr when I wanted to get healthier. My approach was a 2 pronged attack focusing on diet and exercise. I feel like I have a firm grasp on the exercise side of the equation recently, but the diet part is lacking in comparison. Now for a dietary update.
My original diet post suggested that I improve my diet by eliminating sugary drinks, increase fiber, increase protein and reduces carbs. I have not eliminated the sugary drinks, but I have seen improvement. My sweet tea intake has been restricted to lunch. I now choose a half sweet tea, half unsweetened tea mix. I have committed to this to such a degree that one day a restaurant did not have unsweetened tea so I filled up on sweet tea. It was so sweet to me, that I had to throw it out. Almost every morning at work I drink green tea, with a little bit of Splenda. I split on packet of Splenda across two cups of green tea. Can’t remember the last time I had a Diet Dr Pepper.
Next is the fiber increase. I feel like that has increased via my focus on vegetables at every opportunity. Birdseye Steamfresh packs have been a fall back staple at our dinner table, when fresh veggies are not available. My work snacks have been fresh fruit, oatmeal or unsalted nuts. My breakfast has usually been cereal in any form, but I have tried to limit those options to high fiber cereals (typically lower sugar Kashi brand). Berries and Greek yogurt have also made their way into my breakfast choices.
Protein has taken a back seat while I attempt to get a little leaner. I’ve never been a huge meat eater, but its not uncommon for me to eat a vegetarian meal either at home or at a restaurant.
Carbs have been drastically reduced from my diet. I still eat brown rice and whole grain pasta, and of course the aforementioned cereal. White rice and white potatoes have been all but eliminated. My ideal meal option is a plate with 75% fruits/vegetables and 25% meat/protein.
One more option that I need to incorporate is decreasing my sugar intake. Sugar seeps into our diets more than we know, but I plan on focusing on making my sugar intake much lower.