Food and stuff ...

I have been thinking a lot about food lately.  It plays such a crucial role in the successes (and failures) of people working to lose weight.  My own personal struggles with diet in particular cause me to spend a great time thinking not only about what does and does not work for me, but also about what works, in general, for others.  I am a horrible cook.  Because of this I have had to learn to be very creative when going to places.  Just today I was at one of my mainstays, PepperJax Grill (not sure on the spelling of that).  I went with a client of mine and I was reminded that not everyone orders like I do.  So he was game for ordering essentially the same thing as I did.  Mind you, we had both just had weight workouts.  Here is what we ordered.

Double Chicken rice bowl

- easy on the seasoning (very salty)

Vegetables (peppers, onions, and mushrooms)

White Rice

Ahhhh!  You are exclaiming, "why would a personal trainer order WHITE rice".  Well, my answer to that is I had just finishes an intense weight training workout and my body was in prime condition to "accept" and utilize the type of carbohydrates found in white rice.  Most other times, I would opt for a brown rice (if available - it is not at PepperJax), or vegetables in place of the rice.  

Anyway, this got me thinking about what other places I go to that I strongly manipulate my order to make it meet my nutritional goals.  NOW, mind you, this is not to say that all these meals are perfect and appropriate for every meal consumption.  But in a crunch or as part of neccessity, they do fine.  I must emphasize though, preparing and cooking your food at home is always the safer option.  A majority of the time, food prepared at restaurants are loaded with hidden additives that make them less "clean" than your own food.  Also, I eat a little more than the average bear and a little less than others, so adjust accordingly.

First Watch 

Two Egg beaters scrambled

One turkey Sausage Patty or two turkey links

Two pieces of dry whole wheat toast or a multi grain muffin - or if I can afford to burn it - ONE wheat germ pancake (dry)

water and/or coffee

Wendy's

One grilled chicken sandwich with lettuce only

1 small chili

water or ice tea or diet soda

Applebee's, Jose Peppers, On the Border, etc.

Chicken Fajitas (occasionally beef) - no sides except salsa

water, diet soda, or tea

Panera or any other sandwich shop

Some version of a chicken sandwich - possibly turkey

Multi grain or whole wheat bread

Eliminate spreads that are really cheesy or things like mayonnaise - sometimes I do ask that they go light on the spreads

A GREEN leafy salad if available or

A soup that is not cream based

These are just a few examples of a few places and a few meals that I personally do. You can obviously be much more creative than that.  I am actually sort of boring when it comes to food.  Any restaurant has some sort of chicken dish (without skin) and a vegetable of the day.  Add a soup or greeny salad to that and you should have a satisfying meal.  Also, I love cheesy and creamy things.  That is what I often crave.  I really like fried food.  ALL of this is off limits.  There is really no place in it for any sort of diet plan.  I little cheese here and there used very sparingly, I can sometimes justify.  Anything creamy - I can't usually justify that.  But of course I break down ever so often.  

My point with all of this, is that I know what does and does not work for me when it comes to eating out.  I have also worked to learn how much of the three main macro nutrients I can get away with eating without overdoing it.  Everyone should do this - find out what will  work best for them.  That way you are armed with a plan and won't go into things unsure - which is a easy way to just pick the thing that you think tastes best without being best for you.