Health, Good Practises, and Exercise

[Scepticalscribe]

Calories are pretty much all I care about these days when it comes to diet.

I don't use any sweeteners. It is my opinion that food is just fuel for the body, so taste is low on the list of priorities. I eat for nutrition and don't really care how food tastes.

Guys, seriously, you are missing out on enjoying one of life's great pleasures.

Food, properly sourced, cooked and prepared, - as cuisine - can define cultures, enhance life, cement relationships, and add another dimension to the pleasures of life.

But, each to their own.

 

[xtshabi]

Guys, seriously, you are missing out on enjoying one of life's great pleasures.

Food, properly sourced, cooked and prepared, - as cuisine - can define cultures, enhance life, cement relationships, ad add another dimension to the pleasures of life.

But, each to their own.

Counting calories and having good food are not mutually exclusive.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Counting calories and having good food are not mutually exclusive.

Yes, agreed, they do not need to be mutually exclusive, but those who prioritise calories - 'calories are pretty much all I care about' - or 'food is just fuel for the body' often miss the point that good food is one of civilisation's crowning glories.

 

[xtshabi]

Yes, agreed, they do not need to be mutually exclusive, but those who prioritise calories - 'calories are pretty much all I care about' - or 'food is just fuel for the body' often miss the point that good food is one of civilisation's crowing glories.

Well, those who prioritize "good food" and put food on pedestal as "crowning glories" often get obese.

But that's not being presumptuous or anything.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Well, those who prioritize "good food" and put food on pedestal as "crowning glories" often get obese.

But that's not being presumptuous or anything.

Indeed. Not at all. Nor is it........a terribly balanced perspective.

But - as with politics, and much else in your society - it is this lack of balance, or nuance, or lack of recognition that many things are complex and not actually binary in form, - this is one of the things I find rather unsettling. A very judgemental society, in fact. Perhaps the Puritans may have had something to do with this.

Is the only choice available in a culinary discussion a crude binary reduction between - on the one hand, - a mindset that regards 'food as fuel' (good grief, what a joyless way to live life), or - on the other, a tendency to bloated obesity?

You know, as a European, some of us come from countries and cultures where a cuisine is viewed as part of ancient cultures, and is to be celebrated, and treasured and is seen as a source of much pride.

Anyway, as a good Norwegian friend of mine put it, "I want the calories I eat to be good calories" by which she meant - tasty calories. Calories from things such as butter and cheese. You don't have to eat quite as much of them as you would perhaps like, - so, you can still count calories - but it is undeniably more agreeable when what you eat is a pleasure to eat.

But I think the lingering influence of your Puritan ancestors means that you - by which I mean many from the US - deplore and disdain the experience of physical enjoyment which can come from a marriage of food and flavour, terroir, and texture and taste.

Appreciation of food and wine is less widespread than it might be, in your world, and this is a terrible shame: After all, several of the Founding Fathers - Thomas Jefferson comes to mind, as does the wholly admirable Benjamin Franklin - gourmands both - have a deep appreciation for the rich culinary cultures of Europe.

And then, there is the unfortunate fact that in your history you banned alcohol, an act which has left me with a profound distrust of any alcohol emanating from the US.

Indeed, it took considerable persuasion from someone, - a number of someones, including some Europeans - on this very forum to persuade me to admit to the possibility - which I was reluctant to concede because my prior experience of your wines and beers had been so miserably joylessly and tastelessly dismal - that Americans might be able to make decent beer. However, it is with great pleasure that I cheerfully admit that I have become quite a devotee of the products of the inestimable Founder's brewery, a splendid export.

 

[einmusiker]

Diet soda is poison. That's the only thing that stood out to me in the op otherwise looks like you're doing great

 

[SandboxGeneral]

Well, those who prioritize "good food" and put food on pedestal as "crowning glories" often get obese.

But that's not being presumptuous or anything.

I cannot agree with such a broad sweeping statement like that.

I love food, tasty food, yet I am not obese in the slightest. I eat very well, that means healthy and tasty and I count my calories and macros.

This isn't a one-size fits all type of thing.

 

[xtshabi]

I cannot agree with such a broad sweeping statement like that.

I love food, tasty food, yet I am not obese in the slightest. I eat very well, that means healthy and tasty and I count my calories and macros.

This isn't a one-size fits all type of thing.

I was making a point that it's idiotic to make broad sweeping statements like "you're missing out on life if all you care about is calories."

 

[Scepticalscribe]

I was making a point that it's idiotic to make broad sweeping statements like "you're missing out on life if all you care about is calories."

And I was making a point that to regard food solely in the light of calories is a sweeping statement which misses out on being able to appreciate cuisine, and the possible glories of food.

I never said you were missing out on life (re-read my post, it seems you missed the point I was making). Rather, I simply said that good food is one of life's - and civilisation's great glories, and that to concentrate solely on calories when eating is to miss much of the point of food.

To my mind, there are few greater pleasures than a really good meal in congenial company, a shared repast.

 

[xtshabi]

And I was making a point that to regard food solely in the light of caries is a sweeping statement which misses out on the glories of food.

I never said you were missing out on life (re-read my post, it seems you missed the point I was making). Rather, I simply said that good food is one of life's - and civilisation's great glories, and that to concentrate solely on calories when eating is to miss much of the point of food.

To my mind, there are few greater pleasures than a really good meal in congenial company, a shared repast.

The point of food? Who made you the pope of food?

Solely on calories?
So someone who measures how much one eats can't be discerning about how, where or with whom to enjoy dinner?

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Calories are pretty much all I care about these days when it comes to diet.

You do recall writing this post, don't you? Such a sweeping statement, unfortunately.

"Calories are pretty much all I care about these days when it comes to diet".

You care for nothing else? Nothing at all? Not taste, texture, whether something is natural food, the occasion of dining with friends?

Let us just say that my point - which you are reluctant to admit, - is that there is an awful lot more to food than calories, and to deny yourself that is to miss out on one of life's treasures.

The point of food? Who made you the pope of food?

Solely on calories?
So someone who measures how much one eats can't be discerning about how, where or with whom to enjoy dinner?

Well, it is entirely possible that is not the impression I got from your posts, but if you actually enjoy food, rather than viewing it as the sort of enemy that killjoy humourless health fanatics have been know to do on occasion, then, I salute you.

Nevertheless, I remain intrigued at the intemperate tone taken by some who engage in online exchanges, preferring adamantine statements of rigid certainty to discussion and debate, and puerile insult to - let us say, the enthusiastic exchange of recipes.

But, there you have it. A strange - and judgemental - world awaits us online, of that there is little doubt.

 

[Huntn]

The point of food? Who made you the pope of food?

Solely on calories?
So someone who measures how much one eats can't be discerning about how, where or with whom to enjoy dinner?

That's not what she said as indicated by your reaction, and you seem to be overreacting to her point of view. Yes, calories should play one of the roles for decisions in our diets.

 

[xtshabi]

You do recall writing this post, don't you? Such a sweeping statement, unfortunately.

"Calories are pretty much all I care about these days when it comes to diet".

You care for nothing else? Nothing at all? Not taste, texture, whether something is natural food, the occasion of dining with friends?

Let us just say that my point - which you are reluctant to admit, - is that there is an awful lot more to food than calories, and to deny yourself that is to miss out on one of life's treasures.




Well, it is entirely possible that is not the impression I got from your posts, but if you actually enjoy food, rather than viewing it as the sort of enemy that killjoy humourless health fanatics have been know to do on occasion, then, I salute you.

Nevertheless, I remain intrigued at the intemperate tone taken by some who engage in online exchanges, preferring adamantine statements of rigid certainty to discussion and debate, and puerile insult to - let us say, the enthusiastic exchange of recipes.

But, there you have it. A strange - and judgemental - world awaits us online, of that there is little doubt.

Tl;dr.

Thank u for another lecture on foods.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Tl;dr.

Thank u for another lecture on foods.

It is possible that you missed the olive branch offering (a food, and a wonderfully tasty one, a food with an ancient provenance) whereby I suggested that we exchange recipes.

Just as I sometimes wonder whether ethical capitalism is a commercially viable concept (in theory, and perhaps, in practice), I also wonder whether the idea of calorie deficient and/or earnestly healthy foods can be compatible with something that actually tastes good and would be fit to be served at an elegant dinner table.

 

[xtshabi]

It is possible that you missed the olive branch offering (a food, and a wonderfully tasty one, a food with an ancient provenance) whereby I suggested that we exchange recipes.

Just as I sometimes wonder whether ethical capitalism is a commercially viable concept (in theory, and perhaps, in practice), I also wonder whether the idea of calorie deficient and/or earnestly healthy foods can be compatible with something that actually tastes good and would be fit to be served at an elegant dinner table.

Oh geez another lecture from you.
What are you, a Ph.D. in nutrition? Doubt it.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Oh geez another lecture from you.
What are you, a Ph.D. in nutrition? Doubt it.

No. Not in nutrition, as it happens.

Did I mention nutrition? I thought I floated an attempt to explore the topic of palate, texture, taste, presentation, the sheer joy of the table, laden with produce.

Anyway: Recipes. The challenge of healthy and tasty food at one and the same time.

Just like the conundrum of whether it is possible to conceive of an ethical form of capitalism, it may sound like a contradiction in terms, but I am quite certain that if we apply our minds to this task, we can arrive at something quite unique.

So, my question stands: Are there any tasty, tempting, tantalising recipes, that fulfil both taste, and er, rigorous health requirements?

 

[xtshabi]

No. Not in nutrition, as it happens.

Did I mention nutrition? I thought I floated an attempt to explore the topic of palate, texture, taste, presentation, the sheer joy of the table, laden with produce.

Anyway: Recipes. The challenge of healthy and tasty food at one and the same time.

Just like the conundrum of whether it is possible to conceive of an ethical form of capitalism, it may sound like a contradiction in terms, but I am quite certain that if we apply our minds to this task, we can arrive at something quite unique.

So, my question stands: Are there any tasty, tempting, tantalising recipes, that fulfil both taste, and er, rigorous health requirements?

Does that mean you hold a Ph.D. in something?
Non science disquisition perhaps?

 

[D.T.]

I don't use any sweeteners. It is my opinion that food is just fuel for the body, so taste is low on the list of priorities. I eat for nutrition and don't really care how food tastes.

I was answering - over a year ago - the OP's question about sweeteners.

FWIW, I enjoy the heck out of food, not specifically sweet/sugary food, just in general, since we're volunteering our food preferences. Just had some of the most amazing Thai food I've ever eaten in SF! I'm also very conscious of what I (and my whole family eat), I just don't follow all-or-nothing - sometimes I eat to enjoy without regard to the nutrition.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Does that mean you hold a Ph.D. in something?
Non science disquisition perhaps?

Oh dear. Such a depressingly narrow and rather limited perspective and world view.

Anyway, the appreciation of good cuisine and enjoyment of food cultures and commenting on such is not something - at all - that requires academic credentials. Most of the best chefs (some of them Michelin starred) and outstanding organic producers, and top class cheesemongers and restauranteurs whom I know do not have such qualifications. (And not one of them has ever mentioned the word 'calorie', ever, in conversation, or on menus, or, over a meal and drink, but they will offer healthy - and extremely tasty - options, if asked to do so.)

In fact, once upon a distant time, the very word science was used to describe, or denoted, a body of knowledge.

It is only in more recent times that this has been artificially separated into what are deemed the physical sciences, and the social sciences, and an unfortunate division promoted which means that one cannot - or, is not supposed to want to - study both with passionate interest and enormous pleasure.

Unfortunately, in an era of increasing socialisation, the old style polymath - equally at home in the Humanities and the sciences - has become exceptionally rare.

 

[Huntn]

Oh geez another lecture from you.
What are you, a Ph.D. in nutrition? Doubt it.

Does that mean you hold a Ph.D. in something?
Non science disquisition perhaps?

Get a grip. This is not PRSI.

No. Not in nutrition, as it happens.

Did I mention nutrition? I thought I floated an attempt to explore the topic of palate, texture, taste, presentation, the sheer joy of the table, laden with produce.

Anyway: Recipes. The challenge of healthy and tasty food at one and the same time.

Just like the conundrum of whether it is possible to conceive of an ethical form of capitalism, it may sound like a contradiction in terms, but I am quite certain that if we apply our minds to this task, we can arrive at something quite unique.

So, my question stands: Are there any tasty, tempting, tantalising recipes, that fulfil both taste, and er, rigorous health requirements?

Time to pull chocks (an aviation term meaning time to leave) on this conversation where the other individual's primary interest is being adversarial.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Get a grip. This is not PRSI.



Time to pull chocks (an aviation term meaning time to leave) on this conversation where the other individual's primary interest is being adversarial.

Sigh. Unfortunately, yes, I think the conclusion you have come to may well be all too right.

Adversarial elsewhere, too, I have noticed. Some people just get out of bed looking for a fight.

Indeed, it was once said of Randolph Churchill (son of Winston) - by his sister, who was in a position to make this observation - that he would pick a fight with a chair in an empty room.

Time to pull chocks? That's a very nice expression, and not one I've come across before. You see, I have learned something new today. My grateful thanks!

 

[ActionableMango]

Are there any tasty, tempting, tantalising recipes, that fulfil both taste, and er, rigorous health requirements?

Not perfectly. Mediterranean diet is about the closest I've been able to figure. Lots of nuts, fruits, vegetables. Protein from seafood and poultry. Healthy fats like fish oil, olive oil, and avocados. Roasting and grilling are the most delicious in my opinion. Avoid Mediterranean dishes with lots of empty carbs (bread, pasta, and rice). Avoid recipes where frying is the cooking method.

This is predominately meant as a heart-healthy diet though, because I have high blood pressure. Everyone has different problems and goals. For example, OP was more about reducing calories and losing weight. So what he needed to do is different than what I needed to do and perhaps different than what you need to do.

If the above is your cup of tea, I could provide a couple of my favorite recipes to start off from. I originally picked them because they were healthy, but I keep coming back to them because they are also delicious, easy, and fast.

 

[Badagri]

Guys, seriously, you are missing out on enjoying one of life's great pleasures.

Food, properly sourced, cooked and prepared, - as cuisine - can define cultures, enhance life, cement relationships, ad add another dimension to the pleasures of life.

But, each to their own.

That was why I decided to get into cooking classes in school. It was amazing if you knew how to cook how all the girls would fawn all over you around your table. I was also shocked the amount that really wasn't that good in the cooking classes. Still the same way as adults.

Make a woman a lovely meal and she's all over you.

 

[Huntn]

If you are a swimmer or anyone physically active, see post 189 in this thread. It has to do with a swimmer who noticed a slight decrease in her swimming performance, no other symptom, and it turned out she had heart disease.

 

[Apple_Robert]

Carbs are evil. That simple. Consume only in whole vegetable/fruit variety (and even then be judicious). More quality protein and fat. Yes, fat. We all went awry when carbs (especially processed) were pushed and fats were vilified.

Track your carbs. Cap at 100grams a day max. Yes, you can cheat on special occasions.

And exercise.

You'll be studdly in 6-9 months.

Carbohydrates, in and of themselves are not evil. They are one of the main sources of fuel for our bodies (the other being fat). Also, there is really no need to consume extra fat in one's diet. Our bodies normally have a huge fat reserve that can be used as a primary fuel source during exercise. What is often needed, is training the individual and his or her body, to exercise in a more thoughtful manner, so that the body can be trained to better utilize fat storage in the body. That is where heart rate training comes into the health picture.