What are your food rules?

[carone0318]

My one rule that has seem to stand time is if we have sandwiches one night for dinner I have to have what I call a "real meal" the next night - a meat, veggie, starch kind of meal. I guess I made that rule up in our house or we would probably have sandwiches or the like every night!

 

[Sparx]

I'm allergic to mangos, so those don't come in the house.
Other than that, I try to make healthy choices and everything in moderation. I try to eat a lot of protein and I try to limit the bad carbs. My weakness is white bread and pasta, but I've limited the pasta, and I'm only eating HealthyLife bread which has fewer carbs than normal white bread, and a lot of protein.
I don't really like meat, so I don't eat a lot of it.
I try to limit corn, since its mostly sugar anyway.
I try to limit sweets/snacks to healthy alternatives like instead of a candy bar, i'll eat special K crackers and hummus.
I love fruit and veggies, so I try to eat a lot of fresh(or frozen) fruit (except mangos!) and vegetables.
I try to drink water instead of soda or juice. (I love carbonation, so I tend to drink sparkling water, which makes me not crave soda)

I have issues with food. I'm overweight, but I'm working on making healthier choices and not using food as a comfort object. To those of you who haven't dealt with this, I'm happy for you, just don't underestimate the struggle that the rest of us have every day with something so simple as food.

 

[LilyWDW]

Hmmm... don't really have house rules because even if we all agree, sooner or later mom will end up bringing in something we are not supposed to have. So, I gave up on that and have decided my own personal rules. Then, since I do most of the grocery shopping and cooking, I limit the impact they have on me.

- Try to avoid products with HFCS and hydrogenated oils
- Avoid artificial sugars. I find they make me crave sweets more. I only use real sugar or stevia.
- Cook from "scratch" whenever possible. What this means is that I take the time to make stirfry instead of buying the frozen stuff. However, I don't have the time or energy to make everything from scratch so I use premade dressings, mustard, ect.
- Pick better options for the premade stuff. Check the ingredients and labels.
- Have a treat now and then. If I don't have a piece of chocolate when I want it, for example, I will binge on bad things the next day.

but the most important one is this... enjoy what you eat! Food can be an experience! There is NOTHING wrong with that. If you don't enjoy it, then why would you eat it? If I am gonna eat it, I am going to like it, by the gods!

This morning - on "The Doctors" - there was a male guest on who has written two books some of you might find interesting/helpful.. Can't remember his name (sorry), but the books were:

"Eat This, Not That"

and

"Cook This, Not That"

It was very interesting - also had demos of food you might order in specific popular restaurants and how by substituting something else from their menu, you could cut out at least half of the sugar, fats, calories, etc.. Some of it was pretty surprising, because the one order might "look" healthier, but it really wasn't..

I actually have every single one of their books. They are full of wonderful information! The best part of them is they don't expect you to cut everything out of your diet, but they suggest a better option for it. They understand that sometimes you just want Ice Cream... but here is an option that won't undermine all you have done.

 

[supercarrie]

My main rules, designed to prevent recurring kidney stones:
#1 LOTS of water
#2 Watch the oxalate content in my food. I limit some and enjoy others, but keep an eye on how often I consume them. It is easy to limit some (rhubarb!) but harder with berries and veggies.
#3 No high-protein diets, too hard on the kidneys. This is actually more important than restricting the oxalate. I DO eat a lot of protein but could never follow a low-carb diet.

One other rule: #4 I log everything I eat on Sparkpeople.com's nutrition tracker. Keeps me accountable and aware of eating a healthy ratio of protein, fat, and carbs.

Other than that, I have recently begun to avoid eating white bread, pasta, rice. I enjoy eating good food, so also believe in a treat once in awhile. I eat a lot of fruit already and am trying to include more veggies in the mix as well.

 

[FireDancer]

I believe that if God intended for food to be only about nourishment it wouldn't taste so darn good!!!! I feel sad for you! I eat very healthy but I enjoy every bite!!!!

Enjoying your food and eating healthy aren't mutually exclusive. I have two criteria my food has to meet, health and taste, not just one.

 

[Planogirl]

I read labels! I try to avoid HFCS and high fat foods as much as possible. We do eat things such as cheese but everything in moderation.

We eat meat but I usually buy low fat cuts such as white meat chicken, low fat beef cuts and so on.

I personally limit my carbs but don't in turn eat high fat foods. I try to eat a lot of veggies, some eggs (uncaged) and a handful of nuts now and then.

 

[Ember]

I think it's neat reading everyone's "rules." Here's ours:

We don't buy organic
However, we do try to buy local from the farmers market as much as possible
Avoid soy as much as possible (although like HFCS it's in EVERYTHING!)
Trying to cook at home as much as possible (not perfect, but trying)
Trying to limit pop (DH has a serious pop addiction)

 

[bettymae1121]

I do see food as more than fuel. I'm not an emotional eater, but at the same time I do enjoy eating and like to try to find ways to make healthy foods taste just as yummy as junkie foods. At the end of the day, if I don't like what I'm eating, I'm not going to eat it no matter how healthy it is. I find the following rules (well...more like guidelines as I am flexable to an extent) allow me to eat better but still enjoy it.

No HFCS's
No ingrediants a 5th grader can't pronounce
The less processed, the better
Oranic whenever possible
Free trade whenever possible
Organic free range eggs only
No dairy from cows treated with hormones/antibiotics
No meats from animals treated with antibiotics when possible
Whole grain bread, pasta, and brown rice
No canned veggies or fruits (except tomato products and some beans)
No dyes as much as possible
No sodas at home, only when I eat out as a "treat".

We do eat out, but try to eat at higher quality places that tend to use higher quality ingrediants in their kitchens. Due to trying to lose weight, we're cutting back on eating out now, too!


Thankfully, I have a TJ's within reasonable driving distance, big chain grocery stores with decent organic selections, and a Whole Foods opening in a few weeks, so my "rules" aren't too hard to follow.

 

[dejr_8]

No food rules here.


the only thing I will say is we eat and drink whatever we want but don't overdo it. Even going to fast food is ok as long as you don't supersize everything.

Same here - only moderation

 

[sbell111]

It's just the way I see it. I feel the same about all addictions, if you want to quit something bad enough (drinking, drugs, gambling, porn or sex addiction, etc) and have the willpower you will quit. I feel as a species that if we can invent algebra, put a man on the moon, harness the power of the atom, and estimate the circumference of the Earth with a stick and a well we can kick a bad habit.

It is just my opinion of course but there has been nothing in life I have set out to do that I was not able to eventually accomplish through will, determination, and/or hard work. I think most that don't either don't try hard enough or make excuses for themselves. It may not be easy and I never said it was, but it is possible and possibility is my measuring stick, not ease.

The thread asked my food rules (which for me includes nutrition philosophy) and I gave it. Anyone who feels differently is free to do so, opinions can vary and I'm fine with that. I'm not one of those people that thinks everyone has to agree with me and I don't really care what you do. I find using food for anything other then nourishment to be an unwise health decision, that is all.

wow.

 

[Acklander]

My main rules, designed to prevent recurring kidney stones:
#1 LOTS of water
#2 Watch the oxalate content in my food. I limit some and enjoy others, but keep an eye on how often I consume them. It is easy to limit some (rhubarb!) but harder with berries and veggies.
#3 No high-protein diets, too hard on the kidneys. This is actually more important than restricting the oxalate. I DO eat a lot of protein but could never follow a low-carb diet.

One other rule: #4 I log everything I eat on Sparkpeople.com's nutrition tracker. Keeps me accountable and aware of eating a healthy ratio of protein, fat, and carbs.

Other than that, I have recently begun to avoid eating white bread, pasta, rice. I enjoy eating good food, so also believe in a treat once in awhile. I eat a lot of fruit already and am trying to include more veggies in the mix as well.

LOL - looks like we're "food twins"

 

[saffron1000]

I stick to organic for my milk, eggs, yogurt and attempt to only use Publix Greenwise meats. I only buy 100% real fruit juice. I try to avoid as much processed food as possible. No fast foods. No HFCS.

 

[Mermaid02]

If you're thirsty- drink water. With your meals, drink water. That's about it- I'm big on water. We don't drink milk, my husband and I like almond milk though!

 

[Boston Tea Party]

It's just the way I see it. I feel the same about all addictions, if you want to quit something bad enough (drinking, drugs, gambling, porn or sex addiction, etc) and have the willpower you will quit. I feel as a species that if we can invent algebra, put a man on the moon, harness the power of the atom, and estimate the circumference of the Earth with a stick and a well we can kick a bad habit.

It is just my opinion of course but there has been nothing in life I have set out to do that I was not able to eventually accomplish through will, determination, and/or hard work. I think most that don't either don't try hard enough or make excuses for themselves. It may not be easy and I never said it was, but it is possible and possibility is my measuring stick, not ease.

The thread asked my food rules (which for me includes nutrition philosophy) and I gave it. Anyone who feels differently is free to do so, opinions can vary and I'm fine with that. I'm not one of those people that thinks everyone has to agree with me and I don't really care what you do. I find using food for anything other then nourishment to be an unwise health decision, that is all.

It's not your message, Sparky, it is your delivery...

 

[LuvCuteBoys]

1. If I like it, I eat it.
2. If I don't like it, I don't eat it.

 

[C.Ann]

Just thought of an important "food rule" we have always had in our family.. No watching television during family meals!!! I know it doesn't really apply to the "food", but to me it's important..

 

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

food rules?

lets see...

1. food must be dead (exception is fresh gagh)
2. hot things must be hot, cold things cold.
3. no food to dogs from the table. (and no dog food on the table for that matter)
4. pirate wench is served first. (makes for a happy ship)
5. rum is available after dinner!

 

[FireDancer]

It's not your message, Sparky, it is your delivery...

Funny, sparky was the name of a stuffed bear I had when I was a wee lad.

Perhaps that is true, I'm not really one to sugar coat things.

 

[BabyPiglet]

- I don't eat beef or pork.
- I go out a lot, but always attempt to choose healthier options.
- If I eat one brownie, I have to eat a lot, so I just don't eat any.
- I try not to snack after dinner.
- Read nutrition labels.
- I have a calorie limit. I don't count my calories every single day, but I do it about once a week to make sure I'm on the right track.
- I'm slightly addicted to Diet Dr. Pepper which I am trying really hard to replace with tea and water.

 

[Sparx]

- I don't eat beef or pork.
- I go out a lot, but always attempt to choose healthier options.
- If I eat one brownie, I have to eat a lot, so I just don't eat any.
- I try not to snack after dinner.
- Read nutrition labels.
- I have a calorie limit. I don't count my calories every single day, but I do it about once a week to make sure I'm on the right track.
- I'm slightly addicted to Diet Dr. Pepper which I am trying really hard to replace with tea and water.

I'm also a diet dr pepper addict. Once I started drinking sparkling water, though I've been drinking a LOT less. I think its the carbonation that I really wanted, not the sweetness.