The Running Mike

Paleo / Primal Coach, Runner, and Triathlete

Archive for the tag “eating”

11 Jun 2012

Restaurants and Eating Out

English: Texas Roadhouse restaurant, 36750 For...

Texas Roadhouse isn't my favorite place, but with a little planning, I can still choose a pretty healthy meal. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I guess I am on a bit of a food kick lately and wanted to talk about one of the hardest aspects of eating well: the dreaded restaurant.

OK, I know I’m being a bit dramatic.  We have good intentions, but then have half a loaf of bread, an appetizer, and by that point may as well have a big dessert.  I used to work in an office where we had business lunches and dinners constantly…bringing my own food wasn’t an option.  Luckily, a little planning ahead will go a long way to avoid a 3000 calorie meal and avoid packing on pounds when meals out pile onto each other.

Even if you just like to go out, make a list of restaurants where you can eat healthy.  Look at the menu online and know exactly what you’ll order when you go. The more choices you have, the better, but have at least 5 restaurant choices.  Some of mine:

  • Chipotle – Naked Burrito, no rice, extra lettuce
  • Pappoulle’s Greek – Greek Salad with Chicken
  • Theresa’s Mosaic – Carne Verde and side salad
  • Texas Roadhouse (Steakhouse) – 6 oz sirloin, steamed veggies, and house salad no croutons w/ dressing on side
  • Chick-fil-a- Chargrilled and Fruit Salad
  • Harvest – Seared Ahi Tuna Salad
  • Lupitas – Scambled Eggs and Carne Seca, no tortillas
  • Chuy’s Mesquite Grill – Tri-tip and salad, dressing on side

No need to look at the menu, in fact, it’s better if you don’t.  Don’t dangle the temptation of something else if you’re trying to eat well.

Are these meals exactly balances the way I would eat them at home?  Probably not for most of them! But, they will fill me up, taste good, and I don’t have to feel bad about it.

Hope this helps save a few calories!  Have a good week and let me know if there are some yummy healthy eats out I should be include Smile

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Posted by The Running Mike in newbie, Nutrition and tagged , , | Leave a Comment
04 Jun 2012
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The Ultimate Weight Loss Secret

Watermelon and computer

If you don't have watermelon in your fridge, go buy one now, chop it up and enjoy the awesomeness all week! (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Like most people, my weight has always been something I’ve struggled with.  Almost 10 years ago, I made a major change in the way I looked at my health and dealt with eating.  I’ve tried many different types of ‘diets’ and I keep coming back to the same truth.

Once you have committed to being healthy and that the way you eat needs to be part of a lifestyle (not a temporary diet), then the big secret is:

Convenience

If you are doing paleo, vegetarian/vegan, weight watchers, or anything else (including your own thing) – you must have access to foods that are easy and convenient (and extra bonus points if it tastes good!).

I think all of us would love a personal chef (looking at you Wilson) Smile  But it’s not in the cards for everyone (including me).  I know how I want to eat, so it’s my responsibility to surround myself with foods that I can eat when I want to.  So once a week, I prep food for the week so that it will be extremely convenient to eat well.

If your pantry is stocked with chips, cookies, and granola bars: odds are that you’ll be eating that sooner or later.  When you need something quick, you’ll grab for those.  So filling your house with healthy choices and making it easy and convenient to grab foods will truly make it a lifestyle and help you lose/maintain weight.

Fruit

It’s not enough for me (convenient enough for me) to just have fresh fruit in my kitchen.  I chop (or my lovely wife chops) a large bowl of berries and fruit for the week.  It’s great with greek yogurt, as a side dish for a meal, with a few walnuts, or even by itself.  Easy to make and easy to have nearby the whole week.

Veggies

I try to make vegetables more than half of each meal.  When visually looking at a plate (even when I’m eating out), I make it a point to have more veggies than anything else.  I burn out on eating salads, so I prep vegetable sides that will be easy for me to eat when I want.  I have some killer butternut squash and parsnip hash browns pre-made, thaw in a minute, and taste great with any meal.  Mashed cauliflower is another good choice; mega healthy and reheats well.

Snacks

Prepare or have multiple snacks on hand.  Paleo/Lara bars, kale chips, hummus (awesome with veggies) are all quick and easy.  If they are ready and available, when you go to the fridge, there is something to eat.

The Bottom Line

Just make it easy for yourself.  The way to make it a life style and stick with it is to make it easy and convenient.

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