Trying to eat healthy doing food shops

isaiah58 · 2015-11-02T21:04:48+00:00

Looks like the majority of the food shop discussions end up with comments related to eating healthy. I'd like to first point out, not everyone has the same definition of what it means to eat healthy. The USDA guidelines, IMHO, are a joke. Of course, what I consider eating healthy is not what others are going to agree with, and visa-versa. My opinion, based on my personal experiences and those of my loved ones, is that regular sweeteners and most flours are BAD carbs. This includes gluten free foods, full of corn, potato starch, rice flour, all high glycemic foods. Refined makes it that mush worse, which most foods use. This discussion can get even worse once the GMO debate comes in. That being said, most produce has a lot of pesticide and herbicide residue in it regardless, thus the organic push going on (another area to expand on). GMO free does not make something healthy, but to me more desirable thus organic includes non-GMO in it's definition. My general advice is then to eliminate bad carbs, as best as one can. If you use the online nutrition calculators available, some from the chains and some from 3rd party sites, you can figure most of this out. NOT eating the bun or bread in a burger or sandwich is a very good start. Taste the bread to meet the clients requirements. That bread can sometimes be the same amount of calories (all carbs) that the remaining ingredients add up to. Next, learn which condiments to avoid. Now, be careful as your guidelines may not allow you to remove toppings. Ketchup is bad for example (IMHO) full of sugar, where mustard is fine. Onions add sugar carbs, pickles are pretty much zero calories unless in a sugary brine (again the calculators help you figure this out). Take the ketchup and onions off a burger for example, then get a for and knife so you can avoid eating the bun, and the results are what I consider healthy calories. Here is where the USDA guidelines come in, which going against offends some people. High fat, moderate protein and low carbs is what we should eat. Eating out means you are probably not going to find many natural or organic choices, not sure those places get shopped. But, when on your own dime learning to eat the right way should help you eat smaller portions, that fill you up more as fat contains 9kal per gram, where carbs/protein are 3.9kal. Before you say I do not know what I am saying, look up Ketogenic (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ketogenic_diet) and all the research that John's Hopkins has done, including treating (preventing, reversing) dementia (http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/neurology_neurosurgery/centers_clinics/epilepsy/pediatric_epilepsy/ketogenic_diet.html). I am not promoting this specific way of eating. I used to follow the Zone Diet guidelines (similar to a Mediterranean Diet) but the carbs were too high. I lost weight but my health issues were not getting better. There are plenty of places you can get a lettuce wrap on your burger, within the guidelines. You can have your tuna salad served over lettuce. You can bring a healthy salad dressing with you to places where you can order a salad. Bring some olive oil, a low sugar vinaigrette, greek dressings, etc.. A few fries will not hurt you, at one place I leave them in the bag and dip them only in malt vinegar. Peanuts are healthy. Plug a few things you eat into a online nutrition guide, you will be amazed. For example, oatmeal is very high in carbs (high glycemic index) where bran is low. Bran costs a lot less, though there are other healthier alternatives you can figure out. My posts are solely based on my opinions and for my entertainment, contact a professional if you need real advice. When you get in debt you become a slave. - Andrew Jackson

Trying to eat healthy doing food shops

January 03, 2016 11:31PM

I'm not crazy about fast food...if I am going to eat a lot of calories I want it to taste really, really good. Restaurant chefs will tell you that the food tastes so good because most of it's 30% butter, LOL. Bring it on!

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January 04, 2016 01:28AM

I agree about the butter and oils. Truthfully, I taste and toss. There are too many trans-fats in fast food to eat healthily. If client guidelines allowed for it, I'd try to order healthy and do more fast food shops. Something that has worked wonders for me is to for example, order Popeye's, eat one piece to taste, eat a fry out of the side order, sip the drink for taste, and then ask friends if they're hungry. I still fulfill requirements and I build up comradery for friends to do me favors. Occasionally, friends give me some change for my "trouble" so I get even more miles out of the shop. I honestly can't lose even to trans-fats on a multiple shop day or on shops throughout the week or month. It makes Sonic shops hurt less too. You can't hardly do those without a bonus or ordering the cheapest hot dog.

January 04, 2016 03:52AM

I used to do a lot of fast food and pizza shops but I became very unhealthy doing so. $5 to $8 per shop was just not worth it for me. Now I take higher end restaurants only and I check the menu online first to make sure there are healthy options that satisfy my new diet and the shop requirements. So far no shop has had a problem if I inquire if something is gluten-free or wild-caught, though every shop is different. I lost twenty pounds and feel great. I do like the few and far between Subway sandwich shops because in OR they offer gluten-free bread, but I do agree with the person who posted that gluten-free options are not always healthy and should be minimized.

January 04, 2016 04:40PM

Eating healthy (or healthier than typical FF) is easy peasy. For required purchases at gas stations and C-stores, there is this thing called bottled water or fresh fruit. I don't do FF shops because I hate that type of food but I have resorted to buying a side salad and bring my own low-fat dressing while on the road. Fine dining is great as long as the guidelines do not have restrictions against substituting items (like steamed veggies) or having things on the side (like dressings.) Even the alcohol requirements can be made doable.

January 06, 2016 03:00AM

When I'm spending my own money I would NEVER pay gas station prices for water or fruit, but you're right-both are excellent choices. I'll also sometimes buy a single-serving package of nuts or a cheese stick if I'm looking for protein.

@Sybil2 wrote:

Eating healthy (or healthier than typical FF) is easy peasy. For required purchases at gas stations and C-stores, there is this thing called bottled water or fresh fruit.

Happiness is not a goal; it is a by-product. Eleanor Roosevelt

January 07, 2016 04:27AM

The problem with only taking a bite of something is I have no willpower. I got hooked on egg and cheese biscuits for a year or two. I was in a rural area and the the bonuses were great, sometimes as much as $12.50 plus the cost of the food. Prior to eating for money, I'd rarely set food in a fast food restaurant. if I want a vanilla shake I'll just pay retail, it's safer that way.

January 08, 2016 04:36AM

@sandyf wrote:

[
Steve, I used to live in WLA. There are definitely enough restaurants to feed any desire. Here? Mostly chains and casual serve and very few vegetarian options.

I live in WLA right now and although this is probably one of the best places to live for a variety of food it is not optimal by any stretch of the imagination to my way of thinking. I prefer vegetarian. But that does not mean my friends and family prefer vegetarian. So when I eat with others it is often not a vegetarian restaurant. Even by myself I would not usually choose a vegetarian restaurant as i love ethnic food even more and think they do a much better job than the copy of an ethnic recipe you get at a vegetarian restaurant. Not to mention that even when I mystery shop Native Foods which is all vegan, the food tastes great but is not necessarily healthy. I love their nachos but they still are on a bed of tortilla chips which if I checked probably have lots of empty calories in them...and grease for making them crisp. A quinoa bowl with some steamed veggies is costly and does not fill me up. I find most "american" or european cuisine restaurants serve some really low cost and uninspired choice for their "required" nod to the vegetarians. So I will get a "choice" of spaghetti with an uninteresting sauce not that much better than what is in a jar at home, or a stock salad without the meat or fish so it turns out to be a big bowl of lettuce for $15 and if I ask for an avocado to make up for the shrimp of fancy chicken or steak that is left out I am told it will cost $1.75 extra. At chain restaurants their idea often of a veggie meal is something along the lines of fruit and cottage cheese for dinner. I do not order these so called delightful and delicious sorts of food I am offered. At a high end restaurant I would expect them to take the same sort of care planning for the veggie meal they offer at their high prices but they often seem to not take any interest in all and just pick something easy to make and uninspired. But again, for the original title of this thread, just because it is organic, healthy, vegetarian etc does not mean it is healthy as some people think. The amount of calories, fat and salt and other bad things for you in some of these foods is tremendous.
My biggest joke is a place called Seasons 52 where all foods are under 450 calories. Yes you can get a nice fish plate but with the mystery shop after choosing an appetizer, an entree, a drink and a dessert each at 450 cal, these small 450 calorie portions add up to an expanding waistline and for the two times I shopped there I went home hungry. I also ate breakfast and lunch that day. I cannot stare at food on my table when I am hungry and not eat it.
And I agree with the posters who say the ordering requirements are often the issue. Most restaurants I do you are not allowed to order the salad entrees which I would prefer (with high fat dressing) as they are not under the entree tab on the menu.

Live your life in such a way that when your feet hit the floor in the morning; the devil shudders...And yells OH #%*+! SHE'S AWAKE!

January 08, 2016 04:36AM

@sandyf wrote:

[
Steve, I used to live in WLA. There are definitely enough restaurants to feed any desire. Here? Mostly chains and casual serve and very few vegetarian options.

I live in WLA right now and although this is probably one of the best places to live for a variety of food it is not optimal by any stretch of the imagination to my way of thinking. I prefer vegetarian. But that does not mean my friends and family prefer vegetarian. So when I eat with others it is often not a vegetarian restaurant. Even by myself I would not usually choose a vegetarian restaurant as i love ethnic food even more and think they do a much better job than the copy of an ethnic recipe you get at a vegetarian restaurant. Not to mention that even when I mystery shop Native Foods which is all vegan, the food tastes great but is not necessarily healthy. I love their nachos but they still are on a bed of tortilla chips which if I checked probably have lots of empty calories in them...and grease for making them crisp. A quinoa bowl with some steamed veggies is costly and does not fill me up. I find most "american" or european cuisine restaurants serve some really low cost and uninspired choice for their "required" nod to the vegetarians. So I will get a "choice" of spaghetti with an uninteresting sauce not that much better than what is in a jar at home, or a stock salad without the meat or fish so it turns out to be a big bowl of lettuce for $15 and if I ask for an avocado to make up for the shrimp of fancy chicken or steak that is left out I am told it will cost $1.75 extra. At chain restaurants their idea often of a veggie meal is something along the lines of fruit and cottage cheese for dinner. I do not order these so called delightful and delicious sorts of food I am offered. At a high end restaurant I would expect them to take the same sort of care planning for the veggie meal they offer at their high prices but they often seem to not take any interest in all and just pick something easy to make and uninspired. But again, for the original title of this thread, just because it is organic, healthy, vegetarian etc does not mean it is healthy as some people think. The amount of calories, fat and salt and other bad things for you in some of these foods is tremendous.
My biggest joke is a place called Seasons 52 where all foods are under 450 calories. Yes you can get a nice fish plate but with the mystery shop after choosing an appetizer, an entree, a drink and a dessert each at 450 cal, these small 450 calorie portions add up to an expanding waistline and for the two times I shopped there I went home hungry. I also ate breakfast and lunch that day. I cannot stare at food on my table when I am hungry and not eat it.
And I agree with the posters who say the ordering requirements are often the issue. Most restaurants I do you are not allowed to order the salad entrees which I would prefer (with high fat dressing) as they are not under the entree tab on the menu.

Live your life in such a way that when your feet hit the floor in the morning; the devil shudders...And yells OH #%*+! SHE'S AWAKE!

January 08, 2016 04:52AM

Oh gosh, I'm not thrilled with your attitude or any thing else
I grew up in another country. It wasn't fun.

You are not on my list. You didn't help my attitude

I find your issues, not worthy.

@sandyf wrote:

[
Steve, I used to live in WLA. There are definitely enough restaurants to feed any desire. Here? Mostly chains and casual serve and very few vegetarian options.

I live in WLA right now and although this is probably one of the best places to live for a variety of food it is not optimal by any stretch of the imagination to my way of thinking. I prefer vegetarian. But that does not mean my friends and family prefer vegetarian. So when I eat with others it is often not a vegetarian restaurant. Even by myself I would not usually choose a vegetarian restaurant as i love ethnic food even more and think they do a much better job than the copy of an ethnic recipe you get at a vegetarian restaurant. Not to mention that even when I mystery shop Native Foods which is all vegan, the food tastes great but is not necessarily healthy. I love their nachos but they still are on a bed of tortilla chips which if I checked probably have lots of empty calories in them...and grease for making them crisp. A quinoa bowl with some steamed veggies is costly and does not fill me up. I find most "american" or european cuisine restaurants serve some really low cost and uninspired choice for their "required" nod to the vegetarians. So I will get a "choice" of spaghetti with an uninteresting sauce not that much better than what is in a jar at home, or a stock salad without the meat or fish so it turns out to be a big bowl of lettuce for $15 and if I ask for an avocado to make up for the shrimp of fancy chicken or steak that is left out I am told it will cost $1.75 extra. At chain restaurants their idea often of a veggie meal is something along the lines of fruit and cottage cheese for dinner. I do not order these so called delightful and delicious sorts of food I am offered. At a high end restaurant I would expect them to take the same sort of care planning for the veggie meal they offer at their high prices but they often seem to not take any interest in all and just pick something easy to make and uninspired. But again, for the original title of this thread, just because it is organic, healthy, vegetarian etc does not mean it is healthy as some people think. The amount of calories, fat and salt and other bad things for you in some of these foods is tremendous.
My biggest joke is a place called Seasons 52 where all foods are under 450 calories. Yes you can get a nice fish plate but with the mystery shop after choosing an appetizer, an entree, a drink and a dessert each at 450 cal, these small 450 calorie portions add up to an expanding waistline and for the two times I shopped there I went home hungry. I also ate breakfast and lunch that day. I cannot stare at food on my table when I am hungry and not eat it.
And I agree with the posters who say the ordering requirements are often the issue. Most restaurants I do you are not allowed to order the salad entrees which I would prefer (with high fat dressing) as they are not under the entree tab on the menu.

Live your life in such a way that when your feet hit the floor in the morning; the devil shudders...And yells OH #%*+! SHE'S AWAKE!

January 08, 2016 07:26AM

@MA Smith wrote:

Oh gosh, I'm not thrilled with your attitude or any thing else
I grew up in another country. It wasn't fun.

You are not on my list. You didn't help my attitude

I find your issues, not worthy.

Hey MA Smith, I am not at all sure what you mean. Can you expand?
Sandy

January 08, 2016 05:24PM

@MA Smith wrote:

Oh gosh, I'm not thrilled with your attitude or any thing else
I grew up in another country. It wasn't fun.

You are not on my list. You didn't help my attitude

I find your issues, not worthy.

I nominate this for the most confusing post of the new year, since MA smith likes Sandy's original post.

I do agree that much of the vegan food offered is not particularly, healthy though.

January 08, 2016 06:48PM

I eats tons of fast food, but there a few things I do to keep the weight off.
1. I intermittent fast from about 9pm to 1pm the following day and then eat all of my calories within the 8 hour window of 1pm to 9pm.
2. I eat a lowish carbohydrate diet. All carbs come from veggies and fruit, so fruit is like a rarity and the veggies that have very low carbs. Very little corn, wheat, potato, or beans. Gary Taubes book Good Calories Bad Calories(very sciencey) is my nutrition bible. He also wrote another book, Why People Get Fat that is almost a repeat of the first book, but less sciencey. Yeah, I made up the word.
3. I eat fast food almost every day, but no more than one place. And if it's two, I'll give the second one away.
4. When it comes to ordering:
a. Unsweetened iced tea or water
b. only a couple of fries to meet the shop requirements, throw the rest away
c. One bite of the bun, throw the rest away. I take out the tomato and lettuce too, they don't add any flavor, in my opinion, they just take up space.
d. At the chinese place, my side is the mixed veggies, never the chow mein or fried rice, and the lower cal veggies and chicken options. I went online to see the breakdown.
e. At the mexican place, my two sides are both side salads. I break some of the chicken into the salads and........its like having two small chicken Caesar salads!!!! no rice, no beans, no corn, no tortilla, no mashed potato, no mac and cheese... I could get the broccoli, but I get a ton of that at the chinese place.
f. bad fats such as trans fat are mainly in fried food and wheat products, such as commercially made crackers, cookies, baked goods, which are carby items. So, if I heavily reduce the carbs(and fried food) I am also reducing the trans fat.
g. Very little alcohol(processed carbs), if I drink coffee, it's drip coffee, not lattes that are mostly milk(carbs) and definitely no shakes.
h. I don't do upscale joints anymore. I don't feel the work involved in the report is worth the slightly fancier versions of what's at a fast food place. Fancier potato, fancier rice, alcoholic drinks.....still carbs.
i. At the gas station shops, I get the cans of .99 Coke and hand them over to a friend who's favorite alcoholic drink is Crown and Coke.

January 09, 2016 09:16PM

I messed up, I find my responses confusing as well. It rates up there with one of my favorite songs, 'What was I thinking'.

This is why I make a point of only doing shops that have a 24 hour window for reporting. I need naps on a regular basis. The way I do my routes, sometimes that doesn't happen. Should have know better, not to post.

I truly hope I didn't offend anyone. It wasn't my intention.

Live your life in such a way that when your feet hit the floor in the morning; the devil shudders...And yells OH #%*+! SHE'S AWAKE!

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