Mindfull

 Q: “I’m a pretty picky eater, I try not to be and want to try new foods, but I just like what I like, how do I work that around a healthy diet?” 

 

A: Well, the best advice I can give you is to just keep trying new things! If you don’t like it, at least you tried, but looks can be very deceiving, especially when it comes to food, so don’t turn your nose at something just because it looks strange. Focus on nutritious foods first, try out a farmer’s market, they’re full of free samples and interesting finds! You might find a few things you love. And once you do, work around those, find recipes that lean heavy on that food item. It is a great way to blend flavors and work your palate around your restrictions.  

 

 

Q: I became a vegetarian at the beginning of this year, and as much as I am enjoying it, I find that I don’t feel as full on a veggie-based diet, how do I fix this?  

 

A: The great thing about a vegetable based diet is that generally veggies have less calories, so you have the freedom to eat more than you would if you were eating, say, burgers & fries, or other carb and meat heavy meals, to fulfill your daily calorie count. However, it is common to feel hungry again soon after finishing a meal when you are a vegetarian. One way to combat this is to approach your diet differently; try smaller meals more, slightly more frequently. Instead of three large square meals a day, try five smaller ones. Keep snacks with you, as annoying as it can be sometimes to carry things with you throughout the day, try keeping veggie chips in your work desk, carrot sticks in your backpack, or just find meals that fill you up a little bit more. For me, I’ve found that a PB&J and a banana mid-way through the day keeps me comfortable until dinner!  

 

 

Q: Is it really that much more affordable to cook at home? Aren’t I really spending as much money as I would if I got take out? 

 

A: Well, I suppose that depends on where you choose to eat out. Hypothetically if you alway ate out at fast food restaurants with cheap options, and only cooked full course meals with high end ingredients at home, you’re absolutely right. However, most take out places use less than desirable ingredients for taste and preservation reasons, and cooking at home is very easily done on a budget, with the added bonus of knowing everything that is going into your meal. If your budget allows for more frequent meals out than most, then go for it. But there is no doubt that there is affordability in the supermarket. 

 

 

Q: How often can I really eat out if I don’t want to feel guilty about it? 

 

 

A: I suppose that depends what part of it makes you feel guilty. Eating out will almost always be more expensive that preparing your own food at home, but beyond that studies have shown that we tend to eat more that we normally would in one sitting when eating out. An article published in INSIDER Magazine just last year discussed how the vast majority of American restaurants have significantly larger portion sizes than is strictly recommended. Not only that, but we, as social beings, are inclined to eat more and finish that larger portion when sitting at a restaurant. This is increased if you are somewhere that serves chips and salsa, or pre-dinner bread rolls. So in short, eating out can still be something you do, even frequent, but it shouldn’t be your main means of eating, and it always helps to be aware of exactly what you consume, and how much! 

 

 

Q: I hate cooking, and I’m really bad at it, I just want to have a well-rounded diet. I need simplicity and affordability. Is that a pipedream? 

 

A: Not necessarily, having a well-rounded and healthy diet will always take a little effort, but that doesn’t mean it needs to be a chore. There are plenty of really simple meals with quick results out there, any many tailor to certain dietary needs. I would start with the foods you know you like and want in your diet, and from there search for recipes that lean heavily on those food groups.

 

 

Q: Can’t I just eat whatever I want and however much I want as long as I just exercise enough to work it all off? 

 

A:  I mean, yeah sure. I’m not your mom, you can do whatever you want. But our goal isn’t just to keep all our lovely inquirers in excellent physical shape, in fact that is one of the last things on our list of concerns here at FOOD. We care more about making sure you get all your basic dietary needs met, with all the fun and enjoyment that can come with cooking and trying new food! We know that this can be tricky sometimes, given time constraints, budget restrictions, and the general consequences of a busy life, so we are here to provide you with answers and ideas to help you be healthy, happy, and stress free.