Meal Planning

Speaking of planning, since last post had to do with my summer novel plans, now might be a good time to talk about food.

I have been thinking about this for a while. Okay, by while I mean nearly all year long off and on. It's something that I think is a good idea, but haven't taken the time needed in order to execute said plan. That is: I want to plan my meals in advance. I have been trying to eat healthier but those many days where for a meal, I'm sitting around going "what should I eat" make it difficult because it's usually times where I'm tired or limited on time so don't wanna make the effort to cook then clean, plus my food supplies are on the minimal side at this time. The last minute need food can be difficult on the healthy eating cause there aren't always good options present and so much tasty not so healthy foods are quick.

Thus the idea that I should plan meals out in advance. While I like sometimes to have the option to mix things up, in the long run, it seems like having a plan would help.

I have been eating a little better this month, even though the scale hasn't changed. Drink water every day now, even though still drink a small soda most days. But I drink a few bottles of water each day, so that's good. Also, consuming more fruit and veggies than before. I would eat some veggies, that wasn't too bad, but I didn't really get much fruit. Earlier in the year, it was more like 1 or 2 pieces of fruit a month. So, that's a good increase, though I still eat a little too much candy and cheap, fast items that require just the microwave. But I'm working on it, so that's good. Hoping that if I keep going then some good results will show.

Anyways, back to the planning topic. I would like to plan ahead more but each time I say that, then I do nothing. I have notebooks, calendars and even a dry erase calendar. Plus, I would probably be able to budge better with a pre-planned set of meals. It's something I think I'm going to work on for the rest of summer, putting together plans ahead of time and just eating what is planned. It will take some determination and restraint, but that's the plan for now.


Do you plan meals ahead of time?

D is for Diet

Yep, I said it. Diet!

It has become a scorned word these days as diet programs work to be called lifestyle changes in order to keep up with the preferred lingo as they try to peddle their plans to the masses, but is it necessary? Does diet really mean something that one does for short time then quits or fails? I'm not so sure. Why is it so bad to be on a diet? Let's look at the word and consider it.

Definition of Diet

Noun
1. The kinds of food that a person, animal, or community habitually eats.
2. A legislative assembly in certain countries.
Verb
 1. Restrict oneself to small amounts or special kinds of food in order to lose weight.
Synonym
nutrition - nourishment - food - regimen - dietary

The verb is the one we most know. It's the one people talk about all the time. It's what makes people buy different products, join groups, or eat celery. Noun 1 is the second most common, I'd say, nowadays and I am certain Noun 2 is the least common. I hadn't even really known that little fact until I did my research for this post.

The term diet has become negative in connotation to a degree because of the number of products and programs people start, try, quit, retry and quit again all in the name of dieting to lose weight. They fail and become an obsession for many. Here is a list of diet plans by US News, (though as for quality of diet even though it lists them as the best I don't guarantee or recommend any of them), to see check out the link: http://health.usnews.com/best-diet.


However, if you think about it, the word diet will always relate to our food consumption in the noun context. Even those not losing weight have a diet, the food they eat on a regular basis.

But here is my question: Does the verb have to pertain to only the restriction or type of food used to lose weight? Can't a diet contain the basic foods consumed to maintain loss? Seems like that would work considering the noun version, but I'm not the decider of the dictionary definitions.

My Point

Diet doesn't have to be that dirty word, something we quit and start in this ever persistent battle to lose weight. Diet has other purposes and can in fact just relate to the food we eat on a regular basis, whether healthy or not and the approach we take to the type of diet we maintain is more important than whether we use the terms "diet" or "lifestyle change".

Do you diet?
What is your diet like?