Ewww. I just read this article. It is an in depth reminder of how far I have come. As well as, how far away from health our country, especially our children, has gone.
Daily I learn more about what is in food. The more I learn, the less I want to know.
Knowing now what I put in my body well, frankly, it makes me queasy. For example, one of my all time favorite meals was the #3 Extra Value Meal at McDonald's - Quarter pounder with cheese, large fry, medium drink. I would eat this one or two times a week minimum 'back in the day'. (Why am I not dead?)
The breakdown:
Quarter Pounder with Cheese –
Calories – 490
Fat – 26g
Saturated fat – 12g
Trans fat – 1.5g
Large French Fry –
Calories – 570
Fat – 30g
Saturated fat – 6g
Trans fat – 8g
Medium Coke Classic –
Calories – 210
Grand Total –
Calories – 1270
Fat – 56g
Saturated fat – 18g
Trans fat – 9.5g
Well, holy cow! (Literally)
You see the average, healthy, person should take in about 2,000 calories, if they are active and no more than 65 grams of fat. I was by no means healthy or active when I was piling this in, that is just sad.
The pathetic thing, I knew. We all know. I just didn't read nutritional information then, because I didn't actually want to have to look at the truth. I was slowly killing myself.
FYI - These days I average 1400-1500 calories a day and no more than 30g fat a day. Please note: everyone is different, be sure you ask a pro for help when you are getting started.
So, I know you want to know, do I eat fast food? A couple of months ago I would have said, in a pinch with the nephew in tow, yes. What would I have? McDonald's - Fruit & Walnut salad, I would skip the yogurt and eat only half of the walnuts to keep the fat and calories down; side salad with low fat vinaigrette, using less than half of the packet. Wendy's - baked potato with sour cream and chives, no butter, a lot of carbs, if you are watching that kind of thing. (I don't, a calorie is a calorie, unless you are diabetic.)
Do I eat fast food now? No. I know too much about it and how even veggie burgers can be made bad with refined flour buns and trans fat cheese. I have tried going with friends and looking long and hard at the menu, but I just can't make it work. Instead I will just grab water and eat my nutrition bar I always take as a back-up.
I can't tell you what to eat. But I will say this, putting thought into what you put in your body is an act of self-respect. By eating better you prove that you like yourself and the better you feel and look, the more you like yourself. It's very much a circle. Just a little food for thought.
Yours in health, Kate
I would have thought the QP w/ cheese was worse actually. I was telling Casey about my different meals of choice when I was at my heaviest. BK - original chicken, large fries, coke, extra mayo. Wendys - big bacon classic, large fries, coke, extra mayo. Arbys - beef n cheddar, cheddar fries, jamoca shake and maybe a cherry turnover. My favorite McDs was the #2. Two cheeseburgers, fries and a coke. I still like the cheeseburgers but haven't had one since fencing. Now I get the plain grilled chicken sandwich, eat half, and a side salad with FF Italian.
ReplyDeleteI still eat fast food though, I think I'll average out to 6 times a year on it. Wendy's chili is a good one. Taco Bell's Fresco choices rock, they replace the cheese with awesome pico. And I will indulge in a chicken plank and hush puppy from LJS - so worth 4 points sometimes.
I think it just comes down to being mindful. I never used to think about what I ate. Now there are times when I know what I'll be eating a week ahead of time. I love your nutrition bar idea. My handbag is monster, I should have one in there at all times.
You actually made me a little nostalgic with that list of foods. And a little sad. I used to eat that way too and often alone so people couldn't see - because then it didn't happen you know.
ReplyDeleteDon't get me wrong, I still like a McDonald's fry or two if someone has them, I just don't eat them all and then borrow from other people's orders to help them 'finish up'.
Wow, looking at that, I had a serious problem.
Thanks for sharing!
Your weight loss story gives a wonderfully different perspective. You have been slow and steady. I have been faster, but definitely been more extreme in my calorie counting. It's a good example of how every person is different.