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Anonymous
What makes 'bad' foods 'bad'?
Is it the amount of calories? fat? sodium?

What is the biggest concern in looking for healthier foods?
>> Anonymous
The only thing that makes bad food bad is the rage it stirs up in /fit/fags.
>> Anonymous
Trans fats, high amounts of saturated fats, excessive sugar, lack of vitamins/minerals, high levels of sodium.
>> Anonymous
>>147355

This reminds me of another question I have. There is a "% Daily Value" for most items on a nutrition label. However there is nothing for sugar. I realize you should limit the amount of sugar you have, but without a reference point it's hard to tell how much is too much. What is a good guideline for sugar intake?
>> Anonymous
>>147367
Daily values isn't very accurate anyways, everybody has different needs. Sugar is no exception, just use your judgment and be reasonable. Are you an active individual who needs to replenish his energy stores frequently? Will your body use the energy or will it just be stored away in the form of fat?
>> Anonymous
High Fructose Corn Syrup: This popular substitute for refined sugar makes your body retain fat. It's worse than refined sugar and horrible for those seeking fat loss. Always read the ingredients in your store bought food and look for this ingredient to avoid it.

Too much saturated fat: While I'm not completely educated on this area, I've been told that having more unsaturated fats in a food rather than saturated fats is best.

Trans Fat: Looks this up if you don't know the dangers of it.

Too much sugar: For the obvious reasons and insulin spike.

Processed to the point of being unhealthy: White rice and white flour are treated like sugar to your body. Go with brown rice and whole wheat flour (NOT enriched wheat flour though).

Sodium Nitrate: Ingredient used to cure meat (mostly deli-meat) that increases chance of pancreatic cancer.

Non-natural ingredients and additives: When extra ingredients are added to preserve or enhance flavor. Canned vegetables have high sodium content to preserve and/or enhance flavor. It's better for your body if you just go get fresh fruit and vegetables as opposed to canned.

Deep fried foods: Too much extra calories from the grease and possibly trans-fat.

My common foods now are chicken breast, fresh vegetables and fruit, oatmeal, and baked or steamed fish. Now, my body isn't accepting some of the "bad" foods I used to eat.
>> Anonymous
>>147375

Well, right now it will most likely be stored as fat. I'm going to start to work out more, but until I get into a steady routine I don't think my body will use the energy very quickly.
>> SC_OL
>>147385
This is good advice.

Generally, if its fresh, its good
>> Anonymous
As for calories making a food bad, they can.

If you have too many calories in one meal (particularly later in the day) it has a better chance to be converted into fat.

A lot of calories can be fine if the food choice is fine or you're in the bulking phase of weightlifting.

Just remember, your biggest meal should be your first (breakfast) and you should have smaller meals later in the day. Dinner should be your smallest meal in the day because it's when your metabolism is at its lowest.

America doesn't tell us these things. The problems is American families have the mentality that dinner should be the biggest meal, but since your metabolism is at its lowest around that time, a lot of calories is more easily stored as fat if you're not doing anything at the time.
>> Anonymous
>>147425

Dinner being the biggest meal is definitely the normal mentality. I've always thought that. But the problem is I can't eat a lot when I first wake up in the morning. My breakfast consists of a bowl of cereal or yogurt with granola and strawberries/blueberries if I have.

Though that does explain getting hungry during the day. What are some good snacks to have during the day? I usually bring a couple of fruits with me to work, as well as a granola bar if I have any.

And what is a good healthy snack that can help satisfy a sweet tooth?
>> Anonymous
bump
>> Anonymous
One of my favorates is "autolyzed yeast extract".
>> Anonymous
Even these Slim Fast protein bars I bought had HFCS in it. Obviously the company doesn't want you to get slim too soon.
>> Anonymous
>>148550

Well I don't know much about diet bars, but do you guys actually "believe" in them? I mean, wasn't it that an Atkins bar had more fat in it than a Krispy Kreme?
>> Anonymous
>>149441
As someone who has tried many bars, you simply have to see what fits best. Atkins bars suck because they simply don't taste good, but they have a good mix of fiber and protein, at least the Advantage bars. I like Myoplex and MedRx bars the best, though.
>> Anonymous
This is a good thread.