anyone ever go from eating junk food to eating whole food/organic type food?

[Young Grasshopper]

im thinking of switcing my diet from mcdonalds/pizza/taco bell/soda to eating nothing but whole goods/natural/organic type stuff. as natural as it can get with no additives. just wanted to know what kind of physical effect this would have thanks

 

[SpottedCow]

The only thing that happened to me was caffeine headaches, but they went away when I started drinking caffeine again :shocked:

Adding a ton of fiber might have some affect but other than that cold turkey to healthy should be fine. You and your wallet may lose some weight in the process.

 

[TallBill]

I wouldn't worry so much about the "organic" part. Just stop eating total crap. Caffeine headaches usually only last a few days.

 

[Crono]

I've done it. The one big difference I noticed is due to the fiber. If you eat too much fiber, you might get bloated and/or get diarrhea. Your body will get used to the fiber after a while, though. You'll definitely become more "regular". If you eat the same amount of carbs, or less, but they are all whole grain, you may notice an increase in energy throughout the day (less spikes in blood sugar). I was eating way too many carbs before, and I was much less sleepy throughout the day after eating meals once I switched to a healthier whole grain diet. Having 5 smaller meals instead of 3 large ones also helps.

 

[TallBill]

Originally posted by: Crono
I've done it. The one big difference I noticed is due to the fiber. If you eat too much fiber, you might get bloated and/or get diarrhea. Your body will get used to the fiber after a while, though. You'll definitely become more "regular". If you eat the same amount of carbs, or less, but they are all whole grain, you may notice an increase in energy throughout the day (less spikes in blood sugar). I was eating way too many carbs before, and I was much less sleepy throughout the day after eating meals once I switched to a healthier whole grain diet. Having 5 smaller meals instead of 3 large ones also helps.

I had a bunch of celery last night and my stomach has been killing me since. Fiber overload?

 

[conorvansmack]

Originally posted by: SpottedCow
The only thing that happened to me was caffeine headaches, but they went away when I started drinking caffeine again :shocked:

That's called drug withdrawal. Sudden changes (cold turkey) will have that result.

Like Crono said, the addition of fiber will clean you out. It seems that TallBill noticed that. Celery is insoluble fiber + water. It's also a fantastic way to eat peanut butter.:thumbsup:

 

[Crono]

Originally posted by: TallBill

Originally posted by: Crono
I've done it. The one big difference I noticed is due to the fiber. If you eat too much fiber, you might get bloated and/or get diarrhea. Your body will get used to the fiber after a while, though. You'll definitely become more "regular". If you eat the same amount of carbs, or less, but they are all whole grain, you may notice an increase in energy throughout the day (less spikes in blood sugar). I was eating way too many carbs before, and I was much less sleepy throughout the day after eating meals once I switched to a healthier whole grain diet. Having 5 smaller meals instead of 3 large ones also helps.

I had a bunch of celery last night and my stomach has been killing me since. Fiber overload?

Celery is the very definition of indigestible. Fiber is good (at slowing uptake of blood sugar, or for cleaning out the bowels), but too much at once, especially if you aren't used to it, will cause indigestion. Snack on veggies over the course of the day

 

[TallBill]

Originally posted by: Crono

Celery is the very definition of indigestible.

I realized that, hence the question I'm still plugged up. But it was soooo good with peanut butter last night. The tall glass of chocolate milk 15 minutes later didn't help.

Hopefully everything comes rocketing out soon.

 

[EvilYoda]

Originally posted by: TallBill

Originally posted by: Crono

Celery is the very definition of indigestible.

I realized that, hence the question I'm still plugged up. But it was soooo good with peanut butter last night. The tall glass of chocolate milk 15 minutes later didn't help.

Hopefully everything comes rocketing out soon.

*Target acquired*

*Commence bombardment*

Poor porcelain

 

[StageLeft]

I keep thinking about this. It's a little expensive, but more than that I a) don't know entirely how to do it and b) love my processed foods, so I'm not sure I want to. I admire a person who can do it and stick with it.

 

[eddiebravo]

its better to just find a healthy balance. if you try to eat carrot sticks and spinach all day every day, you are probably going to go crazy and any benefit you would get from the food would probably be outweighed by the stress that following such a diet would surely cause you.

just try to shift the balance so that you are including more healthy foods. the further you go the better, but even at the extremes you dont need absolute strict adherence. if you can make your own junk foods, thats better too. for example, i love enchiladas...but instead of getting some rat shit filled taco bell enchirito, i just go to the store, buy some stuff and make my own. i can make them pretty damn healthy(use whole corn tortilla without preservatives, use only chicken breast, use low fat cheese, use quality enchilada sauce that doesnt have weird ingredients, use low sodium black beans, top with lettuce, tomatoes) and still have them taste incredible.

 

[LS8]

Originally posted by: Skoorb
I keep thinking about this. It's a little expensive, but more than that I a) don't know entirely how to do it and b) love my processed foods, so I'm not sure I want to. I admire a person who can do it and stick with it.

The easiest way to start is when you are shopping, avoid the inner isle of the grocery store. Stick to the outside isles which are usually fresh meats, fruits, vegetables, dairy products and fresh baked goods from the baker.

A good rule of thumb is if the grocery store packed/prepared the item it's going to be good (won't have a ton of crap in it) but if it came to the grocery store in a box or package, try something else. The exceptions obviously are things like canned fruits/veggies, spices, baking goods (not finished goods like cookies but ingredients like flower) and deli meats.

The biggest problem most people have is that no one ever taught them to cook! They can't cook for themselves. Buying the fresh foods is easy but they go bad in the fridge because people decide to run out for dinner instead of cook. Cooking can get old and can be a PITA when you are ready to eat. It is defiantly easier to just run and get a burger and probably cheaper too but your body will hate you.

Cooking for one person can also be difficult so you will be eating left overs, but that's ok! Find a good web site with recipes and go from there.

 

[Cerpin Taxt]

Originally posted by: EvilYoda

Originally posted by: TallBill

Originally posted by: Crono

Celery is the very definition of indigestible.

I realized that, hence the question I'm still plugged up. But it was soooo good with peanut butter last night. The tall glass of chocolate milk 15 minutes later didn't help.

Hopefully everything comes rocketing out soon.

*Target acquired*

*Commence bombardment*

Poor porcelain

That's almost a haiku, and it would've been an awesome one.

 

[everman]

Originally posted by: Cerpin Taxt

Originally posted by: EvilYoda

Originally posted by: TallBill

Originally posted by: Crono

Celery is the very definition of indigestible.

I realized that, hence the question I'm still plugged up. But it was soooo good with peanut butter last night. The tall glass of chocolate milk 15 minutes later didn't help.

Hopefully everything comes rocketing out soon.

*Target acquired*

*Commence bombardment*

Poor porcelain

That's almost a haiku, and it would've been an awesome one.

Target Acquired
Commence aerial bombing
Destroy porcelain

 

[StageLeft]

Originally posted by: LS8

Originally posted by: Skoorb
I keep thinking about this. It's a little expensive, but more than that I a) don't know entirely how to do it and b) love my processed foods, so I'm not sure I want to. I admire a person who can do it and stick with it.

The easiest way to start is when you are shopping, avoid the inner isle of the grocery store. Stick to the outside isles which are usually fresh meats, fruits, vegetables, dairy products and fresh baked goods from the baker.

A good rule of thumb is if the grocery store packed/prepared the item it's going to be good (won't have a ton of crap in it) but if it came to the grocery store in a box or package, try something else. The exceptions obviously are things like canned fruits/veggies, spices, baking goods (not finished goods like cookies but ingredients like flower) and deli meats.

The biggest problem most people have is that no one ever taught them to cook! They can't cook for themselves. Buying the fresh foods is easy but they go bad in the fridge because people decide to run out for dinner instead of cook. Cooking can get old and can be a PITA when you are ready to eat. It is defiantly easier to just run and get a burger and probably cheaper too but your body will hate you.

Cooking for one person can also be difficult so you will be eating left overs, but that's ok! Find a good web site with recipes and go from there.

Yeah, I cannot cook. My wife can but when I'm left alone I tend towards the not-so-fresh items. I think I got a headache a few weeks ago after eating too much frozen pizza for many days in a row. Oops

 

[TraumaRN]

Yea I've been increasing my fiber + healthy food intake. I found this fiber bars from Sam's Club....35% of your daily fiber in one small candy bar sized thing. Definitely causes some indigestion! Especially if you eat it with a whole bunch fruit/veggies like I have been doing.

But yea, definitely been switching to a healthier diet. Gastronomic consequences suck but I feel better...

 

[AbAbber2k]

Originally posted by: everman

Originally posted by: Cerpin Taxt

Originally posted by: EvilYoda

Originally posted by: TallBill

Originally posted by: Crono

Celery is the very definition of indigestible.

I realized that, hence the question I'm still plugged up. But it was soooo good with peanut butter last night. The tall glass of chocolate milk 15 minutes later didn't help.

Hopefully everything comes rocketing out soon.

*Target acquired*

*Commence bombardment*

Poor porcelain

That's almost a haiku, and it would've been an awesome one.

Target Acquired
Commence aerial bombing
Destroy porcelain

*sniff*

So beautiful...

 

[EGGO]

Yes but I wouldn't quite call it "organic" just "healthier". I usually eat from the deli downstairs, now. They make some great stuff like pasta, tacos (not like the taco bell stuff), salads and I usually have juice or tea with it; so my diet is kind of forced on me, you could say.

Yesterday for the first time in I'd say a year, I tried coke and (packaged) beef jerky for the first time. I actually felt really icky and urpy after that. That's when I realized that it's quite a sudden change from my regular eating habits. I've never had that much salt in one sitting (or whatever else was in that beef jerky) and soda since two summers ago. Practically a full bottle is now sitting in the fridge and isn't going to be touched now.

 

[quest55720]

I went from fast food 2-3 times a day to a better diet. I count calories and try and get 200 grams of protien a day. I just eat ok and the seems to work pretty well. I tried eating perfect just does not work for me. When people ask me I just tell them to eat better. Just cut out the really bad stuff and replace it with other things you still like. If you don't like what you are eating you will not stick with it. Eating ok for a life time is better than eating perfect for a few months then back to horrible diet.

 

[KingGheedora]

Like others in this thread, I haven't gone organic, but I did switch to eating healthy one day. I crap at least once a day no as opposed to skipping some days before. Feel better in general but nothing striking. When I have junk food now I feel a little out of it.

It's only been a couple weeks since I started weight myself, so due to fluctuations in water/food weight, and using different scales, I can't tell if I'm losing weight yet. Seems like I may have lost 2 or more lbs so far.

 

[Trey22]

Other than your digestive system adjusting to your new eating habits, one thing you'll notice is you have to get used to the new tastes. It might be more that you miss the old ones. Especially w/ stuff that has less sugar and salt. But, your tastebuds will adjust, and soon you won't notice the difference.

Then when you go back and have a soda, it'll be sickly sweet.

Edit: Grammar.

 

[Kaido]

Organic doesn't mean jack. Read here:

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/07...iness/29instincts.html

Like others said, avoid eating too much fiber in the beginning or it will due a number on your stomach. The same goes for protein...if you start getting really gassy, cut down on the protein. The biggest thing that helped me was switching to a 6-meals-a-day diet. I never ate junk food because I never had to the chance to get hungry - it's 1000 times easier to manage cravings for junk food if your stomach is full of healthy food. The big change for you will be preparing your own food - one of the big reasons you eat at McDonalds/Taco Bell/etc. is for the convenience - you can get tasty food instantly. Put yourself on a healthy diet with 6 small meals a day including lean meats, whole grains, and veggies. Within a week, your system will be cleaned out and in 2 weeks you'll be feeling worlds better and have a lot more energy.

Also I find going to bed early (before 10 or 10:30pm) helps a lot, because being tired really amps up the craving and the need for quick, easy food from fast food restaurants.