How the Terminator would tell you to eat
In one of the first scenes in Terminator 2 a naked Arnold Schwarzenegger (The Terminator) enters a biker bar to find clothes. The camera shows what he’s seeing — it’s a robotic screen that analyzing everything around him. He’s scanning the bar and registers the sex, weight, and height of the patrons in the bar. He pauses in front of one biker and his vision shows it’s scanning the man from his feet to his head; he finds a match. As strange as it is, that’s how I view everything I eat and drink. It’s been a game changer for me to maintain a healthy lifestyle and you should do it too.
When I see a grilled chicken sandwich with lettuce, tomato, mayo, I really see ~9 grams of protein, vitamin A & K, fiber, good carbs, and some dairy. I then remember this as the days go on. I monitor this constantly. For instance, I’ll only have a burger if I can recall that I haven’t had red meat in the past 4 day days. Granted these are the parameters for my diet; you’ll need to find what is the healthiest and most enjoyable option for you.
Many people resort to writing this all down, for that I recommend Evernote; it’s the best note-taking app on the planet. However, if you’re a data nut like me I recommend using MyFitnessPal. It’s an incredible tool that calculate all of the nutritional facts in the foods and drinks you consume — from Dunkaroos to filet mignon. That’s the closest you will get to have a robotic viewpoint.
HOW TO GET STARTED
First, look at things for what they actually are; a tasty bag of Lays potato chips is in fact a pile of carbs, trans-fats, and salt that you don’t need. Second, stop rewarding yourself with crap. “I was good today, I had a salad so I can eat — ” wrong, put down the Ring-dings. This Pavlovian treat mentality is a horrible habit. Third, keep an eye out for the ingredients you’d like to consume and avoid. Seek out protein and avoid sugar.
EXAMPLES OF HIGH PROTEIN SNACKS
- 1 banana with 2 tablespoons peanut butter = 9 grams of protein.
- KIND Bar, any flavor because they’re amazing = 6 grams of protein.
- Seapoint Farms Dry Roasted Edamame = 11 grams of protein.
Being a world-class snacker I can make this list a novel; if you’d like to hear more let me know on Twitter: @robert_maisano :)
AVOIDING SUGAR
One of the easiest places where sugars hide is in our drinks. According to the American Heart Association, the maximum amount of added sugars you should eat in a day are: 37.5 grams or 9 teaspoons for men and 25 grams or 6 teaspoons for women. To put this in perspective, that sweet tasting Snapple Peach Iced Tea has 39 grams of sugar! A 12oz can of Coca Cola has the same amount too. Instead just drink water. It increases blood flow and takes strain off of your heart. Also it curbs snacking.
At the end of the day you need to find what works for you. If this type of serious tracking of meals and drinks is stressful, then don’t do it. For the rest of you, start tracking your meals now. Use which methods are the easiest for you to ensure a steady routine. I can’t guarantee that you’ll look like Schwarzenegger in a week but you’ll definitely feel great. Give it a shot, let me know how it works for you.
From the Holoholo blog.
