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Cheers,
Darya
1,842 responses so far
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Your comments on excess gas were very helpful. My excess seems to be so severe in builds up in my back which the doctors don’t believe but it bubbles sometimes and recently when I held my hand on my back it started bubbling. Have you heard of this?
I haven’t :/
Darya, do you have reservations about eating fish caught in the Pacific Ocean? I have read so much conflicting information regarding the Fukushima disaster that I’m starting to worry about my twice weekly consumption of sockeye salmon (the only fatty fish I find palatable). For example, the article I’ve linked to below is fairly reassuring, but the comments are terrifying. In your opinion, do the risks of eating fish (particularly from the waters of the Pacific)now outweigh the benefits?
http://chriskresser.com/fukushima-seafood
Hi Mary,
I have reservations about Japanese fish, but not so much for West Coast fish in the Pacific. That said I just spent 10 days Tokyo and pretty much ate whatever I want. I don’t think anyone knows what the real risks are, so I’m not going to let it paralyze my life. That’s just my opinion, however.
Hello,
I was wondering if you knew of any blogs like yours in the Seattle area? Either that or nutritional experts that I should get in touch with to start my career of nutritional research. Thanks for a great blog and your dedication to health. Jordan
Hi Darya…an idea for a future post. Today I watched a new documentary called “cereal killers” where one man went on a low carb/high fat diet for a month. Its gotten a bit of publicity in Australia as one the proponents of this diet is the team doctor for the Australian cricket team and he’s put a few of the players onto it with some success. Interested in your thoughts…I’ve included the link below (there is a $4.99 rental fee) :http://www.cerealkillersmovie.com/.
Thanks
Nick
I haven’t seen it, but generally higher fat, lower carb diets are better than the opposite (high carb, low fat), but mainly because they tend to be more Real Food based. Food quality is far more important than macronutrient ratios.
Hi, Darya!
What are your thoughts on the health benefits and disadvantages of cooking with animal fat?
Thanks so much for everything you do!
I don’t think there’s anything wrong with animal fat if it comes from an animal that isn’t exposed to a lot of toxins, antibiotics, etc. In industrial animals, toxins tend to accumulate in body fat. In other words, make sure they’re grass-fed. Fats like lard tend to be far less processed than oils like canola.
Hi Darya,
Some days I feel like I’ve been sent a lifeline by stumbling upon Summer Tomato!
Like you, my dieting history has consisted of carb-free, meat-crazy diets much like Atkins (but a more complicated, “food science” version that included the mantra that eating ANY carbohydrate in the day will immediately spike insulin and stop fat burning for the rest of the day, etc.).
While I am slowly, but surely adopting a Foodist mindset now, a key obstacle I have is overcoming the deeply-ingrained notions that certain macronutrient timings/combinations are “bad”. For example, if I eat eggs (classified as “high fat” in my previous diet mantras), I immediately think that anything high in carbohydrates (like yummy muesli!) is off-limits for the next few hours.
I also find myself thinking a lot about macronutrients in the food that I eat, despite Summer Tomato’s advice to think in terms of food, and not macronutrients.
I was wondering if you had any such obstacles to overcome when first adopting a Foodist mindset, and if so, how did you overcome them?
Regards,
Sheena
Sorry I somehow missed this earlier.
Yes. Getting over the dieter’s/nutritionism mindset was absolutely one of the hardest things for me. The way I overcame it was by just believing the data and trying. When I repeatedly saw that the world didn’t end when I ate carbs I was able to get over it. It was definitely scary though.
Darya,
I too feel like I’ve been sent a lifeline by finding summertomato.com! My question regards your experience in shopping and keeping the fridge full of good stuff. I’m married with two elementary school age kids so I can’t just get what I want. Do I need to get my wife and kids on the same page before I can reap the rewards of healthful eating or do I just take over the space and switch everyone over commando-style? I often wonder what you might bring home from the market and how often you think it should be done? Is it daily? Once a week?
Thanks!
John
Hi John,
There’s a whole chapter about dealing with family and friends who aren’t yet healthy eaters in Foodist 🙂
Hello Darya, I recently started reading+listening your book and reading your blog. As a big fan of audiobooks, I have to say, you have a great voice for recording. I’m a student from University of Toronto also studying in biology and psychology,so your book has been a absolute pleasure to read for me. Finally I found a book on this topic with great scientific evidences. Thank you! I recommended this book to all my friends already.
I’m visiting San Francisco for the first time, any advice on getting a glimpse of the vibrant food scene? I’m going to Tartine Bakery that you mentioned in your book tomorrow.
Thank you again for teaching me so much about food.
Love from Toronto,
Rachel
Awesome! Tartine is the best.
I think this is what you’re looking for: http://www.daryapino.com/home/2012/5/16/my-favorite-sf-restaurants.html
I add chia seeds to my vegetable/fruit juice…and love it. Any chia seed advice/information.
Chia seeds are fine, but I’m not a big believer in superfoods.
Hi Darya,
Would you be able to elaborate on whether cow’s milk and yogurt are equal in terms of “negative” associations such as increased risk of prostrate/breast cancer, osteoporosis etc? Or would this require a paid explanation? Thanks 🙂
To clarify, the negative things associated with dairy are only related at high consumption levels (e.g. 3-4 cups per day). For prostate cancer, it’s specifically the calcium. But obviously men still need some calcium to be healthy.
I don’t think the relations between the other issues are necessarily causative, but I don’t think milk protects against them either (as is often argued by the dairy industry).
Hi Darya,
I know you’re all about the habit building. What if you want to build a habit that’s more like a reminder? For instance “There’s no last time to eat a certain food” or “The best few bites of dessert are the first few.” or chewing your food enough or exercising often. I feel like I have to put these things on to-do lists or put alarms in my phone to do them. They don’t feel second nature, and that’s what I thought habits were supposed to be!
Thanks in advance for your help!
Caitlin
Hi Caitlin,
I’m finding that the trigger for the habit (aka the reminder) needs to be part of your regular routine. For instance, I didn’t have much luck with setting an alarm to remind myself to chew, but when I started using the trigger of my fork stabbing a new bite, I was finally able to create the trigger and change the habit. Make the trigger a defined incident that occurs right before the habit you want to create.
Hello Darya,
I understand that Summer Tomato seeks to address most health concerns with appropriate dietary considerations: be healthy eat healthy and you are generally against the taking of vitamins and supplements.
However, a cursory search of “Milk Thistle extract” or “Silymarin” yields a lot of scientific data, most of which suggest there is indeed a lot of positives associated with liver health. I was wondering what your opinion was on usage of this supplement and on the literature out there? Is this supplement significantly different from other supplements with similar health claims or is it just marketing junk?
Just to answer this for others (Bradley sent a personal inquiry), I did some research on milk thistle and it looks legit and pretty safe. Far more than other herbal supplements I’ve researched.
I love the farmer’s market and I want to support the local farmers. BUT I’m amazed that many of them use chemical sprays on their produce! Only a handful of them consider themselves organic (or “eco-ganic” since they do not usually get certified but still practice organic techniques), and they are not always there. My question is this: Is it better to buy non-organic, chemically sprayed produce from the farmer’s market, or organic from the grocery store?? Why?
Almost all produce is sprayed with pesticides. The difference with organic is that the pesticides aren’t synthetic. Personally I buy what ever looks/tastes the best and wash it really we’ll no matter what.
Bummer about your market though, most of the vendors at mine are certified.
Is it possible that I need to eat less calories than the average person my age/gender/height?
I recently started using the app myFitnessPal because I want to get more fit. I hate exercise, and as a gamer, I thought using an app would make it more fun.
The app is also a calorie counter, so I decided I would use it as a food diary as well.
I usually estimate the amounts of food (I think I’m pretty accurate and will usually round up if I’m unsure)but I am meticulous about recording everything, even salt and pepper on top.
I eat when I’m hungry and stop when I’m full, but for each meal for the last week, after I submit my day, it tells me that my calorie intake is too low – between a little under 1000 to 1150 net calories (I am a 5’7 female and 24).
Exercise mostly consists of Pilates for 30-45 minutes and walking.
I’m not exactly sure what your question is. In my experience, calorie counter apps are very inaccurate. If you’re worried that you should be eating more because of what the app says, I’d ignore it unless you’re unhealthily underweight.
Hi Darya,
I had a lot of success with using your recommendations in the past, but I recently moved apartments to live with 2 other roommates. In this new apartment, they have an “all food is communal food” system, and will often buy snacks (i.e. chips, pretzels) and sweets (i.e. ice cream,chocolate) which means that there is always tempting, unhealthy food around. When I was just shopping for myself, I rarely bought this type of food, and thus was more easily able to control what I ate. However, now I’m finding myself in the bad habit of often partaking in these snacks and desserts, and have definitely gained weight. What would you recommend?
Thanks,
Aliza
I would set black and white rules for myself, something like “one snack per week” (or day, I don’t know how big of a problem this is for you). I would also find alternative, healthier snacks as a backup.
Hello Darya –
Do you have any tips and recommendations for dealing with sugar cravings during and before getting a period?
Thanks.
Ha! That’s an extreme act of mindfulness for me. Also self-compassion. I usually let myself have what I want, but substitute with something heather (like fruit) if I can get away with it. Other than that I just make sure to not take it too far.
Thanks for the reply, Darya!
What are your thoughts on cornmeal (and thus polenta)?
I think it’s fine. If I were buying it I’d look for the more natural/authentic stuff.
Hi Darya- I’ve very recently seen a handful of articles pop up about “oil pulling” as a way to rid your body of toxins via the mouth. Might there be any truth to this? Here’s a quick article:
http://www.refinery29.com/2014/03/55094/oil-pulling-acne-cure?utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=post
Thanks!
Sounds a little wishy washy to me, and I haven’t seen any data at all to back it up.
Should I take this to mean that you’d be interested in a post about skin care though? I finally cleared up my adult acne in the past 18 months. I’ve been avoiding writing about it, however, because it involves a lot of specific products, so I didn’t want it to come off as me trying to sell you guys anything. Also, everyone’s issues are different.
I’d be interested in a post like that!
I’d be very interested, too!
You have great hair and skin – would love a post on any tips or products you would recommend for both hair and skin health.
Just read your eating timeline. Thanks for talking about your journey. We are not one size fits all and everyone’s journey is unique.
I am an ex-athlete and I have obsessed about my weight since I stopped playing sports. I played linebacker and when I graduated college and got a job my weight issues ballooned.
I work in accounting/finance and ever since I took my desk (Sitting job – 8 hrs working & 1 hour commuting) my body chemistry and weight gain have been steady.
I think most people can change their issues with weight by cutting calories, exercising more and adding a little lean muscle to their body.
For me I am 6′ tall, I used to run 5 days a week (about 35 miles a week) and my daily calorie intake was about 1,500 calories a day. Yes, I was tired all the time. I managed to keep my weight reasonable but I did not lose weight.
Unfortunately for me I think that the working at a desk leads to early death. I can do fitness and eating fresh vegetables and fruits but sitting is a killer. I think sleeping burns more calories than sitting.
We sit in our cars. We sit at coffee shops/bars. We sit all day everywhere but it seems like for me sitting at work all day is like eating an extra 2,000 calories a day.
My body chemistry has changed. My metabolism has changed. I can exercise and control my weight but if I stop the weight comes back like a vengeance.
Not sure if I can ever have an effortless weight management until I get rid of the desk job. I have tried everything and it seems like I will have to stay on my hamster wheel for a little longer.
I love your site. You give good advice. Not sure if it can help me but I think it will help most people.
Hey Joe,
Check out this stuff on NEAT. I think you’ll dig it. Also, they have inexpensive pedaling machines you can put under your desk if you’re desperate. Good luck!
http://summertomato.com/how-to-burn-more-calories-without-breaking-a-sweat/
Darya,
Any tips on eating fish more often?
I love raw fish at sushi restaurants, but cooked fish can be hit or miss for me. And I’d love to incorporate healthy, relatively cheap fish like anchovies and sardines into my diet, but am totally at a loss for preparations that help me learn to like the taste.
FWIW, I typically cook in batches for the week on Sundays.
Thanks!
Fish is tricky, because when it’s bad it’s really bad. I’ve found only higher end restaurants typically make fish I enjoy. That said, I used to loathe oily fish (think sardines, mackerel), but with the right preparations (and wine pairings–dry, minerally whites) they are now my favorite. You might want to start with some that have flavors added, like this mackerel in piripiri from Cole’s. Yum!
One of the contributing factors to my weight problem is that I absolutely love the way it feels to eat. Feeling the crunch, the creaminess in my mouth, the mixture of textures as I chew. It’s not all about the taste. I eat way beyond full even if the food doesn’t taste all that great because it feels so good. I can’t see how anything could replace that reward. It seems that the only solution is to give it up, and I don’t think that will work. Your thoughts would be much appreciated.
Well definitely don’t give up, that’s not allowed.
For you I’d try a few things:
1) mindfulness: try eating more slowly, and identifying more with being full or hungry.
2) focus on veggies: you can eat more of these without gaining. Find ones you love.
3) exercise: you might need to up this substantially if eating less is especially hard for you.
Keep at it, you can figure it out.
Hey Darya,
I have had a read of your article on motivating yourself to get to the gym – it’s great. I love it. But here’s my issue…
In the Summer, I joined the gym, got my hands on a wonderful training program and began it immediately. Because it was always warm and the holidays, I would always be happy to walk to and from the gym (takes about 30-40min to get there) and I had all the time in the world. I got my 10,000 steps in easy, I got my workout in. The sun was shining. Everything was great.
Uni has started back now. The weather is getting colder and I’m finding it a lot harder to go to the gym. I’m trying to pinpoint the obstacle that is holding me back. I found it but I don’t know what to do about it. It’s definitely getting to and from the gym – when it’s raining, the last thing I want to do is walk for 40 min and get drenched before I’m even at the gym ….I don’t have a car or else I would just drive. Any suggestions?I have thought about asking my sister or a friend to take me but everyone has their own schedules and often people have let me down before – unreliable.
Sounds like it’s time to invest in some better rain gear–preferably some that you feel really cute in 🙂
I have been running into a strange problem dealing with my uber diet-conscious family members. I would like to see if you have any tips on dealing with this. Here’s what happens.
If I ever cook simple, whole food with more than a teaspoon of oil, half my family is picking up virtual arms to give me a lecture on dangers of eating fat. Problem is I just don’t see the problem with eating most traditional recipes with the total fat and salt turned down a bit. How am I supposed to make the spices bloom and carry through the whole dish without using some oil?! By the way, I rarely cook with processed food and mostly stick to seasonal produce.
Any tips on how to deal with this food related social problem? One might think this is no big deal, but I have stopped cooking for family to avoid being judged constantly.
Thanks!
That is so weird. I suppose you’ve tried gently educating them on the topic? There was a great piece in NPR last week on just this subject. Seems like they are ignoring the facts.
http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2014/03/31/295719579/rethinking-fat-the-case-for-adding-some-into-your-diet
Hi Darya,
Do you have any kryptonite foods that you can’t keep around the house? I let myself eat whatever I want, in moderation, and try to eat 7-10 fruits and veggies a day, so I’m on a pretty even keel about most junk foods and don’t really crave them or feel the need to compulsively eat them if they’re around. But I absolutely love maple syrup (I’m Canadian…), to the point where if it’s in the house I will have a few spoonfuls of it throughout the day. I don’t like that I feel a bit out of control around this food. Short of just keeping it out of the house, what else would you suggest I do?
Thanks,
Caitlin
Maybe create a Maple Syrup day? Like you allow yourself to have your favorite maple dish every Sunday, or on some other pre-determined day? Knowing that there’s room for it can often take it off your daily mental burden list.
I have readed your book Foodist. Do you have receipe for the Rainbows stir fry that your Dad fix all the time and loss weight eating?
It was just all the veggies he could find at the store, cooked in olive, salt, pepper and garlic until brightly colored.
Hi Darya
As a chronic dieter it has been ingrained in me to go for immediate effect. For example, if I gain weight, I tend to stop eating, lose the weight and over eat. Your website has worked like a lifeline when I follow it. However, everytime I go through binge eating, and gain weight, I go to my ingrain habit of not eating at all. All of this cycle has led to bad skin,premature hair falling and I have already started to see premature lines from stress(grad school), and guilt of not taking care of myself.
It seems like a monumental task now to pick myself up and start eating healthy. I do not know where to begin. As much as I wish, I guess its time to accept that I will not be able to melt fat in a week by not eating food. What can I do, to get some early success? I define success with younger looking skin, good hair, and a body I am comfortable in.
Best
Charisma
A couple things.
1) I recently made a video about how to get started on big, overwhelming tasks when you’re in a rut. Sounds like you need it:
http://summertomato.com/the-2-essential-skills-for-getting-unstuck-from-your-bad-habits-free-g-hangout-tonight/
2) You might try the Foodist Recalibration to get started. It may help you troubleshoot your skin and other problems as well. Here’s the rough idea, but the full protocol is in Foodist.
http://summertomato.com/health-recalibration/
Thank You Darya!!! Getting the foodist at audible now:)
Hi, Darya.
I have read “Foodist” and your Diet History, and have two follow-up questions. Once you decided to eat real food, how long did it take you to lose the weight (I think it was 17 lbs. total in your book)? If we are trying to lose weight, is there a rate that we should shoot for (e.g., one pound per week) in order to know if our healthstyle is really working?
Thank you for your time!
MLB
I think 1 lbs/week is a great goal and that’s about the rate I was dropping at first. I was also tweaking my methods along the way, depending on what was and wasn’t working.
Hi Darya! I’m on a tight budget and am wondering if you could advise me on the cheapest vegetables at the store that you’d recommend buying. (I visit farmers’ markets in summer, but here in upstate NY it’s still practically winter and I won’t have that option for a couple more months)
Thanks!
I’m confused, do they hide the prices until you get to checkout? Vegetables are some of the cheapest foods at the store. Or have you not looked?
Hey Darya!
I started embracing the Foodist mentality a few months ago and have noticed so many positive changes in my life. I’ve cut out almost all processed foods and refined grains, tried some tasty local vegetables… oh! And I learned to love cooking! Despite all these amazing changes I’m still having trouble with labeling food as “healthy” and “unhealthy”. Having read Foodist and following your blog, I know that there isn’t a black and white distinction and that the “health halo effect” can negatively impact behavior. Since I love vegetables and other healthy foods (ugh, there I go again), I don’t feel as if I’m depriving myself by eating a nutritious diet but it’s as if I miss the “guilty pleasure” feeling of eating ice cream straight from the carton after a late night out. I also notice that when eating “healthier” food, I eat past the point of being 80% full as opposed to when I’m eating something less nutritious (and yes, I’ve been practicing mindful eating!).
I guess my question is how do you suggest overcoming the “halo effect” even AFTER you know the facts?
Thanks!!
I recommend being mindful about your mindset. When you find yourself moralizing food choices, try to catch yourself and question the assumptions you are making. It takes practice, and I know it’s hard, but you can get over it if you keep working at it 🙂
Hi Darya,
I love your approach and have relaxed about calories. I’ve been a lacto-ovo veg for 40 years, and this year stopped sugar and wheat. I eat lots of nuts, seeds, avocados and thanks to you don’t worry about cooking w/butter or olive oil. I highly respect Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn,but his new book Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease warns against any amt of fats (nuts, avocados, olive oil) and eggs. Your opinion of his new slant?
I disagree with the anti-fat camp, including Dr. Esselstyn. I could give you facts all day (here’s my official opinion), many of which he seems to ignore, but the only thing that is important is what works for you personally.
As an anecdote I can tell you that since I stopped worrying about fat and calories, and started focusing on real food (including meat, eggs, cheese, etc.) I’ve lost weight and my HDL/LDL ratio is 1.28 (aka freakishly good). There are many paths to good health, and your only job is to figure out what works for you.
Hi Darya,
Is the theory about second generation fat gain being more stubborn and harder to come off true or myth? And if so why?
I’ve never heard that, but I also don’t see the value in worrying about it. You’ve got to work with what you’ve got.
Hi Darya,
I generally eat pretty healthy and exercise ~4 days/week. I try to stay away from dairy, with the occasional exception of goat cheese. And for the last 2 weeks I have eliminated refined flour, all processed foods, and as much sugar as possible (I’m careful to cook for myself and watch out for added sugars). But even after this, by the end of the day my abdomen looks noticeably bloated compared to the morning. You know the I-ate-too-much food baby? Except I will have it even after small meals. Any ideas what might be causing this?
My first guess would be something you’re eating more of (vegetables?) + not enough chewing.
I have had the same symptom and follow the same dietary restrictions. Since I am not overweight I was confused as to why my abdomen would be bloated. Found out I have a large cyst. After doing some research I found that they are very common. Now I would like to pursue dietary changes etc. instead of surgery. The doctors want to do surgery and also a complete hysterectomy. I am 51. Could you point me in the right direction for further research Darya?
Hi Darya
I discovery your website on march and soon after I bought your book, it was great, 2 months later I already drop 11 pounds, so thank you so much for that.
I started reading another book called “The Calorie Myth” by Jonathan Bailor, his approach to food is somewhat similar to yours, but more restrictive, specially about starches, but what call my attention the most was his approach to exercises. He claims that we only need 2 10 minutes sessions of eccentric exercises per week to loose weight. I’d like your opinion on this
topic.
I’m from Brazil so please excuse any english mistakes. Thanks again.
Luciano,
I am familiar with Bailor’s work, and though I agree with his overall message (no dieting), I think he has a very poor understanding of the science he attempts to explain and don’t trust anything he has to say related to it.
The best reason to exercise is health and physique, not weight loss.
Darya
Thank you again. Keep up the incredible work you have be doing.
Hi Darya,
Just a quick question, on days consuming no fish at all how much Omega 3 fish oil would you recommend taking in supplement form? Also are there specifics amounts of DHA and EPA to look for?
Thanks!
Jesse
Personally I don’t take supplements when I fish one day (it is fat soluble, so tends to hang around in the body longer). As long as I’m eating fish 3x per week I’m happy. That said, the current recommendation for supplements is 1000 mg/day EPA/DHA, but recommendations are all over the place. Check with ConsumerLabs.com for most trusted sources.
Hi Darya,
I’ve recently started to eat 3 eggs in the morning with toast, and for dinner have chicken and some carbs. Im trying to have a high protein diet for weight training. My question is, is this amount of eggs bad and is the cholesterol bad or anything else about it bad for my heart? If so what could I do to balance it out
Thanks for your help
Regards
Harry
There is a small number of people whose blood lipids are sensitive to dietary cholesterol, but most people aren’t. The only way to know is to have your own levels routinely tested. You may need to do this more regularly if you’re still trying to figure out what works for you, then you can reduce testing when your numbers stabilize.
Most people I’ve seen increase egg and meat consumption and reduce processed foods (mostly sugar and flour) see their cholesterol plummet.
Exercise is by far the best thing for your heart health.
Hello Darya,
you mentioned in several posts that you like to make a batch of say beans ahead of time, so you can cut down on your cooking time during the week.
I was wondering, how does the nutritional content and vitamin composition of reheated food differ from freshly cooked food?
Btw, it might be interesting to see what kind of dishes you create out of one batch of whatever it is you’re using as a basic ingredient.
Thanks and have a lovely day,
Gitta
Some nutrients improve over time and some decline. Beans are actually healthier if you’ve cooked them then let them cool. But you’re on the slippery slope of nutritionism when you go down that path.
Here’s a recipe that I rely on frequently with a batch of beans: http://summertomato.com/5-minute-lunch-the-tastiest-easiest-healthiest-bean-salad-on-the-planet/
Good morning Darya,
and thanks for the quick reply. Is that only true when beans are eaten cold or even after they’ve been reheated?
Does that apply to any other vegetables that you know of? I think I read somewhere that the same happens with potatoes?
Again, thank you so very much.
Best wishes,
Gitta
It sounds like you’d enjoy Googling resistant starches.
I want to warn you again though that over-focusing on specific nutrients or cooking preparations is unlikely to move the needle on your health at all, while it is very likely to create an over-obsessive and unhealthy relationship with food.
Here’s a deeper explanation: http://summertomato.com/why-ill-never-tell-you-to-eat-heart-healthy-foods/
Hi darya!
I want to start off saying I love your blog and it’s been an inspiration.
My question is how do you limit yourself even when you want more food? I came off of a calorie restricted diet where I lost 16 lbs in a year (ended up 5’6”120) but when I stopped dieting I gained all the weight back.
I just wonder how you keep yourself from overeating? I don’t want to, but I consistently have been and I really don’t want to gain more weight
Marissa,
There could be many causes of overeating. Essentially you aren’t satisfied. You could not be getting enough nutrients (are you vegetarian or vegan?), over-exercising, emotional eating, mindless eating, psychologically rebounding from dieting, etc. Have you read Foodist?
Hi Darya,
I just finished your book and was wondering whether you snack regularly. If so, can you tell me on what and how often? I consider myself to eat very healthily (I know we all overestimate that), but I have a feeling I am eating too much throughout the day – but I’m also very hungry around 10am and 3pm. Let me know your thoughts on snacking.
Thanks!
Hi Aly,
I do snack, most often after a workout on weekdays. I typically reach for fruit or amazing cheese (sometimes both), or a handful of nuts/trailmix.
10a is early for hunger. Maybe your breakfast isn’t satisfying enough? A little bit more protein and fat can go a long way toward satisfaction.
Hi Darya,
I am a 14 year old and I am a swimmer who’s pretty full on with my training, swimming about 8/9 large sessions a week, and everyone seems to think that going vegetarian will end my swimming career. Do you think that if i could keep a balanced diet and be consuming the right amounts of iron and protein that it wont effect my swimming? 🙂
Hi Bronte,
I’m not an expert in athletic nutrition, but I know there are plenty of successful vegetarian athletes. My biggest question for you is why do you want to be vegetarian? It’s certainly easier to get better nutrition when you’re an omnivore. If it’s an ethics thing, you can make it work with dedication.
Darya,
I understand that the healthiest fruits are bananas and blueberries, and the healthiest vegetables are kale and spinach. What fruits and vegetables are even healthier?
You are missing the point completely:
http://summertomato.com/the-myth-of-superfoods/
http://summertomato.com/gone-bananas-why-i-dont-eat-americas-favorite-fruit/
Darya,
Sorry I missed the point completely, but the two articles you referenced shed some light. Diversity in selection and not concentration is the way to go.
Bingo. Sorry if I was a bit curt, it’s been a long week.
Hi Darya,
Do you have any other methods of measuring weight loss progress besides the scale? I really don’t like weighing myself, but it’s truly hard for me to see small progress in tight jeans or similar pieces of clothing.
Hi Erika,
I’m curious what you dislike about weighing yourself? Also, if you’re actively trying to lose weight, you should be able to detect noticeable changes within a week or two in things like clothing. Alternatively you can get a body tape measure for more precision.
Hi darya,
Thanks for getting back to me so fast. I used to weigh myself weekly. But I found that a high number could really ruin my day. I enjoyed the clear feedback from the scale, but the negative effect it had on me made me feel slightly neurotic.
Great self-awareness. My guess is you’ll find the scale less offensive if you keep at it. Body tape works fine too, but it’s a lot more work.
If you’re really not experiencing much success with weight loss (1-2 lbs/week is healthy) you likely need to find another thing or two to tweak in your home court habits.
Thanks for the encouragement! 🙂
Hello Darya.
I’m thinking on buying your Creative Live class but I haven’t seen much food that includes meat on your website. I’m concerned it may be more focused on vegetarian habits.
Please let me know.
Thanks,
Alida
Hi Alida,
So glad you asked. I’m a big fan of meat, and actually think it is easier to be healthy as an omnivore than as a vegetarian or vegan (though it is possible to be healthy with those as well, it’s just a little more work). Of course I still make a big emphasis on vegetables, because most people eat a small fraction of what they should be getting. People who eat meat typically don’t need as much encouragement in that department 🙂
You might like this post as well: http://summertomato.com/top-10-most-underrated-health-foods/
Let me know if you have more questions.
Hi Darya,
What do you think of sprouted grain breads? Are they considered intact grains? If not, are they at least healthier than whole grain bread?
Thanks!
Sheryl
I wouldn’t consider any bread that has flour in it to be intact. “Healthier” is a relative term and lends itself toward food moralization, which is usually a bad idea.
What is your goal? Bread isn’t poison, but it can encourage weight gain in large enough quantities. If it’s important to you to include bread in your healthstyle, you’ll need to experiment on yourself to see how much your body can tolerate (for whatever your goal is) while keeping you happy.
Personally I enjoy small quantities of bread or pasta 1-2x per week, and don’t bother trying to make it healthy. There are many ways to health and happiness though 🙂
Hi Darya,
I’ve read quite a lot that Zinc can help with acne, obviously not cure it but help with the inflammation. I’m not sure what type of zinc to get as there are conflicting articles saying which is the best.
Some say Picolinate, Gluconate or Chelated. Could you give me your thoughts on what would work best?
Regards
Harry
Hi Harry,
I don’t know anything about zinc and acne. The only dietary element that I’ve seen evidence for being related to acne is dairy (makes me break out like crazy). I have friends who are sensitive to nuts as well. Be careful with supplements, they aren’t very well regulated.
Hello
I just finished the Audible version of your book (fantastic!) and the vegetable part when your dad referred to buying “all of them” at the store got me wondering if that’s a thing? Basically, could I buy a bunch of vegetables, cut them up, and cook them together with some type of seasoning? Could I just throw some low-sodium soy sauce in there and call it a day? I’m trying to figure out better work lunches. It may seem silly but I’m just getting into eating real food and cooking at all so I really don’t know much about this.
Thanks!
Yes! I cook almost all veggies that way. Basically: hot pan, olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic. Or omit salt and use soy sauce (I enjoy sodium 😉 Don’t overcook and you’re golden.