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Advice
Food/Chow
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Cheap is one thing; eating healthy is another. It is possible to do both, but you have to be willing to try different foods and different sources. On one end of the spectrum is Whole Foods who Amazon recently acquired, because let's face it they've become the poster child for eating healthy and organic. But you pay for it, thus the nickname "Whole Paycheck."
On the other end is the mix of cheaper junk food / fast food that you find in inner cities, because like the high interest rate payday loans you end up paying heavily on the back end with your health for cheap and filling *now*.
In general, you'll find that meats and other proteins (especially seafood) are what you pay the most money per pound. So, just by cutting down on these you don't have to sacrifice nutrition for dollars. Often fresh fruits and vegetable (especially in season) are good deals and taste better than the salty, fatty, sugary stuff. But our taste buds will get used to what we put in front of them.
Over the years I've found that I'll shop at one store for basics and canned goods. Then, I'll get good deals at Whole Foods for certain items like produce in season. Finally, a store like Trader Joe's offers stuff like yogurt and specialty stuff like hummus or pineapple salsa at a prices I can't get elsewhere.
In general I'll rotate around these for what I need. Then, I'll either find recipes based on what I get or I'll get stuff for some favorite foods like spaghetti and [fill-in meatballs, sausage, etc] Overall, like I said it's a constant process of trying and experimenting.
Here's an article I recently wrote about just how bad sugar is for you out of all the things we've heard over the years.. https://caloriebee.com/nutrition/Why-is-Sugar-So-Bad
On the other end is the mix of cheaper junk food / fast food that you find in inner cities, because like the high interest rate payday loans you end up paying heavily on the back end with your health for cheap and filling *now*.
In general, you'll find that meats and other proteins (especially seafood) are what you pay the most money per pound. So, just by cutting down on these you don't have to sacrifice nutrition for dollars. Often fresh fruits and vegetable (especially in season) are good deals and taste better than the salty, fatty, sugary stuff. But our taste buds will get used to what we put in front of them.
Over the years I've found that I'll shop at one store for basics and canned goods. Then, I'll get good deals at Whole Foods for certain items like produce in season. Finally, a store like Trader Joe's offers stuff like yogurt and specialty stuff like hummus or pineapple salsa at a prices I can't get elsewhere.
In general I'll rotate around these for what I need. Then, I'll either find recipes based on what I get or I'll get stuff for some favorite foods like spaghetti and [fill-in meatballs, sausage, etc] Overall, like I said it's a constant process of trying and experimenting.
Here's an article I recently wrote about just how bad sugar is for you out of all the things we've heard over the years.. https://caloriebee.com/nutrition/Why-is-Sugar-So-Bad
What is it about sugar that is so bad for us? We look at some of the most harmful effects of consuming too much sugar. Then, we consider what are some of the better options available.
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LT John Chang
SPC Cameron Hale - It's tough. When you're young, there's a lot of things that you can get away with because you don't see the effects. I remember being able to eat pretty much anything without gaining weight and joke about it.
Then, something strange happened when I turned 25 or so. While it was nice to have insurance rates drop significantly (USAA rewards you with 20% or so for making it to the adult table, I guess..) I suddenly found my pants much tighter.
Recently, I cut back A LOT on sugar. First by being aware of how much was in everyday stuff. (Check out Jamie Oliver's videos. There's the one in my article, and a TED talk that he did - both eye-opening!) Then, by looking at substitutes / other options. My belt size is back to what it was pre-military, when I bulked up!
p.s. Notice that I haven't said anything about dieting or starving ourselves - that's another topic for another day! (hint: in fact, I've learned that these will actually cause us to GAIN WEIGHT!)
Then, something strange happened when I turned 25 or so. While it was nice to have insurance rates drop significantly (USAA rewards you with 20% or so for making it to the adult table, I guess..) I suddenly found my pants much tighter.
Recently, I cut back A LOT on sugar. First by being aware of how much was in everyday stuff. (Check out Jamie Oliver's videos. There's the one in my article, and a TED talk that he did - both eye-opening!) Then, by looking at substitutes / other options. My belt size is back to what it was pre-military, when I bulked up!
p.s. Notice that I haven't said anything about dieting or starving ourselves - that's another topic for another day! (hint: in fact, I've learned that these will actually cause us to GAIN WEIGHT!)
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LT John Chang
Thanks, MAJ Brad Friedlander! - It's amazing how much difference it can make, and most of all, there's nothing like feeling better!
Growing up in an Asian family, carbs are the staple. But doing research for this article, I learned how not all carbs are the same, especially sugars!
p.s. If you all would like updates to future articles, just 'Like' our Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/Thriving-Vets [login to see] 31661/ - or join our alert - https://manychat.com/l1/ [login to see] 31661
Growing up in an Asian family, carbs are the staple. But doing research for this article, I learned how not all carbs are the same, especially sugars!
p.s. If you all would like updates to future articles, just 'Like' our Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/Thriving-Vets [login to see] 31661/ - or join our alert - https://manychat.com/l1/ [login to see] 31661
Thriving Vets. 10 likes. This page is dedicated to the men and women who served our country and seek to become thriving veterans themselves!
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MAJ Brad Friedlander
LT John Chang I grew up where rice was the most frequent starch to accompany a meal. Now, it is out of my diet. I have found that riced cauliflower makes a usable substitute (especially for dishes like curry).
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LT John Chang
MAJ Brad Friedlander - wow, that's an interesting! I find sometimes you can even do gradual approach like mixing starchier white rice with brown rice. At the same time it's tough to replace something like good *real* French bread or *real* coffee (not Starbucks!).
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You should look at recipes for Asian dishes. Many of these use a small amount of protein and a lot of healthy greens to make a nutritious diet. The spices and the accompanying noodles or rice make the meals satisfying and filling.
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A bean stew with kale, carrots, peppers. onions with or without meat, garlic. Can cook a big pot and eat it all week or longer if portions are frozen.
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