Sport Lean Cuisine = bad?

Sport Fitness
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NeuroRN76

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I've been taking Lean Cuisine meals with me to work so I wouldn't be tempted to go out for fast food. They're actually not too bad, though I suppose the "low calories" are more due to small portions because they're not very big. But anyway, have you seen the sodium content of these things? :eek: No wonder I've been retaining water.

But retaining water doesn't necessarily mean I'm gaining real weight, so I don't know whether to give up on them or not. What do you think?
 
Lean Cuisines and the like are definitely a far cry better than fast food. However, the are still highly processed and contain lots of sodium. I would really try to fix a lunch to bring to work as much as possible, and use the LC's for just-in-case backup lunches.
 
i dont eat *tv dinners* lol but, it seems to me that eating too much can be unhealthy, i'd compare it to instant noodles.
 
the protein in those is have gelatine. they may have less fat and sodium, but the quality of the ingredients is still far lacking.

the simple solution: buy a bunch of cheap gladware, cook a few days meals in advance, and thne you've made your own 'lean cuisine' that's actually healthy, and tailored to fit your extact nutrient needs.
 
I'd agree with the other posters - optimally you'd want to do it yourself since you know exactly what's going into your body then. And sodium aside, I'd guess there's a lot of additives/preservatives that are put into the processing that make them less desirable than whole natural foods. Yes, it's a step up from fast food, but there is still room for improvement.
 
Good question. Much better than going out for fast food, but not exactly a healthy, well balanced meal. They're overly processed and full of junk (certainly not as much junk as McDonald's food!). A well balanced, unprocessed meal with a lean meat, a complex carb, and a veggie is a better choice, but I realize not always the most appealing or easiest to prepare. There are some quick and easy, more healthy options to prepare to bring to work though.

Sarah
 
Thanks, everyone. I just figured it was better than fast food and the crap they sell in the vending machines. I'll just start preparing my own meals like chicken breast and veggies. Mmmm. (Good thing I like bland food.) I just have to find a way to add enough calories to my meals now because I'm having trouble meeting what is required with all this "healthy" food!
 
make sure you're eating every 2-3 hours...5-6 meals a day.
it can be hard to get enough calories from veggies and fruits. don't forget about healthy fats. fat is more calorie dense, and fish oil caps and natural peanut butter are sources for omega 3 and 6 fatty acids.
 
Oh tell me about it. That is my biggest problem, I can't consume enough calories ever since I cut out fast food. I figure I will have to supplement with something. I'm going to buy some Boost Breeze -- it's a nutritional supplement with extra calories. I've lost 5 pounds in the last 7 days, but I'm sure a lot of that is water weight. I have hypothyroidism, and we tend to retain a lot of water.

But yes, I do eat every 2-3 hours. If I don't, my ulcer acts up. Such a lovely reminder to eat. That burning, gnawing feeling!
 
Neuro, you can certainly cook up meat, make some brown and white rice and shred and cut vegetables, right? That's pretty much what my feedings consist of. Turkey, 1/2 & 1/2 white and brown rice and romaine and brocolli (raw).
 
Yeah, that's no problem. I had been avoiding rice though... I thought it was bad for you. Starchy foods are ultimately stored as fat, no? I guess one serving wouldn't hurt. I did have some white rice last night with chicken and veggies over it, God it was to die for. I figured if I love it that much, it must be bad, LOL.
 
I keep trying to drink more water, but I haven't been able to drink more than 3 cups per day. I'm just not thirsty. I've never been a thirsty person. But I've lost 5 pounds in 7 days, so I don't think I'm retaining any fluid. I am going to have to switch to something else besides water, because maybe it's the lack of taste that is preventing me from drinking up.

Also, just to reiterate, I don't eat "easy meals" like this because I'm too lazy to cook. I am a nurse working nightshift, there is nothing but fast food and vending machines available to me at work. But we do have a microwave. When I first started this diet last week, I thought I'd just buy some Lean Cuisine meals, with the thought that they would be quick, easy, and low calories. I work 12 hour shifts, I'm a single mom, and I have 3 dogs...so when I come home, there really isn't a whole lot of time to cook. Once my freezer is empty of Lean Cuisines (3 more to go, lol) then I'll just cook a big meal on Sunday and freeze portions for the rest of my work week.

When I am at home on my days off, I eat fresh fruits, veggies, turkey, chicken, etc. (Although last week on my days off, I was so sick from cutting my calories, that I spent 2 days with a migraine, dry heaving and not eating.) These LC meals aren't my main staple or anything. :) Was just trying something else besides Wendy's, haha.
 
NeuroRN76 said:
Yeah, that's no problem. I had been avoiding rice though... I thought it was bad for you. Starchy foods are ultimately stored as fat, no? I guess one serving wouldn't hurt. I did have some white rice last night with chicken and veggies over it, God it was to die for. I figured if I love it that much, it must be bad, LOL.
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Well, yes and no. It depends on how much and when you eat them. Around wo time, it's ok. I tend to mix in brown rice to temper the effects of the white.

However, I'll ask on Berardi's forum to be certain.
 
NeuroRN76 said:
I keep trying to drink more water, but I haven't been able to drink more than 3 cups per day. I'm just not thirsty. I've never been a thirsty person. But I've lost 5 pounds in 7 days, so I don't think I'm retaining any fluid. I am going to have to switch to something else besides water, because maybe it's the lack of taste that is preventing me from drinking up.

Also, just to reiterate, I don't eat "easy meals" like this because I'm too lazy to cook. I am a nurse working nightshift, there is nothing but fast food and vending machines available to me at work. But we do have a microwave. When I first started this diet last week, I thought I'd just buy some Lean Cuisine meals, with the thought that they would be quick, easy, and low calories. I work 12 hour shifts, I'm a single mom, and I have 3 dogs...so when I come home, there really isn't a whole lot of time to cook. Once my freezer is empty of Lean Cuisines (3 more to go, lol) then I'll just cook a big meal on Sunday and freeze portions for the rest of my work week.

When I am at home on my days off, I eat fresh fruits, veggies, turkey, chicken, etc. (Although last week on my days off, I was so sick from cutting my calories, that I spent 2 days with a migraine, dry heaving and not eating.) These LC meals aren't my main staple or anything. :) Was just trying something else besides Wendy's, haha.
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I used to hate drinking water because it tatses like..well nothing. So I switched to green tea and the cranberrie mixed drinks. Works just the same, but has flavor and is benificial.
 
It can be hard to get in enough water, especially if you aren't particularly thirsty. However, it isn't so much about quenching thirst as it is about providing your body with what it needs.

Caffeine (such as in green tea) is a diuretic, so that actually has the opposite effect of water, and most flavored anything (fruit juices or fruit drinks) are going to have sugars and added stuff in them. If you just can't stand plain water, try squeezing a bit of lemon in it.
 
Oh I like it, I'm just not thirsty. When I feel like drinking something a little different, I might drink Sprite "zero" (no sugar, no carbs, no calories). Or Gatorade (I know it can be high calorie, but I have trouble meeting my calorie requirements anyway.) I think once I start working out and breaking a sweat, I'll be thirsty!
 
NeuroRN76 said:
Oh I like it, I'm just not thirsty. When I feel like drinking something a little different, I might drink Sprite "zero" (no sugar, no carbs, no calories). Or Gatorade (I know it can be high calorie, but I have trouble meeting my calorie requirements anyway.) I think once I start working out and breaking a sweat, I'll be thirsty!
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I don't know what your goals are but if one of them is to lose weight, then you MUST drink at least 2 ltr of water every day. It's great if you're not thirsty. When you're thirsty it means you're already dehydrated. You have to drink when you are NOT thirsty to AVOID dehydration.

Plus you should be meeting your calorie requirements from proper food and not sugary drinks.
 
if you want to drink water, but don't like the lack of taste in water, try crystal lite. i think it only has 5 calories per serving, and no sugar. it just adds flavor to the water. its worth thinking about at least. good luck!
 
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