Comments on: food glorious food: engineer style. http://mizfitonline.com/2008/08/21/food-glorious-food-7/ Because Fitness Isn't About Fitting In Tue, 22 May 2012 11:03:44 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Tropical Storm Fay Roundup | Guys Magazinehttp://mizfitonline.com/2008/08/21/food-glorious-food-7/#comment-186499 Tropical Storm Fay Roundup | Guys Magazine Sun, 20 May 2012 11:07:42 +0000 http://mizfitonline.com/2008/08/21/food-glorious-food-7/#comment-186499 [...] Food glorious food: engineer style at MizFitOnline for tips about food and exercise from an engineer. [...] [...] Food glorious food: engineer style at MizFitOnline for tips about food and exercise from an engineer. [...]

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]]> By: Tropical Storm Fay Roundup | Health, Fitness, Exercise, and Weight Loss (66 pounds in 17 weeks)http://mizfitonline.com/2008/08/21/food-glorious-food-7/#comment-11607 Tropical Storm Fay Roundup | Health, Fitness, Exercise, and Weight Loss (66 pounds in 17 weeks) Sun, 24 Aug 2008 14:00:44 +0000 http://mizfitonline.com/2008/08/21/food-glorious-food-7/#comment-11607 [...] Food glorious food: engineer style at MizFitOnline for tips about food and exercise from an engineer. [...] [...] Food glorious food: engineer style at MizFitOnline for tips about food and exercise from an engineer. [...]

]]> By: Tony Khttp://mizfitonline.com/2008/08/21/food-glorious-food-7/#comment-11579 Tony K Sat, 23 Aug 2008 07:23:31 +0000 http://mizfitonline.com/2008/08/21/food-glorious-food-7/#comment-11579 Hi deepali and Gemfit,Man I saw all the typos in my response 67 above. Sadly I wasn't even under any kind of influence at the time.As I mentioned in a previous note, I left some of my hemming and hawing and explanations on my recommendations on the cutting room floor (actually on e4e at http://www.emotionsforengineers.com/2008/07/healthful-eating.html ).Regarding protein, 1 gram per pound won't hurt you and might help. I readily acknowledge that it is not always easy to eat that much. For me it's the equivalent of 1.5 lbs of lean meat (at 8 grams per ounce). Half a gram is probably just fine for most people. I suspect that many people eat much less than even that. Your body really does NEED a certain amount to repair itself. If you're not getting that, it may increase your appetite which could cause you to overeat. Our hunter gatherer ancestors, 20,000 years ago ( who are genetically identical to us) ingested on the order of 30% of their calories from protein (150 grams for a 2000 Calorie diet).deepali #69: I don't know your qualifications to judge nutritional issues, but I will simply accept that you are qualified and have a well-considered opinion. At the same time, Taubes has done an enormous amount of research on the subject of the US dietary guidelines and has presented a compelling story about their evolution. What strikes me from a scientific standpoint, even looking at current research is that many so-called scientists are drawing conclusions from correlations in epidemiological studies. Then the science reporters pick it up and it becomes gospel. Then politicians make it a law and the cascade effect is in full-force. Is I'm sure you know, epidemiological studies don't prove anything (correlation is not causation), but they can help in creating hypotheses. If you read Taubes, don't read it for the science. There are some holes (probably things he left on the cutting room floor). Read it for the history and science methods lesson.A lot of the world does look to the US for leadership in science and research. There is an assumption that we are really good, after all, we "won." I have come to the belief that it it's an unfounded confidence in some cases. Too much of our science becomes politicized and misreported.I can't argue the science with you. I am a pretty good synthesizer of information, but not part of the nutrition establishment. What I can tell you is that in my case, the above approach has worked really well with my intervention (n = 1). That is after trying more conventional approaches that left me weaker after losing only 10 pounds. Other approaches may result in weight loss, but taking body composition issues into account, I don't think they will serve most people, unless they're looking for the really skinny unmuscular look.So I'll leave this deceased equine with a few parting links that probably nobody will ever see.I did a post on some recent obesity reporting that really bugged me. (http://www.emotionsforengineers.com/2008/08/obesity.html)A guy who is really good on this diet stuff and can provide a plan that can really help people with their eating is Lyle McDonald. Check out his Guide to Flexible Dieting or Rapid Fat Loss Plan (if you're in a hurry). http://www.bodyrecomposition.comFinally, this is a blog written by a really smart friend of mine, Dave, who has done some good research on biochemistry (http://sparkofreason.blogspot.com/2008/07/energy-conservation-its-not-just-good.html), appetite (http://sparkofreason.blogspot.com/2008/07/energy-regulation-2-appetite.html), and bias in science (http://sparkofreason.blogspot.com/2008/07/even-more-dissonance.html).Cheers, Tony Hi deepali and Gemfit,

Man I saw all the typos in my response 67 above. Sadly I wasn’t even under any kind of influence at the time.

As I mentioned in a previous note, I left some of my hemming and hawing and explanations on my recommendations on the cutting room floor (actually on e4e at http://www.emotionsforengineers.com/2008/07/healthful-eating.html ).

Regarding protein, 1 gram per pound won’t hurt you and might help. I readily acknowledge that it is not always easy to eat that much. For me it’s the equivalent of 1.5 lbs of lean meat (at 8 grams per ounce). Half a gram is probably just fine for most people. I suspect that many people eat much less than even that. Your body really does NEED a certain amount to repair itself. If you’re not getting that, it may increase your appetite which could cause you to overeat. Our hunter gatherer ancestors, 20,000 years ago ( who are genetically identical to us) ingested on the order of 30% of their calories from protein (150 grams for a 2000 Calorie diet).

deepali #69: I don’t know your qualifications to judge nutritional issues, but I will simply accept that you are qualified and have a well-considered opinion. At the same time, Taubes has done an enormous amount of research on the subject of the US dietary guidelines and has presented a compelling story about their evolution. What strikes me from a scientific standpoint, even looking at current research is that many so-called scientists are drawing conclusions from correlations in epidemiological studies. Then the science reporters pick it up and it becomes gospel. Then politicians make it a law and the cascade effect is in full-force. Is I’m sure you know, epidemiological studies don’t prove anything (correlation is not causation), but they can help in creating hypotheses. If you read Taubes, don’t read it for the science. There are some holes (probably things he left on the cutting room floor). Read it for the history and science methods lesson.

A lot of the world does look to the US for leadership in science and research. There is an assumption that we are really good, after all, we “won.” I have come to the belief that it it’s an unfounded confidence in some cases. Too much of our science becomes politicized and misreported.

I can’t argue the science with you. I am a pretty good synthesizer of information, but not part of the nutrition establishment. What I can tell you is that in my case, the above approach has worked really well with my intervention (n = 1). That is after trying more conventional approaches that left me weaker after losing only 10 pounds. Other approaches may result in weight loss, but taking body composition issues into account, I don’t think they will serve most people, unless they’re looking for the really skinny unmuscular look.

So I’ll leave this deceased equine with a few parting links that probably nobody will ever see.

I did a post on some recent obesity reporting that really bugged me. (http://www.emotionsforengineers.com/2008/08/obesity.html)

A guy who is really good on this diet stuff and can provide a plan that can really help people with their eating is Lyle McDonald. Check out his Guide to Flexible Dieting or Rapid Fat Loss Plan (if you’re in a hurry). http://www.bodyrecomposition.com

Finally, this is a blog written by a really smart friend of mine, Dave, who has done some good research on biochemistry (http://sparkofreason.blogspot.com/2008/07/energy-conservation-its-not-just-good.html), appetite (http://sparkofreason.blogspot.com/2008/07/energy-regulation-2-appetite.html), and bias in science (http://sparkofreason.blogspot.com/2008/07/even-more-dissonance.html).

Cheers,
Tony

]]> By: deepalihttp://mizfitonline.com/2008/08/21/food-glorious-food-7/#comment-11565 deepali Fri, 22 Aug 2008 19:07:03 +0000 http://mizfitonline.com/2008/08/21/food-glorious-food-7/#comment-11565 Generally good post, except a few things - 1 g of protein per 1 lb of body weight is way too much, unless you are a bodybuilder. It's time for America to lose its fear of not eating enough protein. If anything, we eat too much of it (especially slathered in saturated and trans fats!).Also regarding: "The dietary guidelines put out by the US Government are likely a leading cause of some of the obesity problems that we’re seeing in the world today."WOW. As someone who is quite familiar with how these guidelines are created (as well as doing research in global nutrition issues), I have to say that is quite the misinformed and unscientific statement.I love Taubes too, but he has an agenda (like everyone else) that clouds his judgement too. Generally good post, except a few things – 1 g of protein per 1 lb of body weight is way too much, unless you are a bodybuilder. It’s time for America to lose its fear of not eating enough protein. If anything, we eat too much of it (especially slathered in saturated and trans fats!).

Also regarding: “The dietary guidelines put out by the US Government are likely a leading cause of some of the obesity problems that we’re seeing in the world today.”

WOW. As someone who is quite familiar with how these guidelines are created (as well as doing research in global nutrition issues), I have to say that is quite the misinformed and unscientific statement.

I love Taubes too, but he has an agenda (like everyone else) that clouds his judgement too.

]]> By: Gemfithttp://mizfitonline.com/2008/08/21/food-glorious-food-7/#comment-11518 Gemfit Fri, 22 Aug 2008 02:24:20 +0000 http://mizfitonline.com/2008/08/21/food-glorious-food-7/#comment-11518 Tony, reading your comment above now makes a lot more sense to me and yes, I think you left a little too much on the cutting room floor in your post.I'm not pro-Atkins entirely, but I do think that processed carbs don't work as well as fuel. Complex carbs + protein = the best muscle builder for me (so far). I am prone to being insulin resistant (thanks PCOS!) so I'm learning what the best combination is.My main concern was that you seemed anti-carbs entirely and too many people, IMO, try to 'diet' by cutting out entire food groups. From my experience, that's a surefire way to regain weight because it's very rarely sustainable on a healthy level. Again, just my opinion.It really does depend on finding what works for you. I'm learning slowly and making it a lifelong journey, not a diet. It's about feeding my body and soul and not my gut.Thanks for clearing things up and sorry for the ramble! :) Tony, reading your comment above now makes a lot more sense to me and yes, I think you left a little too much on the cutting room floor in your post.

I’m not pro-Atkins entirely, but I do think that processed carbs don’t work as well as fuel. Complex carbs + protein = the best muscle builder for me (so far). I am prone to being insulin resistant (thanks PCOS!) so I’m learning what the best combination is.

My main concern was that you seemed anti-carbs entirely and too many people, IMO, try to ‘diet’ by cutting out entire food groups. From my experience, that’s a surefire way to regain weight because it’s very rarely sustainable on a healthy level. Again, just my opinion.

It really does depend on finding what works for you. I’m learning slowly and making it a lifelong journey, not a diet. It’s about feeding my body and soul and not my gut.

Thanks for clearing things up and sorry for the ramble! :)

]]> By: Tony Khttp://mizfitonline.com/2008/08/21/food-glorious-food-7/#comment-11514 Tony K Fri, 22 Aug 2008 00:51:25 +0000 http://mizfitonline.com/2008/08/21/food-glorious-food-7/#comment-11514 <strong>Alright. I'm back. Sorry again to be so late in responding. So I'm going to refer to some of the specific comments here that I didn't cover in my previous blanket post, no. 51.Crabby 10, Roobabs 15, Shivers 16, Sarah 17, Gemfit 22, Annette 25, Valerie 28, tfh 40, WeightingGame 43, Amy 57: I want to reiterate that low carb is not for everyone. In particular, people who are not insulin resistant, probably don't benfit as much. In my case, I had gained an average of about 2 - 3 lbs per year since college, all my blood numbers stayed good for a while, then blood pressure started creeping up, triglycerides went through the roof. I tried low calorie, low fat approaches to losing weight, but after losing the first 10 pounds or so could not maintain the lower calories and working out. Once I broke through that low cab fog, suddenly my body was using its fat as fuel and the weight just melted away. I don't know your ages, nor how hard you work at diet or working out to maintain, but if you find yourself having to work much harder, eat much less, or gaining a few pounds per year, consider a run at lower carb. Insulin resistance sneaks up on you.Sarah 17, you mention that you lost your first 20 lbs by doing Atkins. I wonder if it broke you out of an insulin/carb cycle, which then set you up for your success??Amy 57: for most people the fogginess is very temporary and they come out of it feeling better than ever. Your long term diet should make you feel good long term. Lots of things make you feel good short term but are actually bad for you.To all: I am really not anti-carb. I have developed a belief that high levels, especially of refined carbohydrates and grains, induce an insulin response that has several effects. The insulin prevents mobilization of fat from your fat cells, it can induce hunger, and make your muscles resistant to insulin, meaning you need increasing level of insulin to clear your bloodstream of sugar. I know it's not really that simple, but it seems like a pretty good working hypothesis.I left a lot of detail on the cutting room floor that in retrospect I probably should have kept in there. Vegetables really are ok. Some fruit is ok, but probably you should stay away from juice; it's a lot of sugar. I think grains in general, even whole grains, are an issue. The dietary guidelines put out by the US Government are likely a leading cause of some of the obesity problems that we're seeing in the world today.Regarding sources of nutrients and protein level: If you can get a pretty decent mix of macronutrients from all vegetable sources, more power to you. I think it would be a lot of work to do that, and I would be concerned about the quality of the proteins and oils/fats.As I recall, the FDA recommends about 0.3 grams of protein per pound of bodyweight. This is a minmum and based on some nitrogen balance studies. If you are exercising vigorously and are concerned about your body composition, 0.5 is probably a better minimum and going to 1 gram will be fine unless you have pre-existing kidney problems.To Diana's Body Journey 66: It is simple, but not easy. I find the pressures around the house and at work really hard sometimes. When the ids go out and buy a bag or potato chips or fulce de leche ice cream... Today, I had Tiramisu with lunch at work. I'm calling it a cheat meal. Tonight i'll have a salad with steak on it for dinner, with dressing on the side.Tomorrow is my leg day at the gym, so I'll have a powerbar of some sort before the workout so I don't bonk while doing leg presses or squats. i use my higin thensity workouts to buy some extra carbs (like 25 grams or so).At the end of the day you have to do what's right for you. But do it with your eyes open, and please listen to a non-mainstream view. (I was anti-Atkins until very recently, but out of ignorance, not knowledge). I strongly encourage you to watch the Taubes Berkeley lecture. Here's the link again. http://webcast.berkeley.edu/event_details.php?webcastid=21216Thanks again to all of you. I feel so gratified that so many of you found something to like in there. I will be moseying over to emotions for engineers to respond to some of the comments there.Cheers, Tony<strong> Alright. I’m back. Sorry again to be so late in responding. So I’m going to refer to some of the specific comments here that I didn’t cover in my previous blanket post, no. 51.

Crabby 10, Roobabs 15, Shivers 16, Sarah 17, Gemfit 22, Annette 25, Valerie 28, tfh 40, WeightingGame 43, Amy 57: I want to reiterate that low carb is not for everyone. In particular, people who are not insulin resistant, probably don’t benfit as much. In my case, I had gained an average of about 2 – 3 lbs per year since college, all my blood numbers stayed good for a while, then blood pressure started creeping up, triglycerides went through the roof. I tried low calorie, low fat approaches to losing weight, but after losing the first 10 pounds or so could not maintain the lower calories and working out. Once I broke through that low cab fog, suddenly my body was using its fat as fuel and the weight just melted away. I don’t know your ages, nor how hard you work at diet or working out to maintain, but if you find yourself having to work much harder, eat much less, or gaining a few pounds per year, consider a run at lower carb. Insulin resistance sneaks up on you.

Sarah 17, you mention that you lost your first 20 lbs by doing Atkins. I wonder if it broke you out of an insulin/carb cycle, which then set you up for your success??

Amy 57: for most people the fogginess is very temporary and they come out of it feeling better than ever. Your long term diet should make you feel good long term. Lots of things make you feel good short term but are actually bad for you.

To all:
I am really not anti-carb. I have developed a belief that high levels, especially of refined carbohydrates and grains, induce an insulin response that has several effects. The insulin prevents mobilization of fat from your fat cells, it can induce hunger, and make your muscles resistant to insulin, meaning you need increasing level of insulin to clear your bloodstream of sugar. I know it’s not really that simple, but it seems like a pretty good working hypothesis.

I left a lot of detail on the cutting room floor that in retrospect I probably should have kept in there. Vegetables really are ok. Some fruit is ok, but probably you should stay away from juice; it’s a lot of sugar. I think grains in general, even whole grains, are an issue. The dietary guidelines put out by the US Government are likely a leading cause of some of the obesity problems that we’re seeing in the world today.

Regarding sources of nutrients and protein level: If you can get a pretty decent mix of macronutrients from all vegetable sources, more power to you. I think it would be a lot of work to do that, and I would be concerned about the quality of the proteins and oils/fats.

As I recall, the FDA recommends about 0.3 grams of protein per pound of bodyweight. This is a minmum and based on some nitrogen balance studies. If you are exercising vigorously and are concerned about your body composition, 0.5 is probably a better minimum and going to 1 gram will be fine unless you have pre-existing kidney problems.

To Diana’s Body Journey 66: It is simple, but not easy. I find the pressures around the house and at work really hard sometimes. When the ids go out and buy a bag or potato chips or fulce de leche ice cream… Today, I had Tiramisu with lunch at work. I’m calling it a cheat meal. Tonight i’ll have a salad with steak on it for dinner, with dressing on the side.

Tomorrow is my leg day at the gym, so I’ll have a powerbar of some sort before the workout so I don’t bonk while doing leg presses or squats. i use my higin thensity workouts to buy some extra carbs (like 25 grams or so).

At the end of the day you have to do what’s right for you. But do it with your eyes open, and please listen to a non-mainstream view. (I was anti-Atkins until very recently, but out of ignorance, not knowledge). I strongly encourage you to watch the Taubes Berkeley lecture. Here’s the link again.
http://webcast.berkeley.edu/event_details.php?webcastid=21216

Thanks again to all of you. I feel so gratified that so many of you found something to like in there. I will be moseying over to emotions for engineers to respond to some of the comments there.

Cheers,
Tony

]]> By: Diana's Body Journeyhttp://mizfitonline.com/2008/08/21/food-glorious-food-7/#comment-11511 Diana's Body Journey Thu, 21 Aug 2008 23:32:29 +0000 http://mizfitonline.com/2008/08/21/food-glorious-food-7/#comment-11511 This was a really great post. He makes it seem so simple! I suppose it is right down to it. Thanks! This was a really great post. He makes it seem so simple! I suppose it is right down to it.
Thanks!

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