Part of the appeal of intermittent fasting (IF) for me was that I wouldn’t have to significantly change my diet. The only real change I’ve made is my first meal: how I break my fast.
One of the most helpful resources I’ve found on IF is this YouTube dude named Thomas DeLauer. In this video, he gives you some ideas on how to break your fast. Now, a plain rice cake is simply goddamn boring, so I’ve been adding raw peanut butter to it. I’ve been having this with a protein shake, and a banana (a fruit Thomas also recommends against, but old Tommy can piss off with that one. I like bananas). I’m finding the meal is mild enough, that my empty stomach likes it, and about an hour later I have my second meal. Remember – if anything, I’d like to put on some weight on this routine, so I’m making no effort to cut calories. I’d imagine that dropping weight would be easy on this protocol, however, simply because there isn’t the time to consume more food. This is especially good for someone like me who always has food around. I work in the film business.
It was pointed out to me in the comments from one of my intermittent fasting posts that I’m disciplined (and possibly crazy) to say “no” to all of the food available to me on a film set.
The food available on a film set can be tempting, but it isn’t always healthy.
In case you don’t know, to offset the long hours/demanding schedule, food (both meals and snacks) are made available in abundant supply on a film set. It would be impossible to starve on set, unless you were Christian Bale in The Machinist. And although there are healthy options available, there are plenty of unhealthy ones as well.
As the novelty of endless food at work has worn off, I’ve always returned to a reasonably healthy eating routine, simply because it makes me feel better. And I feel like exercise makes my body crave healthy food – the things it needs to refuel and rebuild. Do I allow a cheat sometimes? Sure. Do I have a few drinks on the weekend? You bet. I love beer. But, I usually don’t overdo anything… unless I’m straight up partying.
Food is one of the great pleasures of life, so getting obsessed about it is not my bag, baby. That said, here are some of the simple eating “rules” that I stick to:
Avoid Sugary Stuff
It’s no secret, but sugar, in the quantities that most people consume it, is bad for you. So how do you limit it? For me, more or less avoiding soft drinks all together is a main way to do so. I’ll have the odd, Coke, ginger ale, or Tonic Water, but generally I drink fewer than one or two cans per month. Pop is garbage for you. Avoid it.
Sugary cereals? Garbage. Store bought cookies? Hardly ever. Doughnuts? Once in a blue moon. Juice? Nope – not really. For me, most of this stuff, even if it initially tastes good, ends up making me feel like shit once I’ve eaten it.
As well, I don’t really use much honey, maple syrup or any other sweetner, unless I’m having something like pancakes (which is also rare for me). I do have a little raw sugar or agave in my coffee, unless I’m fasting, at which point it’s only black coffee.
Occasionally one of my work amigos shows up with almond croissants from a local bakery. They’re amazing. If I’m peckish, I’ll have one. No more. Treats like this only remain a treat if we don’t pig out on them. Have your treat, enjoy it, and don’t have it again for a while so it continues to be special.
Something sweet that I don’t really limit myself on is fruit. I’m sure I still have more than enough sugar in my diet, but there are other advantages to fruit that I figure is worth the extra sugar. Besides, for me fruit totally removes the cravings for the stuff listed above.
“Would You Like Fries With That?”
God no. Fried potatoes are the one food that I can almost feel adding fat to my body. I’ll have the odd French fry here or there, but much like soft drinks, fried potatoes fall into the “maybe one a month” category. They’re a caloric waste, and I usually feel worse having eaten them. I do love a good hamburger, though. Generally I’ll order a salad or just go sideless if I’m having a burger. Again, I’m not so strict that I’ll NEVER have fries, but I view my eating as a long term commitment, not a fad diet that I’ll do for a month then drop again for bad habits.
I really don’t eat many potatoes. When I’m having a carbs, it’s usually bread, pasta, or rice, and I’ve even been consuming less of these lately.
Booze For BoomBoom
There’s just one general rule I follow here: not during the work week.
Again, I love beer; however, if I were to have one or two every night, the novelty would wear off and it would just be a habit – a high calorie, empty carb habit. Much like the almond croissants, the beer tastes better because I don’t have it all the time. Usually on Friday, Saturday, and sometimes Sunday I’ll have a beer or two. I go out and get drunk with my buddies every now and then, too, but it’s rare – once every few months, if that. Also, a beer on a hot summer evening is one of my favourite bloody things in the world, so occasionally on a weekday I’ll indulge. Not often, though. Again, for me it’s all about forming a reasonable long term routine. That way, if I deviate every now and then, it’s easy to get back to healthy and avoid bad habits.
I also have some general health eating habits that I try to stick to as well – things that I’ve discovered as I get older and my body isn’t as content with garbage food and unhealthy habits. I’ve rambled enough for now, so I’ll post those another time.
What do you think? Have any tips or ideas for me? Want some advice? I’m happy to chat.
Happy Eating!
