Help for a Picky Eater

Help for a Picky Eater

by | Mar 28, 2019 | All, Ask Our Dietitian, Home, Nutrition

Question:

I saw this email address at LA Fitness and was hoping you could help me out with dieting which is my major downfall.  I lift 3-4 times a week but am seeing no results due to my eating. I’m a very picky eater and can’t force myself to eat chicken every day. I need help!!! Please!!!

– Missy

Answer:

Not knowing what you will eat, it’s difficult to provide guidance on suitable meals. Strictly speaking of protein sources – alternatives include pork tenderloin, turkey breast, fish, 7% ground beef, extra lean ground turkey, sirloin or tenderloin beef, and shellfish in nearly an equal ounce to ounce replacement for chicken. Non-flesh proteins include eggs & egg whites, low fat plain Greek yogurt, low-fat cottage cheese, legumes/beans, and lite tofu. Amounts of these equaling 3 oz. chicken vary due to volume measurements. Nuts, nut butters, and cheeses aren’t as diet-friendly since they’re higher in calories with a significant amount of fat for the same amount of protein.

If personal preference (or a strict dietary, philosophical or religious restriction) limits the variety of foods you consume then you need to experiment with textures, cooking methods and flavor combinations to increase palatable options. Some people that dislike whole peas can eat split pea soup with ham or a pea-hummus. Many vegetables can be replaced by purees or baked vegetable crisps. Did you know that temperature brings out the aroma of foods? By serving foods that are less desirable cold, the perceived flavor is muted. This works particularly well for meats and grains. If a hot chicken alfredo with fettucine, broccoli, and peppers as an entrée is overwhelming try it as cold chicken pasta salad side dish to other preferred foods.

Hopefully, with a little experimentation and substitution, you can find suitable foods for your weight loss goals. For long term success, enjoying what you eat is better than just tolerating it – you’re more likely to make permanent lifestyle changes.

– Debbie J., MS, RD

This article should not replace any exercise program or restrictions, any dietary supplements or restrictions, or any other medical recommendations from your primary care physician. Before starting any exercise program or diet, make sure it is approved by your doctor.

Some questions have been edited for length and/or clarity.

Ask our Dietitian

Have a nutrition question? Our registered dietitian is ready to help!

Email nutrition@lafitness.com or submit your question below and it may be featured in an upcoming article!

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High Fiber Sample Diet Plan

High Fiber Sample Diet Plan

by | Nov 29, 2018 | All, Ask Our Dietitian, Home, Nutrition

Question:

I need a 1,200-calorie meal plan that’s super high in protein and has the required fiber needed. Any suggestions?!

– Trina H.

Answer:

We don’t provide weekly or monthly meal plans, but to get you started here is a sample day for a very high protein (35% calories), 25+ grams fiber, 1,200 calorie day:

  • Breakfast – 1 egg + 4 egg whites, 1 slice whole wheat bread, tsp. peanut butter, small orange
  • Lunch – 4 oz. grilled chicken breast, ½ Cup baked sweet potato w/ skin, 1 Cup cooked broccoli
  • Snack – ½ Cup hummus, 8 baby carrots, 8 snap peas
  • Dinner – 4 oz. white fish, ½ Cup quinoa, 1 Cup cooked spinach

Analysis on www.FitDay.com by a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist = 1193 calories, 35% prot (106 gm), 31 gm fiber

Make your own weekly rotation! You can substitute two plums or a cup of strawberries for the orange, other very lean proteins for the fish and chicken, plain Greek yogurt + salsa for the hummus, and another green vegetable for the broccoli or spinach.

Most 1,200 calorie plans we observed online provide 70-80 grams protein and up to 20 grams fiber. To increase the fiber and protein of other plans, substitute fat-free legumes and whole grains for other starches, opt for the least fat proteins available and limit starch to 1 per meal while doubling up on vegetables.

– Debbie J., MS, RD

This article should not replace any exercise program or restrictions, any dietary supplements or restrictions, or any other medical recommendations from your primary care physician. Before starting any exercise program or diet, make sure it is approved by your doctor.

Some questions have been edited for length and/or clarity.

Ask our Dietitian

Have a nutrition question? Our registered dietitian is ready to help!

Email nutrition@lafitness.com or submit your question below and it may be featured in an upcoming article!

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Recommendations for Dietitians and Dietary Books

Recommendations for Dietitians and Dietary Books

by | Nov 1, 2018 | All, Ask Our Dietitian, Home, Nutrition

Question:

I live in Florida and need a dietician due to cholesterol, triglycerides and other issues. Can you recommend a good dietician or books?

– Myles V.

Answer:

There are several directories for Registered Dietitians in the state of Florida such as www.DietitianCetnral.com and https://www.eatright.org/find-an-expert. You can narrow your search to a specialty such as “cholesterol management” or “heart health,” or to your city.  Even if medical nutrition therapy is not a covered service under your health plan, you may find a list of providers from your insurer.

You can verify a dietitian’s license with the Dietetics and Nutrition Practice Council of Florida through https://appsmqa.doh.state.fl.us/MQASearchServices/HealthCareProviders.

– Debbie J., MS, RD

This article should not replace any exercise program or restrictions, any dietary supplements or restrictions, or any other medical recommendations from your primary care physician. Before starting any exercise program or diet, make sure it is approved by your doctor.

Some questions have been edited for length and/or clarity.

Ask our Dietitian

Have a nutrition question? Our registered dietitian is ready to help!

Email nutrition@lafitness.com or submit your question below and it may be featured in an upcoming article!

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Understanding Basic Nutrient Needs

Understanding Basic Nutrient Needs

by | Oct 18, 2018 | All, Ask Our Dietitian, Home, Nutrition

Question:

Hi, my name is Allison and I joined LA Fitness this summer. My very basic question is, what ARE the nutrient needs of a basic adult?  (I’m female, 5’4″, 135 lbs. and trying to shed 5 -10 lbs., work out 3-4x/ week and walk on off days). I just want to know what the basic categories of things are a person needs. I’ve heard about nutrients being macros (fat protein carb) and micro (vitamins and minerals) but I’ve also heard nutritionists online say to get fiber and leafy greens and antioxidants and others say lots of veggies and lean meat – and I know they’re all related and many of them overlap- so I guess I’m just confused about what to seek out in my diet. Thank you SO much.

– Allison T.

Answer:

Allison, based on your anthropometrics and level of exercise your daily nutrient needs may fall into the following ranges (provided for a 30-year-old woman):

  •                 1,900-2,400 Calories
  •                 63-80 gms Fat (30% calories)
  •                 61-92 gms Protein (1.0-1.5 gram/kg)
  •                 240-300 gms Carbohydrate (50% calories) including 25 gms Fiber (standard daily value)

Please see the Institute of Medicine’s Dietary Reference Intake tables for vitamins and minerals for your intake targets of 29 micronutrients. Antioxidant action is an important function of certain micronutrients and phytochemicals (beneficial compounds found in plants), so we call those antioxidants.

As far as basic nutrients, you just need to add one thing to your list of fat, protein, carbohydrate, vitamins, and minerals – water! It is a macronutrient since we need such large volumes of it. Since it doesn’t provide calories, water is not often regarded the same as the 3 energy-yielding macronutrients. Exact requirements are not specified by the Institute of Medicine’s Food and Nutrition Board, but the adequate intake of water is 3.7 liters per day for men and 2.7 liters per day for women, including beverages and water derived from solid food.

You can look at nutrient numbers specifically now and then, but to ease the confusion just focus on your dietary habits and overall consumption to obtain sources of those nutrients. What you should seek out in your diet are plant-based protein sources, raw produce of every color, the most wholesome grains, the leanest animal foods, and unsweetened beverages… in amounts that just satisfy you. Those recommendations can be suited to every culture and worldly food belief. Sounds a lot simpler to me!

– Debbie J., MS, RD

This article should not replace any exercise program or restrictions, any dietary supplements or restrictions, or any other medical recommendations from your primary care physician. Before starting any exercise program or diet, make sure it is approved by your doctor.

Some questions have been edited for length and/or clarity.

Ask our Dietitian

Have a nutrition question? Our registered dietitian is ready to help!

Email nutrition@lafitness.com or submit your question below and it may be featured in an upcoming article!

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How to Never Fail at a Diet Again – Podcast Ep. 10

How to Never Fail at a Diet Again – Podcast Ep. 10

by | Sep 24, 2018 | All, Home, Podcast

Welcome to the 10th episode of the Living Healthy Podcast, presented by LA Fitness.

On this episode of Living Healthy, we speak with LA Fitness, registered dietitian, Debbie James, who helps give it to us straight. We talk about the good and bads of dieting, how you should mentally approach it, and how to avoid common dieting mistakes. 

How Are We Doing? 

This podcast should not replace any exercise program or restrictions, any dietary supplements or restrictions, or any other medical recommendations from your primary care physician. Before starting any exercise program or diet, make sure it is approved by your doctor.

Timecard Markers – How to Never Fail at a Diet Again – Podcast Ep. 10 

Introduction 

0:01 

Registered Dietitian, Debbie James Joins the Show 

Begins at 0:33 

The Perfect Diet? 

Begins at 0:42 

Nutritional Guidelines About Diets 

Begins at 1:34 

The 8-Week Goal 

Begins at 3:38 

Can Your Taste Buds Really Change? 

Begins 5:04  

Dieting and Metabolism – What to Look Out For 

Begins at 6:30 

The Trouble with Cutting Calories Drastically  

Begins at 7:40 

What Can You Do to Avoid Failed Diet Relapse? 

Begins at 8:29 

The Baby-Step Approach 

Begins at 11:40 

Data Analysis – Tracking  

Begins at 13:42 

Why is it Hard to Break a Bad Habit? 

Begins at 15:03 

Do Unhealthy Food Cravings Subside Over Time? 

Begins at 15:51 

The Mental Approach to Dieting  

Begins at 16:32 

Andrew Shares His Advice, “Memories Over Macros”  

Begins at 17:45 

Let’s Talk About Portions 

Begins at 19:21 

Don’t Be So Hard on Yourself  

Begins at 12:38 

Product Password  

Begins at 20:50 

Actionable Advice 

Begins at 22:56 

Outro 

Begins at 24:29 

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