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Eating Correctly

by: Hillbilly Bill

Fri Jan 05, 2007 at 08:32:24 AM EST


We all know how important it is to get the right balance of nutrients, fiber, etc. in our daily diet.  Recognizing when, and why, we eat is just as important.  Eating at the wrong times, or for the wrong reasons, will become a serious problem in an SIP situation when there will be many stressors.
Hillbilly Bill :: Eating Correctly
Partly because of a New Year's resolution, and also because my next dr. appt. is looming over the horizon, I have been making an effort to control my calorie intake.  In doing so I have come to the not-so-astounding conclusion that sometimes I eat when I am not hungry.  I tend to overeat when I am frustrated or overly tired.  My 10 year old granddaughter eats when she feels bored.  My wife has her own triggers, not the least of which is "those times" of the month.  It doesn't take an inductive leap of genius to see that this is going to be a real problem in an SIP situation.  With so many other problems and worries, it will be most difficult to address these poor eating habits then, the time to make corrections is now.  Easier said than done for sure.
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Eating Correctly | 48 comments
"those times" of the month LOL n/t


United we stand: Divided we fall
www.flunewsnetwork.com
eating habits
Right now, we all have acess to food whenever we want it. We can eat whatever and whenever we want. We have the opportunity to overeat, and we indulge.

During SIP, that opportunity will be taken away from us, and we can no longer "shop" in our pantry at home for a sudden snack attack. The food will have to be guarded from would be snackers at first, but I don't think it will take long for the the fam to get use to the idea, "this is all the food we have, we have to make it last as long as we can, and that's all there is to that." Eating habits definately will change, without it even being realized at first. No more overeating, because there won't be enough at one sitting to overeat on, no more snacking, because snacks were not heavily stocked. Here, at my home, the biggest problem I see is not from over eating, or eating out of boredom, but sugar withdraw, mainly from myself.
I am a sugar addict, I admit it, am going to a 12 step program ;-), seriously, that is the problem I see for myself. Hubby is on that protien diet, over a year now, both daughters are picky eaters. We are not "big eaters".
But my oncern for myself and daughters, is weight loss we can not afford to loose.  Hubby on the other hand.....

United we stand: Divided we fall
www.flunewsnetwork.com

diet blues
Anyone who has been on a serious diet, or made drastic changes in their eating habits knows about the difficult period that you go through before your body adjusts.  I just don't want to add this complication to an already stressful and possibly dangerous time.  Am I having a lot of personal success making these changes?  Not really...

If I had done this on my own, I would have done most of it incorrectly.
[ Parent ]
I understand what you mean
Are you HB or BB? ;-) teasing

When my hubby went on that protien diet, Attikan's?, he was miserable, and got more miseraly with each passing day. He spent most of the time not feeling good, but the longer he stayed on it, the better he started to feel. However, he's going to run into a serious problem since he's not going to be able to eat meat 7 days a week.

Now is the time to change our eating habits, perhaps to rsemble more what we'll be eating during severe SIP.
I'm with you HB, I'm not making much headway on my sugar addition. I have been able to stay off the krispy creams for longer periods, but when I fall, I fall hard, and it's not pretty!

United we stand: Divided we fall
www.flunewsnetwork.com

[ Parent ]
I thinks its very important that we all start eating prep foods now!
It can take your body quite a while to adjust to a new food regimen-and some of those adjustments aren't pretty!

A few years ago, I had some pretty serious health problems and was on some different meds.  I'm one of those folks that if theres going to be a side effect, I'm gonna find it.  Anyway, one of the new meds-stated that a side effect could be an increased craving for carbs.  One morning I drove my kids to school(left my purse at home-just going to be gone a few minents right?  Had my license though.) and suddenly wanted sugar/carbs so bad that I actually stopped at a gas station and pulled the  car seats up looking for enough loose change to buy a package of Ho-hos in the vending machine.  I felt like a junkie.  I got those meds changed, but gained ten pounds before I was able to adjust again.

Folks going from a processed foods diet to a beans and rice diet overnight are going to be in for some unpleasant intestinal adjustments.


[ Parent ]
side effects
I'm glad I'm not the only person who experiences all of the side effects (and more) of the meds I take.  Even some OTC meds will send me for a loop, I get every side effect in the small print on the bottle.

If I had done this on my own, I would have done most of it incorrectly.
[ Parent ]
greenmom, you sound like me
and I'm not on any medication, (although fam might argue that I should be!) I have seem me do just that same thing, find myself out with just my license in back pocket, and get hit so hard for something sweet that I'll tear up the carpet in the car looking for loose change. I envision myself holding a sign in front of a store that says: " will work for sweets!"
 

United we stand: Divided we fall
www.flunewsnetwork.com
[ Parent ]
It's funny you brought this up
as I've been thinking about it as well.  I was definitely doing lots of stress eating over the holidays - we had tons of house guests for days on end, lots of things to nibble on, etc.  Well, what better stress environment than PF?  I've also been paying more attention to the times of day I tend to "get into trouble" - late morning when it's not lunchtime yet but I'm hungry and will grab whatever, and late afternoon when my energy is dragging and I'm peckish but it's not dinnertime.  I need to start finding breakfast/lunch things that are more satisfying and will tide me over longer.  As well as activities to take my mind off of eating - a bit of exercise perhaps.

Also, it will be very hard to break the kids of their snacking habits.  They are very accustomed to being able to grab items (mostly fresh fruit which won't be around) whenever they want. 

snacks for kids
this is one thing I am worried about also.  Thats why I'm storing lots of popcorn. 

If you buy it in bulk it's cheap, (50lbs at Sams for $11) it stores easily, (I've been putting it in to those metal popcorn tins from the goodwill store bought for $.25 - $.50 each with bayleaves) it doesn't take alot of oil to pop alot of popcorn, and it doesn't take alot of fuel to cook it either. 

Our children change our lives, whether they live or not.
www.misschildren.org

[ Parent ]
oatmeal for breakfast
I'm not a big oatmeal fan, but it is satisfying so I have been having that for breakfast.  DW likes it so we have plenty stored away.  Hopefully I will get an added benefit of a lower cholesterol reading.

If I had done this on my own, I would have done most of it incorrectly.
[ Parent ]
My family really likes the homemade instant oatmeal,
that Northstar posted some time ago.  I have another container with dried fruit, nuts, seeds, coconut chocolate chips, etc, so everyone can put on a different topping-makes it a little more interesting.

A few years ago I made a conscious decision to avoid fast food,- kids tested positive allergy to cottonseed oil which most fast food is cooked in.  My cholesterol went down ten points in six months.  Going vegetarian dropped it even more.

[ Parent ]
Hillbilly Bill, I feel your (oatmeal) pain!
but did you know there is a much tastier, healthy alternative to eating plain oatmeal regardless of its many health benefits?  Couple of years ago discovered multigrain cereal, which combines oatmeal with other grains to make, as least IMHO, a much tastier hot cereal alternative.  The two that I have found are CountryChoice organic, combo of rye, barley, oats, and wheat, and Old Wessex 5 grain which adds triticale and golden flax to the above rye, barley and oats.  There may be other brands out there.  Both cereals are very tasty, have lots of fiber,  add flavor and texture variety, giving  some zip to breakfast..  Raisins, cranberries or other dried fruit from our preps will also help.  Always hated oatmeal when I was a kid!

Shelf life according to package, seems to be about 1 1/2 years out.

Experience has taught me that there are few conspiracies, but much incompetence

[ Parent ]
thanks for the tip!
I will definitely be on the lookout for those.

If I had done this on my own, I would have done most of it incorrectly.
[ Parent ]
Try Farina (cream of wheat) instead of oatmeal
Additionally, Honeyville Grain sells both a 6 grain and a 9 grain cereal for reasonable prices.

Kasha and barley might be two other grains that you could use in breakfast.  Even rice can be made into a breakfast grain by adding dried fruit and a little sweetening.

You might also want to think about making your own granola cereal with all of that oatmeal.  Granola, dried fruit, and a little milk is really very good ... and good for you.

[ Parent ]
I use your Hudson Bay Bread recipe
for mid-morning and evening snacks.  It definitely is filling and satisfying.

If I had done this on my own, I would have done most of it incorrectly.
[ Parent ]
More and smaller meals?
It sounds like your blood sugar swings pretty fast; have you tried having five smaller meals instead of three regular size meals?  You can do this by downsizing your main meals a bit and inserting a healthy snack in between, so you are actually eating something every two to three hours.

I have diabetic patients who use this approach with good results--

No one is prepared for a pandemic that starts tomorrow.

www.citizencorps.gov -- Get involved!

[ Parent ]
21st Century Porridge
Hillbilly Bill,

I eat oatmeal almost every morning, but I enhance it.  To 1/2 cup of dry oatmeal, try adding one tablespoon each of oat bran, wheat bran, wheat germ, and flax seed meal.  This combination delivers about 10 grams of fiber, 10 grams of protein, and only 250 calories for less than 25 cents.  There are all sorts of things you can add, but unless I usually flavor it with salt, an artificial sweetener, and cinnamon.  Now, that is good 21st century porridge.

By the way, my pandemic food supply includes 108 pounds of oatmeal.

You are running out of time.


http://tinyurl.com/37bl45

note to self:
we cannot. allow. an oatmeal. gap!

of course, since I haven't been keeping an inventory, and things are in so many places, I might already have 108 lbs of oatmeal, but wait... I have a plan. Heh!

[ Parent ]
Plan to cover that
I plan to stock all kinds of junk food. Anything with a good shelf life like pop-tarts and granola bars. We are all heavy snackers. Three of the four of us in this household are underweight even with the constant fat and sugar. We'd wither away to nothing without our snacks not to mention being utterly miserable. It will be bad enough without giving up junk food. And no one wishes to be around me at that time of the month without chocolate. It isn't safe.
that's a pile of pop-tarts and granola bars......n/t


If I had done this on my own, I would have done most of it incorrectly.
[ Parent ]
Ah, poptarts!
What would we do without them?  I'd really like to give them up, because they are junk, but I have to admit they fill a need.  We have that underweight issue at my house too.  And they are just such a easy to eat, quick energy, not too goopy snack and they would last forever-if my kids didn't find them.  Thats one of my comfort foods under stress-a warm chocolate pop-tart.  My major prep snacks are: poptarts, granola bars, yes, defiantly popcorn, and peanut butter and graham crackers.

Well, could be worse,at least its not pork rinds and deep fried twinkies.

[ Parent ]
Popcorn Is Real Food
Carrey in VA,

I am happy to see that you have discovered the cheapest cost-per-calorie food since white rice.  I, too, bought the 50 pound sack of popping corn from Sams Club.  This is a really good grade of corn.  It works equally well in a microwave, a hot air popper, and a stove top.  8,000 calories of this popping corn costs only $1.25. 

You are running out of time.


http://tinyurl.com/37bl45

What's the best way to store the popcorn kernels?
We love popcorn around our house.  My hot air popper just died so I'm probably just going to get an old fashioned stainless steel popcorn popper ... saw a couple of versions at Target after Christmas.

I'd love to store 50 lbs. of popcorn kernels as we'd use them one way or another ... but how are you all storing the kernels?

Leaving them in a bag is not an option for me.  In our sub-tropical environment that would be like sticking a all-you-can-eat buffet sign out for the bugs.  I've thought about 2 liter soda bottles but don't know if that will keep the kernels dry enough or cause them to dry out too much.

Any suggestions?

[ Parent ]
we keep ours in large glass jars with tight-fitting lids
it guaratees no moisture and keeps many years that way.

You'd need an awful lot of glass jars for 50 lbs. though:-)

Nobody made a greater mistake than he who did nothing because he could do only a little- Edmund Burke

[ Parent ]
Moisture is critical
Popcorn pops because of the moisture content inside the kernal.  If it dries out too much, it won't pop at all.  I would love to have about a hundred pounds of popcorn stored, but I have found the only reliable way to keep it long term is to keep it in the freezer.  Therefore, I keep as much on hand as will fit and rotate it like any other food item.

If I had done this on my own, I would have done most of it incorrectly.
[ Parent ]
moisture in popcorn
OK file this under rally REALLY arcane detail I don't know why I know -- but -- if your popcorn in storage gets too dry (which is a good thing for storage) when you take out a lttle to pop it, just remoisten it for about 5 minutes or so -- sprinkle a bit of water over it, mix it up a bit, to get some more moisture back in.  Like rehydrating dried fruit -- only don't soak it in water, just "plump it up" a bit.  Then pop as usual.

GetPandemicReady.org - non commerical website with practical ways for families to prepare.
[ Parent ]
Popcorn Storage
Kathy,

I think your idea of the soda bottles is terrific.  Just be sure to keep the bottles in a dark location with a fairly uniform temperature.

I store my popcorn in 1 quart bags inside of 5 gallon pails, but I like your idea better.

You are running out of time.


http://tinyurl.com/37bl45

[ Parent ]
popcorn storage
Soda bottles are great storage containers, but at our house they are reserved for water storage.  I've been picking up popcorn and cookie tins from the goodwill store to store the popcorn in.  After filling and adding a couple of bay leaves, I put the lid on and then run tape around the lip of the lid to make it air tight.  Some of these tins are really pretty so I like to stack them on the dresser in my guest/prep room. The different shapes, sizes and colors look nice stacked up together, plus its space I wouldn't be able to use for other "less pretty" preps like a bucket of flour LOL. 

Our children change our lives, whether they live or not.
www.misschildren.org

[ Parent ]
my wife balked at buckets of flour strategically placed also....n/t


If I had done this on my own, I would have done most of it incorrectly.
[ Parent ]
Eating well by eating good
I have found that it is easier to eat well when one thinks one is getting a treat. Here's a recipe that will cover for snack/treat/breakfast that is a also healthy and filling:

Fruity Oatmeal Cookies

Wisk together:
1 c flour (scant)
1 1/2 c oatmeal
1 t baking powder
1 t baking soda
1/2 t salt
1/2 c white sugar
1/2 c brown sugar
1/2 t cinnamon
1/4 tsp each:
nutmeg, clove, ginger

Chop and add 1/2 c each:
dried apricots, raisins, dates, dried cranberries

Mix in:
4 T canola oil
1/4 c applesauce
1 t vanilla

Add a bit of water if it's all too dry.

Make into balls, (it's sticky)flatten, and bake at 350 for 12 min. Can also make bars, by pressing dough into a pan.

A couple of these would make a hearty breakfast, especially for a kid.


snack/good food
I make these alot around here,

2 cups quick oats
1 cup peanut butter
1 cup honey
1 cup dry milk powder

mix them all up and make balls out of them.  We like this made with crushed cornflakes, or grahmcrackers too.

Good for breakfast or snacks too.

Our children change our lives, whether they live or not.
www.misschildren.org

[ Parent ]
I should say those are no bake snacks n/t


Our children change our lives, whether they live or not.
www.misschildren.org

[ Parent ]
Want to eat healthy AND lose weight?
I tried the South Beach diet with excellent results. At first I assumed it was a fad diet, but my doctor said it was the only one he would recommend, so I gave it a whirl.  Turns out it is the brainchild of a cardiologist supported by nutritionists/dieticians.

In short: whole grains, legumes, lean meats/dairy, vegetables, fruit, non-hydrogenated vegetable oils.

Avoid sugars, white flour, excessive animal fats or hydrogenated (trans-)fats.

Read the book and it you will have an excellent foundation for both weight loss and food preparation choices.

Was worried about this, so...
right after Haloween, I stocked up on huge bags of Haloween candy that was going on sale for 75% off regular price.  I have tons and tons of candy and the such to go along with all that canned fruit I have.  If I pace myself and alternate, I don't think sweet cravings will be a huge problem.  It's going to be so stressful to deal with BF, I don't want sugar withdrawal to be another problem to deal with. 
I heard a nurtionist state
the the reason we crave sweets, is because we don't consume or have fruits in our diet. Increase your fruit consumption, and your craving for sweets goes away. Makes since to me.

United we stand: Divided we fall
www.flunewsnetwork.com
.....
that is "sense". I can spell, sometimes!

United we stand: Divided we fall
www.flunewsnetwork.com
[ Parent ]
Dried fruits should help with "sweet" cravings
As a matter of fact, I've found some dried fruits "too sweet."  When my sweet tooth attacks I try and eat some nuts and some dried fruit.  Dried pineapple is especially good as it is so similar to candy.

Pop open a box of raisins.  A chew granola bar may also do the trick.

A big glass of water also helps.

I've found that when I feed my sweet tooth with candy, chocolate, etc. ... it doesn't get satisfied, it just wants more. 

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world, indeed it is the only thing that ever has. -- Margaret Mead

[ Parent ]
Sweet Storage
Our pandemic food supply provides a daily allowance of sweet items that will not do much harm to our waistlines.  It includes reduced-sugar or sugar-free Jello gelatin, Jello pudding, Crystal Light, Kool-Aid, Swiss Miss, Trident gum, and hard candies.  We also have plenty of cake mixes, brownie mixes, Oreos, Vanilla Wafers, animal crackers, candy bars, M&Ms, carob coated soy beans, Hershey's Kisses, and Trader Joe's dark chocolate.

If you incorporate an ounce or two of these treats into each person's total daily caloric allowance, you might not feel so bad about all the beans and rice.

By the way, don't forget to store canned frosting and birthday candles.

 

You are running out of time.


http://tinyurl.com/37bl45

A man after my own heart
Dr. Dave, I swear that on many counts, you and I were separated at birth. I have all those things plus some in our stockpile as I think it is a good way to add some calories for energy and keep spirits up. Cakes and birthday candles are an absolute necessity IMO to maintain some semblance of normalcy for my kids.

When I picked up the number birthday candles, I was buying ahead for the 9th and 11th birthdays. This was during one of the last big outbreaks. When I looked at the candles in my hand, they displayed 9-1-1. I just groaned.

Fortunately, we cleared the 11 y.o.'s birthday without a pandemic, so now we have 9-1-2. Phew!


[ Parent ]
More Treats
Edna,

We realize that during an extended SIP it will be really important to keep up the family morale.  That is why we have planned for plenty of treats.  In addition to cakes, candies, brownies, corn bread, and muffins, we have also have several large bottles of Hershey's chocolate syrup.  I'm not so sure we need the syrup.  After all, we already have chocolate flavored protein powder, Swiss Miss, Nestle's Quik, and Slim Fast to enhance the powdered milk. 

(BTW, did you get my e-mail?)


You are running out of time.


http://tinyurl.com/37bl45

[ Parent ]
I did get your e-mail, and thanks!
Haven't had a chance to try the spreadsheet, but I'm going to try it today.

And I hear you on the morale issue. We have some very strong personalities in our household (strong good and strong not so good), and I agree that comfort foods and comfort activities will go a long way to maintaining sanity.

And speaking of maintaining sanity in a pandemic, everyone may wish to consider stockpiling one of these: http://www.silvercro...

;-) (DH is a therapist, and a coworker gave him one as a joke.)


[ Parent ]
treats
I so agree that a few treats are very necessary for our morale.Brownies bake well in solar oven.
But then, my dad was a firm believer in desserts for every meal, including breakfast (usually fruit,but could be pie,lol).
  Makes the beans and rice a bit easier. Actually I like beans, it`s the rice I`m not fond of. So I have tons of stuff to disguise it`s taste.

There is no pleasure in having nothing to do; the fun is in having lots to do and not doing it." -Mary Wilson Little
Stress effect on eating
Stress effects "eating" on different levels, in various ways.  There is a stress eating where one eats compulsively for "comfort".  However, there is another type of stress that has another type of effect on eating.  Some examples that I have been mulling over in my prep readiness include:  death (when my mother died this summer, I couldn't eat for nearly a month... food just seemed to get stuck in my throat.  Nothing was appealing... not by taste, smell or texture.  Essentially, I found myself on a liquid diet of force feeding myself.), hurricane (again, nobody in my family had a "typical" appetite... not even children or teenagers), ice-storms (more comfort foods seemed to be utilized), illness (more often than not, not much of an appetite except on the recovery side), times of not much money to spend on groceries (it didn't much matter what we ate... we were so glad to have "something" to eat... i.e., college days!), divorce/marriage (2 of the best "diets" on record!), etc.

My point is, I think it is prudent to plan accordingly.  Things won't necessarily be business as usual (or eating as usual.)  Consider that in your prepping and allow for various types of eating.  Having said that, there is the bottomline business of obtaining adequate calories and nutrients.  That is always the great "juggle." 

sip eating
Hi everyone I have not posted much lately, been working a lot. :) I think it is interesting that hillBB starts a thread on eating right and becomes a line on treats you are my kind of people---:)As yet I have not stocked up on sweets as in candy, because I would eat it. I think I will start after Easter candy sale. But I do keep about 90 #s of sugar, tell myself it would be good for barter :)
How do you all keep chocolate? room Temp or refer?
HBB--hang in there you can do it, I eat for any reason!!!!!
re: SIP eating nutritious vs. junk
LOL!  Love Texas, I just started to seriously deal with this potential problem after Valentine's day.  My kids don't really eat much candy.  But, they do get the occasional treat and I know we would all miss it even though it is a rare treat around here.

Right now the only things I have stocked as far as candies go is peppermints, sweet tarts, red hots, and a few miscellaneous hard candies. 

I'm going to really stock up after Easter ... the chewy stuff like caramels, Laffy Taffy, Sugar Babies, etc. 

I've got to figure out how to hide the mini candy bars that I want to put away.  I have a couple of really large tins ... but if I know where they are, it might not do any good to hide 'em.  LOL!

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world, indeed it is the only thing that ever has. -- Margaret Mead

[ Parent ]
Kathy
Sugar Babies don't store well. They get hard as a rock even vac sealed. A major bummer for me. LOL

Life is not so short but that there is always time enough for courtesy. Ralph Waldo Emerson
[ Parent ]
Mojo ... bummer
Well, how about peppermint patties?  Sugar Daddies?  Butterfingers?

LOL!!!

I do have a few junk foods that I enjoy very occasionally.  I'm not much of a chip eater per se ... I like chewy stuff.

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world, indeed it is the only thing that ever has. -- Margaret Mead

[ Parent ]
I keep buying the "Limited Edition" Hershey chocolate, then trying it, then it's gone. LOL
Hershey's Milk Chocolate Nuggets- truffle flavor- is my favorite now, but I don't know if there's any more to be found.  The Kisses, in raspberry or espresso, are lasting a long time.

"The truth does not change according to our ability to stomach it."  Flannery O'Connor
Eating Correctly | 48 comments
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