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She Says: A Typical Day
I choose not to post everything I eat for several reasons, including that I do not think it would be very useful to others. Yesterday I mentioned I’ve been insatiable for the last week. A very nice and non-malicious reader mentioned that maybe I was hungry because I don’t seem to eat a lot of protein, a common assumption about vegetarians. I have lots of responses to this, including that people do not need that much protein and that most of us get more than enough.
Upon further thought, I realized that I personally do not think protein, at least vegetarian protein, is the thing that fills me most. As far as protein sources go, I find meat to be much more filling than other sources like quinoa or Greek yogurt. I’ve found that fullness is best achieved for me through grains and fats together.
So around lunch time I thought sharing my typical day of eating might actually prove useful. If I am going to identify that I’ve been extra hungry, I should show what I’ve been eating.
So, here it is: my typical day of eating.
First thing: 1 cup of coffee w/ a little Skim Milk
Breakfast 8:00 – at desk: Oats in a Jar
- 1/2 C Oats
- Almond Milk
- Water
- 1/2 Banana
- Sprinkle of Ground Flax
- The Peanut Butter in the Jar (about 1.5 T I would guess)
This isn’t a picture of it because my brilliant “typical day” idea was not until lunch. Breakfast is my most routine meal – I almost always have oatmeal, overnight oats or an English Muffin. In every case there is nut butter and banana involved.
Unless, I am not that hungry for breakfast and I have something smaller (fruit and yogurt) and a bigger lunch.
Lunch 12:30:
3 Falafel from Costco, cucumbers, a couple of spoonfuls of hummus and an orange on the side.
After school snack 3:45: Pumpkin Spice Nature’s Path Granola Bar (Be on the look out for a giveaway of Nature’s Path Bars here next week)
Gym – 50 minutes on the elliptical and lots of yoga stretching.
Snack: Various errand and around 5:00 a Lemon mini Larabar ( I didn’t like this flavor).
Dinner 7:00:
- Leftover eggplant and chickpeas w/ brown rice
- Tortilla Chips (+ a hefty handful more = another reason I do not show everything I eat)
- Hummus
- Spinach Salad w/ frozen veggies
Snack: 3 Dried Apricots
Gratuitous Taste Testing: I made Dreena’s Vegan Homestyle Chocolate Chip cookies for my nephew’s party this weekend and it would be irresponsible not to try one. FYI: I made them w/ half spelt and half whole wheat pastry flour.
So there you have it. Not all that shocking, I’m sure.
Another reason that I usually do not post all of my eating is because I feel like I eat a lot (especially, for someone trying to lose a few pounds). It actually makes me a little uncomfortable and nervous to be that focused on everything going into my mouth. I read blogs too, and it’s hard for me not to compare. It’s really not good for me. Does that happen to you?
I’ve been working on being less snacky because I think that’s what is making weight loss hard for me, but I find that I need snacks in the afternoon (especially on a day like today when my breakfast was bigger and my lunch was smaller) and I don’t mind. 
The cookies are another story. I have horrible, terrible will power with certain things, such as cookies.
I should note that today I was satisfied and did not think I was going to gnaw my arm off like I felt the past few days. In retrospect, I think that hunger was hormonal.
What combination is the key to you being full?
Like I said, I think mine is fats + grain (ie. my breakfast everyday) that keeps me the most satisfied for the longest.
Heather, I just feel bad that people thought some comments were harsh or judgemental. I am a very senstive person and I hate to think that something I said might have offended you or anyone else. The more I read the other comments, the more I get the impression that is how other’s perceived it and I feel terrible about that. I honestly thought you wanted feedback about the hunger thing. Again I apologize and will shut my trap
Wow! I really can’t believe how much discussion this has caused. I do think it’s interesting to sometimes see what other people are eating for meal ideas or just curiosity, but I had no idea people were so opinionated about what food bloggers post for their meal. Lesson learned. I will not post my daily eats.
I’ve read through many of the comments here, and I’m actually amazed at how many people are judgemental when it comes to you posting what you eat. I generally post everything I eat every day, and rarely do I get a comment judging me on what I eat. Perhaps it’s simply due to the popularity of our respective blogs, who knows?
Anyways…I know I looked at what you ate and thought “that doesn’t seem like that much food”, but of course I’m thinking in regards to what I would want to eat to feel satiated. If you aren’t hungry, then it’s enough. If you are eating a variety of foods, then it’s good. And obviously ever day is different, so for people to judge based on one day of food doesn’t even make sense. NO ONE eats the exact same amount of food/calories/fat/protein/carbs etc every day. Nutrition is about the overall picture, not one snap shot.
And I’m with you on the Lemon Larabar – I think it tastes like cleaner.
I’m also not a fan of the lemon larabars. I took it out on a training run once and couldn’t munch on them during the run. Way too lemony.
i can’t believe the reaction to this post. You are very brave for putting your eats out there Heather.
Hi Heather! Just wanted to comment to give ya my support…I know how much crap one can get from posting their daily eats. My philosophy is that only YOU know what is best for you. All your food looks delicious and balanced to me
O man! Good thing you have so many people concerned about your food intake level! I think all this advice will last you well until the next time you decide to do a “typical day” post…. ;D
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good lord!
this is insane! it’s FOOD people. food is fuel and food tastes good. this does not define her as a person – she made choices. she ate a cookie… OMG! she’s gonna die! first she eats too little, then she eats too many wasted calories…
this is her life! go live yours!
-r
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