Pescatarianism: Week 2

So I'm a little late on this post, but I just wanted to let everyone know week number 2 went fairly well. I had two meals that I could not avoid meat. One at a friends barbeque where there was nothing but Hamburgers and hot dogs (not even baked beans this time) and another barbeque where I just couldn't get around it. Both times I had major headaches after the fact (migraines). I'm not sure if it's the weather that gave me the problems (it's been really hot and muggy out) or if it was the actual food but I haven't had headaches at all besides after those two meals.

All in all, the diet is going well. I'm actually dropping a small amount of weight, though my cheese consumption has definitely gone up, which I'm not proud of. I've tried tempeh and I have to say it tastes like rubber erasers (just as it looks). Maybe I don't know how to cook them but I soaked the suckers for two days in garlic before cooking them and they still tasted like shit. I've vowed them off so I'm trying legumes this week instead.

Speaking of legumes and other non-meat proteins. Buying vegetables and beans is just as expensive as buying meat. In fact, it's been more expensive since I started this diet and I fail to see how rich dieters can tell their poor diet counterparts that it's cheaper to eat veggies. It's not. Case closed.

Which brings me to my last point. Since I spent more money on groceries, I've come to appreciate the fact that I have enough money to do so. I'm beginning to feel middle class...and appreciating it. I've never felt so thankful that I can maintain a diet that is on the more expensive side than what is cheapest. So that has been my epiphany this week. Feeling thankful for what I have.

Pescatarianism: Week 1

After a little thought on the subject of health and dieting. I've decided to try being pescatarian for a while (the article from my last post I found while doing research on the healthiest diets for a human). I don't expect to be a fanatic about this nor am I doing this for any reasons other than health. The reason I'm bringing this up is because I want to track how my body takes it. What the pros and cons are of this diet and how my perception of food changes. On a side note, I still eat what I want (I had three pieces of cake the other night so I'm not diet-ing) I'm just adding a restriction on what kind of meats I eat.

So far I've lasted a week on this diet. I did botch up just once on Saturday where we were at a barbeque and the only protein not hot dogs and hamburgers was baked beans...not exactly my favorite and I wasn't going to be a prude and ask for something else. My diet has mainly consisted of nuts, tofu, eggs, and fish for protein but am looking for recipes that incorporate legumes and tempeh as well (though tempeh looks a little too similar to rubber erasers and I'm not sure how much I want to stick it in my mouth). Already I notice that I'm using alot more fresh vegetables in my recipes and cooking alot more creatively. This I have found to be alot of fun and very exciting (don't make fun of me).

As for eating away from the home, so far I've begun to scrutinize dishes more. I'm more conscience of ingredients and especially of vital nutrients (protein and carbs being the two I'm most interested in). I'm careful to make a choice on a well rounded meal with both a protein and vegetables with some type of carbs to help me with energy throughout the day. That and I never realized how many dishes are only meat and carbs...not really anything else. I haven't craved anything I can't eat yet either, which has made this pretty painless. However, I am beginning to find picking out food a little exhausting at times because of the process it takes for me to select it.

The way my body is handling has been positive. I'm not so sluggish in the morning and overeating is much more rare since I don't just shovel what I see into my mouth. Plus, each meal seems to suppress my appetite a little while longer so I don't get as hungry as fast as I used to (this even with the fact that I'm exercising more). I think this is in part with the fact that I'm more conscious of what I'm putting into my body rather than my restriction. I have done alot more research on foods since I decided this diet than I ever have before but it still remains to be seen.

Vegetarian vs Omnivore

For all those vegetarians out there that think meat eaters are dumb and fat please click here. Just so you know you won't inherit the earth from us anytime soon.