I am new to the forums and i would like to say that its great to see such support and encouragement on these boards. John you have been a great inpiration to many...and i think i speak for all of us when i say thank you for that.

A little history about me...
A year and a half ago i was a very unhealty 5'11", 280 lbs, and who knows how much body fat...im scared to think...i knew it was a health risk so i decided to do something about it...i dieted and excercized for a while and dropped down to 240...which at the time i thought was ok.
in the last 3 months i have dropped from 240 and 33% bf to 220 and 28% bf...but as noted in your faqs i was also taking in too few calories...somtimes as low as 800 a day because of my extrememly hectic schedule. Even so I have dedicated myself to an early to bed early to rise lifestyle so that i can be plenty rested for my morning workouts. But i still am having trouble getting in those needed calories without resorting to mcdonalds which i am not about to do. I think i have found a viable solution and would very much like yours and anyone elses opinion on it...It a food that my grandfather showed me...it called brain garden...The website is www.thebraingarden.com if anyone wants to check it out. The premise is whole clean foods...the main one called "pulse" is a combination of 24 whole clean foods...and it contains "a unique blend of 24 whole food ingredients combining fruits, nuts, seeds, grains, and legumes, including all the 7 fibers known to man." (quoted from the website). My father and grandfather have had great fat (not just weight) loss with this food...and i would like to know what you all think about it...if i were to use it supplement my food intake while im on the road...The nutritional information is posted below.

Pineapple Pulse
Serving size 3/4 cup

Calories 420
Fat calories 140
Total fat 16g
Saturated fat 1.5g
Cholesterol 0mg
Sodium 5mg
Total carb 68g
Fiber 9g
Sugars 42g
Protein 10g
Vitamin A 2%
Vitamin C 10%
Calcium 10%
Iron 20%
Biotin 0%
Thiamin 32%
Riboflavin 10%
Niacin 10%
Pantothenic Acid 10%
Phosphorus 30%
Magnesium 32%
Folate 12%

Sorry about the long post guys...

I really don't see how taking in over 1800 calories is too difficult if planned properly. If you take a protein shake right after your workout with 12oz skim milk and 2 scoops, right there is about 320 calories. Add 1 tbsp natural peanut butter or a banana to that and you're already at around 400. Breakfast, be it egg whites with toast or a bowl of oatmeal, should be another 300 or so. That's already 700 and you haven't even eaten dinner nor any "snacks" (which are in essence, just more small meals).

The way I reach my calorie goal each day is simple. I eat 6 meals (protein shake being one after my workout) all of which are roughly 250-350 calories. They are spread out by about 2.5-3.5 hours each. It keeps me full all day and makes sure that I meet my calorie needs (while also making sure to get the appropriate amount of fat/carbs/protein)

I mostly just forget to eat...and im so busy that i dont even notice that im hungry. Thanks for the advice of adding some peanut butter or a banana to my after workout shake i will definitely try that...my main problem is i dont want to eat most of my calories so early in the morning i would like to spread it out more evenly...and the brain garden stuff i mentioned seems like a good way to do it...cause i can munch on it in the car...check it out and let me know what you think...

thanks again

Brandon

Hi WhitzEnd,

Personally I think that particular food seems pretty high in fat and sugars for a cutting diet. Not much protein in there, either. So, no, I would not eat it. I would instead plan my meals out and learn to develop good eating habits. Set a little personal alarm reminding you of when it's time to eat. Before long, your body will be its own alarm (mine's going off right now!)

I know this may not be what you want to hear, but that's my honest advice. :)

I agree with John. The nutritional info on that brain garden food was not that great for someone looking to cut fat. If it makes it easier, set your alarm every 3 hours or so and eat a 300 calorie meal. You said you don't want so many calories in the morning, but that's already 2 of your 5-6 meals and still not even half of your daily calorie needs. 700 calories is a good number to have in the first two meals of the day. And just as John said, your body develops its own alarm. At first it was hard for me to eat properly at the given times, but my body has becoome used to it and I really just get hungry at the perfect times.

Thanks John...i do appreciate the honesty...i want to do this right this time so that i can keep the fat off and develop a healthy eating habit for life. After seeing the results that my father had with that stuff i thought it might be worth a shot...thanks your your wonderful advice...do you have any suggestions for food on the go? Any help would be greatly appreciated...

Thanks again
Brandon

I know how you feel. I used to map my meals out the night before and be frustrated when 6 meals amounted to about 1300 calories. My problem was being scared to eat 40-50g of fat, but the truth is, that's a perfectly acceptable amount if they are coming from the right places such as oily fish and olives etc., and that will add a good 450 calories to your day's total.

In other words, make sure you're getting a good balance of all the macronutrients. Don't try and make it all up with protein and carbs, because at 4 calories per gram of each, you're going to be eating all day to hit your caloric needs (if you're eating healthily that is).

And as for food on the go, you may have to get up an hour earlier and make food to take with you. That's what I have to do, being at college and all. It's not easy, but it just has to be done. Generally the food you can buy "on the go" is terrible for cutting. :)

Thanks John...i do appreciate the honesty...i want to do this right this time so that i can keep the fat off and develop a healthy eating habit for life. After seeing the results that my father had with that stuff i thought it might be worth a shot...thanks your your wonderful advice...do you have any suggestions for food on the go? Any help would be greatly appreciated...

Thanks again
BrandonI'm probably the last person you want to ask about "food on the go" because I work from home. I'm sure plenty of other people will chime in, though!

you guys are great thanks for all the help...i hate to get up an hour earlier but if it must be done then it must be done...i look forward to talking with you all more on the boards

Thanks

Brandon

I'm probably the last person you want to ask about "food on the go" because I work from home. I'm sure plenty of other people will chime in, though!

That is going to become my problem here in the next week or so. Right now, the only thing going negative for me is planning those perfect meals that fill my calorie requirements and other needs.

Coming soon, though, I am going to be working full-time 10 AM to 7 PM, which means the only meals I'll be eating at home are breakfast and dinner - so I'm going to have to find at least 2 "at work" meals that won't require me to leave the desk (I'm a Customer Service Rep.) Lunch should still be fine, though.

Well, here's to thinking!! :confused:

Albacore tuna in water with some no-fat/low-fat mayo on light grain bread is the ideal "on the go" meal IMO. You make like 5-6 cans worth Sunday night and then it takes 2 mins to throw a sandwich together each morning. Works wonders for me at least. I also carry around some healthy protein bars so if I need an extra snack in there somewhere, I have a healthy one.

yeah you cant go past sanwiches for quick and easy nutrition, you just have to choose the right bread! some good choices are....
wholegrain, pumpernickle, sourdough, seedy breads, wholemeal

alot of people think wholemeal is the best, but its GI is about 55, when the other are all less than 50