<p>uc_benz- Whoa, you really must be an athlete in order to maintain your weight on that kind of diet. Do you realize how many calories it really adds up to be? Especially 1/3 cup of nuts- 200 calories right there. The choices are great but keep the calories in mind. I ate heathfully in my second semester of college but I had trouble losing weight and I realized that I was eating more than I really needed even though my choices were good for me.</p>
<p>Be careful of how much fat you're putting in your body- 2 tablespoons of peanut butter (you don't need PB with your eggs, you've got plenty of protein, now for some carbs!) and 1/3 cup of nuts plus other little things looks like it adds up to be almost 40-50% of your total daily calories.</p>
<p>As for low-carb, I do try to stay low-carb but more focused on low-fat but it works better on the long run. I strive for whole grains when ordering out. But I run so much that I have to have carbs in my food!</p>
<p>ticklemepink, no offense, but I do not need your help at all. I know exactly what goes into my body down to a T, and it is approved by world-class physical therapists (think: Olympics). I maintain certain ratios of macronutrients that optimize fat loss while still maintaining muscle mass. If you would like to talk to me about it then I would be happy to, but it is far too detailed to get into on a college forum.</p>
<p>You're a runner, so we obviously have different diets. Runners need carbohydrates to maintain energy, while bodybuilding requires a lot of protein & fats.</p>
<p>(1) Unless you have a really horrible diet, just eat less of whatever you've been eating. If you have no idea what you've been eating, try using <a href="http://www.fitday.com%5B/url%5D">www.fitday.com</a> for a few weeks, and then you'll know.</p>
<p>(2) Consistent exercise is also necessary... it raises your metabolism so you burn more calories faster, which helps the diet in the first place.</p>
<p>(3) With fewer calories, and especially in college, it's harder to get all the vitamins you'll need -- just give up and take vitamins. </p>
<p>Low-carb diets (Atkins) work, but they work by pushing your body into a metabolic state called ketosis. It's not healthy for long periods of time, and if you're just talking a few pounds or a maintenance diet, there's really no reason to go there.</p>
<p>The college dining commons will provide you with balance meals. So, when you get a plate, make sure everything on the plate is eaten. Cut out desert unless it is fruit. Cut out soda, replace it with milk, water, or juice. Don't count calories, you'll only stress yourself. If you do, take in 2000 and exercise. Taking less than 1700 is bad unless you want to lose muscle. Your basal metabolic rate is about 1700 calories, the rest (to make 2000) comes from your daily activity. Ya, only 300 calories. Also, if possible, eat 5-6 small meals through out the day. Most important if you are trying to lose weight, do cardio. Weight lifting is not cardio.</p>
<p>The only reason Atkins diet works is because you end up consuming fewer calories, because of lack of available low carb food(i don't count Atkins potato chips as low carb!).</p>
<p>Sucharita - make sure to get plenty of fruit and veggies, don't overdo the carbs (this is a huge mistake a lot of vegetarians make) and most importantly don't forget protein -- check and see if there are veggie items on your college cafeteria's menu like tofu. If you don't like tofu (I don't, personally) then lentils, nuts, beans, milk (low-fat), peanut butter (yum) .. </p>
<p>but yeah don't overdo the carbs. stay away from eating stuff like pasta <em>every</em> night.</p>
<p>Why pick chicken over pork? Is there more lean mass in chicken? I just love pork so much.... lol. Salads can be very low cal and low fat. Just don't put dressing on them. Use oil and viniger.</p>
<p>There's more to it than just the amount of calories if you want to look good. You don't need those 18 grams of sugar, or those 35 grams of simple carbs that are highly processed.</p>
<p>Also look at the ingredients: "corn syrup, high fructose corn syrup, dextrose, partially hydrogenated soybean and/or cottonseed oil..."</p>
<p>Even if it is 230, pop tarts are still not a good source of food- they're sugar and crappy carbs. Not that it really matters for "average" people though.</p>
<p>:: it is unclean because pigs live in **** all day...gross.::</p>
<p>Oh, I hadn't realized chickens lived in a day spa because they are so much cleaner, right? lol</p>
<p>Besides, part of the point of cooking is to kill bacteria. So again, you have no argument that pork is "unclean" unless people are getting sick.</p>