Samefood and nutrition

[Cass the Fae]

I've had the realization that I'm eating the same thing for breakfast each day. And so many lunches and dinners are also identical. And I'm starting to worry about my nutrition. If I'm eating the same thing each time, I'm probably not getting enough nutrients.

Anyone have any suggestions as to how to figure out more foods to eat or switch to a more nutritionally balanced samefood?

 

[inkfingers]

Hi there!

I think it really depends what you are eating for your meals. For example, if you were only eating bagles and cream cheese for breakfast, pasta for lunch, and cheeseburgers for dinner, then I would be concerned. If you eat fruit and vegetables on a regular basis, and not a lot of junk food, then you might be fine. My mom eats basically the same breakfast and lunch every day, and she is fine. I went through a phase where I would eat a meat, cheese, and salad-greens sandwich for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and I was fine. I think that you should probably focus on eating a variety of fruits and vegetables, because they have lots of important nutrients. A salad for lunch might be helpful.

 

[Fino]

I eat the same things everyday!

Go back to the basics! That cute pyramid with the food groups and serving suggestions. Do something in that range.

 

[Nervous Rex]

I have the exact same thing for break every morning - a bowl of oatmeal with cinnamon and brown sugar, and a boiled egg with fajita seasoning sprinkled on it.

If you're worried about nutrition, but don't want to think too hard, make sure you're taking a good multivitamin every day. If you are concerned enough to do a little work, compare the nutrition of what you eat to what a good balanced intake is, and see what you need to add or cut back on.

 

[Mary Lyn]

This might be of some help:

Cronometer: Track nutrition & count calories

 

[Pats]

I eat the same thing every day for breakfast and lunch. Supper has a little more variety. My daughter used to be the pickiest eater - worse than I am. I can't count the number of times other people complained about her not eating to me - some brought her home angry that she wouldn't eat the food they fixed. She ate beanie weanies, sweet potatoe casserole from Boston Market, mashed potatoes from KFC, Mr P's pizza, grilled cheese sandwich and my beef n noodles. When I took her for her yearly check up I asked them to do labs and check her nutritional status, which was fine. She's in her early 30's with a beautiful family (2 of her kids are picky eater pay-backs. lol). Don't worry too much about it.

 

[Peter Morrison]

The fact that you are concerned about nutrition is the best motivator for learning about it. People tend to stay with familiar foods, and I would suggest you venture out from the comfort zone and explore some alternatives. Certain vitamins and minerals can be overlooked in a diet, so arm yourself with good information about the sources of minerals and other nutrients. I did this many years ago when I had the same concern as you do. Also, cook some foods that you have never prepared before. You can eat anything as long as you are aware of what it is and what it does for you, and to you. Eating an extensive variety of foods can usually ensure the you are getting the nutrients you don't want to skip. The more you know, the better your selections will be. Nutrition is a great hobby.

 

[Mary Terry]

The fact that you are concerned about nutrition is the best motivator for learning about it. People tend to stay with familiar foods, and I would suggest you venture out from the comfort zone and explore some alternatives. Certain vitamins and minerals can be overlooked in a diet, so arm yourself with good information about the sources of minerals and other nutrients. I did this many years ago when I had the same concern as you do. Also, cook some foods that you have never prepared before. You can eat anything as long as you are aware of what it is and what it does for you, and to you. Eating an extensive variety of foods can usually ensure the you are getting the nutrients you don't want to skip. The more you know, the better your selections will be. Nutrition is a great hobby.

Cooking is a great hobby, too. Especially when combined with thoughtful nutrition choices!

 

[stewdog80]

In middle school I ate a slice of domino's pizza and French fries every single day for lunch and I was fine. A few things I would recommend to anyone on here: Magnesium supplements, fruits and veggies, chaga mushroom supplement. Anti-inflammatory foods like turmeric have done wonders for my autism. Helps with inflammation which is a suspected contributor to autism.

 

[tlc]

I don't think the variety matters, it's the content. Eating a different combination of candy every day is not nutritious. I eat the same things all the time too.

If you're concerned, you could go get a physical and see how healthy you are, and if there is anything you should change. Probably a good idea anyway.

 

[Kyou Nukui]

I usually have two dinner options and alternate between them.
1: "Cheazy Peazy" which is cheese, tomato puree, pasta and frozen veggies (peas, sweetcorn, some onion).
2: "Tuna Turner" which is tuna, pasta, blob of mayo, squirt of lemon juice, and frozen veggies (sweetcorn and peas, some onion).

But Aldi reduced the quality of the canned tuna, so that left me with only one option.

So I made a lot more Pizzatoast with frozen veggies, as the second option.. which is essentially the same food as Cheazy Peazy.

I think the proportion of veggies to other ingredients is important for nutrition.
I try to always have more than one vegetable ingredient. I'm even adding some bell peppers now.

I used to add kale but Aldi stopped selling it in the convenient frozen pellets.
I am "going to" try to start shopping at other places to find a better variety of frozen veggies.

It isn't economical to buy fresh veggies unless I chop them and freeze them down, which usually means that they stick together in a huge lump of ice.

 

[Mia]

It isn't economical to buy fresh veggies unless I chop them and freeze them down, which usually means that they stick together in a huge lump of ice.

After you chop them, freeze them loosely on a metal tray in the freezer, then bag them after they are frozen. They won't stick together that way.

 

[Yeshuasdaughter]

Here's a fun samefood for aspies!
Every morning take vitamins!

I take multivitamins, biotin, cal-mag, berberine, fiber, vitamin d, & fish oil.

It's an aspie meal ritual, so even if the food is different, I still get the same vitamins.

 

[stewdog80]

take multivitamins, biotin, cal-mag, berberine, fiber, vitamin d, & fish oil.

I've been taking biotin for about 5 years and my hair doesn't fall out anymore. Cal-mag is the best thing you can do for your body hands down.