Thread: newb diet questions

Originally Posted by bobbybobson

Hi, I'm new and I have some questions. To those that can answer them well, I really appreciate it.

What is wrong with consuming a lot sodium other than high blood pressure and water retention. When would one worry about taking in too much of it?
Why would you want to consume alot of sodium?? Just don't do it...its not beneficial to your health so dont. Unless you like to be bloated and hold 10lbs of water every day..thats fie I guess btu I don't enjoy it.

Everyone seems to advocate cottage cheese. I don't care much about how foods taste, I just eat them; I have forced myself to learn to like foods I don't like, but cottage cheese I absolutely hate, and cannot eat. Can I substitue anything for it?
Any protein source will do...you could also buy a protein powder that is made up of a casien protein.

Can someone explain why sweet potatoes are better than regular potatoes? They have more sugar and total carbs, more of some nutrients, and a lower GI. Is it merely because of the GI?
Yes...lower GI means they burn slower which in turn means they don't spike the insulin which would mean your body wouldn't be triggered into fat storage

Can someone explain creatine's uses to me. Here is what I think I know: It is a cell volumizer, and aids in muscle gains. It helps you lift more weight. Should it be taken before a workout to "energize", after a workout to assist in macronutrient transfer, is there something here I am missing? Something I do not fathom, and do I have it all wrong?
You pretty much got it..it should be taken pre and post w/o I believe but am not sure...I don't take the stuff. Everyone has their ownway of taking it. Go to the suppliment forum and do a search there and you will find a TON of info...don't make a post b/c you will def be shut down.

What is the difference between whey protein concentrate and whey protein isolate? What are the advantages and disadvantages of taking one, the other, or a blend?
Isolate is a more pure form of protein as well as more expensive. Concentrate is a mixture with some isolate blen in it.

When cutting, how bad are the following for one to eat: fresh Fruit, wheat bread that isn't 100% whole wheat, cheerios, skim milk, sirloin steak, carrots, tomatoes.It depends on how serious of a cut your going on...if you are planning on a very serious one I'd say they all have to go b/c of the sugar and fat content...but for the casual person just trying to shed some lbs there is no reason why you can't eat them all except for cheerios. Not a good source of carbs.

That's all I can remember right now...thanks a lot!

Now I just touched on these and if you want more you would have to do a search. All of these topics have been covered at one point or another so do a search and educate yourself.

Originally Posted by bobbybobson

What is wrong with consuming a lot sodium other than high blood pressure and water retention.

That's exactly the problem and its enough that you should not be ingesting huge amounts of it. Don't necessarily avoid non processed foods that contain sodium, but do NOT pour salt on your food.

Everyone seems to advocate cottage cheese. I don't care much about how foods taste, I just eat them; I have forced myself to learn to like foods I don't like, but cottage cheese I absolutely hate, and cannot eat. Can I substitue anything for it?

I can't answer what is a good substitute in that I do not know what it contains. If you tell me what the labels say in terms of grams of protein, carbs and fat, then I can answer the question. But I will say that I hate the stuff too and never ever eat it. Do not feel that because every other bodybuilder eats something that you have to also even if you can't stand it. Eating has to be enjoyable and if you eating foods you do not like and eating the same bland food day after day meal after meal, you are likely to eventually binge, crash, burn and fail just like most people who try fad diets do.

Can someone explain why sweet potatoes are better than regular potatoes? They have more sugar and total carbs, more of some nutrients, and a lower GI. Is it merely because of the GI?

It is the GI. But red potatoes are not bad and better than the russet/white potatoes if you want to have those too. I am going to check my information because I think that sweet potatoes/yams have LESS carbs per ounce than red or russet potatoes.

Can someone explain creatine's uses to me. Here is what I think I know: It is a cell volumizer, and aids in muscle gains. It helps you lift more weight. Should it be taken before a workout to "energize", after a workout to assist in macronutrient transfer, is there something here I am missing? Something I do not fathom, and do I have it all wrong?

If you are new to training, it is too early to think about taking creatine. It is an advanced SUPPLEMENT. Get your training and your foundation of nutrition which is primarily based on food (NOT supplements) in order first before thinking of taking creatine. If you don't have nutrition down right, then creatine is not going to work and/or solve any problems. That is why I hear many people in my gyms say "Creatine ( or whatever) doesn't work" or "It didn't do anything for me". They had the rest of the equation all wrong. No supplement is a "miracle" pill.

Originally Posted by Egoatdoor

Do not feel that because every other bodybuilder eats something that you have to also even if you can't stand it. Eating has to be enjoyable and if you eating foods you do not like and eating the same bland food day after day meal after meal, you are likely to eventually binge, crash, burn and fail just like most people who try fad diets do.

Theres a reason people eat it LOL b/c its good for you. I never use to like it but I love the stuff now! You sometimes have to force yourself for a week or two to eat certain things then you will learn to enjoy them. Its not a must though...any food will do.

As for eating being enjoyable...have you ever competed? Theres nothing enjoyable about a comp diet but people do it...sometimes you have to sacrfice for the ultimate goal.

Originally Posted by DeadBolt

Theres a reason people eat it LOL b/c its good for you. I never use to like it but I love the stuff now! You sometimes have to force yourself for a week or two to eat certain things then you will learn to enjoy them. Its not a must though...any food will do.

As for eating being enjoyable...have you ever competed? Theres nothing enjoyable about a comp diet but people do it...sometimes you have to sacrfice for the ultimate goal.

I don't compete on a stage, but I do "pre contest" diets once every year for my vacations. I have done four and started number five this week which will be for nine weeks through Easter( I have a Journal here. See the details.) Yes, I do a comp diet and it is fairly strict, especially the last five weeks. But one of the reasons I do it and do it well is because I do not go crazy the other 40 some weeks during the year by trying to eat super clean, too strictly and depriving myself of good food that is healthy, but does not fit the parameters of the strict bodybuilding menus you read about.

I hate chicken breast, but I tolerate it and I can get through the a few final weeks of a lot of breasts because I do not eat a lot of it the rest of the year.

And as to cottage cheese, there is no way I am ever eating it...I want to barf just smelling the stuff.

Originally Posted by Egoatdoor

It is the GI. But red potatoes are not bad and better than the russet/white potatoes if you want to have those too. I am going to check my information because I think that sweet potatoes/yams have LESS carbs per ounce than red or russet potatoes.

I checked nutri-facts.com for stats on these potatoes and another site for the GIs. There is not alot of difference in the calories, protein, carbs and fat between the three. All also had almost no fat:


4.9 oz Russet Potato, baked flesh and skin: 134 calories, 3.6 g protein, 29.6 g carbs.
4.9 oz Red Potato, baked, flesh and skin: 123 calories, 3.2 g protein, 27 g carbs.
4.1 oz Sweet Potato 4.1 oz, baked in skin: 117 calories, 2 g protein, 28 g carbs.

I could not find a GI for the red potatoes. The GI for Russet was 78 ( anything over 70 is considered high according to the site) and it was 60 for the sweet potato( 56-69 is considered medium).

Everyone seems to advocate cottage cheese. I don't care much about how foods taste, I just eat them; I have forced myself to learn to like foods I don't like, but cottage cheese I absolutely hate, and cannot eat. Can I substitue anything for it?

Try finding some other cheese that is high in protein and low in fat. Should be at least 30g protein per 100g and less than 10g fat per 100g. I hate CC too so I just eat the low fat cheddar stuff.

I like cabot's 75% reduced fat (2.5g/ounce) cheddar, and eat that regularly. Could other people chime in on what they eat as a substitute for cottage cheese?

I found the original posters questions to be quite valid and well thought out?..................so too for the replies!