I’m often asked, “What are you?” Now, there are plenty of interesting (and hilarious) ways to answer such an open-ended question, but the general context of this question usually infers that the asker is wondering,
“What sort of diet ‘camp’ do you fall into?”
The truth is, I don’t have an answer to this question. I make no attempt to hide my preference for a largely grain-free existence – starches, grains and sugars have always bothered my stomach and affected my absorption of vitamins and
minerals. I don’t eat sweets very often, although I have been known to inhale potato chips at a speed not unlike that of a champion pie-eater. I have never been a milk-drinker, though I do enjoy cottage cheese and natural yogurt. Having just said all this, I should admit that I consumed, within the past half-hour, a Starbucks spinach-&-feta wrap. Grains: check. Dairy: check. Processed: check. Best option given what I could find at Starbucks? Check.
So, you see, it’s all about balance. I am not Paleo, I am not gluten-free, I am (definitely) not vegan. I don’t buy ALL organic. I don’t sprout my own mung beans. I try to eat well, and I listen to my body for feedback.
Sometimes, when solid food is not available, I have been known to whip up a protein shake. But you won’t find me at the local smoothie shop. I don’t TRUST those people. If it smells like a milkshake, tastes like a milkshake, and looks like a milkshake – it’s a milkshake. Also, I don’t like paying $8 for a milkshake.
From one of my favourite sites, www.RobbWolf.com – the sugar content (yikes!) and bacon equivalents of some common smoothie recipes.
[Tweet “What’s the BE (bacon equivalent) of your favourite “healthy” smoothie?…”]You might be surprised! I’d rather eat 8 strips of bacon than drink a smoothie, anyway…
Drink
Serving Size
Calories
Carbs (g)
Sugar (g)
Bacon Equivalent
Smoothie King – “Caribbean Way”
Small (20 oz)
395
97
89
8 strips
Jamba Juice – “Mega Mango”
Original (24 oz)
340
85
78
7 strips
McDonald’s Wild Berry
Medium (22 oz)
310
71
67
6 strips
Burger King Tropical Mango
Medium (22 oz)
330
78
63
6.5 strips
Sonic ‘Real Fruit’ Strawberry Slush
Large (24 oz)
440
117
116
9 strips
Naked Juice “Green Machine”
1 Bottle(16 oz)
280
66
56
5.8 strips
Naked Juice “Probiotic Machine”
1 Bottle (16 oz)
360
86
78
7.4 strips
Odwalla “Tropical Energy”
1 Bottle (12 oz)
240
59
44
5 strips
Odwalla Carrot Juice
1 Bottle (12 oz)
100
22
19
3 strips
Vita Coco Coconut water
1 Bottle (16 oz)
90
22
22
3 strips
Your Blender “Green Juice”
–
1 cup kale (3 Large leaves),
1 cup green grapes(28 grapes),
1 cucumber,
1 Granny Smith apple
Full Recipe (16 oz)
220
54
42
4.5 strips
Your Blender “Detox Drink”
–
1 medium size beet,
4 medium size carrots,
1 medium apple,
2 T chopped fresh ginger
Full Recipe (16 oz)
310
74
62
6 strips