Healthy vs Tasty

I started a new weight training routine toward the latter part of December. It's a routine I found on World Fitness Network. My Brother-in-law Sean and I have been pretty diligent except for around the holiday and I feel we're starting to see some returns from our efforts.

In connection with the routine, I've been wanting to find some good protein powder to start taking because I'm trying to build a little lean mass for the 2010 training year. I'm excited to sign up for more events than ever before and believe it will be a great experience as I push myself to a new level. I found some pretty inexpensive protein powder at Costco the other day and bought a 6 lb bag. I was making some this afternoon with my five year old daughter Audrey looking on. She watched me thoughtfully for a few minutes and then said, "Dad, what's that?". I told her it was protein powder and that I was taking it because of my workout routine and to help me build a bit. She then paused again and asked, "Is it good?". Without much thought I replied, "Well, it's not really that good. I take it because it's good for me, not because it tastes good".

The ironic thing is that, as I was making my protein mix I was also pouring milk over some X-15. I thought to myself, "Boy, I'm sure glad Rokit Fuel tastes good because I eat it so often, I'd be suffering if I was just eating it because it's good for me". That is truly how I feel about Rokit Fuel. It's great for my body but I sincerely look forward to eating it. There are times I'd much rather have Rokit Fuel than pancakes and eggs which is a big deal because I love pancakes and eggs. I believe my body simply knows what's good for it and my taste buds obviously know what they like so, between the two factors, my whole being moves toward Rokit Fuel.

Anyway, I know that sounds a little extreme but I've been eating this stuff long enough to draw these dramatic conclusions. I'm excited to see Rokit Fuel truly take off and believe it will become a nationally enjoyed and recognized brand.

Okay so my question for all of you is if you would rather a food be healthy or tasty? Of course the best of both worlds is perfect, as I mention above, but are you willing to sacrifice taste for health?

Tags: healthy, rokitfuel, tasty

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Permalink Reply by Susana on January 13, 2010 at 11:47am

Well... I haven't tried all those products you mentioned. But I cook healthy with whole grains, no salt, almost no sugar, low fat, use tofu and meat replacements sometimes. I think it is a matter of habit. People need to adjust their taste to healthy stuff. I haven't had any problems with that nor my family. They say my meals look good and taste great even people from my extended family.

But not all humans are created the same. Some people only enjoy what it looks good such as greasy things. I remember one day I had a bean soup that was dark. A co-worker said, "It doesn't look exciting for me" but she was always sick eating all the garbage from the junk food stores and dealing with tons of illness already. Actually, her food didn't look exciting for me. I couldn't eat what she ate. So it is a matter of priorities. For me, it is health first. In the end, I don't think I sacrifice taste for health... it is a matter of enjoy them!

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Permalink Reply by Spencer Taylor on January 13, 2010 at 12:13pm

I completely agree with you. Great points. I've gone through periods when I was on the road for extended periods and it was more challenging to eat healthy. I began eating less healthy foods and I think my body adapted to it somewhat. However, once I got back to my healthy routine of almost zero fried foods, plenty of fruits and vegetables, seeds, whole grains etc, my health improved dramatically.
I'm to the point now where I crave my healthy whole grain cereal as much as a fast-food junkie craves a big mac.

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Permalink Reply by Susana on January 13, 2010 at 1:00pm

Thanks for your reply.

OOPS... I forgot to mention fruits and vegetables... very important!!! Aren't vegetable meals colorful and exciting? :)

Although I became a vegetarian more than twenty years ago, I cook even healthier now. My health improved too lately.

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Permalink Reply by David on January 13, 2010 at 7:39pm

What's Rokit Fuel?

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Permalink Reply by Spencer Taylor on January 13, 2010 at 8:10pm

Creator of the World's First Sports cereal. It's a whole grains, nuts, berries, seeds cereal that can be eaten either hot or cold. There are flavors intended to be eaten hot because of more gnarly grains but I eat them both ways from time to time. For example, tonight I was too busy to sit down and eat dinner. I didn't want to get fast food so I just tore open a pouch of Astronut while I was driving and poured it in my mouth. I then used my water bottle to add some liquid. It was crunchy but tasted great and gave me the energy I needed to attend my GMAT prep class.
My Father and I actually created the company and are in the early stages of marketing and distribution. Even though I have a personal interest, I can honestly say it's fantastic stuff and has truly helped improve my healthy lifestyle. Check it out at www.rokitfuel.com and let me know if you have any critiques for the site or product. I'm glad to receive any feedback, even (and especially!) if it happens to be an area we need to improve.

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Permalink Reply by Melissa Danielle on January 15, 2010 at 9:07pm

I don't understand why we can't have both. It's possible to create meals that are both healthy and tasty.

That said, I recognize that "healthy" and "tasty" are relative.

I cook with butter. I think it's healthy; others may disagree.

I make green smoothies regularly. I think they're tasty AND healthy. Others may disagree with the tasty part.

I don't like brown rice, but it's considered healthier than white rice. I don't force myself to eat it just because it's "healthy", but I respect other people's choice to do so (eat it, for taste and/or health).

I agree that we have to retrain our tastebuds, but I don't believe that taste should be sacrificed for health.

In the long run, it can make the act of preparing meals and eating them routine and bland.

I'm interested in finding ways to bring back the joy of preparing and eating real. good, healthy, and tasty food.

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Permalink Reply by Spencer Taylor on January 16, 2010 at 8:00am

I'd love to know what you put in your green smoothies if you don't mind sharing. I'm always looking for new, creative and, of course healthy/tasty ways to enjoy food. I appreciate your disposition when it comes to food and am right there with you.

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Permalink Reply by Changing Maya on April 15, 2010 at 8:40pm

My favorite green smoothie is simply 1 cup of frozen pears with a few leaves of kale, then 1 cup of water then blend blend bled... So delicious! Another favorite is 2 bananas, 1 date, half a bunch of English spinach, 1 cup of water and again this needs to be blended for a while to get the cell walls of the greens completely broken down.
If you're not used to green smoothies, start with less greens and more fruit.
It's amazing how my taste buds have changed... Lately I'm craving greens, sprouts, lettuce - where as before I used to crave pastries and bread :)
So bottom line I'm saying, when you change your eating habits to more healthier ones (mainly plant based diets) - your taste preference changes as well, and the food you once thought is tasty, doesn't seem so appealing anymore :)

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Permalink Reply by Spencer Taylor on April 15, 2010 at 8:47pm

Great points. It's pretty amazing how our bodies adapt to what they intrinsically know is good for them. In eating Rokit Fuel this has become very apparent to me. This is also true with other foods, especially whole foods like those you've mentioned. Although it's certainly less convenient to eat healthy, especially while traveling, it's still very possible and completely worth the extra effort.