Because I am a Scientist at heart
I have decided to embark on an epic experiment. Other the last few days I have been seriously thinking about my diet. And frankly about how I keep saying I am eating better but really I don't think I am. Therefore I am going to see what happens when I follow the suggested servings on the packages of the food I eat. I plan to document this process in detail - with text and photographic evidence - see, this is the scientist in me, I can't just see what happens, I have to make a production of it worthy of publication in JAMA or nature ... see protocol below.
** No Mary's will be hurt in the course of this experiment
Background and Significance:
The average diet of an American adult does not meet the daily requirements suggested by the USDA for basic nutrition. It is heavy in salt, fat, and calories. Most packaged foods bought have several servings per package. The recommended serving size is listed however more often than not we do not pay attention to these guidelines and end up 2-3 times the recommended serving. This leads to a caloric consumption 2-3 greater than what is necessary to meet basic nutritional requirements thus causing weight gain.
Methods:
For 7 days (starting 2/26/09) I will eat only the recommended serving size of each meal I prepare. I will photograph each meal before and after preparation. Record the nutritional value and caloric intake represented by each meal. I will only eat one serving of each food, however due to increased activity on certain days I will allow myself 2 servings of some foods. For example on days I will be going for a run or to the climbing gym I will eat 2 servings of lunch or dinner to compensate for the extra caloric expenditure. Progress will be posted regularly for monitoring by an external advisory board. Raw data will be recorded by hand in a laboratory notebook available for inspection at any time by the scientific advisory committee.
Measurement of food
Dry foods will be measured with standard measuring cups (Farberware brand).
Liquids will be measured in standard measuring cups (Farberware brand).
Foods requiring weighing will be weighed on the standard Weight Watchers food scale available for purchase at any home store.
Beverages will be measured as well to ensure only one serving is consumed from containers with more than one serving (i.e. juice from the vending machine has 2.5 servings per bottle thus I will measure out 1 serving per discrete consumption period).
Results:
TBA
Limitations:
This plan is based on the assumption that I will prepare all my meals for the next 7 days. Although this is the ideal, it is unrealistic. I typically eat out several times a week. I will attempt to curb this habit as it is not in accordance with good health and financial practices.
Conclusions:
TBA