Whole foods vs. Processed foods!

[blakef925]

I have read that as far as body compostion goes, it doesn't matter which you consume more of. For example, i am going on a bulk diet and instead of cooking plain brown rice, i like to cook boxed rice that already has flavoring etc. Like rice a roni, uncle bens, etc. I feel like i can't eat enough of the plain rice so i try and stick with the already flavored stuff. Is this ok to still bulk on? IIFYM then do it right? Whether its eating boxed rice meals, pb crackers, bananas, clif bars, etc instead of brown rice, egg whites, etc. I do take multivitamins daily, as well as fish oils and protein shakes with oats and milk. If i am wrong on this outlook please correct me, i am trying to succeed with this bulk! Thanks

[germaine07]

As long as you ensure micronutrient sufficiency then yes it's fine. I actually noticed that the Long Grain White Rice I have contains more fibre than the Brown Rice I have.

[blakef925]

What are the most important micronutrients and how do you know when you are getting enough of them?

[germaine07]

What are the most important micronutrients and how do you know when you are getting enough of them?

I personally have no idea. And I just make sure to eat majority of my diet from whole and minimally processed foods, and I eat between about 500g-1kg of vegetables most days. I also take a one-a-day multi just to be sure.

[cb00]

What are the most important micronutrients and how do you know when you are getting enough of them?

Best thread on micros:
http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=2845231

If your diet consists of a variety of foods (read: don't shun your veggies), there shouldn't be a need to worry about specific target numbers for micros.

It doesn't hurt to take a multivitamin, but I personally believe that one pill can't possibly satisfy the whole host of nutrients our body needs (afterall, that multivitamin only contains what we know is needed at the moment, and not what we don't know.)

Cliffs: IIFYM is awesome, but eat smart too.

[tden99]

Generally the key is to get the RDAs of the various vitamins and minerals but if you eat fruits and veggies you are most likely fine. Most people say eat the rainbow.

[AlwaysTryin]

Well your protein powder is already processed so not sure why you're worried about your brown rice and not that lol

[urbanlamb]

*worried look*
Just watch your salt intake.

[Flashkicker]

Well fresh foods taste better than processed crap in a bag. So that's one reason to eat it. I also personally like to limit amount of substances that I can not pronounce entering my body. Ex. Look at a box of cereal and how long the ingredients list is. Crazy long and has weird stuff in it. That stuff could be good for you it could also be terrible. The point is I have no idea. Take the oat bran I like to eat: Ingredients- oat bran.

[TransientBeing]

Cliffs: IIFYM is awesome, but eat smart too.

Why the "but eat smart too" ?

[texicus]

Why the "but eat smart too" ?

because if you got all your macros from B&Js with whey sprinkled on top you'd end up with a vitamin deficiency eventually

[WonderPug]

Generally the key is to get the RDAs of the various vitamins and minerals but if you eat fruits and veggies you are most likely fine. Most people say eat the rainbow.

FYI: The RDA is, at best, a baseline intake to avoid chronic deficiency in sedentary individuals.

[TransientBeing]

because if you got all your macros from B&Js with whey sprinkled on top you'd end up with a vitamin deficiency eventually

Exactly.

"Cliffs: IIFYM is awesome, but eat smart too."

Implies the opposite.

I asked the question because im not sure if she thinks iifym is all about eating like what you posted.

[cb00]

Why the "but eat smart too" ?

Macros are awesome, but don't ditch your micros either. Look at the big picture.

Perhaps that should be enough clarification?

texicus has got me covered, and then some. *high-fives fellow neuro major*

[germaine07]

Exactly.

"Cliffs: IIFYM is awesome, but eat smart too."

Implies the opposite.

I asked the question because im not sure if she thinks iifym is all about eating like what you posted.

No it doesn't.

[TransientBeing]

Macros are awesome, but don't ditch your micros either. Look at the big picture.

Perhaps that should be enough clarification?

texicus has got me covered, and then some. *high-fives fellow neuro major*

Oh lawd... I already know Micros are important........

As i stated to texicus , it was meant to question your views on the acronym (IIFYM).

[TransientBeing]

No it doesn't.

I meant to say "implies two different things"

Basically, IIFYM is eating smart. There was never a question of ditching micros.