What should I eat?

[Feryn]

I've been wondering about what kind of meals should I eat to keep in shape. Right now, I'm slim, but not toned or anything. I'm just starting to workout (bike riding, some weight and resistance training).
Right now, this is usually what I eat.

Breakfast: Bagel with cream cheese, an orange and a banana

Lunch: Pasta with chicken and tomatoes covered with olive oil and some herbs and spices (pepper, oregano, stuff like that), I'll have a few vegetables as snacks with it, like carrots, cucumber, celery with some peanut butter.

Dinner: Bagel sandwich with lettuce, chicken and/or turkey and a snack bar (I eat dinner at work since I work second shift and don't get home until 11 at night).

Is this a good diet? Not good? Should I up my food intake once I get more into exercising?

[swanso5]

cut out bagels...all of them

[Feryn]

Yah, someone else told me the same thing. They said one bagel a day is enough. What's a good alternative? I was thinking maybe whole wheat pita bread.

[cassiegose]

Hi there,

Instead of a bagel for breakfast how about some oatmeal and eggs or high fiber cereal and eggs? For dinner how about whole wheat bread instead of a bagel. You could also eat one piece of fruit for breakfast then have another about 2 or three hours later with some protein. Between lunch and dinner you might have another snack of protein and veggies or protein carbs and veggies.

Instead of bagels shoot for whole wheat pasta/couscous/bread, sweet potatos, quinoa, barley, and oatmeal. Whole wheat pita bread would be a better option than a bagel.

Hope this helps! :)

[Feryn]

For oatmeal, should I just go with plain, or is it okay to add stuff to it? If so, what's best?

[cassiegose]

You could eat the oatmeal just plain if you can handle the taste. It can be a bit bland if you don't put anything in it. I like to sprinkle mine with pumkin pie spice and cinnamon. I also sometimes but a bit of vanilla protein powder in to help with the taste or will put a little peanut butter or almond butter (almond butter is best) in. Pretty tasty. :)

[Feryn]

Almond butter? I've never had it, but it sounds good. I love almonds. ;D

[cassiegose]

Its tasty. You should give it a try. Almonds are super good for you too. :)

[Feryn]

That's good, I already eat them as a snack. ;D