Why do you eat what you eat?

[neuroriel]

Hello, all!

I'm a student at the University of Hawaii at Manoa and am currently taking a Cultural Anthropology class, which is a study that is concerned with the 'culture' of modern society and how it was developed.
A large part of the class is a project in which we choose a topic within a culture and use it to explain the culture in it's entirety.
I have chosen to direct my paper on the diets of surfers and how/why it relates to their lifestyle, reasons for surfing, beliefs, or simply their lives.

SO.....I want to ask you experienced surfers what do you eat and why? If you don't really know why, it's all good. I don't even have a reason for eating what I eat. But I know that some surfers are vegan, vegetarian, pescatarian, ketogenic, etc.

[waikikikichan]

After surfing for 4-5 hours in Waikiki, I go to Rainbow Drive-in. I usually order the Mix-Plate ( Teriyaki beef, Mahimahi Fish and Boneless Chicken ) with 2 scoops rice and Mac-salad. But this past visit, I substituted the rice for French Fries and the Mac-salad for Cole Slaw. That's the way to go. Not sure if that made a difference in carbs and fat though.

If not I get the "Hawaiian Power Bar" at 7-11. that all local surfer eat. ( SPAM musubi )

[Big H]

Breakfast today: oatmeal.

Lunch: dal curry and a tuna sandwich

Dinner: TBD

Reason? What I felt like eating.


BTW I love that spam powerbar!

[Big H]

Just back from an afternoon surf....time for tom yam soup with tom yam stock and only vegetables inside with the broth, thai green curry and salmon and jasmine (local) rice. And coffee. Don't forget the chili!


What was the point of this thread again?

i like soups, protein, vegetables, eating relatively small portions, some carbs and coffee. Lots of coffee.

[Big H]

If there is anything underlying why I eat what I eat, I try to stay healthy, eat food that makes me feel good afterward (food with chili and other hot climate cuisines effect this better than beef stews, creamy pastas or steak and potatoes), balanced diet with a focus on low fats, protein and low carbs usually 4 meals, sometimes three, sometimes five of relatively small size. I live in Asia (Bali) which accounts for my diet which is based mainly in asian cuisines since western food doesn't match the climate, is harder to find restaurants that do a decent job with western food, and is usually overpriced. Mainly, I feel like cr@p after eating a lot of western foods; just too heavy usually.


I'd rock a Hawaiian Power bar though.....

Put that in your notebook.

[oldmansurfer]

I am an omnivore because why not? My diet isn't rigid or carefully defined. People bring me stuff at work and I eat those unhealthy items such as donuts and cookies and a variety of snack foods. I am a grazer anyway so eat all day long but I cutback on other meals to try to make up for the extra calories. At home I eat mostly non-processed food because then I know what I am getting but I do eat some things like whole grain cereal or crackers. I have a vegetable garden and enjoy growing stuff to eat and usually make soup or salad out of stuff from my garden (often flavored with meat). That is the basis of my typical lunch although some days people bring me lunch so I don't eat my own lunch. I drink black coffee and unsweetened ice tea or water or beer for my fluid intake Oh yeah and sometimes people bring me spam musubi and I eat that too.

[LostAtSea]

I decided a few years ago that I wasn't going to put anything in my body that I didn't need - processed foods, fried foods, sugar or anything containing processed sugar. I cut down on red meat (just to ease digestion), cut down on breads, dairy - not out but just less.

It was actually just an experiment - I am not a health nut or anything, I just thought I could have more energy than I did.

I eat oatmeal in the morning usually with some fruit (berries).

Lunch I usually eat some protein (chicken, fish, or egg) with a pile of spinach, or other veggies, and maybe a piece of fruit.

...and usually the same for dinner - protein and veggies. For snacks it's nuts, some yogurt/granola, carrots...

It was pretty easy and I don't crave any junky food anymore. I'm not hard-ass about it either. I'll have cake at a birthday, a beer with my In-Laws...

I have more energy and feel better in general. More clear headed too. Plus I think I sleep better (not eating a whole pizza before I go to bed helps)

I'm 50. It's time I stopped eating like a 20 year old. I also have a young daughter whom I want to surf with for years to come.

[Big H]

Dawn patrol this morning so a big breakfast....japanese style....

[neuroriel]

Hello all!

I loved reading all of your comments. I guess it should've been more obvious that spam musubis (Hawaiian Power Bars) are a staple haha. You guys definitely aided to my project...SO THANK YOU SO MUCH.
Don't stop being awesome!

P.S I loved "jam it, slam it, smack it, crack it, hit it, split it, float and fly and hope I don't die". I think that shall be my surfing mantra from now on

[oldmansurfer]

My diet isn't carefully planned but it has some rationale. When I went to college I gained 20 pounds and after entering the work force I gained another 30 pounds because I quit surfing for work. I met my wife (who used to surf with me when we first met) who made me quit going to the health club because she said it was where all these women who ran around in leotards shaking their bits were. I told her but chasing them around is how I get exercise in reality they could lift more weights than me. Anyway she put me on a low fat diet to try to get me to lose weight. It didn't work but I didn't gain anymore so that was good. Then the doctor told me after a checkup that I was healthy but my cholesterol was too low and as I was approaching 50 years old that would become a health concern. So I said no problem I can fix that one easily and went off the low fat diet. I now have normal cholesterol levels. I choose fats like olive oil that not likely to raise my LDL cholesterol and will raise my HDL cholesterol (at home). I gained the extra 30 pounds after college from quitting surfing so I started surfing again in a limited fashion that did not interfere with my work. The diet that I chose to raise my cholesterol stayed till now and I have lost about 5 or 10 pounds but I am in much better physical shape now then before I restarted surfing

[ibertmoon55]

I eat what I eat because i like to eat fast food

[tracywhite]

Hi there, my friend is a experienced surfer and he took healthy diet like vegetables, juice and daily workout.

[BaNZ]

Breakfast- 1 dunkin donut (mostly strawberry sprinkle or glazed)
Lunch- Mcdonalds (big mac or mcfish)
Dinner- Japanese food or slice of pizza.

Yes I do have perfect BMI from eating all the junk food.

Usually 1-2 weeks before my surfing holiday. I don't drink any beer and start eating salad + chicken. Then on the first day of surfing, I last about 30 minutes.

[saltydog]

I'm not super health conscious but I don't seek out junk food either. However, when I had a chance to surf 6 days in a row, I was extra careful of what I ate so pretty much just fruits, nuts, whole grain, and salad with low fat protein for the whole time. For the rest of the time my motto is, everything in moderation.

[anilay]

Hello All

I'm curious to know more abut each culture what they eat and which food they prefer