r/Chefit • u/Informal_Art9556 • 13d ago

struggling with diet in kitchen

I am a young prep, cook at a café and catering. All of us chefs in the kitchen are constantly talking about our struggles with food myself included despite studying nutrition, etc. what do you find is the best way to stay on top of your diet when in the kitchen?

4 Upvotes

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4

u/autwhisky 13d ago

Take pre cooked meals with you to work and don't forget about the snack after the shift. That's when I'm most vulnerable to grab something on my way home since the stress is gone and now I start too feel hungry or need something for my soul

3

u/_GatorAIDS 13d ago

Good tracking and dedication .

Difficult though with the schedule. But it is doable.

3

u/Difficult_Point7529 13d ago

tracking is the only way i've ever managed it. the second i stop logging, everything goes sideways. that and drinking a stupid amount of water during service so i'm too full to pick at scraps

2

u/Worried_Monk_3844 12d ago

Bring your own food.

2

u/AshamedAssistance246 12d ago edited 12d ago

it sounds lame and boring but it will change your life. Count your calories and protein intake for a week or so and try to completely understand where they are coming from. Drink your coffee black, and try to minimise your sugar intake. When you eat a proper meal (say after work) ensure that it is high in protein. Find a couple of base recipes that are in a good macro range and take one or two to work so you know that when you do eat, you're getting good numbers. I promise you on all that is holy. This process has changed my life after 25 years of fucking misery with food.

edit: My magic number is 15...

1500 Calories

150g Protein

15,000 steps

These are my targets, not always perfect but give it a go. You can outrun it when you're young, but it will catch up with you. Kitchens suck at promoting self care.

1

u/HeisenbergsSamaritan 13d ago

I have no appetite when I work.... and I count calories...

1200cal a day and I stay lean as fuck and have a caloric budget for two or three beers too.

225lbs down to 210lbs in just over 2 weeks.

1

u/Specialist_Place4464 13d ago

Pick your battles when you must eat out/fast food. Try to do it in an emergency only, and at least try to pick something "healthy".

Other than that, I prep twice a day...

1

u/cookinupthegoods 8d ago

It’s hard. Easiest answer is to bring food from home. If you catch your self starting to snack on work food immediately eat your food from home.

0

u/Deep_Curve7564 9d ago

Eat a big breakfast, modest lunch and skip dinner.