Thoughts on CHEESE...

[hossjob]

Cheese....Mmmmmm. I love CHEESE! I usually keep my cheese intake extremely low though. It's really the only dair I like, but I keep my intake to weekends and usually seldom at that (times like Christmas, big games, big cheat meals - aka CHEESE FRIES).

Problem lying in cheese is that the saturated fat content is so high. Even moreso, though, is the fact that most cheeses contain coloring, dyes, and other preservatives as well as sodium (I'm a fan of sodium I think you need it and I get lots so that doesn't bother me). Then there is the 2%, skim, and fat free varieties. Problem here is many of them are more of a CHEESE product than actual cheese.

Then there is cottage cheese. Which is usually reveared as a great bodybuilding food, especially the fat free variety.

My thoughts - if mass is your overall goal - cheese is great. The saturated fats can help aid in endogenous test production and the extra calories will help promote growth. If fat loss is your plan I'd stay away.

My question to all of you is this:

My off seaosn plan is the improve my physique. Add mass, yet stay a little leaner than last off-season. I normally don't mix fatty foods w/ carbs. It's a way to help decrease fat storage and improve the control of insulin levels as well as control calories at each meal. However I'm thinking of this for my breakfast of choice:

6 Egg Whites mixed w/ 1/2 C Oatmeal & 2 TBSP Wheat Germ to make pancakes (18 Protein & 33 Carbs)
2 Whole Eggs & 2 Egg Whites w/ 1/4 Cup 2% Cheddar CHeese & 1 oz Extra Lean Beef (32 Protein, 0 Carbs, & not real sure on the fat)

Do you think this will allow me to stay as lean as I want in the off season?

[Tim Wescott]

BEHOLD..........THE POWER OF CHEESE!!!!!!!!!!! LOL

I eat light cheddar,as well as other kinds lately,and I`m not putting on too much fat.

I don`t however eat it on a daily basis,so I have no clue how it may effect you.

Lately,I`ve cut carbs and looking much better while still eating somewhat of a more loose diet as opposed to a totally clean diet.

I figure that I am eating so strictfor so long that I need and deserve a break.

I monitor things very closely as to how I look and so far making adjustments here and there kind of on instinct is keeping bme growing and a lot leaner than past years.......so far that is!!

Kyle,just try it out and adjust things according to how you look........best advice I can offer.

[Intensity]

"Do you think this will allow me to stay as lean as I want in the off season?"

Kyle, it depends of what are your other meals during the day, but in my opinion, this breakfast seems to be a very good choice if you want to stay lean… maybe it's not even caloric enough if you want to add mass!

And as far as cheese goes, i would totally recommand it! In fact, i keep ultra-low fat (4% or less) cheese in my diet EVERY day… pre-contest or not! This is a very low fat, low carb, quality protein source… and it provides with calcium… a must for everyone… and even more bodybuilders!

[beckie]

I must be the only one here that hates cheese unless its on pizza! #pizzasmiley4om#

[sicario]

Offhand I say that if that's what you consider "cheating," you'll be fine with the cheese. I belong to the "fats don't make you fat, carbs make you fat!!!!!!!!!!!" school, so I eat cheese all the way through dieting, and it doesn't hurt me at all. Of course, everyone handles dairy products differently (gases, bloating, ect), but I'd say that as long as it doesn't cause you to bloat, feel free to have enjoy it. It certainly is a lot less fattening than sugar. Vin.