The there's the pretty-much-opposite approach to the usual pyramid: plenty of protein and fat. I know you said you're not interested in the paleo diet, but so many people tell me they feel better on it, and have much more energy. I could sure use that, but I don't think this diet would be for me, because I love carbohydrates and wouldn't be happy without them. But. My brother-in-law and sister-in-law are back east to visit, and I just heard a whole lot about how much better this works and why. She has a degree in food science and actually researches the stuff in the footnotes of all the books. I myself don't want to think that much about my food, but it is kind of impressive to listen to all the stuff she says has been studied. At dinner they were pouring cream on everything while she told me she lost 20 pounds without trying.

I am a believer. My sister fed her beloved cat only kibble because "wet food makes her poop smell too bad." That cat had kidney failure by age 11. My own cat pretty much refuses to drink water. He used to drink it out of the faucet but he won't even do that now and never out of a bowl. Heck, I'd be happy if he drank out of the toilet! So, I feed him a 5 oz can of food per day and add extra water to it. He doesn't mind that I dilute it and he gets extra moisture that way. My brother's two cats are fed only kibble (the cheap grocery store kind) and both are very over-weight). I think what someone posted above about prey being 75% moisture says it all. PS: I wonder if my cat won't drink water because he getting all the liquid he needs from the wet food????

I don't deliberately plan my meals that way. I tend to put things together that seem to go together(beans & rice for example) I eat a lot of ethnic cuisine and it seems to be figured out for me. Been a veggie for 26 years and am very healthy. The only supplement that I take is E. I don't buy into the lack of protein thing that people worry about with a veggie diet. Think we eat way more protein than we need anyway.

I was reading the December issue of Health magazine this a.m. It had a list of superfood add-ins that made me think of this thread. I'll share a few things here but recommend you look for a copy of the magazine at your library so you can see the whole article. Three steps to pick a better protein powder check the ingredients: skip products with unwanted additives, such as artificial flavors and sweeteners or added sugars. Some brands also have a lot of caffeine per serving. watch your portions: most women don't need more than 15-25 grams in a meal. if your powder has more than that per serving, use less. go organic: if you prefer dairy whey, choose one that's grass fed and USDA-certified organic; they tend to have more omega-3 fatty acids Pea Protein Powder: made from yellow split peas, this lactose- and gluten-free powder has become a popular plant-based alternative to whey - and it may help control hunger. A 2011 study in Nutrition Journal found that people felt fuller after consuming pea protein than an equal amount of some other sources, including whey protein and egg whites. Add it: the author typically puts 1/4 cup in pancake mix or energy bites. Too much can make a dish chalky or pasty. Stick with an unsweetened version for the best versatility and the "cleanest" ingredient list (it should have only pea protein isolate - that's it). 3 in 1 power smoothies (each uses three superfoods):Add a handful of ice and blend until smooth. (I don't drink smoothies so I haven't tried any of these, just passing them along.) Mango Avocado Kicker 3/4 cup frozen mango, 1 cup unsweetened coconut milk, 1/4 ripe Haas avocado, 1 inch chunk fresh, peeled ginger root, 1/4 tsp turmeric Sweet Pea Sesame 3/4 cup frozen cherries, 1 cup unsweetened almond milk, 1/4 cup pea protein, 1 Tbsp blackstrap molasses, 2 Thsp sesame seeds Seedy Chocolate Banana Strawberry 1/2 cup frozen strawberries, 3/4 cup frozen banana slices, 1 cup unsweetened coconut milk, 2 Tbsp non-Dutched cocoa powder, 1 Tbsp hemp seeds, 1 Tbsp blackstrap molasses.