Help!!! Trying to figure out how to eat healthly

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10/1/11 11:30 A

I think frozen vegetables help a lot. They're not cooked to death, like the ones that are canned. But they don't go bad in a few days like fresh produce can when you're not looking. That way if you're trying to do vegetables, but you have a few days where you mess up and don't eat them, they're not a lump of rotting goo in the bottom of the fridge. Frozen vegetables are also very easy to prepare. Broccoli in the bowl, a little water in the bottom, a dash of salt if you please, a minute or two in the microwave and you have vegetables to eat.

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10/1/11 10:41 A

Although I have just started this, I just modify what I eat according to calorie intake/fats/carbs/protein. It has really helped me to enter the food I eat on SP so I know what else I can have the rest of the day. I have tried tracking my food before and found it hard to do, but on here it seems so easy because almost everything I come up with has already been entered so its just a couple clicks and done! And because SP shows you a recommended range to stay in, it makes it easier to succeed. I have done fad diets before including Nutrisystem and I have found them hard to do as well. With just entering my food I can eat what I want and modify. Hope that helps a little bit and good luck!

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10/1/11 10:20 A

lots of fruit and vegetables along with one protein and one starch. That is what I did

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10/14/10 11:50 A

Losing weight based on what you eat or don't eat is simple: you have to burn more calories than you take in, regardless of what form those calories take. Whether you eat only vegetables, or only chocolate cake, you still have to expend enough energy to use those calories, plus some more, to lose weight. But when you start to talk about a "healthy eating plan," that's another story: It doesn't matter if you like friuts and vegetables or not, if you want to be healthy, you have to eat them, they are what makes your body strong and healthy. You also need a cetain amount of lean proteins, healthy oils, etc. The nutrition plan put out by SparkPeople (or Weight Watchers, for that matter) includes foods that will meet all these needs, but you can make substitutions based on what you like to eat. I don't like kidney beans, so I substitute a different bean (not chocolate cake). I don't like blueberries, so I substitue raspberries. I have a friend who doesn't like any fruit at all, so she eats more vegetables. My sister doesn't like beef, so she eats more chicken. I think the key is to eat what you like, but make sure it's got some health benefits. Liek others have said, you can still eat the indulgent things, just in moderation.

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10/14/10 11:01 A

I agree with those that say if you don't like it, you won't eat it! You need to work on portion control. Do like everyone is saying and track your food on the nutrition tab. It will help if you can see what you need to eat less of and what you can eat more of. You will never stick to a diet if you won't eat the food. Eat the foods that you want, but in controlled portions and try to eat them healthier such as grilled instead of fried. You will soon see what you are willing to give up and what you are not willing to give up. This will get you started! If you need any help with it, feel free to email me!

Posts: 301
10/13/10 2:34 P

Begin by tracking everything you eat in the Nutrition tracker. Use the Nutrition feedback to see which areas you need to work on. Once you know which areas to focus on, make those your Fast Break goals. Try to eat your fruits and vegetables and at least one serving of whole grains a day. It takes time to develop life long eating habits. Start small. You don't need to completely give up what you like to eat. Modify some of your favorite recipes to make them healthier, or eat your favorites in moderation. Spark People is the best weight loss plan I have found. It really focuses on motivation. Good luck.

Posts: 24,879
10/13/10 10:02 A

Your fellow sparkers are providing a lot of good advice.
Track what you are eating. Learn portion control with your favorite foods.

I try to make sure I have at least one serving of fruit per day and at least 4 servings of low calorie veggies. I eat these things to reduce how many carbs I eat.
I don't totally deny myself.

Posts: 1,412
10/12/10 8:39 P

First start by just recording what you do eat on the nutrition tracker. It may take time especially if the foods you are eating are not on the Spark People food list but it will be worth the time. Then you can get a report on your food choices. You will be able to see if they are to high in various categories, for example, salt. You will be able to see the right and wrong choices and portion sizes. Modify your own choices to become a healthier you. Try to do what the others suggested too. Stick with Spark People you can get a lot of help and encouragement here.

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10/12/10 2:01 A

You are not alone.

I met with a dietician three years ago and she went through all the things I needed to do to control my cholesterol through diet. She looked at me and said, "You're not going to do this, are you?" I said, "Not that way!" I don't eat fish, tofu, or anything with artificial sweeteners (allergy). Finally, she wrote down my normal diet and gave me the following suggestions:
1. Give up all Coke and soft drinks
2. Severely limit my cheese intake
3. Eat only grilled food, no fried food.
4. No desserts except for fruit.
5. When eating out, eat only 1/3 to 1/2 of the plate and bring the rest home for the next day.
6. Eat more vegetables

I actually tried this and lost weight and lowered my bad cholestoral but I also gained the weight back gradually over the second year.

With the SparkPeople approach, I find I am never hungry and have to work to get all my calories each day.

Best of luck in finding you way in all this.

Edited by: DLBCONDUCTOR at: 10/12/2010 (02:10)

Posts: 177
10/12/10 12:37 A

One thing you might try as opposed to going on a "diet" is to just modify your present diet. Try controlling portion sizes by using a scale to measure out portions or use a smaller plate. You eat the same stuff, just less of it.

Or, you may try using small substitutions to your favorite recipes to make them healthier or lower their calorie count. Making small changes can be just as effective as a complete overhaul. And it's really hard to change your pallet if you don't like the taste of something. Those changes come slowly.

Good luck!

Posts: 54
10/11/10 3:49 P

I have tried many different diets and eating plans, but I have not had success in finding one that works for me that I can stick with forever. I want to loose weight for good not just for a short period of time.
I have tried Weight Watchers but I was not successful on that system either. I have tried to use planned meals on the food tracker on SP but there was not really anything on there that I like to eat.

What healthily eating plans are using that are working for you?

I am starting to get discourage because I am not able to find a plan that I can stick on with foods that I like.