I am so not prepared for this...oh boy! :(

TiLo0905

I rejoined three days ago and so far it has come to my attention that I need to do a serious overhaul of my house, kitchen and basically my entire fridge! I'm STARVING!!!!! I have no food to eat...everything I do have is craaaaaaap!!!! :noway:

I have sworn off anything that grew in a cardboard box. What are you supposed to make with a bowl of left over spaghetti and a bottle of mustard? :sad:

Anyway, I have a question. Do you all stick with basic virgin olive oil or do you use something different now...I heard grapeseed oil was a good thing to have in the cupboard. Since I am going to have to restock everything...what are your 'must-haves'! :huh:

Oh I must apologize in advance...I am a confirmed smiliey fiend. Can't help it. Sorry! :blushing:

ellechim1

I use mostly coconut oil and small amounts of unsalted butter.

sodakat

I use olive oil or butter or mayo or bacon. I'm not sure what you plan to do with the oil so can't answer specifically.

Be careful cutting to many things. The longer your "can't eat that" list is, the more you may want it. Boxed/prepared things are loaded with sodium but sometimes the convenience outweighs the water gain, IMO. Now and then I mean.

Good luck continuing this time!

Joannesmith2818

Take some time to stock up and get prepared. For now you can just eat the food you have but just eat less of it....don't starve yourself.
And I just use normal olive oil....but not for any reason...its just what I have in the cupboard

You will get into the swing of things soon, don't worry. I found it took several weeks to get into a good routine of preparing food and making packed lunches.

Add me if you would like some extra support

TavistockToad

I rejoined three days ago and so far it has come to my attention that I need to do a serious overhaul of my house, kitchen and basically my entire fridge! I'm STARVING!!!!! I have no food to eat...everything I do have is craaaaaaap!!!! :noway:

just eat the 'crap' in moderation...

WW_Jude_V2

I rejoined three days ago and so far it has come to my attention that I need to do a serious overhaul of my house, kitchen and basically my entire fridge! I'm STARVING!!!!! I have no food to eat...everything I do have is craaaaaaap!!!! :noway:

I have sworn off anything that grew in a cardboard box. What are you supposed to make with a bowl of left over spaghetti and a bottle of mustard? :sad:

Anyway, I have a question. Do you all stick with basic virgin olive oil or do you use something different now...I heard grapeseed oil was a good thing to have in the cupboard. Since I am going to have to restock everything...what are your 'must-haves'! :huh:

Oh I must apologize in advance...I am a confirmed smiliey fiend. Can't help it. Sorry! :blushing:

Nothing wrong with smilies!

I use olive oil now and then but my go-to is coconut oil. I can't remember who mentioned it to me but I found it kind of odd at first as the "oil" is actually a solid. Not horribly pricey and although some people mention liking the taste, I honestly haven't noticed any additional flavor when I use it.

Good luck with the clean-up. Once it's done and you know that everything in your home is fine to eat it will be so much easier to move forward!

La_Mema

Hi!! And don't panic. I see it this way: You can't starve (not an option), and you do need to it, and wasting good food is a sin. So, eat what you have, and start making those changes gradually. If you can afford to throw away what you have or donate it, and start over, then do just that. I have crap in my house just as well, I just have to incorporate it into my everyday life until I'm rid of all of it.

I've never used Grape Seed oil. EVOO is a must in my kitchen, as well as Canola oil (that's for those 'I Must Have Something Deep Fried' days). I just started using Coconut Oil, which I'm liking a lot (I also use it as a hair conditioner, make-up remover, and moisturizer, so I'm getting the most out of it).

Must haves: Lots of fresh veggies, greens, onions, peppers, garlic, sweet potato or yams (great replacement for regular white potato), eggs. I've also started replacing all of my pasta with whole wheat or rice pasta (which is a bit pricey, but great alternative). Brown rice, couscous, quinoa for sides.

Once you have lots of healthy sides, you can add any meat to eat. I also have lots of canned soup - pair that with a nice salad for lunch, and it's quick and easy. My salad dressing of choice is some balsamic vinegar and olive oil (sometimes I add a little fresh garlic to it).

I hope these little tips help.

And no more panicking - the first step is always the hardest.....Now, off the gym I go!!

Lala

parkscs

Choose the oil based on the application. Higher-end EVOO is great for salads but it's ill-suited for a steak or a stir fry. I like sesame oil for adding a bit of flavor to vegetables. Coconut oil or MCT oil are great pre-workout (just don't overdo it). All oils are rich in calories, so you might as well get the best suited/tasting one for the task at hand and enjoy it.

Bounce4

I still use the olive oil but might try some others after this thread

I find it waaayyyy to overwhelming to make a major overhaul all at once.

This is what worked for me when I first started:

I made out some meal plans for lunches for the week. Not something different for every meal but a 'rough draft' so to speak because I eat repeats. Get those things at the store. I overhauled my lunches first. Cooked basically the same things for supper. Then I decided to add a protein drink in the morning so figured that out. Then I added more 'sides' to my regular supper that were friendly to my diet. I changed up the snack items I have in the house as I learn something new etc.

All that happened slowly - over the course of weeks/months. It is still my method of how I make changes. I try some new recipes from time to time. I"m making a slow switch to brown rice versus white (I'd just switch but I"m bringing four kids along for the ride You don't have to do it all at once to get started.

My supper meals have hardly changed at all. The brown rice switch, making some new recipes, and I have more veggie options instead of just one because I'm hungry and need more food since I eat smaller portions of the main meal.

LanaeCarol

I would say make a few changes in what you have in your home and get them to habit stage, then make a few more changes. Repeat until it is entirely the way you want it. By doing it this way you kind of ease into it. Too many or too drastic changes all at once would be a recipe for failure for me. I suspect it is for many, but probably not all, people.

So maybe I would start with not buying things that are empty calories - cookies, candies, chips, etc. - and replace them with fruits and veggies. Then, after 3-4 weeks of this, maybe stop drinking soda and juices and replace them with plain water or herbal tea. Then, in another 3-4 weeks ...

If you don't think you can ease into it this way, then a complete overhaul may give you the incentive to remain with the program. I just think it is lots harder to try to make all of those changes at once. I think you only have a certain amount of willpower and adjusting to all the changes at once will take more more willpower than is available.

Regardless of how you choose to approach it, I am glad you made the choice to work on getting healthier! :flowerforyou:

ETA: My must haves are light string cheese, Greek yogurt, sweet potatoes, a variety of fruit and vegetables (fresh or frozen depending on season), grass fed beef (my dad raises them), peanut butter, olive oil, butter, almond milk, and popcorn.

TiLo0905

Thanks so much everybody and yes I guess I did sound a little panicky there didn't I hahaha! I went shopping and restocked my cupboards and tomorrow will be like my first day, because then I can actually make decent meals. My first entry on here was Easter dinner...not too smart! :noway:

One of my saving graces is that I switched to eating brown a long time ago, pasta, bread etc, so that won't be hard. Its the sauces...oh my sauces...how I will miss you! :sad:

I need to learn how to cook darnit.

a_stronger_me13

Thanks so much everybody and yes I guess I did sound a little panicky there didn't I hahaha! I went shopping and restocked my cupboards and tomorrow will be like my first day, because then I can actually make decent meals. My first entry on here was Easter dinner...not too smart! :noway:

One of my saving graces is that I switched to eating brown a long time ago, pasta, bread etc, so that won't be hard. Its the sauces...oh my sauces...how I will miss you! :sad:

I need to learn how to cook darnit.

Figure out a realistic calorie goal*, don't label foods "good" or "bad", meet your minimum goals for fat and protein*, and enjoy the food you eat. Life and losing weight will be a lot easier and it won't throw you into a panic.

*MFP sucks at both of these things when they make recommendations, I'd start here for help: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants

wilsoje74

Thanks so much everybody and yes I guess I did sound a little panicky there didn't I hahaha! I went shopping and restocked my cupboards and tomorrow will be like my first day, because then I can actually make decent meals. My first entry on here was Easter dinner...not too smart! :noway:

One of my saving graces is that I switched to eating brown a long time ago, pasta, bread etc, so that won't be hard. Its the sauces...oh my sauces...how I will miss you! :sad:

I need to learn how to cook darnit.

why can't you have sauces?

MysteriousMerlin

I use canola, extra virgin olive oil, and unsalted butter.

LVCeltGirl

I use EVOO and Canola Oil for the most part. I haven't tried the coconut oil yet but have heard great things about it.

I am also one of those 80/20 people (eat healthy/good 80% of the time and junk 20% of the time). Now that I'm over the gallbladder surgery (emergency surgery to remove a gallbladder is no fun) and know that I can eat everything I used to, I'm starting to fall back into the watching my macros and if the "crap" food fits into my macros then I'm eating it. I went a little overboard for a week or two in the junk food category but pulling myself back on track.

If you can afford to overhaul your kitchen, go for it. But if you can't, then do it slowly and start learning moderation and how to weigh and measure everything. That way you're also not limiting yourself and saying "I can't have that" (I know for me the minute I hear that I cannot have something, then I want it like there's no tomorrow).

Best wishes on your weight loss journey! You can do this!

CharleePear

I find essentials are different for everyone, so here is what I do. Do research on various recipes and shopping around them.
Also one thing that helps me lose weight is recreating recipes of 'treats' I like so that they are a healthier version of them.
If you are really busy and stuff and if you are in the Northern Hemisphere, then it's getting warmer (I am in the Southern Hemisphere, it's coming into Winter soon here). So I use a lot of fresh Salad Vegetables and fresh fish and chicken.
There are so many ideas out there for great healthy food that tastes amazing, go explore!!

As far as oils go? Depends what for. Salads I use olive oil, cooking I use spray Rice Bran oil and coconut oil and butter.

Charisma_Black

You've taken the first steps!

I would regularly leave in and currently in-house:
Mixed peppers, red onions, mushrooms, tomatoes, mixed salad leaves, kale (love making kale "chips" with some olive oil), cod, salmon, tuna, tortilla wraps, sometimes burgers and some wholemeal baps, coconut milk, unsweetened almond milk, balsmatic (can't spell this) rice, skinless chicken fillets, Greek Yoghurt, Weightwatchers yoghurts, spices and herbs - I love cayene pepper. I love sardines, also some ryvita crackerbread, eggs (always fully loaded with lots of eggs for endless dishes - my fav - scrambled eggs, poached eggs, omelette - so basic and easy to make!). Fruit: blueberries, strawberries, bananas, apples and grapes. I leave lemons in too whereby I like to slice up some lemon and put in some water to drink. Kidney beans, butterbeans, baked beans, mixed beans. I'd leave in quorn mince too sometimes.

I use coconut oil and also olive oil in my cooking. Depends what I'm making though.

I make everything from scratch. Wouldn't leave in any boxed or processed foods. I still have treat days It's a lifestyle change and it is hard but once you get yourself into it you'll be fine!

LVCeltGirl

Thanks so much everybody and yes I guess I did sound a little panicky there didn't I hahaha! I went shopping and restocked my cupboards and tomorrow will be like my first day, because then I can actually make decent meals. My first entry on here was Easter dinner...not too smart! :noway:

One of my saving graces is that I switched to eating brown a long time ago, pasta, bread etc, so that won't be hard. Its the sauces...oh my sauces...how I will miss you! :sad:

I need to learn how to cook darnit.

Figure out a realistic calorie goal*, don't label foods "good" or "bad", meet your minimum goals for fat and protein*, and enjoy the food you eat. Life and losing weight will be a lot easier and it won't throw you into a panic.

*MFP sucks at both of these things when they make recommendations, I'd start here for help: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants

I'd start by reading "a guide to get you started on your path to sexypants." Also, as far as cooking goes, pick some dishes (or sauces) you like and use the internet. There are so many websites for recipes and even recipes for the beginner. Add me if you wish, and if you find some recipes but need some lower fat tweaks to them, I might just be able to help (I've been on a weight loss journey for most of my life, this time has definitely been different from the beginning and has been working).

BlueBombers

I rejoined three days ago and so far it has come to my attention that I need to do a serious overhaul of my house, kitchen and basically my entire fridge! I'm STARVING!!!!! I have no food to eat...everything I do have is craaaaaaap!!!! :noway:

just eat the 'crap' in moderation...

^ This

TiLo0905

im talking about my high fat extra creamy alfredo sauces that I put on EVERYTHING! For awhile I am going to let them go...maybe at some point I can treat myself...but for now I've been treating myself a little too much lately :blushing:

TiLo0905

'sexypants' sounds a lot better than my current 'eatingpants' lol I like this!

cwolfman13

I rejoined three days ago and so far it has come to my attention that I need to do a serious overhaul of my house, kitchen and basically my entire fridge! I'm STARVING!!!!! I have no food to eat...everything I do have is craaaaaaap!!!! :noway:

I have sworn off anything that grew in a cardboard box. What are you supposed to make with a bowl of left over spaghetti and a bottle of mustard? :sad:

Anyway, I have a question. Do you all stick with basic virgin olive oil or do you use something different now...I heard grapeseed oil was a good thing to have in the cupboard. Since I am going to have to restock everything...what are your 'must-haves'! :huh:

Oh I must apologize in advance...I am a confirmed smiliey fiend. Can't help it. Sorry! :blushing:

I use all manner of oils...none of them are inherently bad or evil save for partially hydrogenated oils. My use of oil is primarily based on the application. I would say that my mainstay cooking oil is olive oil as I generally like my veggies sauteed...but I use butter where butter is applicable and coconut oil as well for many applications. I also use lard from bacon drippings on occasion and I generally use conola oil for high heat applications (if I can't find avocado oil).

I would also suggest doing a bit of research on proper nutrition rather than just categorizing foods as "good" or "bad"...people go over bored on trying to eliminate things without understanding that some of what they are eliminating is actually beneficial to you and necessary for proper nutrition...dietary fat comes to mind.

I personally eat a lot of nutrient dense whole foods and cook primarily with scratch ingredients...I also enjoy pasta and rice and white potatoes (gasp) and the like. I try to stay away from pre-packaged meals in a box and the like, but I'm not shy about eating minimally processed foods...i'm not going to always make my own marinara sauce and while I generally make beans from scratch, I always have cans of the stuff around as well...stuff like that.

Really, none of this is or has to be as painful as people make it out to be...getting your nutrition on doesn't mean your food has to be bland and boring...I'm a foodie that managed to lose 40 lbs pretty easily...bland and boring are not in my food vocabulary.

kaitthegr8t

I use olive oil spray for stove top cooking, and olive oil for baking veggies etc. When I bake I use applesauce if I can. Pinterest has been a huge help to guide me through clean eating. It has many info. graphics, meal plans, recipes, substitutions..

I have found that changing a few things at a time has helped me stay on track better than the times I would overhaul my life and change everything at once. I know it sounds totally cliche, but you have to adapt the mentality that you are changing your whole lifestyle and not just your diet.

Small changes make for big results, best of luck to you on your journey!

a_stronger_me13

im talking about my high fat extra creamy alfredo sauces that I put on EVERYTHING! For awhile I am going to let them go...maybe at some point I can treat myself...but for now I've been treating myself a little too much lately :blushing:

Some of the premade sauces from the grocery store aren't too bad calorie-wise. I also like to make a red marinara or even buy the jars of it and mix in some plain greek yogurt with it. Makes the sauce go a little further, makes it a little creamier and adds in a good balance of macros.

DWBalboa

I/we use oil’s based on what we are doing with it, EVOO has a richer flavor but canola oil is better suited for cooking as it can be heated to higher temps. The fat’s are essential to a good diet so don’t cut them out.
Just get on a good plan and try and keep to it. Like others have said eat what you have until you get to the store and get healthy choice in the house.
My advice is find a good support group that will hold you accountable to your proper eating and exercising, as well, hold yourself accountable. Reward yourself when you do good and acknowledge when you fail but don’t dwell on your failures. Ack them and move on, just ID and triggers that may have caused your failure and be on the lookout for them in the future.
Good luck, you’ll do great!
V/r,
DW.