UGH!! Not sure about food!!

PattyJane167

Ok just decided today was gonna be the fist day of my new life, to get healthy! But I am so lost on what to cook, how to cook, whats good to eat and not good to eat! I know things dealing with sugar and fried foods are not good...HELP!

Mokey41

Start tracking your food intake and learn to stay in budget. There's not good food and bad food. You'll soon find out which foods give you the most bang for your buck and fit in with your likes. You don't have to live on lettuce and chicken breast to lose weight or be healthy. It's finding a balance that works for you.

beautifulmess87

i myself have tried to stay away from snacks and goodies. biggest downfall. the vending machine in my break room.
i also have attempted to cut out any un necessary condiments.
I used to love ranch,& miracle whip.
I dont keep them in my house anymore.
I also have avoided buying junk food.
i am trying to set a standard for my daughter.
We have yogurt, apples, celery with peanut butter, mandarin oragnes, and teeny tiny (50 cal) bags of pretzels.
Also just remember. Dont try to change too much too fast. And dont give up if you slip for one day.
I usually give myself 1-2 cheat days a week (usually weekends that I want to go out.)
I will eat healthy during the day, but once Im out i dont overthink about what i am putting in my mouth.
Also- my favorite low cal thing ever- salsa & pico de gallo.... super duper low in cals. super duper tasty.
&&& Im really picky, so i eat chicken 5-7 days a week.

mzjessicaxo

Just ask yourself where the food came from before you get ready to cook it!
Is this part of your 5 food groups? or is it a mixture of 50 different ingredients?


Go for the stuff that grows from the earth or our animals!

And i recommend trying a stir fry or something, add chicken or beef, stay light on sauces and avoid "fried" anything

I post recipes on my blog if you ever want to check it out


http://feelgreatmotivate.wordpress.com/

Firefox7275

Ok just decided today was gonna be the fist day of my new life, to get healthy! But I am so lost on what to cook, how to cook, whats good to eat and not good to eat! I know things dealing with sugar and fried foods are not good...HELP!

It's difficult to go too far wrong if most of your foods look almost exactly the same as when they came off the plant or animal, and only have one or two ingredients. Maybe purchase some plain raw meat, fresh or canned fish, a pile of fresh/ frozen/ dried fruits and vegetables in the full rainbow of colours (blue/ purple, red, green, yellow/orange), canned tomatoes, canned beans, dried lentils, brown rice, plain oatmeal, milk, plain Greek yoghurt, traditional hard or soft cheese (not the processed stuff).

With that and a few simple flavourings you can make a ton of different healthy meals. You might consider buying a crock pot/ slow cooker and a stick blender, then Google recipes for soups, stews/ casseroles, curries and so on.

PattyJane167

Thanks everyone for the help!! I can tell I need to go grocery shopping tomorrow!! Living down here in South La, everything is fried and put over rice!! Thank goodness I am not a big eater on fried food (but do have some food I like that taste sooooo good fired!) and not a fan of rice, but the King Cakes or Mardi Gras is to die for!! But gonna be strong!

Soosannah

Welcome to the first day of your new life!

I have been using the MFP app for awhile off and on and started religiously this month. I had been logging at another site, then I fell off the wagon so to speak last Fall.

I started replacing things for example: unhealthy snacks with fresh fruit/veggies, edamame, whole grain pita chips and hummus, I make my own salad dressing with balsamic vinegar and olive oil with a dash of spices, whole grains instead of white stuff, lean ground turkey instead of beef, cut out soft drinks and most of my creamer laden coffee now I take it black, I have hot teas and maybe 1-2 diet sodas a week. I usually dont crave them anymore. And I very seldom eat processed stuff. I am trying to watch my sodium because it makes me hold onto water like Spongebob! I do give myself a splurge day(within reason) every few weeks, but I still log everything that goes into my mouth.

There are tons of options available for healthy eating. There will be good days and bad days, but you will find that the bad days are less and less. I have tons of energy when I am eating properly.


Good luck you and feel free to message me anytime!

moonsforeyes

This lifestyle change can be overwhelming! You did the right thing coming here. When I started I had no idea where to begin. I didn't know this site existed and no one else i knew was trying to live a healthier lifestyle so I was on my own! Here you have a whole lot of people willing to help you reach your goals which is really kind of nice you know?

Think lean meats like chicken and turkey breast. Skinless is the best!
Salads, fresh vegetables, whole grain bread, rice, canola or olive oil, fruits, vegetables, raw/dry roasted almonds, eggs, milk, low fat cheeses.. so many options! You can basically make anything, healthier with a little research and experimenting.

Lynn_babcock

It is doable #1 get an ounce/gram scale. Get measuring cups and spoons (extras are good since we never seem to have enough since we measure everything). If you're putting oil on your cooking pan, measure the oil as you put it in. Log everything.. it's hard at first but by the end of the first week you know how to do it.

The better food costs more, but you're eating less.. it all works out to be the same.

Chicken/turkey breast, steak, shrimp, fish = good (imo)
Pork, sausage, wings, ribs, chicken dark meat = all pretty heavy on calories. I still use bacon though because it's in thin slices and I just use one when I need a flavor punch for something.

I like my veggies steamed/boiled with garlic powder and salt for the most part. They are also pretty good on a non-stick pan with a spritz of the 0-calorie butter spray. I usually start them off with some water so they don't dry out and burn. Garlic powder and salt still. My dinner plate is usually 1-2 cups of veggies, 1/4-1/2 cup of starch (rice or mashed potatoes), and 2-4 ounces of meat... usually works out to be right about 300 calories for dinner. My favorite dessert (right now) is Laughing Cow chocolate truffle ice cream bar, 100 calories.

I'm pretty sure my normal day used to be 3,000 calories. So this is still an adjustment for me too, but I really like food and am starting to get a hang of the calorie thing.. unless I feel like being bad that day but I'm still happy with my average.

I love food.. add me as a friend and we'll talk good stuff

jkmiller82

Everything in Moderation. I just bought four boxes of Girl Scout cookies and 6 months ago I would have ate half a box in one sitting, but now I know how to fit them into my day without going over my calories.

Here's a link to my Pinterest healthy living page:

http://pinterest.com/jana1982/healthy-living/

Over 750 recipes and workout tips (mostly recipes) to help keep you on your goal. You can do it!