Sin foods - give them up or change/reduce them?

I have done both. All the fast foods are at the wayside! I have increased the amounts of whole grains and have changed a few things. I read labels now, I drink more water, I indulge occassionally but I watch what is going in b/c I know that my life will change the next day if i over indulge. Its all about moderation.

For me, it's mainly a matter of reducing my servings or eating the indulgence foods less frequently. I've been pretty consistent with a 9/10 rule (i.e. 9 times out of 10 I make a good choice, and then the last one is up to me!). I simply will not cut certain things out of my diet, if I know I can eat them more moderately or even rarely and not feel like my whole world is going to end.

I dislike reduced-fat or fat-free cheese. So, when I do eat cheese, I just eat less of it. I'm not afraid of a little fat, and I'm much happier when I have my cheese. In fact, most days, I can eat peanut butter and cheese, and still be under my fat quota. It's just a matter of finding a good balance.

The main thing I've been trying to cut down on has been sodium. I think I've only gone over 2500 mg twice this month, and I've been very consistent at staying at or below 2000 mg. That's a huge achievement for me!

I've already been eating mainly whole grain/whole wheat breads and pastas for years, now I'm trying to make even better choices--like searching for lower-sodium versions of those items.

I hardly ever drink soda. I went off it when I was a teenager, and I've never really gotten back into it. On rare occasions, I enjoy a few sips, but that's it.

I started drinking my coffee black when I was in college, and now it's very rare for me to have anything else. I like it black.

I still drink alcohol in moderation, but I try to plan my days so that I don't go way over on calories. Same thing with desserts. I earn it with exercise! Sometimes I'll go a couple of weeks without a real "dessert", and I don't even feel like I'm missing anything.

One of the best things I have done has been to be more consistent in filling in the gaps with fruit and lots of veggies, partially because they're good for me, partially because then I eat less of the other stuff. It's especially fun right now, because our garden is practically exploding with lettuce, spinach, and snow peas! Soon we will also have tomatoes up to our eyeballs, and jalapenos too! Yummmm. I've had at least one huge salad every day for the past week, and I plan to continue this for as long as I can.

I don't eat fast food. This is like a huge no-no for me, partially because of healthy eating and partially because the stuff gives me AWFUL stomach issues. Even if friends or colleagues want to choose fast food joints as their lunch and I'm with them - I'll either find an alternative or avoid eating entirely (keeping almonds in my purse is seriously helpful in these situations).

I don't drink diet or regular soda / pop / whateveryoucallit or sugary drinks. I've never been a fan of these anyway, so giving them up wasn't too hard.

I rarely eat "white" starches (white potatoes, corn starch), breads, pizza, fries, whole grain breads, rice, pasta, etc etc. Just doesn't taste that great anymore. I will eat quinoa, sweet potatoes, wild rice, jicama, and parsnips in place of most grains and other starches.

I rarely eat desserts. Maybe only if they're planned at special dinners or events. I've learned to take very small serving sizes and combine them with other things (i.e. fruit, light sorbet). I used to REALLY go to town on sugar and treats, and the more I stay away from the stuff, the better off I am.

I WON'T give up coffee or tea. Try to take my daily cup of joe and I'll beat you down!

I eat MORE red meat. Oh yeahhhhhh.

This is what I do as well...I eat what I want in moderation. I eat healthy meals and snacks, but if I am craving something I let myself have it and I do not beat myself up over it or go nuts restricting myself after I eat it. I know that for the most part I am doing what I need to and making good choices, so if I want an ice cream cone with my kids or a piece of cake for dessert, I have one. I just have a small one.
Just a s a side note everyone is different...but if I didn't allow myself to have some treats now and then I would binge and god knows that is not good!
Good luck!

For me it was all about portion sizes. I already was eating whole wheat everything including pasta and ground turkey instead of beef. It was just eating too big of portions. at first calorie counting is all i needed and now im at abit of a stand still so im watching sodium since ive noticed it as high

for the most part reduce portion sizes, but i will change recipes to include more veggies. i can't think of one thing i have eliminated completely.