Just joined and trying to figure out how to food shop

I plan my week and shop accordingly. I also read every label and buy as much of my produce fresh as opposed to in a can or frozen. Writing a list and sticking to it also helps!

And don't but ANYTHING you would normally binge or boredom munch on

Mind you I'm only shopping for me so it's a lot easier

Good luck!

Fresh stuff rather than ready made or pre-packed.

Lean meats and fish - chicken, turkey, cod, tuna, salmon

Dairy - eggs, cottage cheese, greek yoghurt

Fruit and veg - whatever you like!

Me and my boyfriend do our major shopping once a month. We try and plan meals that will have leftovers for 3 or 4 days. Lots of frozen chicken and veggies. And organic brown rice from Costco. We don't limit anything, like saying no pasta, just smarter choices, like whole wheat pasta etc. As for actual meals. I love my Cook this, Not that cookbooks. So many yummy meals under 500 calories on average.

Good luck on your journey

Don't just shop at one market. Best advice I ever got from my doctor.

While I think that fresh fruits, veggies, and meats are awesome, I also think it's a good idea to have a ready supply of "staples" on hand for when you are tempted to order pizza.

Examples of what I mean:
Canned tomatoes
Canned beans (garbanzo, black beans, etc)
Frozen vegetable medleys (great for making stir-fries)
Bags of frozen pre-cooked chicken breast strips

(Note: I am not the main cook in the house -- my husband is -- and so my "quick meals" are pretty much the only meals I make because usually he's cooking. I have no idea how he meal-plans....elves and magic?)

I am also a relative newbie. I have to admit that I have found the packaged foods really helpful -- especially at the beginning. I am "on-the-go" a lot and so it is really convenient to have the 100 calorie pack snacks to keep in my desk or in my car for when I am tempted to stop in at a gas station and grab a product that is more expensive and less healthy. So easy to record, just scan the bar code and eat.

I wouldn't make snacks the mainstay of your diet, of course, but because most posts so far have warned against any processed foods, I just wanted to add one way in which I find them really helpful for newcomers.

ETA: The 100 calorie packs also are a good way to train your body about portion control. You start to feel more satisfied with less. They have these little 100 calorie packs of cinnamon roast almonds that I like a lot. Normally, I would have eaten that many almonds in one handful. Instead, I find myself eating one at a time and being surprised at how long it takes me to eat them and how satisfied I am at the end of the bag. I have started buying other almonds in bulk and adopting similar portion sizes, now that I know that that really is enough to satisfy me.

A tip to make it funner, there are always interesting fruits at the grocery store where I live. If it's the same for you, don't be afraid to try them when you get the chance. They're a wonderful opportunity to discover something you may love even more than something like a pudding pack (I recommend the chermoya if you see them.)

Another thing to keep in mind is seasonings. Things like cumin, turmeric, and freshly chopped parsley can pretty much go on anything and make it way tastier when you cut down on sodium.

Edit: And have you ever tried cactus/napolitos? They're delish when you prepare them just right, and taste like tangy okra!

Hi,

I have just re-joined after a long break and lack of commitment. After doing a bit of looking around online, I have found a few recipes that could be cost effective for me. When I cook our evening meals, I am cooking for 7, so have to tally up the cost a little before starting. Not to mention taking into account everyones likes and dislikes. Now that I have re-joined and determined to stick to it this time, I also have calorie count to take into consideration.

I also do not want to be repeating the same recipes over a period of a few days either. I want to add variety to ensure that the kids eat their meals.

I am a foodie, i love to cook. As a good cook, i believe in FLAVOR and seasoning your food well. I could make most veggies taste good, its all in how you prepare the food. Roasting or grilling veggies makes such a difference versus just boiling or steaming... its about being creative and enjoying your food while you're trying to lose weight. Dont make it dreadful and so strick that you end up quitting. Set yourself up to succeed!

Slow digesting carbs
1. brown rice, fresh takes a long time, frozen organic brown rice is convenient!
2. 100%whole grain bread,
sandwich thins, or wraps have less calories about 80- 100 per serving versus the heavier denser the bread, 90-120 per slice, but more filling, depends on what stage of your diet you're in.....
3. Sweet potatoes,

Lean Proteins
CHicken, breast meat is best, roasted, or grilled, no skin.....dont buy the premade/packaged unless you have no choice
Roasted Turkey breast
Lean Lean Ground Beef
Whole foods nitrate free baked turkey breast lunch meat
Fresh baked white fish, haddock,salmon,tilapia,skate....etc

Higher fat proteins
Turkey Italian Sausages...higher in fats, but needed occasionally when cooking meals ie white chilli, tacos, meatloafs,
Chicken sausages...great for grilling, sauteeing with olive oil n veggies
Canned tuna in olive oil....Genova brand, 2oz 110 calories
Bumble bee smoked salmon, yummy
Canned skinless, boneless sardines in oilive oil.....yes, higher in fat, but very satisfying, loads of Omega 3's

Lower suger fruits,
Grapefruit
Pears
Apples

Fruits higher in suger, but good as snacks/fillers
Bananas
black/red grapes
summer fruit---cherries/watermelon/peaches/plums/pineapples/apricots/mangos

Good fats
Extra Virgin Olive oil
VIrgin Coconut oil (this will be solidified in the container, but there are many many uses for this, a must have!)
Grapeseed oil
Avocado
Almonds/walnuts/macadamia/sunflower seeds....nuts in general, but be careful, very high in calories, wont fill you up!
Peanut Butter, low sodium, all natural Jiff.....i only use 1 tablespoon, 90calories
Almond butter
Coconut milk in cans (for recipes/smoothies, but you have to learn to use correctly, high in calories/fat)
Mozzerella
Feta cheese
Swiss cheese
Greek yogurt
Hummus
Lower fat, preferably organic Mayo, for recipes/sandwiches

Sweets
Baked sweet potato wedges/sticks......
Agave nectar coffee/tea/baking
Truvia for coffee/tea
Organic honey, Manuka Honey.....a piece of whole wheat bread/ 1 tsp peanut butter, spread 1 tsp honey on top...sprinkle w/cinnamon...eat....
Good quality chocolate.....really good quality though!

Snacks
Diamond brand "Almond nutthins" gluten free, super crunchy, tasty
Popped wheat thins, 26 crackers/ 120 calories......whole wheat, but be careful if watching carbs!
Air popped popcorn
Apple or pear with 1 tablespoon P-butter, or mozzerella stick
2 hard boiled eggs, without yolk very low in calories, with yolk about 160 calories
Cedars Garlic lovers Hummus....as a spread on sandwiches/wraps, or with veggies/crackers.....soooo yummy

Roasting veggies
Califlower head
brocolli
sweet potatos
red peppers
zuchinni
brussel sprouts

Grilling Veggies
asparagus
red/green peppers
sweet potatoes
potatoes in general
zuchinni
onions/green/sweet

Salad veggies
cucumbers
mixed dark greens
spinach
carrots/peppers/cabbage
shredded cabbage salad (sooooo good)

Colored Veggies
spinach sauteed garlic spinach, or sourcream n garlic spinach, or in soups/stews, casserols, salads, smoothies, juices
kale can be baked, sauteed, juiced, smoothies, but dont eat it alone/raw, not the best that way.....
greens (southern style greens are sooo tasty)
cucumbers diuretic, so versatile, as a snack or in salads/dips
celery diuretic
parsly for cooking, adds iron to everything
cilantro for cooking, juicing, adds loads of flavor, minerals
onions/garlic

Good seasonings to have on hand
Rosemary, ground, fresh and dried
Garlic, ground/dehydrated and fresh
Chilli powder
Cayenne & white and black pepper, chilli flakes
Celtic Salt, Redmond salt, good quality Sea salt any of these or if you're like me....all of them!
Cinnamon, Real Vanilla extract, Anise Extract & seeds
Cardomon
Sage/thymem oregano, basil
Vinegar, organic cider, white,red wine
chinese 5spice, greekstyle seasoning, seafood seasoning,

Dont drink your calories, ever! Add fresh lemon juice to your water, make flavored waters at home with:
sliced cucumbers, lemons, basil........so many water ideas on internet, water doesnt have to be boring


there are so many free ways to learn about nutrition, fitness & weight loss....for example:
Leansecrets on youtube, she is very knowledgeable and you can learn so much!

The Hodgetwins on youtube, Getfit4women.....those guys arent rocket scientists, but they are sooooo funny!

There are many more resources but i wont inundate you here, feel free to add me if you wish!

Good luck to you!

ELida