How long did it take you to learn what to eat?

First off....don't give up all the bad stuff at once. You'll cave and then binge on it and undo everything you've worked so hard for.
Try one or two new 'healthy' things a week. Intergrate them slowly.
Pick up an issue of Clean Eating...it's one of the best magazines out there for healthy eating (IMHO).
Feel free to PM me if you wish.
:flowerforyou:

Sometimes when I was wondering if something was "good" or "bad" I would put the information in the database to see how much fat and calories it had BEFORE I ate it. Boy was that an eye opener at first. I have been at this since June 2010 and I am still learning. It has gotten alot easier though! Take it slow and it will come with time.

Michael Pollan said it really well, in seven words:

"Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants."

Read the whole article here: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/28/magazine/28nutritionism.t.html

The gist is that we need to be eating real, recognizable FOOD. In moderation. And most of that food should be a plant, be it a grain, vegetable, or fruit.

I've been trying to eat healthier for over 6 months, and I still have a lot to learn! Not to discourage you by any means, it's just that it's a continual process. I learn something new everyday.

One thing I tried at first was thinking, "How can I still eat things I love but make them in a healthier way?" Switching out white bread products for 100% whole wheat was a good start for me (LOVE Sara Lee 45 calorie honey whole wheat bread).

Pay attention to nutrition labels. That helped me a lot when deciding what cheese to buy, for example. I found that the presliced mozzarella cheese slices have fewer calories and fat than the presliced cheddar.

Just start with a few small changes like this. After awhile, you won't even have to think too hard about those, and then find a few new changes to make. Good luck--you can do it!!!

Not too long. I'm basically counting calories (1200) so I end up eating what fits into that 'limit' trying to keep away from high carbs, etc. I may have a piece of brownie or cake knowing that the first bite tastes like the last so I don't really feel like I'm missing anything. I eat egg beaters with veggies, low cal bagels and deli flats, limit cheese, oatmeal, healthy choice soups, etc. All easy and pretty tasty low cal foods. I log everything via my android phone and PC, everything...

Hang in there, I'm at around 135lbs lost so far and doing well changing my eating habits.

It can take a couple of months to get into a good diet routine - and sometimes longer after that, if you continue to adjust and improve your meals to get the maximum health benefits as you learn more about nutrition and your body.
Posting more 'notes' here won't help you (I assume you've already read hundreds of these!), but just go at a pace that suits you, and continue to increase your knowledge about nutrition and health.
Best of luck!

I was always toned and in shape til I hit college (hello buffet food and beer!), and have been struggling with 15-20 pounds ever since.

I did Weight Watchers for a while, but that still allows you bad foods as long as they're the "right amount".

To answer your question, I think I JUST learned how to eat well. I discovered "clean eating" and it was an "ah ha" moment for me. The basic principle is eat what the Earth provides. Man made stuff is crap! So I stick to eggs, veggies, fruit, meat and whole grains (like quinoa and couscous). At first I felt like I was being super "granola" and snobby but my body felt AMAZING.

On a very basic level, your body has a number of functions to perform. It needs to breathe, move, flex, maintain organs and tissues...those functions require certain fuels namely protein, fat (there is "good" fat), carbs (there are "good" carbs)....you get the point.

I expect more from my food now. Yes, a cupcake tastes delicious but it doesn't contain anything that will make my body thrive. Veggies and lean meats, on the other hand, will fill me up FAST, and make my body thrive. I've noticed differences in my energy level, skin, hair, and even how bright my eyes are!

You wouldn't put processed/crap fuel into a Maserati would you? Pick the best "fuels" nature provides and your body will run and operate better than you could have ever imagined.

Before I did this I did WW online, before that I did Jenny Craig. With Jenny Craig they're super big on planning your daily meals ahead of time for a week and entering it in on their print out chart. This makes you need to do research into just what you're eating. So for about a year I did my notes, I'm not sure when it just became second nature to know what was good, what was bad.

There will always be certain foods you think are good at the time then BLAMO turns out they're not. I always fall into the peanut trap. You figure they're healthy and all but BLAMO they're loads of calories just for 12 measly peanuts!!

Don't feel ashamed at making notes. Eventually it will become second nature.

My situation is a little diferent. I am not even 34 yet with cholesterol and triglicerides out of the chart. Not kidding, the doctor was very very worried when I refuse to take medicine b/c i want to show him I can make it normal with the right lifestyle. I had to laern it very fast and a friend help me a lot.
So I went radical on what I buy: I only buy past and bread that are whole grain and without high frutose corn syrup, and the other sugar stuff (they are horrible to triglicerides) and only what I call "smart" fats from fish,nuts, olives, avocado and olive oil, the can actually help to lower cholesterol. I am only eating egg whites b/c the egg yolk is full of cholesterol. Oh and real butter is better for you artrites than margarine, I had to research a lot on that. I grow up listening to my grandfather who is italian but lived years in Turkey and Greece saying that and never believed him. I should have listening to him. All the dairy I buy is fat free and/or low fat, things like cottage cheese, sour cream, shredded cheese, milk.
I eat a lot of beans!
Do I eat red meat? very little, once in a while. If I am cooking I go for chicken and fish.
Most of my carbs came from grains like oatmeal and oat bran, I only eat bread once a day, and fruits and veggies.
Off course if I go out with friends I will eat whatever I can eat in the restaurant or whatever they are serving at their house, but it is with moderation.
If you have anyother question feel to ask me!

Yeah Jessieleah, you're more than welcome to check out my food diary!