healthy foods

I first started with just fitting things into my caloric allowance rather than focusing on the whole "healthy" thing because that's a loaded term. Once I got used to the whole calorie counting thing, I started to play around with macros and what would be "healthy" for me. I personally found that keeping my carbs lower made me feel good, but unless you have a medical condition that dictates how you should eat, it's really a personal choice!

I have the same breakfast every day (low carb muffins made with sausage, cream cheese, and cheese. Google "full moon sausage and cream cheese muffins" and you'll find a recipe).

Lunch and dinner, I usually meal prep the same thing for the entire week for lunch and dinner (I know that sounds depressing, but I'm a student living alone and it's the easiest and most affordable option). I like to make shredded meats like chicken or beef in the crockpot and eat with fajita veggies I sauté in chicken broth. Sometimes I make a big casserole (My current favorite is a cheeseburger casserole with ground beef, cheese, onions, pickles etc. super yummy). I have made lasagna with zucchini noodles or pasta with zucchini noodles instead of real noodles. You can eat so much more if you do that! I have heard spaghetti squash is good, but I'm still intimidated by cutting into produce like that. Maybe someday. I also make Buffalo chicken dip in the crock pot at least once a month and eat it with celery sticks! It's so tasty and feels "unhealthy" but it fits in my calories and macros, so it's just a great time to be had all around when I make it!

Snacks I like to eat string cheese or I bake little clumps of cheese in the oven so they are like chips. Beef jerky is great too, especially homemade (my mom sends me some and it's awesome). Celery sticks are good. Sometimes I literally slice a piece of cheese off the giant block I always keep on hand and eat that. I find I'm pretty primitive with my eating choices, but it keeps it simple for me and easy to track!

When I want something sweet (I'm more of a salty/savory gal, but sometimes I want sweet) I will measure out a spoonful of honey almond butter. Seriously so good! Sometimes I keep halotop ice cream in my fridge and I'll just do a spoonful of that as well. Kicks any sweet craving!

Drinks: I actually like water, so I drink that a lot. I need coffee to function so I drink that with heavy whipping cream in the morning. I'll do the occasional Diet Coke, but more often I like club soda with a squeeze of fresh lime. Starbucks unsweetened green tea (which is also mostly water) is amazing too!

Just make sure you measure out your portions and don't eyeball them (I was inadvertently eating 700+ calories worth of peanut butter when I thought I had measured "about 2 tablespoons"). Food scale is your friend!

Good luck and congrats on making the step toward a healthy lifestyle! Most of the people on here are pretty helpful and nice. Hope you stick with it!