Following a "natural"/ non-processed diet

I try to follow that 6 days a week. Try to shop on the outskirts of the grocery store ie fresh foods. I try to avoid carbs at night. Everyone's body reacts differently. I find when you are down to the bare minimum weight to lose it gets very challenging. But stcik with it you will get there!! There sometimes can be alot of tweaking to the diet.:flowerforyou:

congratulations on the change!...i think you will find that once you adapt to this way of eating it is less of a "diet" and more of a lifestyle!....fresh foods are much better fuel for you body than anything that comes packed in a can or has had human hands touch it to make it "better"....i personally feel that the best foods come straight from the land - either grown off the actual land (fruits and veggies) or raised naturally (meats, dairy, etc)...as far as the fats go, enjoy REAL butter (not the fake spray kind - ick!), olive oil, nuts, and avocados (even real mayonnaise is better for you than the fat free stuff which often has sugar - try that with your tuna next time!)....it definitely takes more planning, more shopping, and more money to eat this way but your body will feel amazing - your hair will feel healthy, your skin will radiate, your joints and bones will feel rejuvenated once all of the toxins associated from processed foods get cleared out of your system! i still have to count my calories and watch my ratios of macronutrients but i thoroughly enjoy fresh veggies steamed up and made even more yummy with melted butter (yum!)...i enjoy sweet treats - but not the junky kind - instead a nice fresh crisp apple with almond butter is my reward for having a good eating day, greek yogurt with blueberries is also a great treat and it's high in protein....i stay away from all sodas and junk food and my body is much happier...now when i do have a "life day" and i enjoy a candy or junky treat i feel bloated and "dirty" inside for a few days after...my body definitely doesn't care to take in cruddy foods (and believe it or not a few years ago - i was eating fast food twice a day every day, only drinking sodas, and ate candy for meals....now i think about those days and it literally makes me nauseated!)....keep me posted on how things go!!!!

Yep, there's a Clean Eating thread here in the food and nutrition that we posts our meals and share ideas! Please join in! :bigsmile: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/38835-clean-eating-club-february-2009?page=4#posts-410058

I gave up 95% of processed foods a few months ago and have never looked back. My exceptions: whole wheat crackers (organic, all natural), Arnold sandwich thins (addicted to these things) and protein bars (Clif/Luna). It's pretty easy once you start checking labels and wondering what the heck that ingredient is in your cookies/crackers/bread/etc. If you're looking for jelly, I'd suggest going to your local health food store and finding their naturally sweetened fruit spreads. I love Whole Foods brand of cherry preserves - so good!