rostraqueen

You could try adding capers or olives to your soups and blending them in (or blending them before putting them in if you like your soup chunky). They both have quite a salty flavour... Otherwise, use the suggestions other people gave (herbs,garlic, etc) - you still get really yummy soups :)

For things I eat on a regular basis, I try to chose ones with natural ingredients where possible (so avoiding additives like artificial colours, flavours and preservatives) - it's just a personal thing, it probably has no effect on weight loss, but if my body doesn't need those things then I might as well go for the one…

Sounds like you've really got yourself going, so I applaud you for that! This might not be very helpful, but have you tried asking your personal trainer? I'm betting he/she will have some good tips - I'd be interested to hear what they say as well!

Nuts and seeds... also olive oil, but then it is pure fat, so I guess it makes sense. Asked my GP about carbs and she said no more than a quarter of your plate, which is definitely less than you get in most restaurants and less than what most people give themselves probably, especially with things where pasta is the main…

I suggest start weighing stuff, but pretty soon you'll get to know what different weights look like (by eye) in certain foods. Also get to know what quantities things are measured by on the MFP database and put it in your food in quantities relevant to that, e.g. look up the butter you use, if the drop-down menu says 1tsp,…

My shifts at work are so varied that I can't really control when I eat, I just try to have something at fairly regular intervals. I have found that, when I get home after a late shift at 11.30pm, If I have a big meal and go straight to bed, I often wake up in the night craving sugar. Don't know why this is, but I now try…

I have thick curly/wavy hair that will generally do as it pleases! I can get it straight but it usually takes at least 2 and a half hours to get it all straightened and then, despite using straightening balm and hairspray. I've given up now and only do this when I feel like a change. Now, if showering in a morning before…

My immediate family know I am trying to lose weight - my 15-year-old sister told me I wasn't eating enough (she's a bit of a worrier) until I showed her my food diary and that seemed to placate her! I'll still go out to eat, but just try to choose the lower calorie option off the menu. I notice that if I'm eating with…

I'm 5'3 and currently UK size 12 trousers and 14-16 tops depending on the brand of clothing, but am hoping to get back to what I was last year before I put the weight back on, UK 10 bottoms and 10-12 tops - I was happy with that as it was the slimmest I'd been since I stopped growing (height), I looked in proportion and I…

When I put on weight I was buying new bras every month - one of the reasons I'm now trying to lose weight is I can't afford any more bras!! But last time I dieted I noticed the weight loss in my face and round my middle first, then my thighs, arms and even my fingers! But my breasts were the last part to reduce in size. It…

I have used low-fat and fat-free natural/greek yoghurt before for baking and also reduced fat mayonnaise and everything came out really yummy and moist - and no, you couldn't taste the mayo :) Have tried this with cakes, brownies and banana loaf, though I haven't tried this with other breads...

I'm been drinking more water (and occasionally no added sugar squash) because sometimes I think I'm hungry when really I'm just pretty thirsty! As I'm sure you've heard before. Smaller plate worked for me too and substituting high calorie sides for low calorie, e.g. having more carrots/broccoli/cauliflower/cabbage/green…

Me too, I go for the healthy option if it's there, but there's nothing wrong with a modest slice of cake or pizza (for example) as long as it fits within my calorie count for the day. I don't worry too much if my sugar count goes over, but I try and keep my fat and calories under. As others have said - everything in…

Healthy Food Guide magazine has a recipe for a lower-calorie Christmas cake in it this month :) It's pretty similar to a normal xmas cake, but uses low-fat spread instead of butter and has nuts on top instead of covered in marzipan and icing. It's still a treat, so to speak, but better than normal xmas cake!

I was on pregabalin for a year and a half (until about 4 months ago when I got switched to some different stuff) and I think it definitely increased my appetite and I did gain weight. I used to find eating sugar-free mints curbed my appetite. When I stopped the pregabalin, I went through a withdrawal phase despite weaning…

Hello! I've also had MFP for a while and used it to track calories last year with great success. However, just finished uni and moved back in with my parents for a while and have put it all back on again (my parent just keep feeding me and they have stuff in the house which I wouldn't usually buy for myself, like…

I have a similar problem. I feel like I'm eating plenty, albeit a bit less than I'm used to (portion control was my thing) but MFP still says I should be eating more. I keep going over my sugar count, but I think that's because coming up to christmas I have had quite a few chocolates over the past week which is not…

I told everyone! I knew it would make me feel bad eating unhealthy stuff in front of them if they knew I was on a diet and so I would do better! I was right, this is the first diet I've stuck to :)

Thanks for all your replies! No I don't plan on having shakes the rest of my life, so thanks for the advice about that. I'm a student and find it hard to get healthy, low-fat foods on such a tight budget. I researched into meal replacement shakes and thought I could try it then discovered Slimfast was on sale, so that's…