jjulliee Member

[/quote] Maybe because a biochemist knows more about chemistry than a random doctor? Maybe because all the actual science says they're completely harmless? Even the European ones. https://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/corporate/pub/factsheetaspartame Like, the big, really really big European authority on food safety.[/quote] But…

My two cents: just stop drinking it. Drink plain filtered water and unsweetened coffee or tea. If your goal is long-term health, regardless of what some studies say about soda being safe (?), then do that for yourself. Before getting really hardcore, I made a change which cut out artificial sweeteners, high-fructose corn…

Feel free to add me! I'm probably doing something between clean and Mediterranean, trying to become vegetarian, but close enough. I've found lots of good recipes for homemade salad dressings, packaged seasoning replacements, and quinoa. I'll look for some to share.

Yum! That sounds good!

I discovered green smoothies a couple months ago and love them. At first, I'd have one in addition to my meals, but I felt like I was starting to gain weight. Recently, I've been having one for breakfast 3-4 days per week. Mine typically consist of: 1 cup unsweetened almond milk, 2 cups spinach or kale, 1 T of flax seeds…

Frozen watermelon sounds delicious :) I don't drink mixed drinks anymore, because most of them are made with mixes that have high-fructose corn syrup. I recently mashed up watermelon with vodka and made a "slush" that reminded me of the mixed drinks I used to like. Not bad :)

Yes, I have this problem, too! I was a little confused by what some were writing, but what I've heard and experienced is that clothes are sized larger now. I haven't been the size I am in a long time, maybe never. I truly have no idea what my size is, because I swim in size Small from some places, while others' size Small…

For the most part, I've swapped healthier, more nutritious snacks for the high-calorie and high-fat sweets I used to eat. Some of the things that worked for me: -Dipping dark chocolate into peanut butter - 60-73% cacao chocolate, made with sugar or agave instead of high fructose corn syrup. Natural peanut butter - peanuts…

Yes, fellow Flattie here :) I was a 38 C, and after losing 50 lbs, I'm a....well, I don't really know my new size yet. I can't even fill up the replacement bras I bought when I thought I was done losing weight. Now, the girls are small (tiny! nearly nonexistent!), yet quite perky. My old boobs went well with my old body,…

Some things that work for me are: if you've already hit your calories for the day and feel like you might slip, have a coffee with cinnamon or vanilla extract and a little splash of cream. Drink a glass of water (some people do with lemon). When I get the urge to just eat, I also like having raw veggies like carrots,…

Thanks! I've been keeping to my new, healthy habits for 2+ years, so it has been very easy to avoid my old habits, like eating bad things, and eating too much. For the past few month, I was worried that I might lose more weight, and I think I relaxed a little, with more snacks, still healthy, during the day. Now, I feel…

I'm 42, and I decided to get healthy shortly before I turned 40, partially due to higher cholesterol (didn't want to go on meds) and to just be healthy overall. My first step was walking - I got a treadmill after struggling with that decision for a long time. I thought it would work for me, but I'd had other exercise…

I agree! Sounds like you're already a good example to them. And, when your're eating "your" food, maybe offer a bite so they can see if they like it. Or, if you've found healthy snacks that you really enjoy, try to get your siblings interested in them. Good luck - in the US, just about every other little kid I see is…

Most of our grocery stores, large or small, have whole foods, such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, and such. Most of what is in stores is processed and pre-packaged,though. Lucky for us, gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, whole/raw, paleo, etc. seem to be very trendy in the US (or we're finally getting smart about what we eat!),…

I have a new-found love of exercise and nutrition, due in part, to turning 40 a couple years ago and wanting to be healthy as I age. I hope and believe it's never too late to get healthy, and I know I feel better physically and mentally. I have very strong opinions about what is "good" or "healthy" for myself, and I'd love…

When I began switching to a healthier lifestyle, I got a lot of enjoyment out of trail mix (usually raw almonds, dark chocolate, dried cranberries). If you make it yourself, you can ensure there are more nuts and less of the fruit and chocolate. It will be hard, but try to stick to a serving size (1/4 cup). Another treat…

Thanks again! This is good advice, and I'll try it out. I started walking about two years ago because my dr. wanted me to take meds for cholesterol. Still need to keep an eye on that and heard walking is very good overall. Thank you!

I only do free weights for my arms and shoulders. My main exercise is power-walking. I tried strength training before...I don't really have the time for full body, and I'd have to still keep up with cardio.

Thanks everyone!!

Thank you. I do worry about protein, but I eat Greek yogurt and nuts almost every day, and I eat eggs, cheeses and beans several times a week. I'm trying to cut meat out, so I would not be getting lots of protein from meat. Maybe other sources, but those are the ones I'm most familiar with. I was trying to avoid saturated…

I do worry about protein, but I eat Greek yogurt and nuts almost every day, and I eat eggs, cheeses and beans several times a week. I'm trying to cut meat out, so I would not be getting lots of protein from meat. I was trying to avoid saturated fats, but since my diet is already low in saturated fat, I haven't been as…

This is a little off-topic, but I'm curious....why can't you eat a low calorie diet and still get enough vitamins? For instance, if you eat fruits, vegetables, and nuts every day, as part of a low-calorie diet, why wouldn't you get enough vitamins and nutrients? I don't believe I practice a low-calorie diet (2000/day isn't…

Oops...Left: May 2011

Left: May 2012 Middle: October 2012 Right: June 2014

I also meant to mention, if you want your favorite sweet, just have it and move on. My husband still brings me a pint of Ben & Jerry's, but when he does, I just usually eat maybe 1/3 of the container in a sitting, instead of the whole thing (which is what I used to do :P ) I still love to pick up a massive cinnamon bun…

My sweet, somewhat healthy treat is usually dark chocolate (70 - 80% cacao) dipped in pure peanut butter (peanuts listed as the only ingredient). This isn't low-calorie, but if you eat *1* serving of the chocolate and peanut butter, it's satisfying and probably better for you than a few oreos. Healthier, maybe trail…

Nuts and seeds are high in fat, but I believe, heart-healthy fats. They are also high in protein, low in carbs, and higher in fiber. Now that I've learned that fat isn't the enemy, I eat nuts and seeds on a daily basis, but I do follow serving sizes...for most, a serving is 1/4 cup. I don't have any sunflower seeds on hand…

Congratulations!! And thanks. Yes, I didn't start out with any type of weight loss goals, only health. I haven't been trying to lose, but I don't want to gain much, since I've had to replace all of my clothes, and my husband will divorce me if I have to re-stock again! I eat nuts daily, and I eat eggs (with yolks), full…

Thank you; I don't really worry, but when unsolicited and unwanted observations and questions arise, it can be irksome.

Thank you; that is good advice. I have had bloodwork done and am getting some screenings, due to family history (another reason I've made these changes). I didn't have any weight loss goals when I started and didn't hear about "clean eating" until the last year or so, so I was curious to see if others had similar…