[Jamers04]

So far, so good. I'm making a point to add some serious protien and a little fat to 2 of my three meals, and it hasn't taken as much adjusting as I expected.<br><br>
Now it's time to start cutting out the junk. How?<br><br>
I normally eat sweets 5 times a week. Would cutting it down to four make a difference? Is it best to go cold-turkey? Should I focus on certian categories first, or all at once? Anyone had experience with this?

 

[merigayle]

what kind of sweets? maybe you can replace them with healthy options?

 

[Jamers04]

Chocolate is my big downfall. Candy, cookies, ice cream, and cake particularly. I don't keep them at home, but they seem to "find" me. I get cravings, and substitutions haven't worked. Plus I don't know any way to sub sweets for something that isn't also high carb.<br><br>
This step is going to be a LONG process.

 

[drgenie]

Yep, it sure is. This is my weak spot too. If you bake your own stuff you can use Splenda, that helps. South Beach diet had a cool mocha ricotta dessert thingie that tastes like the inside of a cannoli if you like cannolis. The chocolate thing is the toughest of all. Sugar free chocolate pudding just doesn't cut it for me.

 

[Beaker]

I posted a thread about this but I recently tried Vitamuffins, the chocolate one. They were really good and it didn't taste like some fake chocolate substitute. Maybe you can sneak them in to satisfy your sweet tooth. I am struggling with food stuff right now too, so thanks for sharing your journey!

 

[Jamers04]

This may sound lame, but I'm proud of myself! I turned down cake and ice cream at work yesterday. It would've been awkward and not really fun, so I decided in addition to the calories I wouldn't get any real joy out of it. The thought process worked.

 

[merigayle]

no, that is great! gotta start with baby steps.

 

[Jamers04]

Newest update: black beans and rice are amazing.

 

[diablita]

and really good for you! have you tried making black bean soup? (there's a recipe on the back of Goya black bean cans) That takes it to a whole new level. mmmmmm

 

[Gingerbread]

Oh, yes they are. With a sprinkling of cheddar cheese, although that may not be healthy for you? I don't know. I like cheese...<br><br>
Corn goes well with that, too.

 

[sistergoldenhair]

You're doing great, Jamers04!<br><br>
I'm not a huge chocolate fan, but anything else tempts my sweet tooth: cake, ice cream, cookies, candy, bars, etc. I stopped all at once, replacing sweets with fruit, yogurt, occasionally sugar-free gum or very occasionally diet soda. After not too long of a time, now those things taste very sweet to me, and I feel a lot better eating this way.<br><br>
Cut-up mixed fruit sprinkled with a little Splenda is delicious!<br><br>
I usually have a "real" treat once a week and/or on "special occasions."

 

[kjboston]

Hi all- I have decided that I seriously need to change my eating habits as I have very little energy- I know that I eat too many bad carbs and not enough veggies (I'm pretty good about fruits). What is the biggest change that you all have done that has made a big difference? I've read articles about people who've gone veg that all the sudden have this amazing energy- however, I am too much of a carnivore to go veg. Any other thoughts?

 

[Brandy]

I find that fat free pudding is a great chocolate fix. Also, chocolate isn't BAD for you, excess is. If you need a fix, what is wrong with a hersey's kiss...or one of those weight watchers little snack cakes? Just a thought.<br><br>
Re: Splenda <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/icon_puke_r.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="puke_r"><br><br>
I am allergic and found out the hard way. I now have to scan everything I eat to make sure they didn't toss it in.

 

[sistergoldenhair]

Everyone is different, but I feel markedly better energy wise and mood wise avoiding processed carbs, rich foods (fried or full-fat dairy) and junk food, eating plenty of lean proteins, good fats and veggies/fruits.

 

[altoids]

The first best thing for me for feeling better is adding in more fresh fruits and vegetables.<br><br>
After that, switching in whole grain for refined grains. Or just reduce it.<br><br>
Also reducing overall junk/snack/fatty/highly processed foods. This one is hard for me.<br><br>
Not that I'm perfect at this, but I sure feel better when I do.

 

[drgenie]

I couldn't go completely veg either but I did add a great deal more fruits/veggies and grains to my diet and I do feel better eating that way. I have just enough meat, mostly fish, a week to balance my protein needs and I find that this is enough to make me not want as much of the sweet crap. Lately I'll buy it, eat a couple cookies and throw the rest away, it's weird.<br><br>
Or learn to bake more healthy, with egg beaters, Splenda or other sweeteners, unsweetened applesauce in place of oil or butter, and whole wheat pastry flour. I have a Cooking Light banana bread recipe that is to DIE for and it's actually not that unhealthy.