Chicken
fish
lean cuts of beef and pork,
eggs,
All veggies except starchy ones(corn peas white potatoes)
root veggies, sweet potatoes, beets, turnips
squash, butternut, spaghetti squash,(easy to microwave and use instead of noodles for spaghetti) yellow and green squash
all greens
Mash cooked califlower instead of potatoes.
tofu,
tomatoes
onions
avocados
olive oil, coconut oil, mayo, butter( in limited quantities)
cheese, including cream cheese (in limited quantities)
all herbs and spices. try to use low salt.
cottage cheese
sour cream,
half and half for coffee.
liquid stevia or packets to sweeten drinks
(all other artificial sweeteners are bad for us)
melons
all berries, fresh
beanitos are a good chip if you must...made from black beans.
Natures own makes a double fiber low calorie bread, a couple of slices a day is ok. High fiber tortilla" flat out" is acceptable.
almonds, pecans, macadamian nuts
seeds, sesame, pumpkin
lots of whole raw, fresh when ever possible then frozen than canned which is your last choice too many nutrients lost and usually too much salt.
bizi
p.s I take a good multi vitamin and extra calcium 1000mg a day plus magnesium and vit d3 because I don't drink milk or eat dairy for the most part.

Thank you for your great advice...and to answer your question, I've never been on a diet hence the name of the thread "Beginner"

YOu still have to watch the portions only eat until you are satisfied, have three good meals a day use smaller plates bowls so that way you choose less food and it satisfys cleaning your plate mentallity. If you can exercise that will help don't know if that is possible for you. even just walking would help you in more ways. For weight loss it truly is calories in calories out.The foods list was a guide line. moderation is key. a snack at night may help with hunger toward the evening hours just try to be real thoughtful about what you choose to snack on.
What did you think about my list?
Does this seem doable to you?
does it make sense?
bizi

I didn't go on any specific diet, per se. Last January, I decided to lose weight myself, and started yoga--the yoga to work through a herniated disc.

I cut back on sugars, added seltzer water to my diet. Took a couple seltzers to get used to the taste. Then, as I started drinking more seltzer, I noticed something, my sugar cravings decreased dramatically.

I don't drink anything with aspartame, which, when you read the labels for anything with sweeteners, you'll realize they are high in sodium content.

I read labels, eat pretty much what I want. Keeping in mind the points system from the weight watchers diet that my mom used to use.

I realize that a bag of Lay's potatoe chips is filled with more vitamins and minerals, such as potassium and vitamin C, than the self-promoted less fat Sun chips. Not that I don't like sunchips, but from a woman who sometimes gets leg cramps, I need potassium over less fat content in my foods.

Mainly, the selter added, reduced sugars and watching sodium content along with my yoga exercises...
I have a physical today, routine...my scale shows me down about 90lbs,(the scale at home).

That's how I watch my diet. With added exercise.

Good Luck with the weight loss endeavor!!

gladys congratulations on your weight loss! You are an inspiration. I have been drinking plain tap water with stevia liquid drops flavored vanilla cream. tastes so good! I drink it thru out the day and in the evening. Helps me get my 8 glasses in at least! Had half a pizza tonight for dinner about 500 calories and 50 carbs so not the best dinner but with in my calorie/carb range.
Couldn't believe the scale said 147 this morning....shocked! I have been drinking a ton of water too. I started taking the fruit rind supplements, maybe that has something to do with it.
Going to the gym tonight.
bizi

I tend to go for the Vitamin Water Zero's, made from the stevia plant(truvia is from stevia, fyi..to anyone else reading ). Tried explaining this to someone at work, the difference between artificial sweeteners and the Stevia plant that is native to Latin America. Kind of fell on deaf ears, as it does have a bitter aftertaste.
Have you cooked with Stevia? I haven't tried it, at all. I tried it in my coffee, once, to no avail. Are you using the liquid drops? What other flavors?

I had a plate of homemade nachos, with cheese, salsa and sour cream. I can't say I know the carbs/calories to that. Got my protein, calcium, and antioxidants, however.



Great job with your own diet, wtg on the scale!