[skywalker1988]

I'm 24, 5 foot 11, and I weight 272lb which is overweight for me. I was currently DXed with MS, and I am looking to lose some weight. The problem I see with most programs is that they always tell you what NOT to eat, and I'm like ok, but then what my question is what is GOOD to eat? I would like to get down to 190lbs but I have no idea how to get there.

[bizi]

Have you tried other diets in the past?
I like the low carbohydrate diet.
For lunch I had a grilled chicken salad with lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, cabbage, olives and used ranch dressing.
I avoid sugar if possible although I have a couple dark chocolate hersheys kisses after a meal on occasion.
I eat root veggies.
sweet potatoes in moderation, beets, turnips, all leafy greens, kale, chard, colllard greens, spinach, I stay away from starcy veggies like corn, white potatoes, peas.
I eat quinoa which is a grain of sorts instead of rice or pasta. I like it in tabouli. I don't eat bread but there are some sprouted breads that are palatable. and a cuople of peices of light bread will not hurt. I eat very little processed foods the simpler the better. Stay away from ingredients that you don't recognize. If it helps stay away from white stuff, flour sugar potatoes rice.

I eat at a health food store for lunch everyday so it helps me to get good organic veggies everyday. Eat fresh if you can and steam your veggies. Asparagus is in season and excellent veggie to steam and so good for you.
Use some coconut oil to saute lean cuts of meat the flavor enhances your food and can be cooked at high temperatures and not break down like olive oil. We need fats in our diets. WE eat alot of avocados and nuts and seeds.
Eggs are really good for you. We go out for breakfast on sunday mornings this is what I get to eat. 3 scrambled eggs with added spinach in the eggs. Then a side of ham which is a good size and a small cup of fruit, which is usually melons. Berries are best because of their anti oxidents and high fiber and low glycemic index which is a way to determine if the food you are going to eat will raise your blood sugar quickly or not. Foods that raise your blood sugars quickly are things to avoid, like white flour, juices, starchy veggies like corn, sugar etc. You don't want to raise your blood sugar quickly this leads to a quick raise in your insulin release which leads to a blood sugar drop and sugar cravings. By eating more proteins they take a longer time to break down and thus a slower insulin responce and more even blood sugar levels. You feel satisfied longer.
Drink only water. I have been using liqid stevia to sweeten my coffee. It is vanilla cream flavored so it is a good substitute for my french vanilla creamer. I also add the stevia to my water to flavor it. This satisfies my sweet tooth. I am not drinking right now because my blue berry beers had 300 calories in them and drinking 3 at night was 900 calories! YiKES!
I have been eating healthy and started this diet on march 19th. I snack on smoked almonds and pumpkin seeds at night if I get snacky.
I am not really counting anything just trying to eat well and avoid processed foods. Please feel free to ask me anything. I have lost 6 pounds this month so it is working.
good luck and we still get to enjoy our food!
bizi

[bizi]

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.

[skywalker1988]

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"

[bizi]

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

[GladysD]

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!!

[bizi]

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

[GladysD]

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!

[ionaskye]

My husband and I lost 125 lbs together *admin edit*
Good things to eat are unsalted nuts, peanuts have more fat than other nuts, cashews, almonds, walnuts and pistacios are better, green veggies, hide them in soups and sandwiches, sweet potatoes, and whole grain bread. I love whole grain bread with almond butter and sugar free jam. Walmart has good strawberry and blackberry jam with splenda. There are also some good Lean cuisines. Campbell's chuncky sirloin burger soup is good, filling, has a whole serving of veg, and the whole can is about 260 calories.
Hope this helps!
Don't forget to treat yourself sometimes.

[bizi]

congratulations on your weight loss that is fantastic! I guess what ever you are doing is working so keep it up. I do know that most canned soups have too much sodium.
stevia is a natural sweetener from a plant. I use the liquid drops that are flavored vanilla cream tastes good in my cofffee and water in my car. I use a whole dropper full. makes drinking alot of water tolerable.
bizi