Making some changes next month...

[emilade]

I've been trying to do Weight Watchers. I set aside some of our food budget to get me healthier food and let Mike keep getting the stuff he likes. This is not working well for me. I run out of my food, and all that's left is the normal junk he gets. And not even looking at this stuff from a weight loss perspective, it's all just horrible for us.

I told Mike that starting in February, no more of the boxed, over-processed, sodium packed crap. No more rice-a-roni, no more hamburger helper, no more frozen corn dogs, no more boxed potatoes au gratin (something he eats way too much of). And while he only buys soda about once a month, no more of that either. If I'm ever going to learn to eat healthy, and if our kids are ever going to learn, this stuff has to go.

He agreed, shockingly enough. Now, here's the thing: I have NO idea what I'll be buying now. Spam me with healthy snack ideas, healthy recipes (both quick and not-so-quick), tips, whatever. I was raised on off-brand mac & cheese, top ramen, and kool aid. I really have no idea where to start with this.

[Bootysaurus]

I will help you with whatever you need.

I know the more fiber something has, the better. Whole grain bread (lite bread), Whole wheat pasta (we all love this), string cheese for protein kick, fruit if you can, google "1 point snacks", i love pickles (0 points), get some measuring cups so you can measure things out until you get a better idea of portions, iced tea, lots of water, lean meats, green veggies....google recipes for Weight Watchers...that's how I've found a ton of easy stuff to make.

Good luck!! I got your back! <3

I'll even let you go on my online Weight Watchers account so you can tool around. Just PM me ! :hug:

[Jenni]

There's this magazine (and web site) called Clean Eating - it has some super fantastic recipes and cost conscious shopping lists. I'm getting quite a few recipes and ideas out of that magazine in an attempt to convert my carnivore husband....

[Ry&ChansMommy]

I have been trying to do the same thing! It's hard when my DH asks me if I can buy him some twinkies, and then they just sit there. I have had only one, but felt sooooo bad after I ate it. I have been trying to buy some healthier things, like organic mac-n-cheese, organic cereal for me, but sometimes I fall off the healthy wagon and go for junk, when I know I shouldn't.

Jenni, I am going to check out that web-site:hula:

[Elaine]

Great site Jenni!

Start small and slowly make your way into a full change-over. If you try to go head first into it you might wind up discouraged and going back to the old ways.

One of the hardest things for me was going from white bread to whole wheat bread. Now that I'm there I can eat super-grainy bread and pick that over white bread (most of the time :hehe:). An example of going slowly is start with whole wheat toast in the morning and have white bread the rest of the day.

Stir fries are great just watch the sauce (if you use something store bought as opposed to making your own). Soy sauce can full of crap too. Anyway, take any veggies you've got (peppers, onions, broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, celery, snow peas, green beans, anything), chop them up, sauté and add a sauce. I used to use fresh lemon or lime juice and a bunch of spices. Serve it over rice and you're good to go.

Go to sites like allrecipes.com, search for your fav things to eat now and see if you can find recipes that use more whole foods than canned or prepared ingredients. Hamburger Helper for example. You can make something similar that is much, much better for you. Tomato sauce (or canned tomatoes), ground beef, pasta, spices, maybe top with some cheese and you're set. It won't taste quite the same but it's close enough.

You may find that once you start buying healthier, non-packaged foods you'll save money. It's cheaper to make a lot of things than it is to buy it pre-made. You can make 2 or 3 pizzas for the price you pay for one store bought or restaurant ordered pizza.

Good luck! :support:

[Mommax3]

This is us too. I am on a weight loss kick, I am just not healthy where I am at. First thing I did was cut out the soda, and that has been the hardest thing for me. I also measure out what I am eating. I found a free site that I keep track of my calories and my activities to see what I am burning/eating. I didn't realize how many freakin calories I was actually eating, well in my case, drinking in soda. I go to the gym as often as I can. Mike has decided that he would like to start cutting out alot of sugar in his diet and other crap as he is borderline high blood pressure right now. Maybe we can all start posting recipes that we know are good. That is my thing I hate to take the chance that something is gonna taste nasty.

[Meshell]

Clean eating is a really good way to go. As far as snacks and stuff fruit, veggies, string cheese, yogurt, vanilla/chocolate soy milk, nuts, dried fruit, dark chocolate, granola, mini bagels w/ laughing cow, sharp cheddar & whole wheat crackers, etc are the types of things I keep on hand for snacking.

[Ashley]

I have got to cut out soda. Honestly, though, I'm not sure I can :blush: I'm not the best source for healthy heating, but I know the more fresh stuff the better! Good luck mama! :support:

[emilade]

I'm off to check out that site, Jenni :hula:

Whole grain bread and whole grain pastas are pretty much the only things I already consistently buy :hehe:. So we've gotten over that hurdle (it took Mike some time to get used to the pasta).

Thanks for the tips, ladies :))

[Cindy]

I need to do this too!

I hope this works for you Emily! I will say we switched to the whole grain noodles and they are really good! :))

[Jane99]

I ditto the site Jenni said!

Another good tip is to stay away from the middle of the grocery store. That's where most of the bad-for-you stuff is. I usually make a list before I go, so I know exactly what I'm buying, where it is in the store and how much I'll be spending. It helps cut cost and keeps you away from isles you don't need to be on.

Shop at a local farmers market (if you can) for fruits and vegetables. You'll save money, it's probably better for you and you'll be supporting local economics.

You can buy a soda maker at Crate and Barrel for $75. Make your own soda - that's healthy! There's tons of recipes for making homemade soda that is actually healthy for you. It's a nice treat and you'll save money in the long run.

[Meshell]

Good ideas, Rebekah! I break up my list now too into the sections of the store. It does help you stay away from the center as much as possible but it also keeps you from forgetting things and having to back track.

[MylissaJane]

Everyone has great ideas, some of which I am taking, too! :hehe:
The first thing I did was cut back on soda and then evetually cut it out, totally. I also go with anything fresh, whether it be fruit or veggies. String cheese has been a life saver for me, when I want a snack. When I'm craving sweet, I try to do fruit, but it's hard..... I was doing the double shopping for a while, buying things Forrest and Bentely like and then "my" food... It just wasn't working for our budget, so we are all eating healthier now. I still slip up once in a while, I'm sure everyone does. But I wish you the best of luck Em! It's tough but it's do-able!
If you like cucumbers, I make a simple cucumber/tomato/vinegar salad and it's super good! I just dice up my cucumbers and tomatos. Put some vinegar on it and eat. It's refreshing and I love it!

[Elaine]

Something else I thought of is to use raw sugar instead of white sugar (avoid anything refined). The only time I use white sugar is when I'm baking and even then only for certain things.