Can someone please tell me what to eat?

[OovoofWelcome]

Hi, I need some easy, straight forward guidelines because my eating has gone all over the place. I used to be a very naturally healthy eater but that seems to have gone wonky over the past few years. Parenthood? Perimenopause? Lockdowns? Or a combination of all…? Anyway I would appreciate some help!

What are some failsafe healthy lunch and dinner ideas?

Thanks 😊

P.s. I know the internet is positively bristling with info about this but it’s a bit of an overload!

Focus on drinking 2l of water and a minimum of 5 portions of fruit and veg a day. Personally, I'd go for 5 portions of veg then any fruit as a bonus. If you plan to keep eating carbs (not saying you shouldn't but I know a lot of people choose to drop them) go for whole grain where possible. Base your meals around lean protein or veg. Watch portion size, if you are unsure on recommenced portion size google.
Eat produce not products.
Watch for calories in dressings, sauces and calories and be especially aware of calories in drinks.
Try not to eat mindlessly, i.e if you're going to eat it, put it on a plate and eat it. Don't just grab a biscuit whilst running round the house! Really try and notice when you are hungry and when you just want to eat something! They are too different things.
Allow your self the things you want, just not everyday.

As for meal ideas, any likes dislikes or restrictions?

Watching with interest OP. I'm in the same position

Don’t ask on MN, it’s an absolute hotbed of disordered eating!

First thing I do every morning is make myself a big salad. If I am hungry I will eat it soon or I might put it aside for an hour, two or three until I have an appetite and have it then.

I always have these things in the fridge, and I choose a selection to go in the salad:

Fresh items from salad drawer:

romaine or little gem lettuce
Jumbo spring onions
cherry tomatoes
cucumber
radish
red pepper

Jar items in fridge door:

pickled silverskin onions
pickled baby gherkins
pickled red cabbage
olives stuffed with pimiento

I chop everything and put it in a big colander and rinse it, then drizzle onto it cyder vinegar and the juice of one fresh lemon, sea salt and ground 5-pepper mix. Shake it all about.

Place the salad in a bowl and drizzle it with salad cream. Then I top the bowl of salad with cubed chicken breast and finely chopped honey roast ham, or prawns and gammon or tuna and boiled egg, whatever I fancy. Then I put a big blob of Hellman's on top.

I personall do not eat bread or anything else with this meal.

I highly recommend this as a daily meal, you can swap the things on my list to what you fancy for yourself.

"Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants."
is pretty good

I quite like the Hairy Dieters Cooked Breakfast for lunch sometimes. It's tasty and it's not that calorific, plus you can cook it in under 5 minutes.