Thread for those who are trying to eat "better"

[Octopus37]

Following on from yesterdays thread "Do I eat too much", which I posted on, I was unsurprising told that what I eat is crap. Have been feeling pretty crap the last few weeks, not enough energy low libido, sluggish, wound up, down - so have decided to see if changing my eating habits can shift things a bit. I'm not overweigh 5ft5, 8st6lbs, (slightly on the heavy side for me), but would be pleased if I did loose a few pounds, trying not to make weight the focus. Have decided to take a vitamin pill with iron every day, last year had v low ferratin levels so had to take iron tablets for a while. I'm not promising to do well every day and cut out sugar completely as I feel that I would be destined to fail. However, I am going to try to I improve. Today have eaten:
1 pack of Belvita biscuits
1 Actvia extra creamy yoghurt
1 large apple
1 Danone (high protein yoghurt)
3 Oatcakes
Some cashew nuts
I am planning on sweet chilli chicken & rice (ready meal cause of money diet) with some stir fried veg for tea and plan to eat some red grapes afterwards. Also may have some sort of a treat on school run. Also aim is to replace the Belvita biscuits with oatcakes for breakfast and maybe eat them with some cheese. Know I'm not doing perfectly but I am making an effort. Buddies welcome.

Coumarin. There's a book called WomanCode, by Alissa Vitti, it focuses on the relationship between diet and hormones and she claims to have helped very many women with fertility issues (as well as PCOS/severe PMS etc). May be worth a look.

I like the look of that Sleep thank you. Will download it later. We have ivf because of a male infertility factor and as far as we know my own fertility is ok but I have always struggled with bad PMS and anxiety which I believe is due to hormones. That book looks like it could give me some great information to work with.

That book sounds interesting!

That breakfast thread has convinced me to start adding veg to my breakfast. I don't think I'm quite ready to do a load of cooked veg with my eggs (I am still in need of a rest after walking to school and back thanks to my CFS/ME) but I'll work up to it! I'm going to just start having some raw carrot with it.

Although come to think of it I could just shove some broccoli in the pan with the eggs?! I have fancy tenderstem at the moment :o

Get you with your tenderstem Fuzz

Octopus you're very quiet, all ok?

Yes I'm fine thanks, just very busy and a bit stressed cause still don't know whats happening with my work. Managing to do 5:2, eating apart from that is a bit mixed tbh. Really cannot do without sweet treats at the moment for various reasons, but eating healthy stuff as well. Sugar free peanut butter on toast every day for breakfast. Today did a job and had a Chicken Tikka Sub for lunch in Subway which I enjoyed, Don't see that as unhealthy tbh. Glad everyone else is doing well.

Ooh I love broccoli.

I got some cashew butter to have on oat cakes and it's gorgeous. Possibly too gorgeous but 100% cashew nuts so no palm oil or sugar. It lasts a long time as you don't need much.

Forgot to download the book but made a note of it for tomorrow. (Today )

Glad you're ok October

Have a great Saturday everyone.

I went to tesco and bought brown rice, wholemeal floor and lentils and more butter beans. Dh's side of the trolley contained Yorkie bats, egg custard tarts, energy drinks, coffee, crisps

I felt very virtuous

Bars not bats

Just managed to log on.

I've been suffering for the last couple of days with an allergic reaction to my neighbour's cat. Bad sinus problems, headache and hives!

On a positive note my shopping trip was a grand success. I swapped the biscuits for cashew nuts, walnuts and raisins. Prefer the cashews. I bought green lentils too. Need to decide what to do with them apart from in a soup. I was thinking chicken and lentil curry. Need to find a recipe.

Had a salad lunch with hard boiled eggs, beetroot, avocado and the usual leaves, toms, red pepper. It was nice. Oh and some shredded carrot. It looked a bit of a mess! It was a case of I've got it in the fridge is I'll put it in.

Hello, I did a healthy shop too! Only one pack of flakes, no biscuits. Did get cottage cheese, hummus, oat cakes, fruit, oh and cashew nut butter! I did see the 100% cashew nut jar but decided on the one with 80% cashew and 8% peanut. I was worried I wouldn't eat it. Oh also sunflower seeds, bargain for a pound! Big pack. I'm going to try to shift to eating more pulses this week. I do like them, but tend not to opt for them.

I have butter beans, berlotti (?) beans, cannelloni (?) beans. As well as chick peas. Any suggestions what I am do with them.

I once made a lasagne, no meat, with tinned lentils. It was lovely!

rummikub all of those beans are great for a one pot wonder. Bung it in with Passata, garlic, onion (chili if you fancy), maybe some bacon/chorizo/mince/chicken if you fancy it. Last week i made a massive pot with two types of beans, bacon and all the veggies in the fridge as well: peppers, courgettes etc. Or i do a dish with chicken breast pieces in chicken stock with leeks and butter beans but could easily be substituted.

Cod (or similar) with chorizo, chickpeas and roasted tomatoes, peppers and chickpeas is delicious [[http://www.womanandhome.com/recipes/293710/cod-chorizo-and-chickpea-casserole example recipe). Serve with green veg.

Mix the cannellini beans with a tin of tuna in olive oil, cherry tomatoes, avocado, cucumber, capers, maybe some chopped parsley, lemon zest, lemon juice, olive oil and salt and pepper for a great lunch. Posh it up with a seared tuna steak instead of tinned if you like.

Link fail! recipe

Those sound delicious sleep.

Will definitely try one later on in the week

From what I've read your tummy may not thank you if you suddenly add loads of pulses. :o So may be best to add them into your diet gradually!

We had scrambled eggs (DD's request) for lunch but with a little chorizo, pine nuts, Parmesan and broccoli - really nice.

Anyone know anything about benecol products? Doctor said as my cholesterol is high (good cholesterol is at a very good level) I need to take benecol products. I got some this morning and they are revolting and full of sweeteners and sugar ffs! Anyway I need to take one yoghurt drink a day and I'll see if that makes a difference but I'm inclined not to bother after that. I think my levels will naturally come down the longer I eat healthily.

Blood pressure is high too I need to take tablets but had a reaction last week and needed to stop taking them. I have another sort which I'm going to start Monday night as I have a very busy day and if they make me ill too I'll be in trouble.

So basically I'm falling apart at the bloody seams and stressed as my Dad's in hospital again

Spent all morning in tears, then went out for a walk. Really pushed myself to go further as I had a huge accident 5 years ago and broke both ankles so have been in active for a long time-hence the weight gain and blood pressure issues

Onwards and upwards!

Today's food was 1 egg, benecol yog, strawberries and black berries.

Whole wheat pitta with salad and qinoa and grilled chicken.

Dinner will be roast chicken, ratatouille and possibly brown rice depending on how I feel.

Sorry for the rant

Hugs, dame, that sounds really rough :(

No idea about benecol but I'd be similarly about the added crap like sweeteners. FFS indeed.

Using them as a short term measure to get the level down and then ditch them as general healthy eating should stop it increasing again.

Hi girls,

I am new! I am trying to eat better, and also loose a stone. I'm at a healthy weight for my height (5'5 and 10st 7lbs) but I could still loose some more. Not had a very good weekend. Stuffed my face silly yesterday and had far too much wine. Today I've had a tuna and egg salad and a cookie. A banana somewhere too. Now on second glad of wine. Tomorrow will be better!

Thank you for the tasty pulse recipe ideas!

Dame sorry that you're having a tough time.

I wouldn't be keen on the sweeteners either. Are there any natural foodstuffs which lower cholesterol?

I think just generally eating better and fewer saturated fats works tbh. Exercise too.

Thanks for the flowers, I'll put them in water

Hi ican

It would have been interesting to see what my levels were originally, they might have come down dramatically already. I have another test in 3 weeks so will see.

Sometimes cholesterol is high due to familial traits. Mine is, so I'm supposed to be on statins, but I preferred to try diet. Though I remember the dietitian being when I said I used proper butter.