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.

Frugal, no I've not heard of cocoa nibs. They sound great. Where do you get them from? Totally agree about white bread. I reckon I could do half a loaf without feeling even vaguely full. It's like eating fresh air!

Oooh I've just seen that Holland & Barratt do cocoa nibs. Will definitely be getting some.

Ok so, the bean chilli turns out to be hotter than the sun because I can't follow a recipe apparently so looks like cheese on toast for tea

I was about to suggest holland and barratt :o

Does anyone mind if we share the odd recipe or meal ideas on here? Not that I want to derail it into a recipe thread, but it would be helpful for me to get some ideas as when it comes to cooking, I'm really out of practice :(

Basically due to my health I find food preparation very difficult, but I've recently started cooking again and am trying to add in a bit more variety (DH used to be a chef - never really enjoyed it as he was basically forced into it by his parents - so he can cook easily, but we are really in a rut as he really views food as more like fuel).

I recently made courgette fritters (nigella website) which were amazing as a veggie meal. Next time DSD stays over I've promised we will try making noodle soup (her favourite anime character is obsessed with ramen :o) so will hunt down a simple recipe for that.

I'm trying to put together little bits for the freezer to help me add flavour quickly and reduce waste - eg I put a whole pack of parsley into softened proper butter with garlic, and have sliced and frozen it. I'm going to do the same with stir fry mix (ginger, chilli etc).

Also just wanted to share my favourite egg meal - line a greased muffin tray (I do one or two 'muffins' per person depending on appetite) with ham, put some sliced tomato in and then a layer of grated cheese (the stronger the better as you don't 'need' so much). Crack an egg into each one and stick in the oven for about 25 mins. You can vary it by putting in spinach, chorizo etc.

On the subject of ham though - I rarely buy it now as even 'naice' packs seem to be reformed and full of water and nitrates etc. Processed meat is not good. Is it actually possible to get ham that isn't messed around with? (I don't really know much about meat cuts TBH)

You can cook a gammon in the slow cooker if you have one, or oven or boil it. Nicer than packaged ham and loads cheaper. You can freeze portions of it too.

Ah thanks I was wondering about gammon. I've never really had it apart from the occasional school dinner (with pineapple, obviously :o) but found it really really salty. Can you rinse it and stuff to make it less so? Or can you buy them unsalted like you would with a cut of beef? (Like I said... clueless)

The idea of cooking a big one and slicing/freezing does appeal though!

Lady - can you add yoghurt to cool it down or is it beyond that?

Re carbs, brown bread is better than white - lower gi and more fibre for example. To a degree you need to experiment with how dietary changes affect you. I find it too hard to give up bread for example, both for practical reasons and I enjoy it! (but no problem at all avoiding rice, pasta and potatoes). I keep the bread granary and no more than one or two slices a day, always at breakfast/lunch. DH and I gave up all carbs (other than veg) with evening meals for a while but he felt exhausted all the time - adding carbs such as lentils, beans, sweet potatoes or chickpeas back to dinner cured that. Other than that I'd say just have more protein and veg if you feel you need more food. If you think dinner seems insubstantial then try adding a starter course...smoked salmon and avocado, prawn cocktail, thai fish cakes, asparagus with melted cheese or poached egg? And/or dessert, some great dark chocolate, or Greek yoghurt with berries?

Re honey, yes still sugar but at least you can see the amount you are consuming, unlike with cereals, yoghurts, ready meals, juices etc. again, I think some people are more sensitive/addicted than others, in that they can't have just a little and stop, it's like a trigger that makes them immediately crave more. That Horizon programme was extreme, the low carb/sugar guy gave up all carbs as I understand it, not just sugar. Apart from anything else, most people would find that unsustainable. There are questions over the blood sugar test they did too (see other threads, I'm not an expert). Personally I think if you cut out processed food as much as you can, you are going a long way to making your food healthier by eliminating all the additional sugar, gluten and salt that you don't need. The you don't need to worry too much about a drizzle of honey on your yoghurt

Buy an unsmoked gammon. Bring it up to the boil then throw that water away, cover it with new water and boil until it's cooked. Removes saltiness.

I agree sleep, that's what I'm hoping to achieve. I know cutting something out completely is destined to fail but eating things that haven't been messed about with is common sense and it really does taste and feel so much better. I think the 80/20 rule makes sense and I enjoy things like cake more now that I eat it much less often. I'm trying to learn to bake and make nice treats at home now and again (I don't have the energy to do it frequently so it's not likely to become my new addiction :o) instead of buying ready made all the time.

That's great dame thanks, I'll try that :)

Dame re honey, that was my thinking too. I know it isn't healthy but it's better than refined sugar.

Our consultant said brown sugar is better than white if you have to have it new. That was news to me

I failed today spectacularly. Ended up being out for most of the day unexpectedly and didn't take anything with me. The friend I was with had ordered a takeaway so I had some of it. I stuck to the chicken balls but there's no way that was remotely healthy. Tomorrow I'm at home so the real healthy eating starts then. My fridge is heaving with fresh good and someone's got to eat it.

*food

Thanks Sleep for the honey advice too. I didn't think it was too bad and we buy from the farm up the road when we can so know where it's come from. Greek yogurt, honey and kiwi fruit slices is almost as good as chocolate cake.

Onwards and upwards, went to Pizza Hut last night (DS's birthday), had heavenly veg pizza (not pretending that its super healthy) and some salad (cous cous, beetroot, carrot, sweetcorn, bacon bits, low fat fresh dressing (now realise that was prob wrong). Didn't eat all of pizza, didn't have any garlic bread or alcohol, tbh was still a bit full from cake binge. Hate preparing salad, but genuinely find that I enjoy salad bars and luckily not a mayo addict which helps. This morning I have had some oatcakes and yes I admit I have eaten a yoghurt this morning too. DH is doing a food shop later and I have asked him to get peanut butter, planning on eating on toast (actually prefer the wholemeal bread with seeds in) for breakfast. Doing a roast tonight (roast chicken, broc, carrots & roast potatos), may do a fruit crumble afterwards - tinned fruit in own juice (don't ever add any sugar), You can probably tell that I'm trying to be positive about all of this today, don't have headache today which is good.

Tell DH to get no sugar peanut butter Octopus

Sleep No, no yoghurt available unfortunately! Had a slice of cheese on wholemeal toast then exhaustion kicked in (have a horrible cold) and went to bed.

This morning I've had two slices of wholemeal toast (yes, there's a pattern here!), a cuppa, a glass of apple juice (sugary but at least one of my 5 a day I guess) and NO CHOCOLATE. Which was bloody difficult. I find I eat more bread when I'm off work, as I can't usually be bothered to cook anything for lunch so end up with toast for breakfast then a sandwich for lunch. Unfortunately I'm on maternity leave for another 6 months...Am thinking chopped veg and dips, possibly cheese on something instead? I really can't get away with fish or eggs, which removes a lot of options...

I'm probably going to end up with something from the supermarket for lunch today since we have nothing in, due a big shop tomorrow. Some sort of chicken wrap maybe, or could raid the salad bar. Would usually go to McDonalds and get a chicken legend meal am slightly addicted. Tonight is beef stew with potatoes, carrots, swede and leek. Just need to resist the chocolate and cake in the cupboard...

Why no fish or eggs Lady?

I just really don't like them, to the point of feeling ill at the thought of eating them! Have always been a bit fussy, but the egg thing I put down to being forced to eat them scrambled at school when I was about 6, and then throwing them straight back up. Fish I think is the smell and texture. I can do cod if its a nice chunky fillet, or battered/crumbed, but that's pretty much it... Over the years I've kept trying them sporadically in the hope I'd just one day realise they weren't that bad (managed to do the same with chicken, never ate that until my late 20's) but doesn't seem to have worked yet.

Am well aware of how odd and annoying it all is, particularly when I'm around people who can eat anything and don't understand why I don't just eat it anyway!

I have frozen my white bread in case I really want it. And am having rye bread toast for breakfast. Is oat bread good for you?

I like the opportunities for nourishment idea rather than dieting.

Does anybody have quick and easy as well as healthy snack ideas. Almonds, Brazil nuts...

Snacks

Apple, banana or celery with nut butter
Greek yoghurt, berries, a few nuts
Half an avocado
Cooked chicken/prawns/tinned fish
Hard boiled eggs (cook a batch every few days and keep them handy, also good for rushed breakfast)
Raw nuts (any except peanuts) and some fresh fruit
Spicy beetroot and crumbled feta
Crudités and houmous
Couple of squares of dark chocolate

Hope everyone's having a nice Sunday.

So far today I've had my porridge with blueberries and a handful of seeds. So comforting when it's cold and blowing a gale outside. Lunch was grilled stuffed mushrooms and salad. Planning on salmon got dinner with whole west rice and veggies.

Oh and carrot sticks with pesto humous has been snacked on. I can now light fires with my garlic breath.

*for
Whole wheat.

Thank you sleep.

Like the sound of spicy beetroot and feta.

A slightly weird favourite of mine rummikub! Also nice with a bit of pesto, loosened with olive oil and drizzled over

I've stocked up on dried apricots, figs,nuts and seeds today and some very reduced seeded organic bread which I shall ration to a couple of small slices a day if necessary.
Plan for tomorrow's food is
Fruit for breakfast- I hate breakfast with a passion so this will actually be eaten at breaktime.

Box of chopped salad with some mint yogurt dresssing

Handful of nuts, seed and dried food to snack on

Lots of veg for tea with a chicken breast

Few dried apricots for after dinner.

I find a couple of weeks of sticking to clean eating makes a huge difference to my stomach size!