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.

I didn't have lunch as I wasn't hungry so had an apple and some Greek yogurt with raspberries instead. Have been for a walk with dog too so feeling virtuous. Thecsun was actually shining!

Never tmi Sunshine You've got a lot going on. No wonder you don't have the inclination to be planning meals etc. Hopefully this healthier eating will give us all some extra energy and motivation. This time of year I find myself going into hibernation mode.

Today have eaten:
2 slices of seeded toast with sugar free peanut butter
Handful of grapes
2 oatcakes
2 slices of seeded toast with caramalised onion humus
Some pineapple
3 Biscuits
1 Small square of icing

As you can see I haven't managed to avoid sugar totally, but for me this is an improvement and I'm pleased that the breakfast worked quite well.

For tea will be having pasta with red pesto, sweetcorn and sausage and I'm aiming not to eat anything else.

sunshine you have a lot to deal with! Try and keep in mind the need to look after yourself (for you and your family's sake). Make sure you get a bit of time - even 15mins- to do what makes you feel good/relaxes you/makes you smile every day (read a book, call a friend, take a walk, have a tea/coffee in peace?) and try not to put yourself last in order of importance in the family

I eat fruit and veg every day.

My bmi is 24.4. I am at the top of my ideal weight range and hoping to lose 1 stone. I have lost 10lb in less than a month by measuring my food and eating lunch and dinner from a side plate which I take great pleasure in.

I used to eat a packet of crisps every day which has now been reduced to once/twice a week.

I no longer reach for 3-4 biscuits when cooking.

I drink Cadburys low calorie hot chocolate at less than 40 calories rather than wasting 300 calories for a standard chocolate bar.

I write down everything I eat.

I am managing seeing all types of food in my cupboard and 'choosing' not to eat them. I would rather be disciplined than ban them from the house. This makes me feel in control.

Checking in. I will say this, I'm really enjoying my food at the moment.

B - Greek yoghurt, roast rhubarb, bit of granola.
L - quinoa with veg as yesterday but with leftover roast carrot and parsnip and lamb.
D - Cajun blackened chicken breast with roast red onion, butternut squash, sweet potato and chorizo and half a red pepper stuffed with brown rice, spring onion, mushroom, garlic and a bit of cheese.

That looks like loads....

That's sounds delicious Tawdry (and not at all loads...and no empty calories...fantastic). You are making me hungry!

I didn't mention the gin

It looks perfect Tawdry and delicious!

Even better

I just need to work on portion sizes now. Am such a pig.

That risotto sounds amazing Eddie! I actually got some risotto rice for the first time today. I like it but have never tried making it myself. Not sure what we will have in it but we've got lots of lovely stuff to choose from :)

Wow, some of the food ideas everyone is coming up with are amazing. In the end had tuna with my pasta, thought it would be healthier than sausage. Also thanks for recommendation re lidl greek yoghurt, will get some next time I am near there.

Sleep - Thanks, yes, have been eating like this for several months. I do need to lose about a stone. Oddly enough I don't feel very hungry, maybe peckish, but easy to control. Just the not losing any weight is very annoying.

Today:
Breakfast: oat porridge with semi skimmed milk and green tea
Mid-morning: black coffee
Lunch: 1 thin slice of home made spelt bread with a little tinned tuna and a sliced tomato, few slices of cucumber and cress with glass of water
Afternoon: green tea, tangerine
Dinner: small tuna steak cooked in oven in foil, 1 medium size potato, large serving of green beans. Apple. Water.

Octopus it sounds like you are making some great changes

Tawdry look on the bright side, gin is probably better than cola please don't say you drank it with coke

Morning everyone

We had homemade chicken tikka with brown rice, cucumber raita and wholemeal chapattis with tons of lime pickle for me

Tonight is quorn chilli with baked sweet potato. DH has never made chilli with quorn before so this is new territory for me.

I have had porridge for breakfast with almonds and a cup of green tea.

Tawdry your recipes sound lovely! Don't think I've ever eaten quinoa, how do you cook it? Is it similar to pearl barley or lentils?
Ive got a fridge full of veg so think I'll make some soup for lunch. It's a horrible cold sleety day here so it will help warm everyone up at lunchtime.

I've had 2 eggs scrambled for breakfast and a handful of cashews.

Skipping lunch and having cauliflower and chicken curry tonight with Cous Cous rather than rice. Side plate portion

Plan to drink 2litres of water and have some crudités in the fridge if I feel hungry.

cauliflower and chicken curry tonight

^

That sounds gorgeous.

Eddie there's an ongoing quinoa thread at the moment, ideas for recipes there Quinoa

ooh can i join?

Breakfast was a sandwich from Morrisons - i had to run out the door to get petrol - must get up earlier tomorrow!

Lunch - Tuna pasta with tomatoes, onions, peppers, sweetcorn etc (Hairy bikers recipe) with mayo mixed with water and white wine vinegar.
Some carrot sticks and salad
A pack of velvet crisps and a yoghurt

Dinner will be Stick chicken (another Hairy Bikers recipe) with either jacket or new potatoes not sure which and some veg.

I've lost 2 stone eating more normally but i still cant get my portion sizes right :(

Just in case people are drinking green tea to go caffeine free, it does still have caffeine in it. You can get decaff and caffeine free versions but standard green tea is caffeinated.

I don't drink caffeine as it aggravates my anxiety and my lovely friend got some green tea in for me. Haven't had the heart to tell her yet. I just ask for water

Finding it hard to eat enough calories so I don't lose weight. I think I was filling up with bread. Whole meal so still relatively healthy but trying to avoid the added sugar. For the time being at least.

My awesome DH has brought me a tub of Cadburys Hazelnut Highlights Hot Chocolate. I am a bit ratty being pre-menstrual (sorry TMI) and it has really taken the chocolate craving edge off for 45 calories.

Lunch has been carrot and coriander soup with toasted wholemeal pitta and guacamole, a banana and the hot chocolate.

Coumarin - I am trying to lose a little weight but find if i don't eat enough calories I hold onto my weight anyway. I don't actively want to diet, just be more mindful about food. I am having protein shakes post workout to supplement the healthy eating and my muscles are looking leaner,more defined and I don't want to chew my arm off later on.