A positive, tasty NON-DIET approach to healthy eating. Anyone want to join me?

[fuzzpig]

Due to health issues (I have CFS/ME among other things) I have decided that I need to eat more healthily. Not that it's a cure, and I know no food is magic, but I know that having a healthier diet will be one less stress for my body to deal with. I also feel that due to our hectic and exhausting lives we haven't been feeding our DCs as well as we should.

I am not interested in crash diets etc so I decided, rather than banning myself from 'bad' foods, to instead focus on including lots of lovely nutrient rich food to make it a positive experience rather than a chore of self-deprivation. I'm not going to be weighing myself BTW, any weightloss is secondary to me as I really just want to focus on nutrition (also due to my health, heavy exercise is not possible ATM).

Unfortunately due to aforementioned illness cooking is very hard for me so I have to keep it simple and I am only making small gradual changes. So far it is easy as I actually love a lot of these foods, but often didn't prioritise them, instead going for cheaper/more convenience/quick fixes etc.

First off I decided to add berries and nuts, as these are two things that are supposedly rich in nutrients (vitamin C and protein/vitamin E respectively) and I love them - but generally didn't indulge due to price. However I found bags of mixed whole nuts in Tesco and they are going down very well, I put them in an airtight tub and 5yo DD even asks for them when she is hungry for a snack, instead of her previous requests for biscuits/crisps etc! We are all enjoying the berries too.

Although I am deliberately not banning myself from junk food, I am already finding I don't crave it quite so much because I am enjoying the berries and nuts and they feel like a treat in themselves. My taste for processed food is decreasing too, and now when I do eat some it often doesn't satisfy me at all and/or makes me feel a bit sick.

Two other things I really want to increase is oily fish (good source of long-chain omega 3) and pulses (protein and fibre). I think this is going to be more difficult as the DCs aren't keen on either (except tuna and, erm, baked beans).

I'm sure I can't be the only person wanting to eat more healthily so would anyone like to join me and share support, ideas and advice? :)

[Grockle]

This is my favourite site for food inspiration

[Grockle]

It's more like a cake recipe but the waffles are lovely - I think it's 100g of butter & sugar, 2 eggs, 100g flour & a bit of lemon zest or vanilla.

Today I've had 2 bananas, some milk, berries, nuts, grapes, cake.

[tourdefrance]

What is your waffle recipe like Grockle? We have waffle most weekends since sil gave us a recipe using vegetable oil instead of butter.
I was at a children's birthday party yesterday so my lunch was a few chips then an apple later and a piece of malt loaf when I got home. I was starving by tea time.

[Grockle]

I started the day with a homemade waffle with banana, blueberries, strawberries & raspberries then had another banana for lunch. Went a bit downhill after that as we had a tea party this afternoon.

If nothing else, my supplements seem to have had a positive affect on my nails- they have grown loads & are longer & stronger than ever.

[howiwonder]

that book sounds fascinating looseleaf

i have just received this nice neals yard book called healing foods, a great reference guide to the beneficial properties of food, 4.99 from the book people

[Grockle]

I love full fat milk. I often have it. There's something about vitamin D needing fat or something [fibrofog]

Today I have had loads to drink which is a good start to me. I know I need to drink more and it feels good when I do. I can't drink water but dilute squash is ok, so I get the high-juice ones. I forgot breakfast and lunch but ate a proper dinner - a big pile of salad (amazing, for me recently) and a small slice of pizza. I'm still really thirsty.

[tourdefrance]

Totally agree looseleaf . Nothing wrong with salad but food needs to be varied and enjoyable. Everything in moderation. I am often considered 'skinny' and people are surprised to see me enjoying cake as if its not possible to be thin without cutting out all unhealthy food.

[looseleaf]

fuzzpig sorry to only just see your question, what bothers me is when people think low fat is helpful for example as I think it just leaves the body lacking an important part of what it needs and would leave you with strong cravings. I'm described as skinny by friends but a big believer in full fat milk, eating pork fat etc.! So to me any diet menu that includes egg white omelette and salad just isn't going to be nourishing enough to be sustainable. And I like the ideas on this thread!
. I also found a book called Nourishing Traditions v v helpful as interests me about how preparation methods are important eg rice cakes aren't ideal.
I'm sure when I'm focusing on eating well (not often enough!) it gets quite expensive though I find our weekly veg box a real help

[Grockle]

cacao nibs sound good. I know several people who rave about raw chocolate.

[Grockle]

I put brown sugar on my porridge. I can't do without the sweetness but I have cut back a lot. I read somewhere that if you add cinnamon, that can help to satisfy the sweet craving so you use less sugar.

I got some Black Cohosh because I read somewhere that it can help with nightsweats. I am not convinced. Who mentioned expensive wee? Mine is, um, noticeably different since starting all these supplements. I honestly don't think any of them are helping.

[howiwonder]

i dont think i have heard of them fuzzpig , what are they like? chocolately? i load porridge up with honey, cant bear to have it without a bit of sweetness

[fuzzpig]

BTW has anyone heard of cocoa nibs? I tried them in a chocolateir class (hen party :o) and they are quite yummy - thinking of getting some to put in porridge instead of heaps of sugar...

[fuzzpig]

Sounds lovely married - I also find that yoghurt and banana and grape nuts (a type of cereal) seems outrageously indulgent if I layer it up in a glass!

[buildingmycorestrength]

Sounds delicious!

[marriednotdead]

I have lactose intolerance and IBS (the kind that needs a low fibre diet and lots of loo roll
Having a sweet tooth, I really miss proper desserts. A compromise for me is to have a (lactofree) yoghurt with a punnet of blueberries. Not as individual items, but mixed together in a naice tall bowl and eaten with a long sundae spoon. Stupid but it works!

[howiwonder]

I think I will stay quiet about what I had for breakfast..

[tourdefrance]

Just having breakfast - porridge with hidden banana and visible sultanas for dc and with berries straight from the freezer for me. I find it much easier to eat fruit at breakfast during the week than at the weekend when dp does dc breakfast and the dc and its often toast for everyone. Also take fruit to work but can go all day at weekend without eating any.

[Grockle]

I'm not there either but it's a useful thing to remember.

I didn't have a lunch break today so I came home & ate cereal & a bag of hula hoops. Not quite the healthy dinner I planned!

More nuts ordered though. I'm going to finish my order asap & will report back when it's all delivered.

[howiwonder]

That's an easy way to think of it Tourdefrance, I'm definitely not quite there yet...

[tourdefrance]

Hello can I join? I need to eat more fruit and veg. I did an OU short course on human nutrition 2 years ago which was really good. Paid for with Tesco vouchers which you can't do anymore unfortunately. It said your diet should be one third f+v, 1/3 carbs and protein, dairy, fats and sugars the rest. So really need to have f or veg with every meal

[fuzzpig]

Never done a course. Before I got ill though, I helped run a 'cooking for parents' course at SureStart as a volunteer, which involved a bit of training. Nothing too in depth nutrition wise, as the aim was making it accessible.

[howiwonder]

It's true Grockle, nuts are way more filling aren't they. I suppose it's just about having the right things to hand when you do want that snack. I need to do a big shop and stock up on healthy bits.
Today's started well- porridge with linseed, honey and strawberries. I totally agree with the whole idea of adding good things in rather than focussing on taking away.
Has anyone here ever done any courses on nutrition? I've always fancied it but haven't found one that's quite right for me, ie fairly basic, family orientated

[Grockle]

Right, day 1. I've had no breakfast but had some milk & blueberries.

I'm taking a pot of nuts to work for lunch - I used to do that & a handful of nuts & seeds would fill me up much more that a bag of crisps or sandwich. I seem to have a dodgy tummy today (maybe its complaining about yesterday's diet).

[howiwonder]

I'm not a huge meat or fish eater. Love cheese, most green veggies- love most veggies in fact. I have to say I also love carbs though, and can't imagine life without bread. Also have quite the sweet tooth

[fuzzpig]

I get cycle-related cravings too. I am starting to be more selective with the junk food I do eat though - for instance I'd rather have one amazing slice of cake than several crappy cheap ones.

Welcome howi - what kind of food do you like? :)