Not really sure how to diet - can anyone help?

[JennaTailor]

To be honest I don't really know what I am doing when it comes to dieting (i think i need more of a healthy diet rather then to diet) !! About a year and half ago i lost 3 stone (in 6 months)- I have pretty much maintained this (gained 1/2 stone). I didnt hit the size i wanted to be (hit 14 but wanted to be a 12) - so in November when I gave up smoking I decided to diet again. My version of a diet is to stick the the same food every day - it is boring but i know what i am getting and like that it is so simple ...

But i dont think i am getting it right - i am not sure i am eating enough or of the right foods. I eat:

3 oak cakes + one banana for breakfast
2 apples - snack
1 satsuma - snack
One tin of weight watchers soup - lunch
1 satsuma - snack
meat and LOTS of veg - dinner

On the weekend i dont 'diet' but i still watch what i eat - but i might have a roll for lunch or two potatoes with a roast and maybe the odd biscuit.

I am 6 foot tall and now a size 10 on top and 12 on the bottom - what do i need to eat to be eating enough - not necessarily to loose weight but to be healthy and not put on weight.

I guess what i am asking is what do normal people eat most days ?

A lot of fruit.. which is healthy but high in sugar. Also not sure that breakfast would be very filling.

I have done both tesco totals (like weightwatchers) and now low carb - will give 2 examples:

tescodiets

breakfast - shredded wheat with skimmed milk
mid morning - activia fat free yoghurt
lunch - sandwich with low fat filing (eg turkey breast, tuna (no mayo) & salad
mid afternoon - apple
dinner vegetable soup, meat or fish, veggies and small serving of low GI carb

low carb
breakfast - eggs
mid morning 1oz of cashew nuts
lunch - total greek yoghurt, can tuna & salad
mid afternoon 1oz of cheese
dinner - chicken breast, veggies. salad

I feel you with the 'don't know how to'

but tbh you don't even sound Overweight.

sorry not much help I'm sure you'll get where u want to.

At 6ft and a size 12, you are not overweight so you really shouldn't be dieting. As you are on MN, I assume you have children and they (especially girls) pick up on body insecurities very easily. Try not to get too hung up on what you are eating. They'll notice.

What is important is a healthy, balanced diet with lots of wholegrain, fresh vegetables and lean meat for your whole family. Try to avoid processed or preprepared foods, and make things from scratch if you can so you know exactly what goes in them.

All diets work on the same principle - use up more calories than you eat, so you can lose weight eating just chocolate! And most people's diets fail because they get boring, so try to vary things a bit.

Jenna what do you weigh now?

Are you a supermodel?

If you're not the shape you want to be but eat pretty healthily then may be exercise. Try the 30 DAY SHRED a DVD by Jillian Micheals - we have a thread on here - it really tones you up. & gets you fit.

I am not sure how much i now weigh as i dont own any scales and tend to go by clothes - but i would guess about 11.5 stone. Just to clear up ...I know i am not over weight - however i would like to go back to a size 10. I tend to yo yo diet ..i either diet or totally dont watch what i eat ...Im looking for advice for a middle ground diet - the healthy eating plan.

what is a normal amount to be eating a day?

Try one of the online trackers, like Foodfocus.co.uk or Livestrong/myplate. You can input your weight, age, the amount you want to lose per week (although I agree, it doesn't sound like you need to lose any!), your activity level, and it will give you a calorie total per day. You can also use it to maintain your weight, or to gain weight incidentally.