Shopping for weight loss

[parrotsandcarrots]

I've decided enough is enough. I am eating like there's no tomorrow. I feel tired all the time! I really need to sort out what I'm eating and live a little healthier. I'd also like to lose some weight but mainly I want to feel like myself again.

I'm going shopping this evening to buy myself some healthier choices (we still have so much Christmas chocolate left). Does anyone have any just buy recommendations for snacks/food for meals/anything that will help encourage me to eat better?

Thank you!

That's a bit broad! What are you in eating now?

What am I eating now?

Mainly chocolate. Crisps. Lots of bread. Sometimes pie.

I've put bananas and low cal spray on my list so far.

Meal plan!! Work out what you will eat for breakfast lunch and dinner and go from there. And make sure you get healthy low cal snacks - that is always my downfall. So I always make sure I’ve got things like crackerbread and low cal cream cheese if I’m feeling peckish.

I agree, meal planning is key. I don’t like low calorie spray, I find it ruins my baking trays! I would suggest using normal oil and cutting out the unhealthy snacks. If you are eating well I don’t think using a different oil makes any difference. If you are eating lots of chocolate and crisps, cutting them out (or way down) will likely make a big difference.

Pinch of nom is a great all round cook book for low calorie healthy meal ideas too ☺️

You must be eating main meals as well as just pie. I’d plan for those first. Aim for loads of veg, lean protein and measured carbs.

What’s the basic plan you’re going to follow?

I am eating normal main meals. But just waaay too many snacks. I can't seem to go longer than an hour without putting something in my mouth.
I don't really have a plan to follow yet, I was hoping to start by swapping the quality street for something healthier.

@parrotsandcarrots

What am I eating now?

Mainly chocolate. Crisps. Lots of bread. Sometimes pie.

I've put bananas and low cal spray on my list so far.

Sounds like me a few weeks ago

If you are going shopping, take any suitable items to the food bank as better there than with you - clearing OUT the cupboards is dieting step one, deciding what to eat/buying that is mark 2

Otherwise, I'd suggest start with:

• 1-2 breakfasts eg 1 egg based, 1 oats/porridge/greek yogurt
• 2-3 lunches - eg light wraps/sandwich thins, beans on toast, egg on toast... whatever you like & you possibly don't need 7 different options
• 5-7 dinners - LOADS of veg, poss some sweet potato instead of normal potato, some less evil carbs if you are going to have those (eg brown rice perhaps, or quinoa?)
• def get some easy options (I'm a vegetarian, so I always have some veggie sausages/burgers in as they are pretty low calorie, filling & easy for a night i can't be bothered to really cook)

ALSO - a non-evil 'treat meal' to stash in freezer (eg a Pizza Express pizza, a fancy ready meal... basically a more indulgent dinner to have if the urge for a takeaway strikes)

Lower fat milk/herbal tea
Some actually healthy snacks if you plan to have snacks (i have crudites & 1 tbsp of hummus for my afternoon snack now vs a giant pile of crisps)

are there a few meals you like that you know are healthy? can you start there? I also strongly recco getting some filling but healthy 'snacks' in case you need them (eg peppers, carrots, low fat cheese, mini hummus, nuts ... whatever you like really)

I would strongly recco less processed food as I feel better on it within days, but if you want to lose weight you need to like the food or you will cave

Strongly second meal planning & doing some meal prep eg Sunday and then mid-week so that you are not making food decisions when you are starving

good luck!

All of above - plan your meals so no waste either, otherwise it will get expensive!
I would buy a journal and write your meals in. You can see then what you're eating too much of etc. You can also write down your (realistic) aims and any words of encouragement!
Also, sparkling water I buy. 2 litre bottles and aim to get through one a day. Add lemon or lime to taste. You might prefer tap water but I find if I buy it, I drink it. Or low calorie squash. Lots on the market.

@parrotsandcarrots

I am eating normal main meals. But just waaay too many snacks. I can't seem to go longer than an hour without putting something in my mouth. I don't really have a plan to follow yet, I was hoping to start by swapping the quality street for something healthier.

Yeah, this is something you need to work on. I have 3 hours minimum breaks. So lunch, snack about 3.5 hours later, dinner about 3.5 hours alter. Every hours isn't wven snacking anymore. I would call that grazing. Start giving yourself set times to eat. It helped me with self cintrol. "Fancy it? Fine. In an hour"

Thanks everyone. I'm coming to come up with a plan and I am going to really try and leave longer gaps inbetween snacking.

@parrotsandcarrots

Thanks everyone. I'm coming to come up with a plan and I am going to really try and leave longer gaps inbetween snacking.

I normally have one snack at 1030am and another at 4pm. I find the defined times helps me! But the best thing is eating filling but healthy main meals.

Fruit/veg food in an array of colours.
Tinned tuna
Chicken breast (turkey), prawns
Chick peas/other beans
Spices/dried herbs/stock cubes
Herbal teas

Soups and stews are good in this weather.

I second the spices and herbs. It helped me to feel more satisfied when my food had a lots of beautiful flavours since it didn't have the amount of spoonfuls I was used to.
Dry spices into stir fry instead of a sauce are really good too.

Frozen herbs are also really good. I have quite a few (I got mine in my Waitrose order but I expect other places do similar) - garlic, ginger, coriander, chillis. I've also got a bag of frozen onions and frozen prawns always in my freezer. That means I can easily make something really tasty for lunch (e.g. fry a small portion of onions with some spices, add prawns and whatever veg I've got lying around = stir fry) which is lowish calorie & v low carb.

I like having a jar of gherkins or pickles in the fridge for snacks. Quite low calorie but very strongly flavoured and crunchy so feels like you've actually eaten something.