Please Help!!!! I DO NOT KNOW how to eat healthy!!

[Sandi]

I have pretty much spent most of my 37 years of life on some sort of diet or another. I have lost up to as much as 165 pounds and kept it off for several years, but I've NEVER known how to eat healthy!!!
I'm either on a starvation diet, an "eat all the cabbage soup you can eat" diet, and the list could go on forever.
I am absolutely the most UNHEALTHY that I've ever been in my whole life. I have a 14 year old and a 3 year old to raise, and I've handed down my poor eating habits to them already!! I want my food to make me feel good, not sluggish and bloated.
I'm fairly certain that I'm allergic to alot of the foods sold in the markets that are processed to death!!!
My friend's grandmother once told me to only shop the outer walls of the market, not the middle isles. (meaning the fruits/veggies, meats, etc.) and only buy things that have been around for at least 75 years!!!! LOL But, she was SERIOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I really need help here, because I have no idea where to begin. I think I could VERY easily be a vegetarian!! I am such an animal lover, and at times when I'm eating meat, I get a really sick feeling about what that animal looked like just before it was killed!!!!
Also, isn't eating healthy very expensive? I know that I can't learn it all in one day, but I know there are alot of you out there that can help get me started!!!

I'll even help you narrow down my problems.....This is typically what my shopping list consists of:

1) White bread by the loaves
2) Packaged ham or turkey sandwich meats
3) Chips for the sandwiches
4) Tea bags and several POUNDS of sugar for my Mississippi Sweet Tea!!!!
5) Frozen pizzas that I doctor up with green and black olives & xtra Mozz. cheese
6) Frozen fish sticks (Don't EVEN know what fish is in them, if any!!! lol)
7) Several cases of sodas,,, Sprites mainly
8) Instant oatmeal (strawberries&cream, peaches&cream, blueberries&cream)
9) Instant microwavable mac & cheese packets for my toddler
10)Boneless/skinless chicken breasts (which I do grill usually)
11)Boneless pork chop tenderloins (which I grill or broil in lemon pepper/butter)
12)Lots of other stuff that I'm not even sure comes close to being on the food
pyramid!!! lol

PLEASE HELP ME!!!!!!!!! I will take ANY advice and will use it wisely!!!!!!!!!!

[Susan]

Hi, Sandi-
I can cetainly relate to your post above. I have been modifying my diet over the years and for the most part I now eat healthfully, though I still like white bread, butter and sugar sandwiches (feel good food from my childhood).

My friend's grandmother once told me to only shop the outer walls of the market, not the middle isles. (meaning the fruits/veggies, meats, etc.) and only buy things that have been around for at least 75 years!!!!

This does seem extreme, doesn't it, but it is classic nutritionist advice. Much of the convenience foods have all the nutritive energy removed and are then pumped with vitamins and synthetic flavors to attempt to replace what was there to begin with.

The book that really started me on a healthier path was Andrew Weil's 8 Week to Optimum Health. It gives easy to adopt and adapt suggestions for changing your diet and adding other kinds of nourishment to your life (exercise, spiritual practice, beauty). It is by far the most comprehensive guide I've read.

the other thing that has been most useful to me is the idea that instead of eliminating things that are familiar and loved, try adding a something new, say fresh steamed vegetables or a frozen fruit smoothie once or twice a week. Gradually you may discover that you feel better after the healthier choices. I also like the positive vibe of adding instead of limiting.

This is an extensive area and there are lots of websites and books that can give you ideas. If you want I'll be glad to share other things I have learned.

Peace to you

[Kaety]

Hi Sandi,

With all the conflicting info out there, it is so easy to get confused! I too have, in the past, struggled with what to eat, what was healthy, and then giving up and eating whatever I wanted. However, I wanted to share two things that helped me in the recent past. First, I recommend reading Susan Powter's books. She breaks information down into simple and understandable doable steps. She has a website, "susan powter online" and a new book, "the politics of stupid" but I recently read her older books, and find them more informative. I think her approach is slightly different now, advocating whole unrefined, unprocessed, organics where as before, it was all about low fat, and some processed, although she was saying back then to eat more whole foods as well. The best part is, I've been following her program for a month, and don't feel hungry or deprived, because it's all about giving the choice back to the people and giving them information to make a choice.
Second, I'm allergic to wheat and dairy, and when I finally gave it up, I dropped 30 pounds without dieting, so I think there is something to that. I'm now trying to lose the next 30! To find if you have an allergy, you can go to an acupuncturist, or simply stay away from the food for three days, and on the fourth, try a little bit, and if you get any kind of reaction, then you probably should stay away from the food. Typical allergies are; wheat (not just in bread, but many soups, and candy, and even soy sauce), dairy, eggs, corn (corn syrup, etc.), white sugar.
Hope this helps!
Kaetlin

[Maggie May]

Hi! Don't worry. The other advice you have been given is good. I like the 74 year thing too. My ex used to eat only food that was golden brown (mini tacos, cheese sticks, fish sticks, chicken strips). He was a sugar addict too (would only eat candy all day...literally) and he changed it. I had a half ok diet then.

We started shopping on the outer walls. If you live near a Sam's, their fruit is affordable and they have a lot of variety. It also keeps for a long time.

Just ease into it. I started by telling myself that I could eat all of the junk I wanted if I just ate three pieces of fruit that day. Then, I started adding vegetables. Slowly, your body and your cravings will adjust.

Some people may not agree, but I still give myself one "fat" day a week. I eat anything and any junk I want that day. If I'm drinking, I make it that day, or going out to eat, or at a family party. At first, my fat days were cookies, cake, pizza, ice cream. Now, after about 4 months, my fat day was half a pint of ice cream and some small kit kats. I'm not a light eater by any means either.

Finally, I always have food on me. I always keep a fiber one bar or an apple or something quick in my purse and a bottle of water. That helps avoid any starving trips to a fast food place. If I really want something, I let myself have it. However, you really need to just tough it out for about a week. Try veggies with butter (real butter is more satisfying and natural) or cheese, red pepper, garlic. It really is a lifestyle change but it doesn't have to feel like you are on a lifelong diet. Eventually, you will be able to eat anything you want even if it is bad for you since you won't crave it that much.

Good luck!

[Tabitha]

Hi Sandi,
Firstly, congratulations on asking for help! Many people are too proud/arrogant to do this. I agree with everything Mandy Ray Jones said here. Processed sugar is pure poison!! It is the absolute worst thing you or your children can eat, even worse than meat and dairy! I began to write a very lengthy response to you, but I had so much to say, it would have ben impossible! My best advice to you is to get a food coach. I have found Karen Knowler from the UK to be the most profoundly wise and sensible person I have ever heardd talk about healthy eating and overcoming emotional eating. Her website is www.therawfoodcoach.com Other sites I have found helpful are www.rawpower.com.au and www.greensmoothiechallenge.com Let me know how you go! I am on a journey toward optimal health myself...

[Ada Bader]

Given that list. My friend you have food addiction. If you cant figure out how to eat healthy (which just means you arent in touch with what your body actually needs anymore) and that is you diet (pretty much everything that is heavily addictive in food is on it except mcdonalds) - you are addicted to the chemicals and compounds in these things.

I know because I am quitting the same foods as you are eating.

\Note: There are studies that show plants actually emit the equivalent of a scream when pulled, they die too. Things always die for us to eat. Always, we must just learn to be grateful. If you have to do the veg thing, EXTENSIVELY research protein, talk to a natropathic dr., and you NEED to be able to FEEL what your body desires for nutrition. When healthy, it will tell you. If you dont do this process first, you could ultimately cause yourself imbalance or disease, or even shrten your lifespan.

Quitting: I was forced, and im not all the way there yet. i had three teeth pulled and couldnt eat solid food for almost two weeks. I thought i was starving to death, it was stressful, my body panicked. I did research and was feeding myself a drink which i made that should have basically what i need (good fat, grain, minerals, veggies, fruit, and complete protein. When i got hungry (about every hour) i took 4 gulps. I went from 214 to 194 in two weeks. Its not about a diet though. I guessed what nutrition i needed based on research and after a week, my body was utilizing the nutrition (it forgets how with junk food) i lost weight, was feeling healthier, more clear headed. I hate pepsi now, it tastes like household cleaner. Pizza isnt as good. I am keeping my portions low. When i am at work i dont do much of anything so now that my body has gotten over panicking about the small amount of food and realized that the smaller amount of my 'goop' is nutritionally superior to the huge meal i had before! Yay! I am having fun now picking out items for my goop. Heres one: blue corn flour, all bran, banana, honey, rice milk, spring mix veggies (salad), v-8, cow milk - it tastes great!

The point is, its like resetting. If you can get past the withdrawals, it is easier to quit or you just might not like the icky stuff anymore!

Some of that stuff u eat is okay but you have to look at hormones in animals etc...

Expensive? If you can eat simple meals and shop on sales...no. You can make it work.

Start with things you know you like/need, your body doesnt remember what its supposed to be eating. Just start giving it some good stuff regularly and it will readapt eventually.

hope my adventures were useful!