what to eat to lose weight

[naminifard]

I would like to find an effective meal replacement that makes me feel full and control my hunger.  I keep active but I feel like i am eating to much and thus not losing weight.  I appreciate your feedback.

[carl669]

ask yourself this, if you lose weight while on the meal replacement bar/shake/whatever, what happens when you stop using it?  or, are you willing to use the meal replacement forever?

the problem with that type of thing is that you're relying on someone/something else to tell you how and what to eat and never learn to listen to your own body.  my advice, skip the meal replacement.  you'll be better off in the long run.

[Maxit]

I read "I feel like I am eating too much" and am wondering if you are actually weighing and measuring food and keeping track.  This is important, as the "guesstimate" method reliably under estimates portions.  Do some research and eat at a reasonable deficit and stick with your plan for 3 or 4 weeks before deciding that it is not working.   Also, I agree with the above poster about what is sustainable.  There are literally hundreds of "meal replacements" out there, and there is that number times hundreds of people who have used them, lost weight, and then gained the weight back.  Eat sustainably now for success in maintenance later.  Stay away from "diet" products.  Go for whole, natural, minimally processed or unprocessed food.  

[joestencowwife]

ETA: Oops. Sorry, somehow I missed "I want a meal replacement" and heard "the meal replacements aren't helping what can I do"... sorry to have wasted your time!

When I was exercising a lot and not losing weight, I got really serious about what I was eating. Then the weight started coming off. People started asking me how I was doing it, but then drew back in horror when I told them. I kept hearing "I can't give up..." So I'll tell you what I do... but you may not like it.

My primary foods include fruits and veggies and lean meat. I'll eat fruit for breakfast. Then chicken breast or lean pork chop with steamed veggies for lunch. Dinner is something from those but maybe a combo. I might do the lunch type thing again, or might do just steamed veggies, or might just have an apple. I try to keep the bulk of what I eat in the morning and then just "stave off hunger" for the rest of the day. The WORST thing you can do is eat the majority of your food in the evening before bed.

The lean meat and steamed veggies (think broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, asparagus, and the like) are the BEST low calorie, long term satisfaction foods I have found.

I also have cashews and a cashew/dried cranberry/almond trail mix that I'll use in a pinch for quick protein, but I have to be careful because these calories add up WAY quicker with less long term satiation. I also will eat string cheese occasionally with an apple, or for a quick "satisfy the just before bed hunger" so I can get to sleep if I am particulary hungry and it is too late to eat much.

Notice, there is no bread, no rice, and no potatoes in that list. Consumption of these foods is a rare treat for me... usually a special occasion and at a restaurant.

I do splurge once a week on a margarita, a lean 6 oz steak with steamed broccoli, and occasionally some guacamole and chips. (Date night)

It is amazing how good I feel eating this way. My caloric intake stays low, but I feel satisfied, don't get hungry as often, have more energy, and feel REALLY good. Once I start getting off diet (and I don't just mean trying to lose weight, I mean just start eating "out of line" by adding in bread, potatoes, etc and things I don't normally eat, I always regret it. I feel absolutely awful. The difference is just amazing... but it can be really hard to change your eating habits and get to that sweet spot. I really struggled for several weeks at the beginning... missing the starches... but when I'm in the zone, sticking with my "approved foods" I find that such things don't even look good.

I didn't get to this type of diet over night... I took it in a series of steps. If you're interested, I can go into that... but I don't want to keep going on if you are already going "get the heck out!" lol 🙂

Either way, good luck with your efforts!

[purplerose3]

I use body fortress whey protein that is sold at walmart for about $18 for a large jug. I also add PB2 to my shakes and they are so yummy!

[whome]

There is a New York Times writer that had some advice a couple years ago that I think is pretty good. If I remember correctly, it went like this - Eat food, less of it, mostly fruits and vegetables.

Points being-

1) Eat food - read the ingredients - most processed food contain lots of "not food" - you probably recognize the names of "foods" when you see them. If you don't recognize it, it probably isn't "food". 

2) Less of it - Duh

3) mostly fruits and vegetables - essential to a high fiber diet and high fiber is very important to digestive health.

Just my 2 cents - Good luck

[need2loose]

I am new to fit bit and I am using the fit bit zip.  For the last two weeks I have cut out all or most of bread, pastas, rice.  Still there are so many foods that have carbs. I'm interested in your meal plan as it sounds like what I am trying to do.  My excercise is limited, walking mostly and some days I'm just unable to do much of that. I am 63 and have arthritis and a not so good back.  I am managing to get my 10,000 steps in a day. Yesterday I actually did 20,000 but I'm paying today.  I need to lose about 70 lbs. SO I'd love to hear your meal plan.  Thanks.

[chriseeo570]

I don't follow any diet I just keep track of my calories on here.  So far I haven't been hungry at all and haven't deprived myself from any foods.  I'm just started tracking my calories over three weeks ago.  Of course, for overall health I try to eat healthier foods when possible such as vegetables, fruits, and greek yogurt.  But, if you can eat healthy all the time without eating any bad foods then go with that.  Basically, a person who does that is almost like a maximalist, maximizing health.  But, each person is different along with physicians, each will tell you a different story on what they believe is the best possible path or they may offer all the possible paths and let you decide without swaying you one way or the other. 

[Hamburg57]

Hi need2loose. I find it helpfully to stick too the outside Aisles of the grocery store. Less sugar and carps.

[need2loose]

I've mainly been eating protein, chicken, fish, and occasional red meat.  Mostly I just add veggies or salad greens. I also sometime add a atkins dinner if I'm in a hurry.  I'll keep adding more veggies.  I am doing ok with that so thank you all for your comments.  

[spinningsteve54]

i eat porridge in the morning with skimmed milk . i also steam all my veg more flavor mm only lean meat  no salt or sugar no bread only brown rice plenty of low impact exercise this worked for me give it a try GOOD LUCK .

[divedragon]

Not trying to call you out, but I would like to correct one fallacy that is very common among dieters - eating before bed.  The key to loosing weight is calories in vs calories out. 

This is supported along with other dieting myths here: http://www.webmd.com/women/features/stomach-problems?page=3  and Here: http://www.jillianmichaels.com/fit/lose-weight/myth-too-late-to-eat?xid=nl_LosingItWithJillianMichae...

To name just 2.

Having said that, to avoid food before bed can be benifical to prevent things like acid reflux and insomnia.

[need2loose]

Today I am getting replies on this thread from Oct.  I do not eat before bed, actually never have.  I am down 35 lbs. .  Thanks for your imput though.

[SunsetRunner]

I've lost weight just eating Mcdonalds and dunkin donuts. Its all about calories in vs calories out.

I suggest a diet high in protein and full of veggies and fruit.

And drink lots of water