healthy eating (aka 'diet') suggestions??

I was wondering if anyone had any ideas/suggetions for a healthy eating plan for me. I am wanting to get back into the swing of things (gave up/gave in for awhile :-(   I'm trying to get back on track. I have tried just about every diet out there. I need something that is cheap (have NO extra money, unfortunently) and fulfilling. That a carb-o-holic food addicted emotional overeater like myself might have a chance at succeeding with....lol....feels hopeless. I'm not a very good cook, but am looking for a good healthy cookbook (thats easy to follow) if anyone has suggestions on that.

Thanks everyone!!!
Heather S.

What about Weigh****chers?  No extra money in food costs, but it is $12 a meeting a week.  It's a good support group, a healthy program that allows carbs, and the occasional sweet.  Maybe that should be your route?

I'm a carb-a-holic too, and I'm doing Atkin's.  It's difficult for me, but I make so much progress that I really look at carbs and think "Is it worth it?".  No.  It's not.  I'm scheduling a "Cheat day" on Thanksgiving.  I intend on getting all my carb cravings out on that day.  Then I'll be able to start fresh again and keep on doing the do, you know?

Almost all diets work - the hard part is sticking to them.  You need to explore what's out there and find one that fits you.  For me, Atkin's DOES NOT fit my life.  It's a challange - but the weight loss every week is such a major motivator that I keep doing it.  It's got built in motivation for me.  So that's why I picked it. 

Best of luck and look around at diet books.  Maybe something like Southbeach would work for you?  Going Vegan (The book Skinny ***** is a diet about veganism).  Atkin's?  Portion control with Weigh****chers?  Or something as simplistic and calorie counting.  Set yourself at 1500 calories a day for a week and see how you do.  Lower it or higher the qty as necessary.    Sometimes, just keeping your calories in check works.  That's what worked for me the first year I had my lap band - it was simply calorie counting and making sure I ate enough protein. 

I would love to be able to go to weigh****chers again, tried it in the past and it worked...as long as I made sure I had time for the meetings every week and didn't skip. But I am not working right now, going to college full time and living off my grants/scholarships/loans, so I truely have zero extra money to spend. I'm can spend my food budget differently, but thats about it. I have tried Atkins before,and it seemed to work great, but I think I deprived myself too much, cuase I could never make it past a second week without cheating. And once I cheat on a diet, thats it. I give up. I have been talking with my councilor and friends and I think I will be able to forgive myself for cheating and get back on track with which ever diet I choose. I was leaning toward Atkins again, mainly because it did seem to work so well for me, I'm just not sure I remember how to start (the first time I tried it, I was dieting with a co-worker who had the books) Do you know of a website that could tell me how to get started? I think I remember the first few weeks was very limited, both in what to eat and how many carbs to eat, and then it becomes more flexable?? I'm not sure. :-)

A great website for inspiration on Atkin's is SugarFreeSheila.com.  This woman lost about 40 pounds and looks like a supermodel.  She was in a few magazines for her weight loss.  Her website is full of pictures to motivate you, has a HUGE FAQ section, has a start up package of work books and gives away one of the original Dr.Atkin's New Diet Revolution books every week so maybe you can win one.  She gives out recipes, the works.  Great place to get motivated. 

Thanks! I'm gonna check it out. Do you use any of the atkins shakes or bars they sell in the store? Do you like them? Do they help control your hunger, or is that just a mind over matter thing? ;-) Thanks for all the help!! I'm gonna go shopping today and start fresh tomorrow!

I do buy the Atkin's shakes for breakfast because I have a lap band, and I'm too tight to eat in the morning so the only thing I can have are liquids.  But that's the only low carb product I eat.  The rest is straight, plain, old, food. 

Best of luck!!

On Atkins, what helps control your hunger is the fat and protein you eat.

Beware frankenfoods like shakes and bars.  Atkins products are notorious stallers and have more sugar in them than reported on the graphic on the product.

In addition to Shiela's recipes, I recommend: http://www.genaw.com/lowcarb/

If you decide to go on Atkins Diet, I don't know which recipe book to recommend.  But I do recommend (if you're not going on Atkins) Betty Crocker Diet Cookbook.  I use it, and it has alot of nice, moderately-portioned recipes in it.

Denise Phares/kitties4

Hi Heather! Do you have a TOPS group in your neighborhood? They are even cheaper and can help out too.

As for eating well as cheaply as possible, try looking at store ads, writing out a menu from the items on sale.

I would stock up on frozen veggies, like spinach, broccoli, edamame, etc. Then whenever you do want to round a meal, you have something on hand.

I would also suggest buying plenty of beef and chicken broth - WW soup is very satifying and can help you get by the first weeks as you curb your appetite.

 also love reading The adventures of Diet Girl - she is a brit who is also very inspirational! google Diet girl.

Hang in there, dear.  I highly suggest you learn to cook - so key in keeping better food in your life. The "bargains" of junk food are not really all they appear.

I am currently a  member of TOPS. I have lost over 50 pounds. It is a blessing. CHeck them out at Tops.org