[quote=NCNOLE]You can learn to eat just about anything! Can't believe someone would ask why eat salad if you don't like them. Anyways.... I have 2 salads a day, but I'll just list my favorites. You can also find recipes on pinterest. Spinach, no sugar added mandarin oranges (I eat 1/2 serving for 20 kcal), dates (I use 1/4 serving for about 35 kcal), craisins (1/4 serving for another 50 kcal). I normally use makoto ginger dressing which has 80 kcal in 2 TBSP - but I only need 1 TBSP b/c I just dip the fork in. However, I recently discovered flavored balsamic vinegars, so I have been using those more (hardly any sodium and as far as I can tell only about 10 kcal/TBSP). I go to a specialty store in my town to buy different kinds of vinegar - honey ginger, strawberry, raspberry, pumpkin are among my favorite flavors. I have also used Ken's healthy options oil and vinegar and Olive Garden's italian dressing -- again I usually stick to 1 TBSP and I have a fairly large salad. Another salad involves spinach, pears (cooked if I have the time) and pecans (toasted). I also like to throw some apples on spinach. I don't do cheese or creamy dressings, so that saves calories. My evening salad is usually spinach w/ cucumbers and banana peppers and tomatoes. I plan to try an asian slaw salad next week. I usually start my meal w/ a large salad to help fill me up and get my nutrients. I really think it has made a big difference and highly recommend it. It cuts down on the need for other higher calorie foods as it takes extra time which allows your brain to get the "i'm starting to feel full" signal. It makes your meal last longer. [/quote] That was my thought! I want to like salads lol and other healthy stuff :) My mom (who is a very healthy eater) says the same thing; eating a huge salad before the meal so that you fill up faster. Thanks so much for the help!

[quote=JessWhatINeeded]I'm a big fan of making a what I call spicy mexican salad: lettuce, onion (sometimes leeks instead), green peppers, bell peppers of another color are the base. Instead of dressing I use salsa - but I thin it out with the juice from a jar of jalapenos and blend smooth. I add other things I have them on hand and they fit into my calorie budget: ground beef, chicken, cheese, black olives, corn, beans.[/quote] I am sold on this! LOVE salsa!!!! And all those other veggies to :) I guess I like more veggies than I thought lol

[quote=mmpearce]I can't find the exact recipe now, but here is a warm salad-like recipe I really liked. Low fat, but hearty feeling. I can't remember the exact the measurements, so you'll have to experiment. - Saute sliced portabella mushrooms and red onions in a little olive oil. - add little black pepper, 1/4 cup of balsamic vinegar and some soy sauce (maybe a tablespoon or two) to taste - cook a few more minutes - pour over greens (spinach, arugula, lettuce, etc.) and sliced red peppers. Very similar to this: http://shinjitefood.wordpress.... Other than that, I love everything from Mark Bittman. See this link for salad and dressing recipes. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07... [/quote] Ooooh now this sounds very good! I LOVE all those ingredients, except balsalmic, but I don't hate balsamic and I think with the soy sauce it would be great!

[quote=SassyD78]A friend sent me a picture of some food this morning on FB. It was eggs cooked in bell pepper rings. I made it right away. I always cook my eggs in coconut oil because it makes them lighter. Most coconut oil is tasteless but Trader Joes (and I love that place) but theirs have a coconut smell and taste. I sauteed some spinach around it and it was great. A great alternate to frying eggs in a piece of bread with a hole in it, Being in a ring made it easier to flip and I got some vegetables in first thing in the morning. [/quote] I LOVE this idea!

Thanks for the ideas!

[quote=Marlboro Man]why eat something if you dont like it?[/quote] Because it's healthy and I will benefit from it :) so I want to figure out a way to eat it so that I do enjoy it.

I really want to start eating salad every day and I'm super picky. I can't seem to find a low cal salad that is good without putting lots of high cal dressing on it. Any ideas? I do like spinach with olive oil, crumbled feta, oregano and S&P. I also like Sweet Onion vinegarette dressing as well as French, Caesar, Poppy Seed and Catalina (just to give you and idea of my tastebuds) :)

[quote=thynes]The main thing is to find what works for you and your body and to be sure it's something that you can live with for life. That's how all the success stories go including my drop of over 50 lbs that I have managed to keep off for about 8 months now (Now for that last pesky 10! :-)). Everyone has opinions and what worked for them. Try something and if it's not for you then just try something else. Good luck![/quote] Thanks so much :) I think I can live with less carbs and more protein... I truly love meats, yogurt, cheese and nuts/seeds... all those high protein foods :) I love salsa and sour cream and I forgot to add tomatoes to my list of veggies I like. Thanks again!

[quote=SassyD78]I've been on Atkins for almost two years and below my goal weight for over a year. I eat pure proteins, beef, chicken, fish-fat's ok because it makes meat tender and melts away when you cook it. Most cheeses, not much on American or cottage because they are higher carbs. Nothing low fat-tons of sugar, higher carbs and less pure in nature (low fat half & half & sour cream-what is that? Look at the labels) Olive oil, coconut oil, butter, avocado and mayo. Vegetables-all of them but limited potatoes. Fruits, berries, melon, some mango and apple but no-banana's and oranges because they trigger me. The key has been at least 2 cups of greens a day as part of daily vegetables-I eat at least two servings of vegetables with lunch and dinner and one at breakfast if I can. Pure proteins, vegetables and enough fat to keep you satisfied. I will up my fat to kick start myself if I start to fall. I find no reason to go low calorie because on low carb you naturally cut back on food and are less hungry. I can and do eat pretty much anything right now but I count it. If I have a higher carb day, I'll cut back. Desserts and sweets are something I can finally have but after the 1st and 2nd bite the magic isn't there and I don't like the bloated feeling I get if I eat more than that. It's not the last time, I'll ever get it. Drinking plenty of water is very important. Diet drinks, protein shakes and bars will stall me every time. I will have a shake if I can't grab anything else in the morning but only once in a while. Eat real food, not diet and not low fat. If you like spinach try it sauteed in olive oil, garlic and S & P-add red pepper flakes for a little kick or flavored olive oil. You might be surprised how good it can be. Brussel sprouts, sauteed in onion and bacon yummy-I found kids who like this. Experiment, things you think you might not like, you might if you fix it differently. Good luck. My health has improved so much. I gained over 50lbs in less than a year when I went on cholesterol medicine and started a 1600 cal "diet". I developed arthritis. My joints ached and were swollen, my bad cholesterol did go down but so did my good cholesterol and my triglycerides more than doubled. I hated life. The blood work 9 months after starting Atkins and one month after exceeding my goal was perfect. The doctor told me to stop dieting-I'm great and then when I mentioned low carb, completely freaked and told me to be careful. I followed her plan and my health hit rock bottom in record time. One thing improved and three things got worst. Following Atkins, I got my life back and feel great. [/quote] Wow what a journey for you! Thank you so much for the advice and help :) I LOVE olive oil and the spinach idea sounds great; so does the brussel sprouts, bacon and onion :)

[quote=siobahnbower]I don't think anyone can tell you a single answer that applies to all persons. I have read a fair amount about dieting, and I'm an Internal Medicine physician (but that doesn't mean I'm always right!). I think the Zone diet (and several others like Farrell's, Paleo, etc) have it right with 30% fat, 40% carb, 30% protein. Ideally you would have that ratio at every meal. You need to have carbs (I don't think carb free diets really work for anyone long term), but protein and fat are critical components of feeling full. Picking better carbs with a lower glycemic index will also help to give you energy without a crash.[/quote] Thanks!

What percentage of your daily calories should proteins be? What about carbs and fat?

[quote=CJT1217]Check out my diet calendar for how simple I keep it. But not really for this past weekend. Hehe. That got a little out of hand there....[/quote] I must try the protein shakes to!

[quote=thynes]Oh and my things above are not all low carb lol...forgot that part when writing, sorry. But when it needs to be my "salad" is usually just my protein with baby spinach, low carb dressing and a couple low carb toppings. Love baby spinach, chicken breast, crumbled low sodium bacon and chopped eggwhites. I don't do low carb but I do have to keep the good carbs and protein as even as possible or forget it. I can't seem to go low carb AND low cal and be happy so I've had to find a middle ground. I'm def with him above on the protien shakes though. Drink one almost every day, made a big difference. [/quote] Thanks so much!

[quote=CJT1217]Check out my diet calendar for how simple I keep it. But not really for this past weekend. Hehe. That got a little out of hand there....[/quote] Thanks :) hehe I understand the getting out of hand thing! I really love protein bars, I've had the Cliff ones (I think that's what they're called?) and they are so good. Maybe I'll pick up some of those more regularily.

For anyone doing low carb high protein diet plans, can you suggest some foods/recipes? What are the staples I should have in my pantry and fridge? I'm thinking that I need to lower my carbs and up my protein while still getting lots of fiber to. Some foods I'm eating: Lean poultry Lean meat Tuna Salmon Cottage cheese Greek yogurt Boiled eggs Whole grain breads/pasta Olive oil Blueberries and strawberries Low fat cheeses I'm having a hard time incorporating greens into my diet. I'm not a huge vegetable fan, but I do love broccoli, carrots and sweet potatoes as well as white potatoes (but they are very starchy). I don't mind spinach, but I'm having a hard time finding a salad that is low calorie and yummy without pounds of dressing on it. I do sometimes use crumbled feta cheese, olive oil, oregano and a little S&P. Most of the foods above are pretty good low carb high protein foods, but I also find challenges on how to put them together to make a meal. I'm not very creative and not sure what to food to put with what; not sure if that makes sense or not. Also, which foods should I avoid or eat very moderately? Any advice you can give on how I can get started on a diet plan that is low carb high protein would be great!

[quote=ColourMeFabulous]The "Apple Tuna Salad" that CoconutPrincess posted sounds awesome.. I look forward to making that and getting out of the Tuna "Doldrums"!!...Thanks C.P.!![/quote] You're gonna love it!

What motivates me is when I hover my mouse over my icon and the little thing pops up and it has a number beside "Lost so far". Seeing what I've lost so far motivates me to lose more!

[quote=grglblch]"When you are aware of what a decision is going to yield for you then you will realize that you are either moving closer to or farther away from what you really want. " Straight up "Slight Edge" philosophy. Every small step is either in the success or failure curve, and they compound over time. That's fitness exactly. Looking back at the end of every day if you made 2 steps forward that's progress. Keep doing that every day and after a while you look back and realize you've gone a LONG way.[/quote] I love that quote, thanks so much for the encouragement :)

[quote=finance337] Do you do anything special with the Tuna? I am so bored of tuna and mayo, the most I do is add onion and celery, any ideas? I am definitely trying the yogurt next time that sounds great![/quote] I have a fantastic tuna recipe that is in my Taste of Home Comfort Food Diet Book. I LOVE this sandwich! High fiber and high protein :) Apple Tuna Sandwich Ingredients 1/3 cup fat-free mayonnaise 1/4 cup finely chopped celery 1/4 cup finely chopped walnuts 2 tablespoons finely chopped onion 1 tablespoon sweet pickle relish 1 teaspoon sugar 1 pouch (7.1 ounces) light water-packed tuna 1/2 cup chopped red apple 6 slices reduced-calorie bread, toasted 6 lettuce leaves Directions In a large bowl, combine the first six ingredients; stir in tuna and apple. Spread 1/2 cup tuna mixture on three slices of bread. Top with lettuce and remaining bread. Yield: 3 servings. Nutritional Facts: 1 sandwich equals: 286 calories 8 g fat (1 g saturated fat) 23 mg cholesterol 704 mg sodium 33 g carbohydrate 7 g fiber 24 g protein Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch, 2 lean meat, 1 fat

[quote=The Blue Box][quote=coconutprincess] I LOVE Greek yogurt... soooo yummy. I eat it as a sweet and also as a replacement for sour cream and dips.[/quote] A million times yes! I swear when Greek Yogurt hits Salsa it becomes Sour Cream. I cannot taste the difference at all! I also add Greek Yogurt to my Tuna instead of Mayo. :d [/quote] Oh wow, I never thought of adding it to tuna, great idea!