I see different types of foods being discussed, such as protiens, grains and carbs. I know the protiens are things like meat and eggs and cheese, and grains are bread and cereal, but what exactly are carbs?

Hallie, Actually bread is also a carb. Carbs is short for carbohydrates. Things like fruits, veggies, bread, potatos, rice, sugar, cereals, cookies, crackers, popcorn, cake, etc. Anything that isnt a protein or a fat basically is a carb. Food like milk has all three, protein, fat, and carbs. Cheese basically should be considered a fat in my opiniion. As far as choosing which carbs to eat, obviously there are healthy choices and not so healthy choices. Try to pick 5 servings of fruits and veggies a day..have as many veggies as you want. Have 5-8 servings of other high quality carbs..High fiber carbs are the best choices, things like high fiber cereals, whole wheat bread, potatoes, even rice are good choices. Avoid the more refined carbs like white flour, sugar, and obviously cakes and cookies, etc. The high fiber carbs are really good choices. A gram of protein or carb has 4 calories and a gram of fat has 9 calories..you can see by cutting back on fat you can really eat a lot more!! Let me know if this answers the question, or if you need more info!!! :)

Thanks Sooz, that really did help explain things. What about pasta? I'm sure that's probably not a good thing to eat cuz I LOVE it! Unfortunately, I am not a veggie eater. I guess I'm going to have to force myself to eat some sort of vegetables. I do like fruit though, with grapes being one of my favorites and also an easy snacking food.

Hallie! Yes! I forgot to mention pasta! Pasta is def a carb..and it is fine to eat pasta, but the trick there is to watch the serving size and what you put on it. I have my pasta without meat, and just a small amount of parmesan cheese, and I use Healthy Choice Spaghetti sauce. Some people have suggested whole wheat pasta, and I have bought some, but havent used it yet. Pasta would be a good way to sneak in some veggies. I have baby carrots every day with my lunch, they are convenient, healthy, and nice and filling and crunchy. You might find you like raw veggies bettr than cooked..And I would also say, a spaghetti sauce would count as a veggie..just def watch the cream sauces and cheeses when it comes to pasta. :)

Hallie,

Sooz has given you some great eating ideas. On the veggies-A tomato based sauce definitely counts as veggie. Start experimenting. Like corn on the cob? Instead of soaking it in butter, sprinkle it with butter buds. Last night I made a lowfat Zucchini lasagna. ummmm good. How about mushrooms sauteed in PAM with garlic & onion? I bet if you work at it, you'll find that you don't need to "force" yourself to eat veggies.

Karolyn

I think you're right, Karolyn. I'm just having lunch and I went to the cafeteria salad bar and got fresh spinach, baby corn on the cob, mushrooms and pickled beets. I added a 3 oz. can of tuna packed in water and a tablespoon of Kraft free salad dressing and it's really tasty!! I've been counting my calories today and so far have only used 350. Also, I've had nearly two liters of water! Just hope I can keep it up when I get home from work!! Thanks for your help and support - it means a lot to me. ;)

That sounds delicious Hallie!! What a perfect choice for lunch!! Way to get those veggies in!! and tuna is an excellent choice also!! * *

Good Choices, Hallie!!! :) :) :) You already have a great start. Just keep it up and you'll start noticing differences before you know it.

Karolyn