Need Tips on Improving My Diet

One of my favorite snacks I concocted from Sams Club.

I get several bags of various raw, unsalted nuts, an bag of dried cranberries, a large bar of 65% dark chocolate, figs, dried fruit and a small container of salted sunflower seeds or peanuts. I break the chocolate bar into small pieces, then get a large mixing bowl and combine all the goodies together and bag it up in ziploc bags. It is amazing! When I first started it I used all salt free nuts, but a tiny bit of salt makes the whole thing taste better, and salt in moderation is okay, right? My kids love this snack mix too. Healthy and filling!

Your best bets for foods are organic fruits and veggies. Many can be eaten as is, no prep. Try to eat more protien! bake bonelss chicken (don't overbake it) and cut into strips. Put some in ziplocs for the freezer. (doublewrap to keep our frost) and some in the fridge.

Dehydration always makes me crave carbs, especially later in the day/evening. Try to drink more water earlier in the day. That should help.
Eating carbs begets carb cravings, unfortunately. The less of them you eat, the less you will crave them.

Wow do I have some great vitamins!!! I used to use the vitamins got at grocery store and pretty much got what was on sale or I had a coupon. I figured they were all the same right? I switched a year ago and could not believe the difference. My new vitamins have over 85% absorption rate which my others came no where close. Boy am I learning so much.

Actually snacking is a much more healthier way of eating. You should eat 6 times a day.

Some things to keep on hand for a quick snack or as part of a meal...
cheese and low fat crackers
cut up veggies and dip or humus
fruit (easy grab and eat like apples, grapes)
yogurt
hard boiled eggs
granola
grilled chicken breast (especially during the summer I'll grill up a few chicken breast then I can cut it up and throw it on a salad, slice it and make a quick sandwich or wrap, or heat it up as part of a meal)
chex mix (I make my own using less butter than the recipe calls for and seasoning with garlic and onion powder to cut back on the salt)

Erin,
There's certainly nothing wrong with bananas and yogurt. However, that's not much protein. If you had more protein and fiber at breakfast, your blood sugar would be stabilized and perhaps you wouldn't have some of the other cravings later.
I belong to a website where I can download cds on health topics. I can give you a copy of one on womens health if you would like it. Or I can give you the website info where you can get a subscription. It costs $15 per month. Just let me know.
Victoria

hi Erin,

I find my biggest challenge is that I don't have the time/energy by midday to be cutting and preparing fresh fruits and veggies and healthy stuff. I think planning is the key. If you can plan your meals and snacks ahead of time, that really helps. For example, when I'm cutting up any kind of veggie for a meal, I cut extra and put it in the fridge for snacking. Another HUGE helper is preparing supper in the morning and stick it in the crockpot. Then I don't have to think about it. Check out this website:
http://busycooks.about.com/od/healthycrockpotrecipes/a/he.... You can also write down your goals and keep a food diary. I find that i feel more guilty when I have to write down what I ate. No one else sees it but I feel horrible when I see "three cookies, chips and soda, etc". I hope this helps. Good luck!
PS -- I second what they say about more protein. I usually take about 10 nuts (almond/cashew mix) in the morning, or a hardboiled egg, and that seems to stave off hunger until lunch.