https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 10 May 2026 15:16:12 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-want-to-eat-healthier-no-idea-where-to-start/page/2#post-660016 Thu, 21 Mar 2013 21:20:01 +0000 sarac 660016@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>When I hit my rock bottom with weight gain, I was totally ready to change. I started with replacing one meal with a healthier one - I had a salad for lunch every day. That was a small, easy step to take, that didn't feel overwhelming or scary. Then I changed another meal, then the third one. I did it all in small steps, so it wasn't this huge scary change. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-want-to-eat-healthier-no-idea-where-to-start/page/2#post-658987 Thu, 21 Mar 2013 18:30:24 +0000 MrsH 658987@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Pen: thanks for the celery tip. I haven't been adding liquids to my smoothies lately just fruit and greens. I'm going to have to try carrot tomorrow. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-want-to-eat-healthier-no-idea-where-to-start/page/2#post-658974 Thu, 21 Mar 2013 18:27:07 +0000 Mrs. Pen 658974@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsH: oh yes carrots are delicious in smoothies! So are avocados. But not celery haha! I haven't tried broccoli yet but I've heard it's decent. </p> <p>I love juicing and then using fresh juice in the smoothie too :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-want-to-eat-healthier-no-idea-where-to-start/page/2#post-658969 Thu, 21 Mar 2013 18:25:56 +0000 MrsH 658969@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Pen: thanks I just got a vitamix and kind of want to try carrots or other things but not sure what. Right now I use mostly baby kale as my veg. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-want-to-eat-healthier-no-idea-where-to-start/page/2#post-658824 Thu, 21 Mar 2013 17:59:53 +0000 Mrs. Pen 658824@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsH: you know I totally wing it now depending on veggies I keep on hand! I usually use water, coconut water, coconut or almond milk as the base, one banana and one other fruit like blueberries and 1-2 cups of greens. I like to add flax or chia seeds if I have them and kefir for probiotics. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-want-to-eat-healthier-no-idea-where-to-start/page/2#post-658717 Thu, 21 Mar 2013 17:37:01 +0000 MrsH 658717@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Sketchbook: the dinner and snack idea is great. I also tend to get over full on dinner. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-want-to-eat-healthier-no-idea-where-to-start/page/2#post-658712 Thu, 21 Mar 2013 17:34:33 +0000 MrsH 658712@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Pen: have you posted your smoothie recipe that you use now? A non-beginner version with less fruit and more veggies? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-want-to-eat-healthier-no-idea-where-to-start/page/2#post-657331 Thu, 21 Mar 2013 11:02:37 +0000 LaughLines 657331@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hahahaha this may give you some ideas! So funny, just wish it were longer!</p> <p><a href="http://imgur.com/a/J9r3P#" rel="nofollow">http://imgur.com/a/J9r3P#</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-want-to-eat-healthier-no-idea-where-to-start#post-655810 Wed, 20 Mar 2013 17:59:11 +0000 Mrs. Sketchbook 655810@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Champagne: we have the same problem. DH feels a meal must include meat to "count" as a meal, and I tend to overeat at dinner! I'm actually trying to become ok with not eating a "filling" meal at dinner. I figure if we eat a balanced meal and he has a snack later, that's better than us getting overfull on dinner. Plus by limiting snack food I buy, I force us to eat healthier snacks. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-want-to-eat-healthier-no-idea-where-to-start#post-655587 Wed, 20 Mar 2013 16:10:33 +0000 MsInformation 655587@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I second @Monkula on the CSA idea. A few years ago, DH and I signed up for a CSA-like service that delivers to our house a box of seasonal, mostly locally grown produce every two weeks. This was what got us eating more healthy. Previously, we would build meals around the protein and revert back to the same two veggies. Getting the mystery box of produce forced us to try new things, and eventually we started planning menus around the veggies and not the meat. Now I feel weird when there's not something green on the plate.</p> <p>I did have to ease into a more veggie-centric diet, especially because I'm not much of a salad eater. At the beginning of this lifestyle change, I was making a lot of gratins, which are arguably not the healthiest way to prepare veggies. But now I've developed a taste for veggies not buried under a layer of cream and cheese. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-want-to-eat-healthier-no-idea-where-to-start#post-655522 Wed, 20 Mar 2013 15:55:05 +0000 plantains 655522@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Champagne: Try more complex carbs like butternut squash, sweet potato and spaghetti squash. I also find that heartier veggies like brussel sprouts are really good.</p> <p>For me, the best thing to fill my DH up and not make him feel like he is missing out has been to do more than one side veggie. For example, tonight we are having oven roasted chicken and brussel sprouts with sauteed mushrooms and tomatoes in garlic, chives and olive oil. Because there are so many different items on his plate, he feels like he is having a very complete meal and stays full. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-want-to-eat-healthier-no-idea-where-to-start#post-655486 Wed, 20 Mar 2013 15:41:03 +0000 Mrs. Champagne 655486@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Monkula: we just found out there is a local farm that does fresh produce delivery in our area starting in may! we are going to sign up. part of our problem is we never cook/I'm a bad cook. Going to try to improve that so we eat at home more and it actually tastes good!</p> <p>@Mrs. Bee: awesome! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-want-to-eat-healthier-no-idea-where-to-start#post-655467 Wed, 20 Mar 2013 15:35:20 +0000 Mrs. Bee 655467@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>i have a great interview with a nutritionist going up tomorrow that answers a lot of questions you have. stay tuned! :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-want-to-eat-healthier-no-idea-where-to-start#post-655456 Wed, 20 Mar 2013 15:31:54 +0000 Mrs. Twine 655456@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Have you considered subscribing to a CSA? Getting different fresh, seasonal produce can really inspire you to find new recipes, and it tastes great and is so healthy. Otherwise as everyone else has already said, take matters into your own hands and do some cooking. Cooking your own food gives you great awareness of what you are putting in your body, it can taste fantastic, and it can be fun. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-want-to-eat-healthier-no-idea-where-to-start#post-655375 Wed, 20 Mar 2013 15:03:51 +0000 Mrs. Champagne 655375@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Sketchbook: I like that idea about the new veggie! Maybe I will do that tonight!</p> <p>Thanks so much everyone. I am going to keep all this in mind when we go to the grocery story tonight.</p> <p>Another question - how do you fill up your SOs without a lot or carbs or meat? If I roast meat and veggies for dinner, DH is starving and has toast or cereal right before bed. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-want-to-eat-healthier-no-idea-where-to-start#post-653596 Wed, 20 Mar 2013 06:21:36 +0000 BelugaBean 653596@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I just want to subscribe to this thread. I've been trying to move towards more unprocessed foods and I tried my first green smoothie yesterday so I'm hoping I continue on the right track! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-want-to-eat-healthier-no-idea-where-to-start#post-653591 Wed, 20 Mar 2013 06:16:50 +0000 blackbird 653591@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Keep it simple to begin with so you aren't overwhelmed. Eat whole foods and stay away from processed stuff. </p> <p>ie when you go grocery shopping--stick to the perimeter of the store. Lots of fresh meat, veggies, etc. Cook with them....roast them, bake them. Learn new ways to cook with these foods :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-want-to-eat-healthier-no-idea-where-to-start#post-653394 Tue, 19 Mar 2013 22:40:12 +0000 littlecasita1122 653394@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Things that have worked for me and my husband - drinking seltzer versus drinking diet soda. We used to drink Crystal Light in our water but now we make our own flavored water (cut up some limes or lemons and squeeze in a pitcher of water). My husband has seen a nutritionist a couple times and she recommended we start adding veggies anywhere we can. So we usually make our own pizza once a week - since my husband likes peppers, she suggested adding that as a topping. To cut down on snacking, we bought 100 calorie packs for a while but now we don't even buy those as we usually only snack on fruits or veggies. I have switched over to eating greek yogurt now for the extra protein. We made lots of small steps to help from regressing backwards. We still have room for improvement but we eat SO much better compared to our college years!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-want-to-eat-healthier-no-idea-where-to-start#post-653356 Tue, 19 Mar 2013 22:13:08 +0000 lovehoneybee 653356@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We don't eat as healthy as I'd like but much healthier than we used to. I made a point to not have junk food in the house (because I can go to town on a bag of kettle cooked chips)s, I try to cook with real food (not processed shortcuts) so I can control what's going in it. And we cut our meat consumption down to 1-2 times a week, if that. I don't even usually miss the meat. </p> <p>I think BLW has helped me make smarter choices in what I cook. If I know E will be eating bits of whatever I make it gives me motivation to make healthier, more nutritious choices. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-want-to-eat-healthier-no-idea-where-to-start#post-653337 Tue, 19 Mar 2013 22:03:28 +0000 Mrs. Sketchbook 653337@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm trying. My two goals: greens at every meal and buy an unfamiliar veggie every time I go to the grocery store. Also no buying junk food! All that helps a ton. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-want-to-eat-healthier-no-idea-where-to-start#post-653299 Tue, 19 Mar 2013 21:50:41 +0000 Boopers 653299@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Pen: So so true! I know I will never be 100% either and I'm ok with that- but I do think I need to sloooow it down a bit. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-want-to-eat-healthier-no-idea-where-to-start#post-653269 Tue, 19 Mar 2013 21:31:49 +0000 Mrs. Pen 653269@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Boopers: aw of course! I think it's so easy to place so much guilt on ourselves! But you're setting yourself up for failure if you eat the standard American diet and then say, "I'm going paleo tomorrow! DONE!" It's simply not realistic. And sometimes not healthy because your body needs to detox and you end up craving or binging worse than normal.</p> <p>Focus on ONE aspect of your diet (grain, sweets, eating out, etc). Work on that for 3 months. If you need longer than that - don't feel bad! But do 1-2 things at a time so you don't overwhelm yourself :) </p> <p>When I started changing how I ate I told myself this wasn't a diet, it was a lifestyle change. Most changes we make in our life aren't instant changes, they're gradual. Change is healthy! If I wanted this to stick, I knew I needed to be realistic.</p> <p>I still get overwhelmed with paleo blogs because I'm nowhere near that strict or disciplined haha! I still allow myself cheats. Like I said - I know myself and am being realistic. I'm never going to be completely sugar free, but I can do the best I can. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-want-to-eat-healthier-no-idea-where-to-start#post-653246 Tue, 19 Mar 2013 21:16:44 +0000 Boopers 653246@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Pen: ahh that was great advice! I've been trying to eat healthier and would eventually like to not eat the processed and junky grossness and I'll do really well then totally revert back to old ways (we bought a gallon of Blue Bell cookie dough ice cream last night)! I think I'm trying to do too much all at once and it's causing me to crash and burn. </p> <p>I appreciate how realistic your advice it. I read a lot of Paleo blogs and it intimidates me and then makes me feel like a failure if I am not strict, which I know is not a healthy lifestyle. I'm not one to "diet" or count calories, but I am working towards making healthier food choices. Thanks for your input! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-want-to-eat-healthier-no-idea-where-to-start#post-653238 Tue, 19 Mar 2013 21:07:17 +0000 tysonja 653238@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@zippylef: if you still find it a bit bitter after rinsing, you can try cooking it with low sodium chicken broth as the liquid, too! SO flavourful! then use normally, in savoury dishes, of course :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-want-to-eat-healthier-no-idea-where-to-start#post-653233 Tue, 19 Mar 2013 21:03:18 +0000 yoursilverlining 653233@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@zippylef: was it white/beige colored quinoa or red/black? I hate the red/black quinoa; I've tried it many times/many ways and gross gross. Love the beige kind though!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-want-to-eat-healthier-no-idea-where-to-start#post-653137 Tue, 19 Mar 2013 20:13:44 +0000 Mrs. Pickle 653137@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think cutting out convenience foods is a great way to start. For example, instead of buying a packet of flavored rice buy a bag of plain rice and season it yourself. That's where I started. Then you can learn how to prepare fresh vegetables instead of canned or frozen. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-want-to-eat-healthier-no-idea-where-to-start#post-653133 Tue, 19 Mar 2013 20:12:40 +0000 Mrs. Pen 653133@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@zippylef: maybe it's your brand?!? Idk! I get the big bag of organic quinoa from Costco! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-want-to-eat-healthier-no-idea-where-to-start#post-653132 Tue, 19 Mar 2013 20:11:34 +0000 Mrs. Pen 653132@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Champagne: you can eat too many fruits because they have such a high sugar content. I definitely try to limit mine to 2 a day, though like you I vastly prefer them to veggies! Haha. Start with veggies you like, and don't be afraid to eat it with something like hummus until you grow more accustomed to eating vegetables more consistently. I still butter up my broccoli like crazy :) I just use grass-fed butter- so good! And sea salt of course ;)</p> <p>And yes- that's a green smoothie! Just adding kale or whatever other greens you have. It's healthiest to mix up your greens too- like don't just eat kale 7 days in a row. Switch it up with spinach, collard greens, etc. I have found my favorite budget blender is the oster. It purées my greens completely. </p> <p>As for researching and conflicting advice: I tend to go with more traditional forms of eating if I find conflicting evidence. And though this may not be popular opinion, I never follow anything just because the FDA seems it safe or unsafe because they are a load of bull. I follow what's called the Weston A Price "diet". I recommend checking out the book Nourishing Traditions. It is chock full of amazing information regarding health and going against politically correct nutrition haha! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-want-to-eat-healthier-no-idea-where-to-start#post-653130 Tue, 19 Mar 2013 20:10:34 +0000 Silva 653130@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Eating whole foods, and cooking more! I think our eating improved the most when we started to get really in to cooking.<br /> Less meat is important too- before I was pregnant we ate meat maybe two or three times a month. Now we eat it about once or twice a week. There are lots of great ways to have a whole meal without meat, and its not hard to get enough protein if you add in other foods (nuts &amp; legumes).</p> <p>Also, meal planning, which reduces those moments when you reach for the easiest thing (plus, you can keep your grocery shopping trips limited to just the ingredients you need for your meals).<br /> Try to eat green vegetables with each meal (I rarely do with breakfast- unless I have time to cook, then I add spinach to eggs or make a green smoothie).</p> <p>We cook healthy dinners (mostly) and make sure to have enough leftovers for lunches. So each week we plan breakfasts for ourselves, and then dinners (we take turns cooking). </p> <p>Big pots of soup are easy to make, and you can freeze leftovers for quick dinners later on. I usually do one soup a week (except in the summer).<br /> Find a couple go-to recipes that are healthy and rotate them in each week. </p> <p>Here are some ideas that we often use:<br /> black beans w/ onions, tomatoes &amp; spices all cooked together on whole wheat tortillas with greens &amp; taco toppings (healthy tacos)</p> <p>this salad is one of my favorites (for two people I use only one can of chick peas, and then extra greens- we prefer it with arugula): <a href="http://joythebaker.com/2011/03/spicy-chickpea-salad/" rel="nofollow">http://joythebaker.com/2011/03/spicy-chickpea-salad/</a></p> <p>for our pasta night (every other week or so) we cook 1 pound whole wheat penne pasta, pour it into the strainer over a bag of spinach, and toss it with homemade pesto (or a jar of red sauce- whatever). Since I'm pregnant and needed to increase protein, we add some sliced chicken sausage.</p> <p>For breakfast this week I'm having: glass oj, bowl of bran cereal w/ milk and strawberries, and whole wheat english muffin w/ peanut butter. If I wasn't pregnant and starving all of the time, I would probably just have either the english muffin or the cereal. and I never used to drink juice- but I've been craving it during pregnancy, so I have one glass a day.</p> <p>I just wrote a novel- sorry! I love food and cooking and eating out- I think "eating healthy" is pretty easy if you have the philosophy of local, whole foods, and embrace cooking! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-want-to-eat-healthier-no-idea-where-to-start#post-653128 Tue, 19 Mar 2013 20:09:20 +0000 loveisstrange 653128@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Pen: hmmm... Maybe i'll have to give it another try </p>