lilsmurf74's Journal, 13 Aug 10

I told my hubby when I really got used to shopping that I want an extra refrigerator. Atkins is such a "fresh food" plan that I only use the cabinets for my kids stuff now!  

I did that when I first started. It is amazing the amounts of things that I had in the pantry and fridge taht weren't Atkins friendly. After the hubby and my son came on board it got much easier. Now I buy what we need for our way of eating, and few carb items for my DIL, but for the most part all we have are ATkins friendly foods in this house now. Good luck, I am pulling for you!! 

Thanks for all of the support! I work on a cruise ship 8 months out of the year, which is why I'm starting this while I'm at home on vacation. I figure since my choices are so limited onboard ship anyway, this should be pretty easy to follow. Most of what they serve in the mess is meats, poultry and fish, so I should be ok. It's hardest to me to eat healthier at home and people think I'm crazy...but it's true! I have more choices at home which is my downfall. Any suggestions on what I should buy? 

LOts of green veggies. Try to eat a least 2 cuops of green leafy veggies a day and 1 or 2 cups of other veggies. As long as the veggies are green or yellow they are pretty safe for the most part. Cucmber, celery, radishes, green onions in the salad with of course 2 cups of lettuce or spinach is great. Also zucchini sqaush, yellow summer squash, spaghetti squash, pickles (dill or sugar free), olives both black and green, sugar free ketchup (heinz), mustard, mayo, olive oil and red wine vinegar (salad dressing). And some cheeses(not american), try some sliced gouda, provolone, havarti. Check the packages on different brands as some have 0 carbs. Also some string cheese sticks, some beef stick snacks (those little hard beef sticks that are cut into 1 inch pieces), and plenty of beef, chicken, pork, and fish. Tuna, bacon, eggs. Make sure you take a calcium and mukti vitamin every day also. And if you are going to use something like Crystal Light, be sure to limit them to 3 a day. Use heavy whipping cream, utlra pasteurized in your coffee. Again, some brands have 0 carbs. And some Sugar Free Jello cups or packages toamke your own, and some Reddi Wip to top it with. Pork rinds make a great snack. Especially with hot sauce. Well that gives you some ideas. lol, Sorry I get started and just keep thinking of things.  

Hi lilsmurf....sounds like you know just the right thing to do...go shopping. You just got lots of great and thoughful hints from Ctiss...here is what I recommend. Plan your meals...I always pretty much eat the same breakfast (maybe two different versions) every day....so, I always am sure to have what I need in the house. I plan every meal....and always have something in the way of a healthy protein in the frig should I be starving and it's not mealtime yet ( you know, this hardly ever happens anymore....now that I have been on the plan since April...and believe it or not...my cravings for carbs have gone with the wind. Sp, preparation is the key...and trust really helps. I was willing to believe that the cravings would go away, but when they actually did...I was somewhat amazed. I am pretty much at goal weight now...and so grateful for all the support I get on Atkins website, and now on this one. Of course I track everything...not perfectly, but good enough for me. Good luck and stay the course.  

Oh yes, be sure to log everything that goes into our mouth, especially in the beginning. 

logging is key..for sure! FS is addictive, but the tools are so helpful and the people here are AWESOME. you can do this, good luck lilsmurf! (i cant help but wonder if you are short because of your screename. Im just 5ft tall myself!!) 

Thanks for all of the suggestions! I really do feel better when I eliminated the carbs. Definitely have to go shopping today, and I have to start the challenge that I signed up for. I'll let you know how it goes. I bought a 4 pack of the shakes and the double crunch bars last night. I figure it might help my chocolate cravings. I'm such a chocoholic!