need a GOOD diet!!

[cheermom1]

how many points is diet soda?

 

[wvjules]

how many points is diet soda?

If you join weight watchers they will tell you how many points each item is worth.

 

[FireDancer]

how many points is diet soda?

I'm not sure if they are any point but I would still avoid them like they are AIDS needles. Soda is bad enough but add artificial sweeteners to the mix (even Splenda) and there is just nothing good in those bottles (or cans).

 

[Octoberbride03]

From what you said, I really think you need to educate your husband on a serving size. Many people do not understand truly how much less a serving size it compared to what they are used to. I believe FireDancer alluded to it, and it was my example for my family.

Cereal. Most cereal's nutrition from the box are based on 3/4 to a cup of cereal. An average american bowl will hold anywhere from 2-4 cups of cereal, before the milk is added.

If your husband is used to a large diet, you will need to slowly turn it around or he really will be hungry all the time and that can screw up your weight loss also. Make sure to bulk up on fiber and veggies. Don't over add on fruits, it really does have a lot of calories.

Yup, this is why I started measuring my cereal several years ago instead of just filling the bowl to the top. Not only has it saved me in terms of calories its also saved money. I now get the number of servings and sometimes more than whats written on the box. Some brands will vary in what constitutes a serving, but 3/4 cup should be enough to fill most ppl. it certainly does me.

 

[Octoberbride03]

I'm not sure if they are any point but I would still avoid them like they are AIDS needles. Soda is bad enough but add artificial sweeteners to the mix (even Splenda) and there is just nothing good in those bottles (or cans).

No one will ever convince me that diet soda is better for you than regular soda. I haven't been able to cut it out entirely, but I now only allow myself soda 2 days per week and only 24oz each day. I don't neccesarily have the soda both days. And If I only have it on 1 day i still stick to the 24oz. Not 48 just because I haven't had it on another day.

My advice is start with some very basic rules like this that will not be too much trouble to stick with. As you get those rules down add in more. You will see the difference.

 

[cheermom1]

I'm not sure if they are any point but I would still avoid them like they are AIDS needles. Soda is bad enough but add artificial sweeteners to the mix (even Splenda) and there is just nothing good in those bottles (or cans).

I agree but I asked for my dh as he has a problem with diet soda..I love chrystal light so that is not a problem..but what is a problem for me is that I hate water can't stand the stuff..

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

how many points is diet soda?

Unless you are diabetic, most nutritionists will tell you to avoid "diet food" and artificial sweeteners. Most people gain weight with diet soda. Google it.

 

[dansamy]

I'm a carb cutter. It works very well for me!!!! Basically I eat lean meat and veggies.

For a treat, I have an icecream float, Breyers CarbSmart icecream with diet rootbeer. Delish!!!

Not the most nutritionally balanced way to do it, but it works for me and I can stick with it

Me too! However, I don't think it's nutritionally deficient at all. I am simply getting rid of the "empty calorie" carbs - bread, pasta, rice, potatoes, etc. During a serious weight loss phase, I do severely restrict fruit (all the higher sugar fruits), but I eat all the veggies I want. I get plenty of good carbs this way. Atkins gets so maligned as being the "steak, eggs and cheese diet" that cuts out all the carbs. True Atkins dieters are some of the healthiest eaters I know. What's not healthy about a nice grilled chicken with steamed veggies and a salad?

FYI, grilled meat, steamed veggies and a salad is a typical meal for me on Atkins. I add a small side of rice, pasta or potatoes to my kids' meals because their bodies burn energy at a much higher rate. The glucose spike doesn't last very long when they play outside 1-2 hours every day!

 

[FireDancer]

I agree but I asked for my dh as he has a problem with diet soda..I love chrystal light so that is not a problem..but what is a problem for me is that I hate water can't stand the stuff..

Have you tried flavored water? Now, a lot of it has sweeteners and other junk added to it but if anyone around you carries Hint water it is flavored only with flavor extrancts and natural oils. If you like the flavor of mint then MetroMint water is really good.

Unflavored Green tea is also a good option if you don't like plain water. I make my own by just steeping some tea bags for about 5 minutes and then putting it in the fridge. My favorite is Jasmine Green Tea (again from Trader Joe's but other people also make it).

As for the diet soda, it can be a hard habit to kick cold but a weening process might help. I used to add a ton of sugar to my coffee and had to gradually step it down to black. I switched to sugar cubes and started by adding 3, then 2, then 1, then none until I got used to the flavor. It was a shock at first but now I wouldn't go back. I'm a pretty A-personality person and usually just decide to do something and do it but this is something I had to do gradually.

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

Here is a weight-watchers calculator for points. You will need to know the calories, fat, and fiber for each serving to get an accurate point value.

http://www.webmilhouse.com/pointcalc.php

When I used to go to WW they said to never use more than 5 grams fat when calculating your points, it can affect the numbers. And most important even though foods may have a 0 point count, they most likely still have calories and that should be taken into account. You are definetely not free to eat as many 0 points as you want a day.

May I suggest going to your local library and seeing if they have some weight-watchers books and or even the magazines. You will be able to pull quite a bit of information from there and great tips to help you out.

 

[PeterPan09]

I remember one of my first WW meetings, the woman helpfully said that "you can eat all the veggies you want!" My answer then, and now is: "I'm already eating all the veggies I want-which is nearly NONE. They taste bitter to me and I could live happily ever after not touching a single one."

I have to find other ways to fill up because veggies will not do it for me.

 

[dansamy]

How do you purge something out of your diet that is in nearly everything?? Organic=more expensive so that isn't always an option.

You don't buy pre-packaged convenience food crap. You cook. Real food. I don't buy organic, so I will just defer to Penn&Teller on it: It's Bull$#!t.

 

[NeverlandClub23]

I was an ADDICT to regular soda (my poison of choice was Coke). I drank about 10-12 cans PER DAY. I switched to Diet Pepsi (go figure ) and lost about 11 lbs. I then bought a liter of club soda and when I would have diet soda I had to have it in a glass. I started with 95% diet soda and 5% club soda for about a week and then slowly started to decrease the ratio of soda to club soda. This process also helped reduce the caffeine withdrawal headaches. I now love club soda (regular water not so much, I do sometimes mix 100% fruit juice with no added sugar or sweeteners with club soda) as I love the fizz. I did the same thing with sweet tea to unsweet tea and now enjoy getting unsweetened ice tea when I go out to eat.

I recommend checking out www.sparkpeople.com if for nothing else than there recipe section. They have some great user submitted recipes!

(Oh and if you love popcorn or salty snacks and you can't get to a Trader Joe's I suggest buying a cheap air popper and popping some popcorn, drizzle olive oil over it and salt. I swear it tastes just like buttered popcorn. It is so weird as I don't even care for the taste/flavor of olive oil by itself. A healthy, easy snack!)

 

[NeverlandClub23]

If you like the flavor of mint then MetroMint water is really good.

I really like MetroMint water (particularly the peppermint). My local Kroger have these on sale often for 10 for $10.

 

[dansamy]

I remember one of my first WW meetings, the woman helpfully said that "you can eat all the veggies you want!" My answer then, and now is: "I'm already eating all the veggies I want-which is nearly NONE. They taste bitter to me and I could live happily ever after not touching a single one."

I have to find other ways to fill up because veggies will not do it for me.

And if I eat pasta or rice, I will binge on empty carbs for days. I've just had to accept that this has to be a way of life and not a diet for me. I even have to be careful about too much whole grain bread or it will send me into a carb-fest in a heartbeat. But a protein heavy breakfast will keep me full all day. I won't be hungry until late afternoon, when I'll have a salad with some grilled meat on it.

I have also always only bought wheat bread. My poor children beg me for white bread when we're at the store and I always tell them no. Poor things only get it at school and when we go out. The wheat bread in our house is what I refer to as "moderate-carb" about 7g per slice, but I still can't have it more than 1-2x week.

 

[cheermom1]

Have you tried flavored water? Now, a lot of it has sweeteners and other junk added to it but if anyone around you carries Hint water it is flavored only with flavor extrancts and natural oils. If you like the flavor of mint then MetroMint water is really good.

Unflavored Green tea is also a good option if you don't like plain water. I make my own by just steeping some tea bags for about 5 minutes and then putting it in the fridge. My favorite is Jasmine Green Tea (again from Trader Joe's but other people also make it).

As for the diet soda, it can be a hard habit to kick cold but a weening process might help. I used to add a ton of sugar to my coffee and had to gradually step it down to black. I switched to sugar cubes and started by adding 3, then 2, then 1, then none until I got used to the flavor. It was a shock at first but now I wouldn't go back. I'm a pretty A-personality person and usually just decide to do something and do it but this is something I had to do gradually.

I really appreciate the help but me + tea =

I hear what you are saying but I'm going to try to get flavored waters and stuff...thanks

 

[PeterPan09]

You don't buy pre-packaged convenience food crap. You cook. Real food. I don't buy organic, so I will just defer to Penn&Teller on it: It's Bull$#!t.

Nice....thanks for the help.

 

[AshleyW]

how many points is diet soda?

If you (or your DH) really want to drink diet soda, it's 0 points. I used to be reeeally addicted to diet coke, but I've switched (mostly) over to flavored sparkling water from Wal-Mart or Target.

Here's a list of "common" food points for WW.

http://quiddity.cc/rachel/diet/wwfoods.htm

But, the thing to keep in mind is that it depends on how you cook the food, so I try and use the "common" foods list only for fruits, veggies, etc. and not meals. It's nice to look through the list and see what types of foods to eat more of (low points) and what types of foods to avoid (high points).

To actually calculate points, I use this site:

http://www.webmilhouse.com/pointcalc.php

Weightwatchers.com also has some really good recipes and tips that you can look at - even if you're not a member.

 

[dansamy]

Nice....thanks for the help.

Seriously, the only place you'll find HFCS is in pre-packaged convenience foods. I'm sorry if you don't think that was helpful. It's very easy to cut out HFCS, dyes, preservatives, etc. Is it more expensive? Yes. Is it more work? Yes. You have to decide if the extra expense and time are worth it to you. Shop the exterior perimeter of your grocery store, buying only natural foods. No cans, boxes, bottles, etc. Meat, cheese, veggies, milk, etc. Bake your own bread is really the best way to get HFCS-free bread.

I am not knocking your WOE, just sharing what works best for me. More power to all those who can stick to the USDA-pushed high-carb/low-fat recommendations. I can't. I'm starving all darn day and I can't do it. Purging all the "empty, nutritionally void calories" from my diet is the only way I can eat and be satisfied and healthy on lower calories.

 

[JessicaR]

75 pounds to be lost combined with the fact that his portions are large and he is a man. I would put him on Atkins or South Beach. Reduced Carbs.

Atkins would be a short term option to get him started with the benefit of not restricting portion size. If done properly he will lose weight rapidly. He won't be miserable if you are creative. My husband was extremely successful years ago when he went on Atkins. After a few months I switched him to South Beach. I find South Beach to be more balanced and a good choice for way of life eating not just a quick fix.

Have a look at the websites if its something that interests you I have many recipes and shopping lists.

The worst part of Atkins is the beginning days when sugar is leaving your system. After that he felt great. My husbands cholesterol ranges as well as his blood pressure and glucose all fell within range after being on Atkins. He did have a potassium issue that regular blood work while on this plan picked up.

I know Atkins is not for everyone but pros and cons for each individual should be determined before making that decision. My husband like yours, had considerable weight to lose and he had heath issues also.

Approve any diet you begin with your doctor.

Good luck to him!