I'm on an exchange plan, and with an exchange plan, everything is budgeted. That works best for me. With the exception of a few reduced fat and artificially sweetened products, I try to stay away from most fake foods. Most don't taste like food, and if what I eat doesn't taste like food, it doesn't seem to register as food, and I'm still hungry after eating it. Those are truly wasted calories.

I dislike anything fake. I always eat regular full-fat versions of everything, just much less of everything.

I will do light, but not fat free (for salad dressings, cheese and other dairy, etc). I will always make room for real mayo (Hellman's Olive Oil), avocados and pistacios.

For the rare treats, movie theater popcorn and a bit of chocolate now and then.

Everything I eat is unsubstituted. Although, I actually prefer the lower fat versions of cream cheese, sour cream, etc. The full fat and low fat taste exactly the same to me.

I eat very few reduced calorie/fat foods. I do like Parkay spray butter on my veggies, PAM, Splenda in my coffee, and will do light versions of salad dressings, but not fat free. I think that is about it. Oh and Laughing Cow light cheese too, but all other cheese is the regular, delicious full-fat version. I've discovered I'd rather have one spoon of Haagen Daz premium icecream that a Skinny Cow icecream sandwich.

Dark chocolate and the desserts I rarely eat have to be real full on versions lol. I have replaced using sugar with xylitol it's not artificial and oil with spray oil.

Spaghetti bolonese, sometimes I make it with turkey mince but usually I use beef or pork (sometimes both). I stew mine for 3 + hours. I have stopped using wine in it to cut some of the calories but usually when I make it, I'll cut down on the spaghetti or just have a smaller lunch.

Thai Curry is another thing I'm absolutely obsessed with, although I usually always use reduced coconut milk because I prefer the taste, sometimes I'll eat it with rice noodles (lower in cal) instead of rice, but honestly nothing in the world can beat curry and rice, they're a match made in heaven.

I'm skeptical about low calorie/reduced fat anyway. I am constantly monitoring food labels to look at sugar levels and comparing full fat with low fat. I resent anything that has hidden sugar in it because if I can't taste it then it's a complete waste.

I've been eating "light" versions of lots of products,but have changed my mind about one. Hidden Valley ranch regular dressing.I had forgotten how fabulous it tastes! So rich and creamy. I will gladly use a couple extra WW points for it!