I love reading all these responses! It seems like those who do use lower fat products (e.g., skim milk, low-fat dairy in general, etc.) do so because that is what you like best and are used to. I can relate to that. Years ago when I first tried cottage cheese, I accidentally bought one w/ no salt. I got used to that, so that when I finally did try the one with salt, it tasted wierd to me.

This shows that we can train our tastes. Years ago on one of my many diets--this time Weight Watchers---I cut out soda. Somehow, even when I stopped WW and regained my weight, that change stuck with me. From that point on (now at least 15 years), I drink water as my main beverage. I might have soda maybe twice a year, at most. It's way to sweet for me (and this is coming from someone with a major sweet tooth).

Hmmm to be honest (and I will be honest) throwing a few low fat things into your menu might help.xx

Why? I'm losing at a rate that's satisfying for me. Just curious as to why you think less fat in my diet would be better?

Are you sure they aren't just marketed as something else? Steel-cut oats are called Scottish or Irish oats here in the US. So that is truly bizarre that you can't get them. Do you only have rolled oats? Sorry. Just trying to wrap my head around this.

EDIT: I looked it up. I guess in the UK they are called pinhead oats.

at lin43 its just if she isnt seeing the same results,just with that menu as an example it didnt seem too low calorie to me, nothing nasty or anything congrats on losing weight though. I am on a low calorie diet and already lost 4 pounds in 4 days and my friend who did it lost 88lbs (6 stone 4 pounds) in 5 months xxx

I'm confused by your post. Who is the "she" who "isn't seeing the same results"? I'm the OP. I've gone from a size 14 to a size 10 Petite, and am very satisfied with that. I only have one more size down before I reach my goal (in fact, I can now wear some size 8's, but I don't want to change my ticker until all my clothes are size 8 or lower).

I'm glad that your diet is working for you. From another post, I see that you're on a specific diet that is quite a bit more restricted than mine. I genuinely wish you the best with it. However, I have been there and done that, and for me, it doesn't work long term. Instead, a very restricted diet makes me rebel and leads to overeating---far more severely than if I allow myself to eat the types of foods I love in moderation.

Also, I congratulate you on the speed of your weight loss. However, again, for me, this isn't a sprint; it's a marathon. I'm less concerned with how fast I lose the weight and more concerned about whether I'll keep it off permanently. To each her own, though . . .

IMO, what works for the individual is obviously the best plan for that person. The only successful plan is one that you can stick with.

I'm finding the odd place that sells pinhead oats, but it's a hassle and generally involves placing a much larger order and paying quite a lot for delivery, which I can't afford to do. If you can find me somewhere helpful that isn't Goodness Direct (no way am I buying from that place; google the Jesus Army to find out why), do let me know!

I don't eat "low fat", "fat free" or "sugar free" anything. It isn't satisfying and it always has something added to make it palatable.

I'm with you! As far as actual meals, I pretty much eat what I did before, but just less of it. Sure, I've made changes (I opt for whole grains instead of white, I eat more fruits and veggies now, I don't snack as much and I've cut out or cut way down on some things simply because they're just not "worth" the calories, not that they're "banned")... but overall, no, I really don't eat "diet" food.

A few exceptions:

Skinny cow ice cream. Tastes just as good as other ice cream bars IMO, and only 100 calories!

Light string cheese: I actually prefer it to the regular, better texture, I think?

Diet soda. I didn't drink a TON of regular soda before, but I still crave that fizzy burn. I know diet soda isn't the best for you either, but I figure it's still better than all that sugar, plus it makes room for calories I can actually EAT.

I actually prefer the taste of baked potato chips to the regular now. Regular chips are just way too greasy.

I REFUSE to do FF dressings. Sometimes I can handle the "light" versions, but I'd rather have a tablespoon of something that tastes good than 3 tablespoons of something that tastes like crap.

Interesting topic. Glad to see there are others like us

Do what works for you. I have changed a few things and I can tell you it has helped myself and my family. Instead of chips and dip we have carrots and dip. Nobody can tell you why you were FAT...if you're losing, you're doing something right. Keep on doing what you're doing and enjoy yourself while doing it

I live by the belief that eating foods in their most natural state is best... I try not to eat things that have been altered, so no low fat, sugar free anything, really. It's worked well for me so far!!

Agreed. I try not to eat too many processed foods, but I do use some lowered fat foods (ie low fat dairy that is actually "skimmed" and not chemically processed) and turkey bacon that is chopped and formed as opposed to mechanically separated.

I have come to a place in a long weight loss journey where I pretty much just eat whatever food I wish to eat but I count the calories. I am currently trying to cut out refined sugars and flours and lower carbs and I try to stick somewhat to a low glycemic way of eating but really, for me it is calories that count. I had a nice corndog for lunch lol.

I only eat 'diet' type foods when I prefer them to the full fat version or can't tell the difference. I use reduced fat shredded cheese and sour cream (can't tell the difference) and I LOVE diet pepsi. (Regular soda is waaay too sweet to me.) I drink skim milk b/c I prefer the taste- I'm not a big milk drinker anyway so it's mainly used for my coffee or recipes. I enjoy the taste of Lean Cuisines and they are convenient, so I buy those often.

Other than that I eat what I want, I just keep track of the calories. I eat white rice, flour tortillas and pasta on a regular basis and still lose weight. I've tried having brown rice, whole wheat tortillas and whole wheat pasta and all it's done is left me wanting the more delicious 'real' thing. Today I had a half a pint of take out shrimp fried rice for lunch and still have stayed under 1500 calories for the day